Are Türkiye’s dormant volcanoes awakening?

Türkiye's UNESCO-listed Kula-Salihli Geopark, known for its volcanic hills and the lava sea formed by molten rock, has attracted not only nature enthusiasts but also scientists. Recently, a significant study was conducted in this unique area. Supported by TÜBİTAK, the project led by Eskişehir Osmangazi University involved 12 scientists who installed 15 seismometers in the region to study the underground magma chambers. Their research revealed the existence of eight magma chambers located 5 to 30 kilometers beneath the surface. The largest chamber, located 5 kilometers deep, was found to be at risk of being triggered by earthquakes. This discovery has reignited discussions about the potential activity of volcanoes in Türkiye. While many active volcanoes exist in Türkiye, they are currently silent. But will these giants wake up and spew lava one day? What does the eruption risk detected in the magma chamber in Manisa mean? To answer these questions, we consulted Prof. Dr. Şükrü Ersoy, Dean of the Faculty of Civil Engineering at Yıldız Technical University (YTU) and Director of the Natural Sciences Research Center. VOLCANOES IN TÜRKİYE Prof. Dr. Ersoy points out that not all volcanoes have the same characteristics. He explains, 'When we think of a volcano, we often imagine a mountain with lava erupting from its crater. However, not all volcanoes erupt in this manner. Some volcanoes don't erupt violently; instead, lava flows from the crater on a wide mountain. Depending on the amount of gas inside, they might erupt with force, but if not, they simply flow. Volcanoes can also emerge slowly from cracks in the Earth's crust, which are sometimes almost invisible, like in Türkiye.' ERUPTION RISK IN MANISA Prof. Dr. Ersoy emphasizes that for a volcano to erupt, there must be a connection between the magma chamber and the surface. He adds, 'To monitor volcanic activity, we need to observe the area closely. For example, if small tremors occur or gas emissions are detected in the crater, these could be signs that an eruption is imminent.' DORMANT, NOT EXTINCT While there has been no recent activity, this does not mean the volcanoes are extinct. 'Türkiye's volcanoes are not extinct; they are simply dormant. They have erupted in the past, but there is no critical situation at the moment. However, keeping them under observation would be beneficial,' Prof. Dr. Ersoy concludes. VOLCANIC ACTIVITY TRIGGERED BY EARTHQUAKES? He provides examples of how this could indirectly affect Türkiye: 'When Mount Vesuvius erupted in Italy in 79 AD, its ash reached Istanbul. Similarly, when a volcano erupted in Iceland in 2010, 100,000 flights were canceled worldwide, as planes risked crashing if they flew through the volcanic ash cloud.'