GETTING THE STORY STRAIGHT: NEW RESEARCH PAPER DISPELS MYTHS ABOUT VOLCANOES, Museums Victoria Research Institute, 19 AUGUST 2026, MEDIA RELEASE
Vital research to help volcanologists, journalists, decision-makers and the public when a volcano erupts
A team of expert scientists have released a new guide to dispel common misconceptions about volcanoes, a work that will prove critical to key decision-makers, volcanologists and the greater public.
In a time when misinformation can spread like wildfire, this resource is intended to help volcanologists, journalists, decision-makers, and the public to get the story straight when the next volcano erupts.
The group of expert authors, including Dr Heather Handley, Volcanologist and Senior Curator of Geosciences at Museums Victoria Research Institute, was brought together by New Zealand volcanologist Dr. Janine Krippner.
The paper, published in the Journal of Applied Volcanology, examines the 18 most misunderstood topics about volcanoes and their eruptions, and the fundamental science facts behind them.
he paper, published in the Journal of Applied Volcanology, examines the 18 most misunderstood topics about volcanoes and their eruptions, and the fundamental science facts behind them.
“Volcanoes are a powerful reminder that the Earth is a dynamic planet. Their eruptions can be spectacular and inspire curiosity, but they can also pose serious risks to communities, infrastructure and aviation. In these moments, providing accurate, science-based information is not just important, it can be critical for helping people understand what is happening and respond appropriately,” said Dr Handley.
The paper groups the volcanic misconceptions into six themes: seismology, volcanoes and climate, volcanic systems and structures, volcanic hazards, timescales, and photographs and footage.
Commonly misunderstood topics include those with attention-grabbing terms such as: “Pacific ring of fire”, “super-volcanoes”, and “mega-tsunamis”, as well as high-profile science topics like climate or human health and aspirational science goals such as eruption forecasts. It also includes basic terminology, like differences between volcanic ash and smoke, or the concept of magma “chambers”.
“When a volcano erupts, people understandably want answers quickly. But in the rush for information, misconceptions can spread quickly. Clear, accurate communication helps communities understand what is happening during times of uncertainty,” said Dr Handley.
This group of volcano experts bring decades of experience together from major institutions across the world. They’ve worked for national agencies, volcano observatories and universities, including during volcanic crises such as Indonesia, the Philippines, New Zealand, Australia, Chile, the United States and Europe.
Throughout these crises, they’ve been at the forefront of the media response, seeing first-hand where misinformation emerged, and figuring out how to get the story straight.
The paper pairs each misconception with key takeaways from recent research, giving readers the information they need to explain these topics accurately.
It also presents seven case studies showing how incorrect information was widely shared and counteracted at these well-known recent eruptions: Mount Agung (Bali, Indonesia), Mount Etna (Sicily, Italy), Kīlauea (Hawaii, U.S.A.), Tajogaite (La Palma, Spain), La Soufrière (St. Vincent), Taal Volcano (Philippines), and Yellowstone caldera (U.S.A.).
Publication Details: Krippner et al. (2026) ‘Getting the story straight: Common misconceptions around volcanoes and eruptions with case studies of recent events’, Journal of Applied Volcanology. https://doi.org/10.1186/