Exploring the Active Popocatépetl Volcano in Mexico

Explaining on Instagram: "Geologists sometimes collect fresh lava moments after it erupts to study Earth’s interior in its purest form. Newly formed lava hasn’t yet cooled or reacted with air and water, making it invaluable for understanding magma composition, eruption dynamics, and how volcanoes evolve over time. By analyzing fresh lava, scientists can trace where the magma came from deep within the mantle, predict future volcanic behavior, and improve early warning systems. It’s risky work, bu