Exploring Belize: Can You Witness Lava Flows?

Belize is known for its ancient Maya ruins, white and pink sandy beaches, and mountainous inner terrains. However, it is not known for its lava, as there are no volcanoes in Belize. Pumice, a porous volcanic rock, has been found scattered on the beaches and mangroves of Belize, despite the lack of volcanoes in the immediate area. The closest volcano to Belize is in Guatemala, which is a long way from Belize. So, while you may be able to see volcanic rock in Belize, you will not be able to see lava.

The closest volcano to Belize is in Guatemala

Belize is a country devoid of volcanoes. However, the closest volcano to Belize is located in Guatemala, which is a long way from Belize. This volcano, situated across the border in Guatemala, is the nearest active volcano to Belize.

While Belize doesn't have any volcanoes, it does have a fault line that runs close to the Western Highway (now known as the George Price Highway) in the Cayo District, reaching almost to Belmopan, the country's capital. This fault line is inactive, so there is no danger of volcanic eruptions or submerged volcanoes in the area.

The Maya Mountains in Belize are also not growing mountains, which means there are no active volcanoes in the region. The absence of volcanoes in Belize makes it a safe and attractive destination for those seeking to avoid volcanic activity.

Interestingly, volcanic rocks, specifically pumice, have been found on the beaches and mangroves of Belize, despite the lack of nearby volcanoes. This pumice is believed to have originated from Guatemalan volcanoes, particularly the Santa María Volcano, which experienced a significant eruption in 1902. The pumice was carried by rivers to the Caribbean and transported along the coast by ocean currents, eventually reaching the shores of Belize.

Pumice rocks are scattered on Belize's beaches and mangroves

Pumice rocks, a type of porous volcanic rock, can be found scattered on the beaches and mangroves of Belize, despite there being no volcanoes in the country. This is a mystery that has puzzled scientists for years. The rocks are thought to have originated from Guatemalan volcanoes, carried down to the Caribbean by rivers, and transported along the coast by ocean currents. This explanation, however, has been questioned, as one would expect the pumice to have been buried by the accumulation of mangrove peat over the last 110 years.

The presence of pumice rocks in Belize is significant because it offers insights into the connections between geological, oceanographic, and biological forces in the Caribbean. By studying the pumice, scientists can better understand how inputs from land and ocean currents impact coral reef health and how organisms travel between reefs.

The pumice rocks in Belize have been put to various uses by locals and scientists. For example, Belize Fisheries Officer Doroteo Cho reports that locals use ground pumice to make strong cinder blocks for buildings and to clean cast-iron tortilla pans. Scientists, such as Dr. Maggie Toscano, have been studying the pumice as part of their research on coastal systems and how they have changed over time due to rising sea levels.

The mystery of the pumice rocks in Belize remains an active area of investigation, with scientists like Dr. Juan Gonzalez seeking to pinpoint the exact source of the volcanic rock and understand its journey to the country's shores. This involves analyzing the composition of the pumice, studying volcanic eruption histories, and mapping ocean currents.

The porous volcanic rock, pumice, is ejected by volcanoes during eruptions

Pumice is a light-coloured, low-density, porous volcanic rock. It is formed from silicic, high-viscosity, volatile-rich lava during explosive volcanic eruptions. The rock gets its frothy, vesicular texture from the numerous gas bubbles that are trapped in the lava as it cools and solidifies rapidly. The simultaneous rapid cooling and depressurisation of the lava creates the bubbles, which are frozen in a matrix.

Pumice is ejected by volcanoes during eruptions. The largest volcanic eruptions can eject many cubic kilometres of material, ranging from tiny dust particles to large blocks of pumice the size of a house. Pumice is often ejected alongside other pyroclasts, such as ash and lava bombs.

Pumice is commonly found on the beaches and in the mangroves of Belize, despite there being no volcanoes in the country. The pumice found in Belize is thought to originate from Guatemalan volcanoes, carried down to the Caribbean by rivers and transported by ocean currents. Pumice rafts, which can float for years, have been known to travel long distances.

