Archive · 31 Aug 2026
Ancient Million-Atomic-Bomb Volcano Discovered Beneath England’s East Coast by Scientists
Scientists found evidence of a huge, very old volcano under eastern England.
It erupted about 454 million years ago.
The volcano was roughly 64 kilometers across.
Its center is thought to be under an area called The Wash.
The eruption was powerful enough to spread ash across several countries.
Scientists studied rock samples collected about 80 years ago.
New technology showed that samples from Norfolk and Lincolnshire came from the same volcano and formed at the same time.
The report does not say whether this volcano can erupt again today.
Scientists identified a 454-million-year-old volcano buried beneath England’s east coast, with its center beneath The Wash.
The volcano spans about 64 kilometers and reportedly erupted with the power of one million atomic bombs.
Its ash has been found across Poland, Belarus, Sweden, and Norway.
Researchers matched rock samples from Norfolk and Lincolnshire with samples analyzed in Norway and Sweden.
The article does not establish whether the ancient volcano could erupt again.
- Who
- Researchers, including Prof Jenni Barclay of the University of Bristol, studied the ancient volcanic material.
- What
- They identified an ancient volcano and linked British rock samples to ash deposits found in Scandinavia and eastern Europe.
- When
- The eruption occurred about 454 million years ago; the discovery came from a fresh analysis of rock samples collected about 80 years ago.
- Where
- The volcano lies deep beneath England’s east coast, with its center beneath The Wash; related ash was found in Poland, Belarus, Sweden, and Norway.
- Why
- The analysis was conducted to understand England’s deep geological past and determine the origin of widespread volcanic ash.
- Estimated eruption date
- About 454 million years ago
- Estimated volcano span
- 64 kilometers
- Reported eruption power
- Equivalent to one million atomic bombs
- Location
- Deep beneath England’s east coast, centered beneath The Wash
- British samples
- North Creake in Norfolk and Claxby in Lincolnshire
- Ash locations
- Poland, Belarus, Sweden, and Norway
- Current eruption risk
- Not established in the article