A volcano’s signs of activity are making residents’ peace unstable. Uturuncu volcano (Bolivia) wasn’t active since 250,000 years ago, it looked like a dead one at first glimpse, but not everything is what it seems to be. It has been found that inside there is activity and scientists are able to understand volcanoes better and look for valuable minerals. Let’s see what Uturuncu has to offer us because you never know what a volcano might hide!
The ‘’zombie’’ volcano
Uturuncu volcano is located in the southwest part of Bolivia and it is 19,711 feet high above sea level, in one of the highest mountains in Bolivia and in South America. For many years (250,000) it has been identified as a ‘’dead’’ volcano because of the lack of activity for such a long time. Even though there were no eruptions, scientists found out that it has been showing signs of activity inside and this is why they named it the ‘’zombie’’ volcano – it was ‘’dead’’ but in the end it was ‘’alive’’ inside.
Why did they decide to study Uturuncu among the many inactive volcanoes? Because of its unusual shape, similar to a sombrero.
Remarkable discovery
Scientists were surprised at the recent data from this ‘’zombie’’ natural phenomenon and they were able to obtain new information about it and its surroundings. The volcano’s ground was slowly getting raised and they found hot gases and liquids moving around under this ground. Another important aspect is a magma lake 15 km deep. As Professor Matthew Pritchard from Cornell University says, ‘’processes in Uturuncu are particularly interesting because they’re telling us about the liquids and the gases that are moving through there might become, or maybe even today are, a reservoir of minerals that could be useful for technology’’.
All this information is crucial to know more about the activity underground and future similar situations. Currently, scientists involved in this research, published in the scientific magazine ‘’Proceedings of the Natural Academy of Sciences (PNAS), have found different benefits from the Uturuncu volcano:
One of them is the minerals issue, as there are movements inside, it could also be moving minerals like lithium – a key material in the making of technological devices. Another aspect of this research is the possibility of finding more volcanoes like Uturuncu and being able to collect more new data, which could lead to other new investigations.
Interested in visiting Uturuncu volcano?
If you are into these natural phenomena, you are lucky authorities have given access to this scientific discovery and people can visit it. It is a once in a lifetime activity which combines hiking and scientific history, you would be able to walk a path of about 800 metres and witness spectacular views from one of the highest points of South America.
Overall, scientists have discovered another important and useful natural phenomenon that could be a source of income for Bolivia, in this case, and it has also become an open window for new but similar volcanic situations. Researchers said there is no danger at the moment because the percentage of eruption is minimum, but they don’t discard it. This is why some precautions should be thought of and communicated to society.
It is also important that this discovery is open to visitors to experience the feeling of standing on the volcano and being aware of the importance of this. Sometimes if you don’t experience it you do not believe it or don’t give it the significance it really has. So, if you have the chance you should go and visit Uturuncu and immerse yourself in the study done.