A magma reservoir is refilling beneath Japan's underwater Kikai caldera

A massive underground magma reservoir is refilling beneath Japan's submerged Kikai caldera, ScienceDaily reported. The magma store has accumulated over the 7,300 years following one of the most powerful volcanic eruptions in recent geological history. [1]

Scientists identified the vast store of magma by using underwater seismic surveys. According to ScienceDaily, this magma accumulation appears to have built up steadily since the ancient eruption destroyed parts of the structure thousands of years ago. [1]

The Earth's crust consists of slow-moving tectonic plates, and dry land accounts for less than 30 percent of the planet's surface while oceans cover the remainder. Within this geological framework, large volcanic systems form magma chambers beneath active volcanic zones. [5]

Researchers state that the findings could help explain the mechanisms by which supervolcanoes rebuild their magma reservoirs after massive events. ScienceDaily reported that the discovery offers insight into processes at other large systems such as Yellowstone and Toba. [1]