NASA scientists are exploring a novel method to predict volcanic eruptions by observing how trees respond to underground volcanic activity from space. In collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution, researchers have found that tree leaves tend to grow lusher and greener when volcanic carbon dioxide seeps through the soil, signaling magma movement beneath the surface. This natural reaction offers a promising early warning sign, potentially visible via satellites like Landsat 8 and recent missions such as AVUELO, providing an additional tool to monitor high-risk volcanoes worldwide.
According to research from NASA’s Earth Science Division at Ames Research Center, the greening of vegetation is triggered when trees absorb volcanic carbon dioxide released as magma pushes upward. Unlike sulfur dioxide, which appears later in volcanic activity and is easier to detect, carbon dioxide emissions are more challenging to observe directly from orbit. However, the indirect effect on vegetation health serves as a valuable clue to detect early stages of volcanic unrest.
Volcanologist Florian Schwandner highlights that these subtle changes in vegetation can complement existing early warning systems, particularly in remote or dangerous volcanic regions. Since on-site gas measurements can be risky and expensive, scientists like Robert Bogue and Nicole Guinn have begun investigating how tree leaf characteristics might serve as natural indicators of underground volcanic processes. Guinn’s studies around Mount Etna in Sicily demonstrated a strong link between leaf color shifts and subterranean volcanic gas emissions, with satellites like Sentinel-2 and Terra able to capture these vegetative changes effectively.
To validate this approach further, NASA and Smithsonian teams, led by climate scientist Josh Fisher, conducted fieldwork in early 2025 near active volcanoes in Panama and Costa Rica. They collected tree samples and measured gas levels to better understand the connection between vegetation response and volcanic activity. This interdisciplinary research not only aims to improve volcanic eruption forecasting but also promises insights into how long-term exposure to atmospheric carbon dioxide affects trees—information crucial for anticipating future climate dynamics.