Large Magma Chamber Below the World’s Most Active Volcano (Video)

Researchers from the University of Miami (UM) and Atmospheric Science have found a large magma chamber right below the world's most active volcano, located in the deeper parts of Kilauea.

For their study, researchers analyzed the seismic waves that travel through the body of the volcano. This methodology helped researchers take an in-depth look at the internal structure of the system of the chamber, which resides approximately 5 to 7 miles below the earth's surface.

"It was known before that Kilauea had small, shallow magma chambers," Gouging Lin, UM Rosenstiel School assistant professor of geology and geophysics and lead author of the study, said in a statement. "This study is the first geophysical observation that large magma chambers exist in the deep oceanic crust below."

This volcano is estimated to be between 300,000 and 600,000 years old. It is also the youngest and most southeastern volcano on the island, with active eruptions since January 1983. It's erupted in three main areas: It's summit and two rift zones, based primarily of lava flows that shoot molten magma high in the air and down the mountain's slopes. The first eruption was reported in 1959, according to National Geographic.

Researchers found that the chamber is primarily composed of "magma mush," which is a mixture of rock and magma. This is similar to what's often seen in underwater mountain systems that carry the rifts of tectonic plates.

"Understanding these magma bodies are a high priority because of the hazard posed by the volcano," Falk Amelung, co-author and professor of geology and geophysics at the UM Rosenstiel School, said in a statement, via Red Orbit. "Kilauea volcano produces many small earthquakes and paying particular attention to new seismic activity near this body will help us to better understand where future lava eruptions will come from."

Want to see this miraculous volcano in action? Check out this video, courtesy of YouTube.