Fracturing and tectonic stress drive ultrarapid magma flow into dikes. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38330140/)

These scientists studied how magma flows underground in a place called Grindavik, Southwest Iceland. They found that when a large pathway opens up in the ground, magma can flow very quickly into it. This can happen even if there is only a little bit of pressure in the magma underground. The scientists used models to show that the magma can flow into these pathways at a rate of up to 7400 cubic meters per second. This is like filling up a big swimming pool very quickly! This study helps us understand how volcanoes form and can help us predict when eruptions might happen.

Sigmundsson F., Parks M., Geirsson H., Hooper A., Drouin V., Vogfjord KS., Ofeigsson BG., Greiner SHM., Yang Y., Lanzi C., De Pascale GP., Jonsdottir K., Hreinsdottir S., Tolpekin V., Friethriksdottir HM., Einarsson P., Barsotti S. Fracturing and tectonic stress drive ultrarapid magma flow into dikes. Science. 2024 Mar 15;383(6688):1228-1235. doi: 10.1126/science.adn2838. Epub 2024 Feb 8.