Deep-Ocean Volcanoes
- 2x
- 1.75x
- 1.5x
- 1.25x
- 1x, selected
- 0.75x
- 0.5x
- Chapters
- descriptions off, selected
- captions settings, opens captions settings dialog
- captions off, selected
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
End of dialog window.
This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button.
(Describer) Under a round logo of a wave, title: Ocean Today.
(Describer) An animation of lava cracks in rock opens to reveal a real scene of plumes and bursts of fire underwater. Title: Deep-Ocean Volcanoes.
(Describer) On land, orange lava gushes and splashes.
(female narrator) Scientists believe that 80% of the volcanic eruptions on Earth take place in the ocean.
(Describer) An animated view dives underwater.
Most of these volcanoes are thousands of feet deep and difficult to find, but in May of 2009, scientists captured the deepest ocean eruption ever found. Nearly 4,000 feet below the surface of the Pacific Ocean, in an area between Samoa, Fiji, and Tonga, the West Mata volcano was discovered. The explosions of molten rock were spectacular. This volcano was produced in boninite lavas, believed to be among the hottest erupting on Earth. Scientists also witnessed molten lava flowing across the deep ocean seafloor and spotted shrimp living near the volcano's most active areas. This research allows us to closely examine how ocean islands and undersea volcanoes are born. It may also shed light on how heat and matter transfer from the earth's interior to the surface, and how life adapts to some of the harshest conditions on our planet.
(Describer) A crab crawls with the shrimp.
Finding West Mata was a huge break for scientists and for those interested in seeing what takes place in the deepest depths of our ocean.
(Describer) Titles: Ocean Today has been brought to you by the Smithsonian Institution in collaboration with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Accessibility provided by the US Department of Education.
Accessibility provided by the U.S. Department of Education.
Now Playing As: English with English captions (change)
Scientists believe that 80 percent of the volcanic eruptions on Earth take place in the ocean. Most of these volcanoes are thousands of feet deep and difficult to find. In May of 2009, scientists captured the deepest ocean eruption ever found. Nearly 4000 feet below the surface of the Pacific Ocean, the West Mata volcano was discovered.
Media Details
Runtime: 1 minutes 50 seconds
- Topic: Geography, Science
- Subtopic: Earth Sciences, Geology, World Geography
- Grade/Interest Level: 7 - 12
- Standards:
- Release Year: 2015
- Producer/Distributor: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
- Report a Problem
Available Resources
Related Media

1964 Quake: The Great Alaska Earthquake

4 Awesome Discoveries You Probably Didn't Hear About This Week (Episode 17)

4 Awesome Discoveries You Probably Didn't Hear About This Week (Episode 21)

4 Awesome Discoveries You Probably Didn't Hear About This Week (Episode 32)

4 Awesome Discoveries You Probably Didn't Hear About This Week (Episode 41)

4 Awesome Discoveries You Probably Didn't Hear About This Week (Episode 43)

A Forest After Fire

A World On Fire: Wildfire And Climate Change In The Past, Present, And Future

Adventures of a Maritime Archaeologist: Ocean Time Capsules

Adventures of a Maritime Archaeologist: What Is Maritime Archaeology?