The world could experience a massive volcanic eruption this century. This is a phenomenon that could bring devastating consequences, given the current conditions of the planet.
Scientists like Markus Stoffel, a climate professor at the University of Geneva, have confirmed that this will happen, but there are still no certainties about when.
According to geological data, there is a one in six chance of this event happening in the coming decades.
### Massive Volcanic Eruption: When Could It Happen
Based on historical records, the most notable precedent is the eruption of Mount Tambora in 1815, which triggered the largest volcanic catastrophe ever recorded.
The impact was not limited to local devastation in Indonesia, but its global effect marked the so-called “year without a summer.”
Temperatures dropped, crops were lost, and a cholera pandemic spread as the world faced famines and social tensions.
These consequences would be catastrophic, experts warn.
This new event will happen this century, they warn. However, unlike previous episodes, the danger now lies in the fact that it would occur in a much hotter and densely populated world.
According to Stoffel, an explosion of such magnitude would release sulfur dioxide into the stratosphere, creating particles that reflect sunlight and cooling the planet for several years.
While the effect may seem like a temporary relief from global warming, experts point out that the consequences would be devastating.
### Why the Consequences Would Be Catastrophic
An average global cooling of just one degree Celsius could destabilize weather patterns, dry out the monsoons of Africa and Asia, and reduce agricultural productivity.
Studies on past eruptions, such as that of Mount Pinatubo in 1991, have already shown how these particles affect global temperatures.
Even more alarming is the possibility that climate change could intensify these effects, increasing the dispersion of aerosols that worsen cooling.
In addition to the climate impact, the social repercussions would also be enormous. More than 800 million people live near active volcanoes, increasing the risk of direct human and economic losses.
In the long term, the effect on food security, the global economy, and political stability could be catastrophic.
“It is crucial to develop strategies that include evacuations, relief efforts, and food supply,” emphasizes Stoffel. However, currently, preparedness is scarce, and simulations of extreme scenarios are just beginning to be developed.
Meanwhile, regions like Indonesia and Yellowstone in the United States, both with high volcanic activity, remain under the experts’ watch.
Have you visited our YouTube channel yet? Subscribe now!
