The Volcanic Eifel is a peaceful region in western Germany. For hundreds of thousands of years, volcanic forces raged here, before settling down. But could these natural forces reawaken?

Today's Volcanic Eifel was formed from cooled lava and volcanic ash. But deep below the surface, the earth is still bubbling. In fact, there are many indications that the rumbling underground is actually hot magma making its way to the Earth’s surface. How great is the danger of another eruption here in the Eifel, by far the youngest volcanic area in Central Europe?

On the shores of the region’s Laacher See, a special phenomenon is attracting the attention of scientists. Here, carbon dioxide gas bubbles rise. They come from a huge magma chamber at a depth of about 40 kilometers - the so-called "Eifel Plume". What do these bubbles tell us about the processes in the Earth's interior? Scientists are certain that the volcanoes will reawaken at some point. But when and where will it happen? To find out as precisely as possible, scientists are constantly listening - all the way down to the depths of the Earth.

Dr. Brigitte Knapmeyer-Endrun heads the Bensberg earthquake station, which maintains an extensive network of measuring facilities. The ultrasensitive devices register every tremor, no matter how small. In 2013, the deepest quakes ever measured in Germany caused a sensation.
Professor Klaus Reicherter is a volcano researcher. He studies the effects of catastrophes. Even if there are currently no signs of an imminent eruption, he says, the primary goal is to be able to warn people in good time about an awakening volcano.

#documentary #dwdocumentary #volcanoes
______

DW Documentary gives you knowledge beyond the headlines. Watch top documentaries from German broadcasters and international production companies. Meet intriguing people, travel to distant lands, get a look behind the complexities of daily life and build a deeper understanding of current affairs and global events. Subscribe and explore the world around you with DW Documentary.

Subscribe to:
⮞ DW Documentary (English): https://www.youtube.com/dwdocumentary
⮞ DW Documental (Spanish): https://www.youtube.com/dwdocumental
⮞ DW Documentary وثائقية دي دبليو (Arabic): https://www.youtube.com/dwdocarabia
⮞ DW Doku (German): https://www.youtube.com/dwdoku
⮞ DW Documentary हिन्दी (Hindi): https://www.youtube.com/dwdochindi

For more visit: http://www.dw.com/en/tv/docfilm/s-3610
Follow DW Documentary on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dwdocumentary/
Follow DW Documental on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dwdocumental

We kindly ask viewers to read and stick to the DW netiquette policy on our channel: https://p.dw.com/p/MF1G