Deepest Underwater Erupting Volcano Found

Experts from a number of universities and research institutes recently revealed to the world the discovery of a submerged erupting volcano, located at a depth lower than that of any other active structure. The work, which was funded by the US National Science Foundation (NSF), and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), resulted in a number of photographs, as well is in two high-definition movies of the underwater sight. Experts involved in the research say that the images alone are “spectacular.”

“For the first time we have been able to examine, up close, the way ocean islands and submarine volcanoes are born. The unusual primitive compositions of the West Mata eruption lavas have much to tell us,” Barbara Ransom, who is the NSF Division of Ocean Sciences program director, says. Geographers add that the volcano is located between Fiji, Tonga and Samoa, at a depth of about 4,000 feet below the surface of the Pacific Ocean.

“We found a type of lava never before seen erupting from an active volcano, and for the first time observed molten lava flowing across the deep-ocean seafloor,” University of Washington chemical oceanographer Joseph Resing adds. He has also been the chief scientist on the new expedition.

“It was an underwater Fourth of July, a spectacular display of fireworks nearly 4,000 feet deep. Since the water pressure at that depth suppresses the violence of the volcano's explosions, we could get an underwater robot within feet of the active eruption. On land, or even in shallow water, you could never hope to get that close and see such great detail,” NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory co-chief scientist Bob Embley explains.

The amazing images that were returned by the expedition show three-foot molten lava bubbles as they make their way from the volcano into the surrounding water. Red vents that crack open and reveal their lava are also visible in the images, which also show a more peculiar sight.

Colonies of shrimp have taken up residence in the area, showing great abilities to adapt to living under the highly acidic conditions around the West Mata Volcano. The science group discussed its observations at a December 17 news conference, which it held in San Francisco at the annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union (AGU).