Kikai Caldera Shows Signs of Magma Replenishment
Scientists using underwater seismic surveys have detected a vast magma reservoir beneath Kikai caldera, a submerged volcanic system south of Japan. The magma appears to have accumulated since one of Earth’s most powerful eruptions in recent geological history, which occurred about 7,300 years ago.
The discovery indicates that Kikai has continued to replenish its magma supply after the ancient catastrophe. By studying how the reservoir formed and evolved, researchers may gain a better understanding of the processes that allow supervolcanoes, including Yellowstone and Toba, to recover following major eruptions.