Underwater Volcano: A Natural Calamity

Volcanoes are mostly found on the boundaries of tectonic plates.

These plates help keep the land in a permanent position and experience constant pressure from other tectonic plates around it.

These result in super-heated molten boulders called magma.

Due to the considerable amount of heat underneath the plates, it forms gas and ash which tends to rise.

Similar things also happen underwater, and thus an underwater volcano erupts. 

You know that Earth is covered with 2/3 of water and 1/3 of land, and therefore, underwater volcano eruption is more common.

The pressure of the tectonic plates against each other helps to keep the land fixed.

When there is constant pressure, it rises and forms a mountain structure.

Also, the underwater volcano activity forms the shape and features of an ocean.

This article will have a perfect piece of knowledge on what an underwater volcano is called and how it functions. 

What are Underwater Volcanoes?

Compared with the volcanoes on the land, its counterpart in the water does not produce a spectacular eruption.

Unlike land volcanoes, magma touches the ocean floor more easily and quickly, and it is a constant process that determines the character of the ocean.

When the molten rocks reach the ocean floor, it cools down rapidly, and thus forms pillow lava.

The name “pillow lava” is derived from its round shape.

The majority of the ocean crust is due to the slower cooling of magma.

These are essential underwater volcano facts. 

Until now, it is clear that an underwater volcano is responsible for oceanic crust.

The frequent eruption process in the Mid-Atlantic Ridge develops a new ocean crust.

Professionals consider this process as forming a new oceanic floor, and the process is known as seafloor spreading.

The process leads to islands formed by underwater volcanoes.

But this process is prolonged and takes more than hundreds of years. 

Some reports and stats state the seafloor is increasing by 1-1.5 cm per year.

Though this process is slow, it results in the movement of tectonic plates.

A well-known subduction zone is developing along the Pacific Ring of Fire because of an underwater volcanic eruption.

The underwater volcano Hawaii is an active example of an underwater volcano that developed in the renowned Hawaiian Islands.

When there is constant volcanism in a particular area, it creates underwater mountains, also called seamounts. 

Process of Underwater Volcanic Eruption

From the above segment, you already know the details of underwater volcanos. Here, the article discusses the entire process of how underwater volcanoes erupt.

1. Formation

The foremost part of volcanic eruption is its formation. With the help of the subduction process, an underwater volcano starts to occur.

This formation is similar to its counterpart in lands.

The tectonic plates are constantly drifting and sometimes collide with each other, resulting in the formation of mountains under the water.

When the molten rocks come in contact with seawater, the underwater volcano erupts. 

2. Catalyst

The active underwater volcanoes need a catalyst to react and erupt. The chilled seawater works as the catalyst, and there is a sudden drop in the temperature before it erupts from the top of volcanoes. 

3. Eruption

As the seawater decreases the molten rocks' temperature; it gradually forms several layers of lava until the pressure increases to a certain level to erupt.

When the pressure grows, it blasts through the blockage.

Are you confused on what is the name of an underwater volcano, the answer is seamount.

Due to blockage over the years and months, the inner gas creates immense pressure that does not leak through the vents.

Thus, enhancing the pressure and, therefore, results in the throw of magma in the air from beneath the ocean.

What is an Underwater Volcanic Ecosystem?

In 1977 the experts found that the hydrothermal vents are situated in the mid-ocean ridges.

The hydrothermal vents are also known as black smokers.

These vents pour out hydrogen sulfide, numerous minerals, and water at 350 degrees C.

It helps create an ecosystem that is dwelling places for tubeworms, mussels, and clams, and thus, an entire underwater volcano ecosystem develops.

These entire organisms thrive on sulfur and do not need sunlight.

The hydrothermal vents are known as black smokers as they create “chimney stacks”.

These stacks are rich in calcium sulfate, zinc sulfide, and iron. 

The underwater volcano experiment for kids will provide a piece of better knowledge about the entire process and ecosystem.

Projects help to have a clear view of all the different processes and steps related to the creation and eruption of underwater volcanoes.