An international team of volcanologists has gathered 18 of the leading misconceptions about volcanoes and eruptions in a new scientific guide that aims to help journalists, decision-makers, and the public distinguish rigorous information from misinformation, especially during crisis situations.
The study, led by New Zealand volcanologist Janine Krippner and which counts among its authors Heather Handley, a volcanologist and senior Geoscience curator at Museums Victoria Research Institute, was published in the Journal of Applied Volcanology. The researchers analyzed topics that frequently arise in media coverage and on social media when a volcano becomes active, from the relationship between volcanoes and earthquakes to the possibility of a “supereruption.”
“Volcanoes are a powerful reminder that the Earth is a dynamic planet. Their eruptions can be spectacular and arouse curiosity, but they can also pose serious risks to communities, infrastructure, and aviation. In these moments, providing rigorous, science-based information is not only important; it can be essential to help people understand what is happening and to respond appropriately,” says Heather Handley.
The article organizes the identified misconceptions into six broad themes: seismology; volcanos and climate; volcanic systems and structures; volcanic hazards; timescales; and photographs and video images.
Among the concepts that most frequently generate misinterpretations are expressions such as the “Pacific Ring of Fire,” “supervolcanoes,” and “megatsunamis,” as well as questions related to climate, human health, and the possibility of predicting eruptions. The work also addresses basic concepts, such as the difference between volcanic ash and smoke, or the meaning of “magma chambers.”
“When a volcano erupts, it is understandable that people want answers quickly. But in the rush to obtain information, misconceptions can spread rapidly. Clear and rigorous communication helps communities understand what is happening in periods of uncertainty,” emphasizes Heather Handley.
Disinformation can worsen crises
The authors have experience in volcanic risk communication and have participated in crisis responses in countries such as Indonesia, the Philippines, New Zealand, Australia, Chile, the United States, and several European countries. According to the team, direct engagement with these episodes allowed them to identify the moments and topics where misinformation tends to gain the most traction.
Each of the 18 misconceptions is accompanied by conclusions grounded in recent scientific research, with the aim of providing information that can be used in communicating with the public.
The study also includes seven case studies related to recent and high-visibility eruptions: Mount Agung in Bali, Indonesia; Etna in Sicily, Italy; Kīlauea in Hawai‘i, United States; Tajogaite on La Palma, Spain; La Soufrière on Saint Vincent; the Taal volcano in the Philippines; and the Yellowstone Caldera in the United States.
For Janine Krippner, the lead author of the study, the spread of incorrect information has become particularly difficult to track due to the speed of social networks.
“It is becoming increasingly difficult to separate misinformation and misconceptions about volcanoes as false information spreads rapidly across the internet. Even some of the ways volcanoes are commonly described in schools and in the media can be misleading. As volcanologists, we want to help,” she explains.
The researcher adds that the international team identified 18 misconceptions that repeatedly appear in headlines and news when a volcano becomes active, from describing volcanic ash as smoke to claims that the “supervolcanoes” could bring about the end of civilization.
“We wrote a peer‑reviewed guide for the media and the public that explains what science really says and provides a resource people can refer to when these claims arise,” says Janine Krippner.
The expert notes that the work is particularly relevant to New Zealand, where volcanic activity poses a known risk. “When episodes of volcanic activity or eruptions occur here, many of the same misconceptions can quickly arise in media coverage and online discussions. We also travel frequently to volcanically active regions, where being able to distinguish reliable information from misinformation can become important during a crisis.”
The study thus aims to encourage a faster response to misinformation, arguing that misconceptions should be corrected in the earliest moments of a volcanic crisis and that the public should be directed to credible scientific sources.
