Climate change, like natural disasters, has been a nagging threat to life on earth since modern civilization. Scientists have explored the correlation between climate change and natural phenomena, but a new and previously unrecognized threat is brewing and the science community wants you to be aware.

Volcanic eruptions pose a terrifyingly destructive blow to the environment. Based in various locations around the world, including submarine locations (on the ocean floor), volcanoes can have far reaching consequences. For one thing, bursting chemically laden dust particles and gases into the atmosphere can cause a shielding of the earth blocking out the sun’s rays. While this is more common in serious eruptions mainly from stratovolcanoes, the possibility remains a threat. Like air pollution, these dust particles can get trapped in the lungs irritating them and stirring up diseases such as asthma.

Volcanic eruptions do not only impact the communities in which they reside. Thanks in part to air circulation, carbon dioxide and dust particles can get carried around often reaching far off locations and causing the same major problems. More troubling atmospheric consequences range from prolonged periods of darkness as well as toxins that infiltrate living habitats of varying species including humans.

It’s not surprising that one of earth’s greatest natural disasters can have serious implications on the environment. But, what if the tables were turned and instead it was climate change that affected volcanic eruptions?

Less Glacier Cover Spells More Eruptions

Using the volcanically active country of Iceland as its model, scientists at the University of Leeds studied characteristics over the last millenia to identify eruption patterns. What they discovered was a unique pattern of glacier cover that, when melting, caused disruption to the surface pressure of a volcano, thus leading to the likelihood of an eruption. Dr. Graeme Swindles of the University of Leeds put it more bluntly, “Climate change caused by humans is creating rapid ice melt in volcanically active regions.”

Studying a combination of lake sediments and peat deposits where volcanic ash was present, they concluded where glacier cover was more prominent, eruptions surprisingly decreased. Furthermore, the decrease in eruptions was preceded by global temperature drops. This tells us that when temperatures are warmer, glaciers are more likely to melt and possibly result in an increase in eruptions.

How Are The Two Phenomena Connected?

To understand how climate change and volcanic eruptions are connected, we must first understand the composition and structure of volcanoes. The depth of the magma chamber -- a partial or total molten body (lava) within the earth’s crust is critical in identifying the force and likelihood of an eruption. If the chamber is shallow, it is more susceptible to a changing surface pressure (glacier cover that suddenly begins to melt) and is potentially more prone to erupting.

Hawaii, known for its active volcanoes, may have the world’s shallowest magma chamber. In fact, measurements concluded that the magma chamber sat about 1.9 to 2.5 miles below Hawaii. The underground molten rock is not that far from the earth’s surface. When eruptions occur, they can be devastating.

In 2010, Michael Barton, professor of earth sciences at The Ohio State University presented findings on Icelandic volcanoes, citing that chemical composition of once liquid magma can be used to identify the pressure at which it crystallized. In Iceland, if the magma chamber is shallow, the melting of glacier cover plays a substantial part as the molten rock can become easily distressed by human activity and by being so close to the earth’s surface. This would lead to more frequent volcanic activity. We’ve already witnessed the perils of rising sea levels as a result of melting ice caps in Antarctica. Rising temperatures have gravely affected natural habitats in this area leading to a crisis for the species living there. The same is true for Iceland and any other area where volcanoes are active.

It is worth noting that while Hawaii’s chamber is rather close to the earth’s surface, Iceland’s chambers sit much further below the earth’s surface, an average of some 12.4 miles.

Indonesia’s Mount Agung

The recent and ongoing eruption of Bali’s Mount Agung has been under close scrutiny since it began fuming in the most recent week. Considered among the world’s most dangerous volcanoes, Mount Agung has kept the attention of geologists and for good reason. This is because if the eruption is big enough, it could throw our planet into a wayward spin, ultimately decreasing global temperatures and cooling our earth.

Because volcanoes have a history of changing the earth’s climate, the University of Leeds study is all the more credible. Their study of cooling and eruption patterns are consistent with what volcanic eruptions have already told us: climate change is directly linked to a volcano’s activity. Our human activity also has the potential to have a direct link too.