The dormant giant in Bolivia has begun stirring again, with experts intrigued about what can be learned.
Scientists call it a ‘zombie volcano’: it hasn’t erupted for more than 250,000 years, but is now showing signs of activity
If you thought zombies only haunted horror films, think again. Scientists are keeping a close eye on Uturuncu, a towering peak in the Bolivian Andes that hasn’t erupted in over 250,000 years. And yet, this so-called “zombie volcano” appears to be moving, breathing, and even quaking – despite its ancient slumber. Maybe we’ll need to give Rick Grimes a call after all.
Uturuncu isn’t just a scenic stop on a geology-themed travel itinerary, though. It sits above one of the most massive active magma bodies ever recorded in the Earth’s crust. Dubbed the Altiplano-Puna Magma Body, this underground reservoir spans around 124 miles. Think of it as a slowly simmering pot of molten rock, 6 to 12 miles below your feet.
Over the last two decades, scientists have watched this zombie stir. Satellite radar imagery from the early 2000s revealed a sombrero-shaped uplift near the summit – a 93-mile-wide bulge that then gently deflated. Earthquakes, subtle ground rises, and steam plumes have added to the unease. But is it gearing up for a dramatic return?
What is a zombie volcano?
Zombie volcanoes are those that haven’t erupted in at least 12,000 years, sometimes up to millions, but still show some signs of life. They burp gases, shift rocks, and spurt heat from beneath the surface, yet rarely go full Godzilla. Scientists track around 50 of these globally, including Italy’s Campi Flegrei, which last erupted in 1538 but continues to simmer ominously under the Bay of Naples.
Uturuncu may be the most studied of the bunch. Researchers recently combined 1,700 seismic readings with computer models, rock chemistry tests, and gravity measurements to map out its inner workings. What they found was complex and surprising: a vast hydrothermal system, not an imminent magma surge, is causing the fuss.
In simpler terms, the magma isn’t charging upward toward a fiery finale. Instead, it’s gently heating briny fluids and gases that escape through rock channels. These fluids rise, collect, and sometimes trigger earthquakes or subtle ground swelling – about 0.4 inches a year. As one expert put it to CNN, Uturuncu might just be “letting off steam.”
While the study doesn’t show any sign of magma rising, it matters not because Uturuncu is about to blow, but because it provides a new blueprint for understanding volcanoes that still breathe despite being technically dormant. This could help scientists better identify which “zombies” might really come back to life, and which are simply cooling off. Disaster preparedness is one thing, but there are also potential insights into geothermal energy among other factors.
Seismic data, chemistry, and advanced modeling each give an individual picture, albeit a fuzzy one. But together, they help reveal the hidden plumbing beneath Earth’s mountains.
Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.
Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.
Complete your personal details to comment
Your opinion will be published with first and last names