magma chamber

The size of Strombolian eruptions can vary but are often characterised by intermittent explosions, which occur due to the presence of gas in the magma chamber within the volcano.

This is creating a 3D map that shows how the hydrothermal system is connected to the volcano's magma chamber where an eruption is generated.

Indeed, the fact that there were so many hot spots spaced so closely together suggests that there is a vast underground magma chamber system.

“We don’t believe that sticking a needle into a huge magma chamber is going to create an explosive effect,” he asserts.

It’s not clear what causes these explosions, but scientists have long suspected that as the volcano’s subterranean magma chamber drained, groundwater encroached, flashing to steam with booming results.