Scientists have warned that melting glaciers could trigger more frequent and explosive volcanic eruptions across the globe.

Experts warn that this process could create a dangerous feedback loop that accelerates climate change.

Research presented at the 2025 Goldschmidt Conference in Prague reveals how retreating ice sheets remove pressure from volcanic systems beneath them.

Lead author from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Pablo Moreno Yaeger, said: "Glaciers tend to suppress the volume of eruptions from the volcanoes beneath them. But as glaciers retreat due to climate change, our findings suggest these volcanoes go on to erupt more frequently and more explosively."

Scientists have warned that melting glaciers could trigger more frequent and explosive volcanic eruptions across the globe

The process occurs when the weight of a glacier no longer compresses the Earth's crust and mantle, allowing subterranean gases and magma to expand and build pressure that fuels explosive eruptions.

The research team examined six volcanoes in southern Chile, including the now dormant Mocho-Choshuenco volcano, to understand how they responded to the melting Patagonian Ice Sheet thousands of years ago.

Using the radioactive decay of argon as an isotopic clock and studying crystals from magmatic rocks, scientists tracked volcanic activity during ice retreat.

They discovered that between 26,000 to 18,000 years ago, ice cover suppressed eruption volumes, causing massive magma reservoirs to accumulate beneath the surface.

The process occurs when the weight of a glacier no longer compresses the Earth's crust and mantle

When the ice sheet melted, pressure built within these reservoirs and eventually formed the Mocho-Choshuenco volcano.

According to a 2020 study, 245 potentially active volcanoes worldwide lie beneath or within three miles of ice, making this a planetary-scale threat that requires urgent attention.

Moreno Yaeger said: "The key requirement for increased explosivity is initially having a very thick glacial coverage over a magma chamber, and the trigger point is when these glaciers start to retreat, releasing pressure which is currently happening in places like Antarctica."

The study warns that volcanic eruptions could worsen global warming through greenhouse gas emissions over extended periods.

The researcher identified Antarctica, North America, New Zealand and Russia as regions that 'warrant closer scientific attention'

Moreno Yaeger added: "Over time the cumulative effect of multiple eruptions can contribute to long-term global warming because of a buildup of greenhouse gases."

He explained: "This creates a positive feedback loop, where melting glaciers trigger eruptions, and the eruptions in turn could contribute to further warming and melting."

The researcher identified Antarctica, North America, New Zealand and Russia as regions that "warrant closer scientific attention".

He said this was due to their vulnerable volcanic systems beneath retreating ice.