Getting the story straight: common misconceptions around volcanoes and eruptions with case studies of recent events

Abstract The ability to rapidly disseminate scientific knowledge across the world has never been greater. This is paralleled by the ability of rumors to spread equally far and fast. Popular misconceptions can take root and, without correction, take on the appearance of facts. Commonly misunderstood topics include those with attention-grabbing phrasing (e.g. “Pacific Ring of Fire”, “supervolcanoes”, or “mega-tsunamis”), the intersection of volcanic research with high-profile science topics (climate or human health), aspirational science goals (eruption forecasts), and basic terminology (volcanic ash versus smoke, or magma “chambers”). In this paper, we describe eighteen misconceptions grouped in six themes (seismology, volcanoes and climate, systems and structures, volcanic hazards, timescales, photographs and footage) commonly encountered by volcanologists who are actively engaging with the public and media both during and between eruptions. Each misconception description is accompanied by takeaway points and summaries of recent research to assist the reader with the information necessary to describe the issues. Finally, we present seven case studies where incorrect information was widely shared and counteracted at well-known volcanoes and recent eruptions at Mount Agung (Bali, Indonesia), Mount Etna (Sicily, Italy), Kīlauea (Hawaii, U.S.A.), Tajogaite (La Palma, Spain), La Soufrière (St. Vincent), Taal Volcano (Philippines), and Yellowstone caldera (U.S.A.). This work is intended to help both volcanologists and non-specialists get the story straight, and to effectively communicate processes and scales of volcanism and volcanic hazards, impacts, and risks.

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Publication Details

Journal
Journal of Applied Volcanology
Published
2026-08-19
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13617-026-00168-5
Citations
1
Primary Topic
Geological and Geochemical Analysis
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
6.10
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article

Getting the story straight: common misconceptions around volcanoes and eruptions with case studies of recent events

Boris Behncke, Rebecca Williams, Alia Juman, Edward Venzke et al.
1 citations
Journal of Applied Volcanology
Geological and Geochemical Analysis
6.10
article

Getting the story straight: common misconceptions around volcanoes and eruptions with case studies of recent events

Boris Behncke, Rebecca Williams, Alia Juman, Edward Venzke, Heather Handley, Sam Poppe, Erik W. Klemetti, Benjamin R. Edwards, Diana C. Roman, L. Vanderkluysen, Kadie Bennis, Ma. Mylene Martinez-Villegas, Cristian Farías, Arianna Soldati, Thomas C. Pierson, J. L. Ball, Devy Kamil Syahbana, Brian Terbush, Carol Stewart, Michael P. Poland, Jazmin Scarlett, Janine Krippner, Claire J. Horwell, Valerie Finlayson, Sara K. McBride, Emma Liu, Sally S. K. Sennert
article en
1 citations

Abstract

Abstract The ability to rapidly disseminate scientific knowledge across the world has never been greater. This is paralleled by the ability of rumors to spread equally far and fast. Popular misconceptions can take root and, without correction, take on the appearance of facts. Commonly misunderstood topics include those with attention-grabbing phrasing (e.g. “Pacific Ring of Fire”, “supervolcanoes”, or “mega-tsunamis”), the intersection of volcanic research with high-profile science topics (climate or human health), aspirational science goals (eruption forecasts), and basic terminology (volcanic ash versus smoke, or magma “chambers”). In this paper, we describe eighteen misconceptions grouped in six themes (seismology, volcanoes and climate, systems and structures, volcanic hazards, timescales, photographs and footage) commonly encountered by volcanologists who are actively engaging with the public and media both during and between eruptions. Each misconception description is accompanied by takeaway points and summaries of recent research to assist the reader with the information necessary to describe the issues. Finally, we present seven case studies where incorrect information was widely shared and counteracted at well-known volcanoes and recent eruptions at Mount Agung (Bali, Indonesia), Mount Etna (Sicily, Italy), Kīlauea (Hawaii, U.S.A.), Tajogaite (La Palma, Spain), La Soufrière (St. Vincent), Taal Volcano (Philippines), and Yellowstone caldera (U.S.A.). This work is intended to help both volcanologists and non-specialists get the story straight, and to effectively communicate processes and scales of volcanism and volcanic hazards, impacts, and risks.

Journal of Applied VolcanologyVol. 15(1)
Smithsonian Institution (US), Dickinson College (US), Centrum Badań Kosmicznych (PL), United States Geological Survey (US), California Energy Commission (US), University of the West Indies System (JM), North Carolina State University (US), Loughborough University (GB), Environment Agency (GB), Durham University (GB), University of Hull (GB), Carnegie Institution for Science (US), Denison University (US), Museums Victoria (AU), Cascades Volcano Observatory (US), Universidad Católica de Temuco (CL), Philippine Medical Association (PH), Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (IT), University of the West Indies (JM), Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (US), Washington Military Department (US), Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (ID), Massey University (NZ), University of Waikato (NZ), Monash University (AU), University of Maryland, College Park (US), Drexel University (US), Evotec (United States) (US)
Climate action
Openalex Percentile: Top 3%
Geological and Geochemical Analysis
6.10
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