Introduction
Three years ago scientists visited NW Rota-1, an erupting submarine volcano near the Island of Guam. Upon returning they found that the volcano had been in near continuous eruption and that large numbers of shrimp, crab, limpets and barnacles now inhabit the volcanos. Many of these creatures are adapting to life on the volcano and some are new-to-science species only observed here. The pressures of the ocean deep significantly reduces the strength of volcanic blasts and that enabled the scientists to observe the volcano closely with Jason, their remotely-operated vehicle.
Submarine Volcano Near Guam
Scientists who have just returned from an expedition to an erupting undersea volcano near the Island of Guam report that the volcano appears to be continuously active, has grown considerably in size during the past three years, and its activity supports a unique biological community thriving despite the eruptions.
An international science team on the expedition, funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), captured dramatic new information about the eruptive activity of NW Rota-1.
The Only Deep-Sea Volcano Observed in Eruption
"This research allows us, for the first time, to study undersea volcanoes in detail and close up," said Barbara Ransom, program director in NSF's Division of Ocean Sciences, which funded the research. "NW Rota-1 remains the only place on Earth where a deep submarine volcano has ever been directly observed while erupting."
Scientists first observed eruptions at NW Rota-1 in 2004 and again in 2006, said Bill Chadwick, an Oregon State University (OSU) volcanologist and chief investigator on the expedition. This time, however, they discovered that the volcano had built a new cone 40 meters high and 300 meters wide.
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