Scientists found a vast magma body under the Andes that may be slowly lifting the mountains
TIMESOFINDIA.COM / May 18, 2026, 15:50 (IST)
Scientists have uncovered a colossal magma reservoir, the largest ever imaged, lurking miles beneath the Andes. This molten body, approximately 125 miles wide, is actively expanding, causing the entire Altiplano-Puna plateau to rise. This 'breathing mountain dome' phenomenon reveals a powerful underground engine, reshaping our understanding of mountain formation beyond just tectonic plate collisions.