EES Professor Jeff Karson Explains “The Rings of Power” Volcanic Possibilities

Jeff Karson, professor of tectonics & magmatism of rifts and transform faults in the College of Arts & Sciences’ Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, shared his expertise in Hollywood Reporter’s article “​​‘The Rings of Power’ Showrunners — and a Geologist — Explain That Mount Doom Surprise.” In this article, Karson gives a long, scientific explanation of a volcanic explosion that occurs in episode six of The Rings of Power. He states, “The water is dissolved in the magma. The magma rises to the surfaces, the water makes bubbles that can turn to steam and the steam and water expand so rapidly that they basically blow the magma apart. That stuff piles up near a central vent and that’s what makes big volcanos.”