Scientists on high alert as 'civilization-ending' volcano shows new signs of activity
Topics: Volcano, Mexico, Climate Change, Science
Callum Jones
Featured Image Credit: René Canul/Comisión Federal de Electricidad
Topics: Volcano, Mexico, Climate Change, Science
Scientists have been closely monitoring a 'civilization-ending' volcano that's shown signs of activity after years of very little.
Experts are keeping an eye on El Chichón in Mexico, which hasn't erupted since 1982 in what is known as one of the country's deadliest volcanic disasters.
At least 1,900 people tragically died, while nine villages were totally destroyed in the disaster.
Volcanologist and blogger Erik Klemetti has previously spoken about how the eruption at El Chichón is 'one of the most important volcanic events of the 20th century', as the local landscape was destroyed by fire and ash falls.
Advert
Klemetti added: "The eruption of El Chichón is overlooked in comparison to other historic eruptions like Mount St Helens in 1980 or the Pinatubo eruption in 1991, yet it teaches us a number of important lessons about how we can be better prepared for volcanic disasters and the potential influence of volcanoes on the Earth’s climate."
While that was some 40 years ago, scientists remain concerned after noticing a number of internal changes in the volcano during a monitoring process between June and December 2025.
Even if the changes are 'harmless', such movement requires experts to closely monitor the site, given the catastrophic impact an eruption has had in the past.
The team at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) noticed a number of significant changes in recent months, including a crater lake that has changed color from green to a grayish-like substance.
This could potentially indicate higher sulfate and silica content, as well as increased temperatures.
Hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide have also built up near the crater, though these don't necessarily indicate an eruption is imminent and are actually common in hydrothermal systems. It's just the fact that an increase has been recorded as to why experts are now closely monitoring the situation.
Sulfur spheres have also been forming in liquid sulfur pools close to the crater, which is a bit of an anomaly experts are keeping an eye on.
Volcanologist Dr Patricia Jácome Paz, from UNAM, has put some minds at rest by stating the latest finds don't specifically suggest that an eruption is on the horizon.
Instead, she said the chances with the volcano are likely because of superheated groundwater mixing with hot rock.
Rather than 'fresh magma', Dr Paz explained that 'the observed behavior is consistent with hydrothermal processes or minor steam-driven explosions'.
According to a UNAM report, the 'Chiapas Civil Protection Secretariat maintains constant communication with local communities, including tour guides, to reinforce safety measures and disseminate clear and accessible information about volcanic hazards'.