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In 2001,NASAsatellites scan an uninhabited island near Antarctica in the South Atlantic Ocean detected a thermal anomaly that left scientists spin . deeply inside an undiscovered volcano , they notice the signature tune ofa bubbling lake of liquified rock . Only seven such lava lakes were known worldwide .
With nothing but thermal data , however , volcanologists were unable to substantiate the creation of a lava lake . Two 10 later , they in conclusion did it . In a brand name - new " Explorer " episode premiere Thursday ( Oct. 26 ) , filmmakers followed scientist and mountaineers as they talk terms the first ascent of Mount Michael , avolcanoon Saunders Island in the South Sandwich Islands , and confirmed it check the lake .
Saunders Island is teeming with wildlife and is home to over a million penguins.
" Lava lake are one of the best natural research laboratory that we have to study volcanic processes,“Emma Nicholson , a volcanologist and associate prof in Earth sciences at University College London who went on the dispatch , recount Live Science . " Lava lakes are not permanent ; they are geologically transitory , so when we discover a fresh laboratory , we have to harness it as quickly as we can . "
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Nicholson and a squad of explorers first tried to make the superlative of Mount Michael in 2020 , but misfortunate conditions conditions forced them to abandon the endeavor halfway through .
Three members of the expedition team brace against the elements, roped together as they climb Mount Michael.
The successful climb at long last occurred in November 2022 and " was year in the making , " Nicholson said . Besides have a glimpse of the lava lake , the mission ’s target was to collect data to improve mannikin of volcanic action .
Lava lakes enable scientists to " take the lid off " a vent , Nicholson said . " commonly , all the process of how magma motion and releases gun is blot out deeply underground , and we basically have to construe what we can measure out at the surface , " she said . But these processes are out in the open at lava lake .
From the moment the team set sail , they meet a series of obstacle that threatened the success of the expedition . navigate across the tempestuous Southern Ocean to Saunders Island was no diminished feat , Nicholson said , but they were rewarded with a spectacular view upon reaching .
The Australis ship heads towards Saunders Island in the South Sandwich Islands, where the expedition team investigated whether a lava lake exists within Mount Michael.
" The way the wind wind around the island creates a little haven of calm within the sea , so we sailed through this wall of swarm and abruptly the volcano opened up in front of us , " she say . " It was the most magnificent moment . "
The biggest challenge was the initial climb up Mount Michael , Nicholson say . " The cold had got into my ivory , my legs were attach up and I had a raft of pain in my ankles , " she recall . " I thought I ’d be the reason why the squad could n’t make it to the top and that was crushing . "
The explorers eventually get in touch with the elevation , but visibility was too poor to make out the lake . On a second ascent , the team finally glimpse Mount Michael ’s volcanic crater . " It was bigger and more immense than I could ever have imagined , " Nicholson said .
Three members of the expedition team take scientific samples on Mount Michael.
At the bottom of the gaping hole , they found what is now officially the 8th known lava lake on Earth .
There are many reason why lava lakes should n’t exist , Nicholson said . " When lava is this close to the surface and it ’s exposed , it should crystallise and form a solid plug . Too much magma and too much air pressure would trigger an eructation , so it ’s this sheer perfect balance . "
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The breakthrough will help scientists meliorate volcanology models and hunky-dory - strain quantify pawn , Nicholson said . " My gilt goal is to go back at some point and install permanent monitoring station that can then send data to us by satellite , " she added .
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