Oldoinyo Lengai volcano: New findings on dangerous tremors!

Oldoinyo Lengai volcano: New findings on dangerous tremors!

Researchers of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) have made remarkable progress in monitoring the Oldoinyo Lengai volcano in Tanzania. The group led by Jun.-Prof. Dr. Miriam Christina Reiss recently located the volcano's tremors and determined their position and depth in the ground. These findings are crucial for understanding how magma and gases are transported in the Earth. The complex nature of the detected tremor signals proved to be surprisingly diverse and provides valuable insights into volcanic activity.

The investigation, which took more than a year and a half to complete, involved the strategic placement of numerous seismometers around the volcano. Analyzes of the data began with a nine-day period during which the exact location of the tremors could be determined for the first time. Particularly fascinating is the discovery that two types of tremors that occurred at different depths appear to be linked. This happened at depths of around five kilometers and close to the foot of the volcano.

Core of discoveries

The characteristic tremors occur when magma pushes to the surface, causing tremors and minor vibrations. The high pressure of the magma can even lead to noticeable earthquakes. Oldoinyo Lengai, Earth's only active carbonatite volcano, produces liquid magma at temperatures of up to 550 degrees Celsius. Given that liquid magma typically generates fewer tremors, the research team's results were surprising.

The publication of the results in the specialist journal Communications Earth & Environment on October 1 represents significant progress. In the long term, the research aims to improve the ability to predict volcanic eruptions and to deepen fundamental understanding of the dynamics of volcanoes.

Global seismic activity

In a broader context, analysis of global seismic activity shows an increased interest in earthquakes and volcanic phenomena. provides information on this Global Seismic Activity Level (GSAL) ready, an online tool for visualizing and analyzing active seismic conditions worldwide. The GSAL rates seismic activity on a scale of 0 to 10, with values ​​around 6.0 being typical.

The calculation, which is based on the energy of all earthquakes known worldwide within a certain period of time, provides important insights into global seismic behavior. For example, a GSAL of 6.3 suggests hypothetical simultaneous earthquake magnitudes of this intensity, indicating the potentially associated hazards and dynamics in different geological systems.

To further analyze the unpredictability and risk of volcanic activity, ongoing research around Oldoinyo Lengai and the changing seismic patterns is of great importance. The findings could not only affect the local volcanic system, but also have implications for global seismic activity.