Ship sees undersea volcano

Jun 14, 2004

Scientists got a rare chance to see a volcano erupt underwater, spewing out rocks and clouding the water 1,800 feet

Scientists got a rare chance to see a volcano erupt underwater, spewing out rocks and clouding the water 1,800 feet (548 meters) below the surface during a recent research aboard a Seattle-based ship, officials said on Wednesday.

A camera-equipped submarine caught the eruption during a routine research trip to study undersea volcanos northwest from the Northern Mariana islands, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Office of Ocean Exploration, said.

“The exploration underscored the fact that we have much to learn about earth’s more important features, the oceans,” said Craig McLean, director of NOAA Ocean Exploration. The newly observed volcano, dubbed “Brimstone Pit” by the scientists, was part of a 21-day expedition with US and Canadian scientists to observe undersea volcanos as well as marine life.

The unmanned robotic submarine was near the edge of a volcano when suddenly, a billowing undersea cloud increased in size and turned yellow, evidence of sulfur. The submarine was then pelted by rocks spewing out of the volcano. Scientists discovered an undersea volcano off the coast of Antarctica last month. Undersea volcanoes are not rare, making up more than 70% of the earth’s volcanos.
Reuter

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