A Sleeping Volkan That Surprised Scientists: Methana Woke Up After 110 Thousand Years

A new study on the Methana volcano in Yunanistan has revealed that this volcano became active again after remaining silent for approximately 110 thousand years. This discovery has sparked debates among volcanologists about whether the definition of an 'extinct' volcano needs to be revisited. Traditionally, a volcano was considered extinct if it had not erupted for about 10 thousand years. However, the example of Methana shows that this period could be much longer.

Researchers are trying to understand how Methana became active again after such a long period of silence. It is believed that the magma chamber deep beneath the volcano is still hot and mobile, but its ascent to the surface was blocked. This situation reveals that the dormant periods of volcanoes could be much longer than thought and that the 'extinct' label could be misleading. Scientists emphasize that the potential for such volcanoes to wake up suddenly should not be ignored.

The Methana volcano is located on the coast of Saronik Körfezi, in the northeast of Yunanistan's Mora Yarımadası. Although the region has witnessed volcanic activity throughout history, Methana's last eruption dates back to the 3rd century B.C. The new research shows that the volcano actually went through a much longer dormant period and that classifying it as extinct was a mistake. This situation indicates that volcano monitoring systems and risk assessments need to be restructured.

Volcanologists believe that this discovery could mean similar situations might exist for other volcanoes around the world that are accepted as extinct. The risk of volcanoes in densely populated areas becoming active again is of great importance for disaster management. The research reveals that the dormant periods of volcanoes could be much longer than predicted and therefore the term 'extinct' needs to be redefined.

As a result, this study on the Methana volcano is considered a revolutionary discovery in volcanology. Scientists state that even volcanoes thought to be extinct now need to be monitored carefully. This discovery could mark the beginning of a new era in the assessment of volcanic hazards. The research resonated widely in the international volcanology community, and calls were made for further studies.