A recent study analyzed a phenomenon that, at first, sounds strange. Can **[glaciers](https://noticiasambientales.com/ciencia/glaciares-en-retroceso-a-nivel-global-una-crisis-alarmante/)** prevent volcanic eruptions? The connection between both is a phenomenon that is strongly attracting the interest of scientists.
According to a recent study published in **Communications Earth & Environment** by researchers from the universities of Aberdeen, Birmingham, and Manchester, glaciers located near **active volcanoes** behave differently.
They move **almost 50% faster** than those that are not in volcanic areas.
This acceleration in glacier flow could be a **key indicator** of **subterranean geothermal activity**. This opens the possibility of an early warning system for eruptions based on glacier movements.
## Do glaciers predict volcanic eruptions? What does the study say?
The research team analyzed speed data from around **85% of the world’s glaciers**, covering approximately 217,000 glacier formations.
Once factors such as climate, ice thickness, and surface slope were controlled, researchers noticed that glaciers near active volcanoes **moved faster** than others. Specifically, with an average **46% increase** in speed.
This phenomenon seems to be related to the high amount of **geothermal heat** that active volcanoes release into the surrounding soil and ice.
Therefore, this additional heat **melts the ice at the base** of the glaciers, reducing friction between the ice and the underlying rock, facilitating a faster flow of the glacier forward.
When studying changes in glacier speed using satellites, scientists believe they could anticipate an increase in volcanic activity several months in advance.
Therefore, changes in glacier flow would reflect an increase in thermal energy under the ice, which could precede an eruption.
The study focused on the importance of this finding in **reducing risks** in areas with ice-covered volcanoes.
In this line, Dr. **Joseph Mallalieu**, co-author of the research and member of the University of Birmingham, highlighted that ice limits the visibility and accuracy of other monitoring methods, such as gas sensors and seismographs.
Therefore, monitoring glacier speed can provide a new alternative for the **prediction of eruptions**.
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