Marine animals and plants can hitchhike on pumice, travelling long distances

Marine animals and plants can indeed hitchhike on pumice rafts, travelling long distances. Pumice is a bubble-filled rock that is ejected by volcanoes during eruptions. When an underwater volcano erupts, the lava rushing out into the water column quickly cools, fills with gas, hardens, and rises to the surface. This rock often washes together to form a raft that is at the mercy of the wind and waves. Pumice rafts have unique characteristics, such as a high surface-area-to-volume ratio, long-term flotation, and the ability to absorb many potentially advantageous elements and compounds.

Pumice rafts provide a safe haven for new life to attach to and grow. The thousands of tiny holes in the pumice that formed when the hot lava cooled not only enable the rock to float but also make the perfect home for microscopic animals and plants. Many species of marine animals and plants reproduce by dispersing eggs, sperm, or larvae into the open water. However, they cannot exist in that form forever, and sedentary animals like corals and oysters need to find a hard surface to settle down on. The hard surface of pumice is an attractive settlement surface for these organisms.

Goose barnacles, which colonise pumice soon after an eruption, act like the keel of a boat. They jut out from the rock into the water, changing its shape and how it moves in the wind and currents. With the pumice stable, other planktonic organisms are more likely to colonise their preferred microhabitats on the rock. Pumice rafts might be a safe haven for planktonic organisms adrift, but what are the ecological implications of picking up and dropping off different organisms around the oceans?

When a pumice raft reached Tasmania, it was found to be carrying tropical species not usually found that far south, such as corals and oysters. Pumice rafts could speed up the climate change-induced process of marine life shifting south in Australia. On the other hand, introducing species to a degraded ecosystem may have negative consequences. For example, in Tasmania, where giant kelp forests have disappeared due to climate change, tropical invaders could occupy the bare space and further harm the fragile marine ecosystem.

Belizeans use ground pumice to make strong cinder blocks for buildings

Belize is known for its beautiful beaches and lush rainforests, but it also has a hidden geological wonder—volcanic rock called pumice scattered along its shores. Pumice is a unique type of volcanic rock with a foamy, porous structure formed by the rapid cooling and depressurization of super-heated, highly pressurized rock ejected from a volcano. While Belize itself does not have any volcanoes, the pumice found on its beaches originates from volcanic activity in nearby Guatemala.

The Belizean Fisheries Officer, Doroteo Cho, has shed light on an interesting local use of this pumice. He shares that the locals have long utilized ground pumice to create strong cinder blocks for building construction. This practice has been a part of the Mayan culture in the region, as evidenced by the texture of ancient Mayan pottery shards, which indicate the inclusion of ground pumice.

Cinder blocks, also known as concrete masonry units (CMU), are lightweight, low-density building blocks. Traditionally, they were made from a mixture of Portland cement and coal ash, giving them their name, "cinder" blocks. However, over time, the term "cinder block" has evolved to encompass a broader range of lightweight, low-density blocks, including those made with pumice.

The process of making cinder blocks with pumice is straightforward. First, the pumice is ground into a fine powder, and this pumice powder is then mixed with Portland cement and water to create a concrete slurry. The ratio of cement to pumice powder can vary depending on the desired strength and durability of the final product. This slurry is then poured or pressed into molds, creating the distinctive rectangular shape of cinder blocks. They often feature two or three hollow cores, which not only reduce the weight but also provide spaces to be filled with concrete for reinforcement.

The use of pumice in cinder blocks offers several advantages. Pumice is naturally lightweight due to its porous structure, and this property translates into lighter cinder blocks. This makes them easier to work with during construction, reducing strain on workers and increasing jobsite efficiency. Additionally, the air-filled vesicles in pumice provide insulation, making the resulting cinder blocks ideal for the tropical climate of Belize.

The practice of using ground pumice to create cinder blocks showcases the ingenuity of the Belizean people in utilizing locally available resources for construction. By incorporating pumice into their building materials, they not only benefit from its lightweight and insulating properties but also create a connection to the region's volcanic history and the ancient Mayan culture.

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