Turkey may face a volcanic eruption in the near future. Scientists announced that they detected magma approaching the surface. This situation is considered as a harbinger of volcanic activity, which will be a first for the country.
Kula district of ManisaIt is known as a region where Turkey’s youngest volcanoes are located. In the research, 8 different magma chambers were discovered at different depths of the earth’s crust. Especially the largest magma chamber, which is close to the surface, is in danger of eruption as a result of natural events such as earthquakes.
UNESCO Registered Geopark: The Burnt Country, the Center of Scientific Research
“Katakekaumene” (Katakekaumene) in the work “Geographika” of the ancient historian Strabon.Burnt CountryKula-Salihli Geopark, named ) attracts attention with its historical and natural features. While the Geopark is known for its volcanic structures and hot springs, it also serves as a natural laboratory.
Turkey’s only UNESCO registered geopark This area attracts the attention of scientists with its volcanic peaks and rock seas formed by lava flows. The natural formations in the region offer a unique environment for scientific research.
Within the framework of a TÜBİTAK-supported project, comprehensive research is being carried out in the region under the leadership of Eskişehir Osmangazi University and with the contributions of many universities. Scientists continue to examine the seismic activities of the region by placing 15 specially designed seismometers.
As a result of the studies, it was determined that there were magma chambers 5 to 30 kilometers underground. The largest magma chamber, which reaches the surface to a depth of approximately 5 kilometers, is at risk of being activated by earthquakes or movements in the earth’s crust. This situation is considered as a harbinger of a possible volcanic eruption in the region.
A First in Turkey: Identification of Magma Chambers
Eskisehir Osmangazi University Geology Engineering Department faculty member and project coordinator Prof. Dr. In his statement, Özgür Karaoğlu stated that the work in the region is large-scale. Prof. Dr. Karaoğlu stated that this research, which lasted 3.5 years, examined an area of approximately 10 thousand square kilometers, covering Kula, Demirci, Selendi, Salihli, Alaşehir and İzmir’s Kiraz district. He emphasized that during the research, specially designed seismometers were used and worked together with scientists specialized in geology and geophysics.
This TÜBİTAK project is carried out in Turkey using different geophysical methods. magma Stating that it is a first in terms of determining the rooms, Karaoğlu stated that this study is one of the few examples in the world. As a result of the research, large and small 8 magma chambersIt was determined that . Some of these magma chambers are 5-6 kilometers in size, while others can be up to 30 kilometers wide. These magma chambers, which are mainly located at a depth of 15 kilometers from the surface, can be monitored to a depth of 30 kilometers.
In particular, in the region geothermal Pointing out the existence of a magma mass that causes the system to heat up, Karaoğlu stated that they detected that this large magma mass rose up to 5 kilometers from the surface. The fact that magma is so close is considered a sign of possible volcanic activity.
Risk of Magma Remobilization
Kula-Salihli The volcanic activities of the region date back to approximately 2 million years ago and is home to many volcanic cones and lava remains. It is stated that the last known volcanic activity in the region occurred 4,700 years ago. This historical data provides important clues that the region may still be active.
Prof. Dr. Karaoğlu stated that when the positions of the magma chambers, their proximity to the surface and their stance are examined, there is a possibility that they will become active again and erupt. He drew attention to the risk that active fault lines in the region could trigger these magma chambers through earthquakes and initiate a possible volcanic eruption.
Stating that the border faults in the Alaşehir graben and other active fault systems in the region cause tension in the north-south direction, Karaoğlu explained that this situation deforms the earth’s crust. He emphasized that as these stresses and ruptures in the crust continue, there is a high probability that the magma mass, which has been inserted to a depth of 5 kilometers, will approach the surface and erupt. It is stated that this geological activity increases the risk of triggering volcanic activities in the region.
Head of Ankara University Geophysical Engineering Department and Director of Earthquake Research and Application Center, Prof., who is in the project team. Dr. Bülent Kaypak stated that the study carried out was a first in terms of quality in Turkey. In addition to the data obtained from seismometers temporarily placed in the region, data from the earthquake observation centers of AFAD and Kandilli Observatory were used in the study.
Imaging Magma Chambers with Earthquake Data
Prof. Dr. Kaypak explained that they detected nearly 3 thousand small earthquakes in the region and used this data to create an underground tomographic section of the magma chambers. Kaypak stated that they imaged the underground with earthquake data, similar to medical imaging techniques (such as brain tomography or MRI), and emphasized that they obtained important information about the location, size and depth of magma chambers.
Pointing out that his studies can provide significant benefits not only scientifically but also economically, Prof. Dr. Kaypak stated that this research can especially guide geothermal energy research. Determining the locations of magma chambers is critical for evaluating the geothermal potential in the region.
Stating that this research is an important innovation in terms of volcanic studies, Kaypak emphasized that this qualified study, in which different geophysical and geological methods were used together, was carried out for the first time in Turkey. This study, which successfully displays the depths of the underground, provides information that will contribute to both the scientific world and the economic development of the country.
Prof. Dr. Kaypak stated that the results obtained will make great contributions to the scientific world and that this research will provide various economic benefits, especially geothermal energy studies, in the long term. It is anticipated that these findings will allow Turkey to utilize geothermal energy resources more effectively and take important steps in the field of energy.
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