Underwater Volcano
A mission that cost $1.3 million has already generated a wide variety of information about the sea floor. The German research vessel, Sonne, returned to Auckland with its New Zealand scientists after a three-week voyage that mapped a large under water volcano.
This underwater volcano is about three times the size of White Island, which is one of New Zealand’s most active volcanoes in the Bay of Plenty region on the east coast. The Brothers volcano is located at approximately 400km northeast of White Island and a robotic vehicle called ABE (Autonomous Benthic Explorer) which has sensors had been used to map and explore the terrain; provided high-resolution topographical information.
The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in the United States supplied this equipment and the resolution was at least ten times greater than earlier mapping procedures. Cornel de Ronde, the project leader from GNS Science said, “It is the first time a submarine volcano has been mapped and surveyed for hydrothermal venting in such detail.”
Dr de Ronde also said the expedition was successful because it had produced a three-dimensional graphic of the 4km by 3 km crater. Two vents were already known of and ABE had found another one where mineral rich hydrothermal fluids were being released from the volcanic flue. These stacks contained metals like zinc, lead, gold and copper. The collaboration between New Zealand, Germany and the United States has yielded some valuable information.
This research will undoubtedly uncover more vital information concerning the underwater volcano. Dr de Ronde thought robotic vehicles would further the explorations of the deep seas and because New Zealand has one of the largest exclusive economic zones in the world, then perhaps it could take a leading role in this new era.
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15 Responses to “Underwater Volcano”
On August 20, 2007 at 4:40 pm
Great job on the article. I don’t know much about volcanoes, but your article was interesting. The pic you used is very colorful.
On August 22, 2007 at 5:15 pm
Terribly interesting article, I learned a lot from this visit
just reading. Good job and awesome picture! Thanks a bunch…
On August 23, 2007 at 7:02 pm
Great article and picture!
On August 24, 2007 at 5:55 am
Very interesting!
On August 31, 2007 at 5:55 pm
You are truly a source of research and endless knowledge. I am very interested in the ocean depths. Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute I know and respect their work. Another blockbuster Lucy. Thank you.
On September 5, 2007 at 8:17 am
Interesting, don’t underwater volcanoes make islands? or am I wrong, nice picture too,
Koyin
On September 17, 2007 at 9:06 pm
Great article and I like the picture. I enjoyed reading this very much.
On October 27, 2007 at 7:38 am
Wow…great article, Lucy, and I also learn a lot. Thank you.
On February 18, 2008 at 6:04 pm
It’s very interesting. Many now believe that life on earth started developing in areas of underwater volcanic activity, from which they got the energy. It’s amazing to discover colonies of living creature living in temperatures close to boiling near such volcanos.
On March 2, 2008 at 3:08 pm
I did enjoy reading the short article. There’s just one question I want to say: Since the underwater volcano erupts, when does it cool down?
On March 6, 2008 at 12:12 am
cool, the info is 4 my project.
On April 30, 2008 at 8:16 am
interesting article Lucy,
@#6-..underwater volcanoes make islands?-the answer is yes,islands in the Pacific evolved due to underwater volcanic eruptions thousands of years ago,that is according to a geological book.thanks
On May 4, 2008 at 10:30 pm
Great information! Good article!
On May 21, 2008 at 11:50 am
im doing an underwater volcano project yay me
On December 10, 2008 at 11:58 am
i’m trying to do an underwater volcanoe project and this doidn’t help at all
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