---
title: "Volcanologists Discover Unique Chemical Signatures in Volcanic Crystals"
url: https://newscentral.site/volcanologists-discover-unique-chemical-signatures-in-volcanic/
language: en
publisher: "News Central Site"
section: "Science"
published: 2026-11-09T10:00:06.000Z
updated: 2026-11-09T15:45:08.440Z
id: 923586db-94c4-4521-9051-dbfef63ee1ba
source: "Phys.org https://phys.org/news/2026-11-crystals-hint-volcano-ability-erupt.html"
attribution: "Link to https://newscentral.site/volcanologists-discover-unique-chemical-signatures-in-volcanic/ and name News Central Site when you quote or summarize this story."
---

# Volcanologists Discover Unique Chemical Signatures in Volcanic Crystals

A study by researchers at the University of Queensland has found that tiny crystals in volcanic rocks can provide clues about when and how a volcano might erupt.

Researchers at the University of Queensland have made a significant discovery about the behavior of volcanoes, using tiny crystals as a window into their inner workings. The study found that these crystals can provide valuable clues to when and how a volcano might erupt.

Ph.D. candidate Daniela Parra-Encalada examined plagioclase, a common white crystal commonly found in rocks from Andean volcanoes. Her research revealed that even the smallest crystals from different volcanoes, regardless of their age or eruption style, had identical chemical signatures.

The analysis suggests that these crystals grow in response to changes in temperature, water content and magma composition within the volcano's crust, just a few kilometers below the surface. This process allows scientists to reconstruct the volcano's history by examining individual crystals rather than entire rocks.

Volcanologists have discovered a unique pattern of chemical signatures in the smallest crystals found in volcanic rocks that may indicate when a volcano is about to erupt.

The team analyzed 28 rock samples from seven volcanoes and two ancient super-eruptions across a 230-kilometer stretch of the Central Andes, finding evidence of the same process in every sample. Microscopic examination revealed tiny plagioclase crystals with distinct chemical compositions that were mapped and compared to other datasets.

Parra-Encalada's research suggests that these small crystals are formed when very hot magma from deep underground pushes into a shallow reservoir, destabilizing the volcano's plumbing system and triggering an eruption. This process appears to be linked to a specific geochemical signature, which the team has dubbed the 'plagioclase eruptibility field'.

The researchers plan to investigate whether this pattern is also present in oceanic volcanoes, building on their findings from the Central Andes.

The study's findings have sparked interest in the potential of plagioclase crystals to serve as indicators of volcanic activity.

Researchers are eager to test whether the observed pattern is consistent across volcanoes located in different geological settings. This could provide valuable insights into the behavior of these natural wonders and potentially inform monitoring efforts to mitigate eruption risks. The study's focus on plagioclase crystals has also led to speculation about their role in accumulating valuable metals.

The researchers' plans for future investigation include examining whether plagioclase crystals can be used to identify volcanoes that require closer scrutiny due to their increased likelihood of eruption, which could have significant implications for volcanic monitoring and management.

---
Source: [Phys.org](https://phys.org/news/2026-11-crystals-hint-volcano-ability-erupt.html)  
Published by News Central Site: https://newscentral.site/volcanologists-discover-unique-chemical-signatures-in-volcanic/