British Antarctic Survey Discovers New Antarctic Volcanoes
13.07.2011 - Water & Oceans, Land & Geology, Antarctic
Using sea-floor mapping instruments aboard the RSS James Clark Ross, scientists from the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) discovered 27 previously unknown volcanoes, 12 of which are underwater. Studying these underwater volcanoes not only gives scientists cues about the development of our planet, but also about natural events like tsunamis that can be caused by their eruptions or collapse.
In depth study of these volcanoes only became possible recently, thanks to the evolution of ship-borne mapping technologies. During their research cruises, BAS scientists found underwater volcanoes as high as 3 Km as well as 5 km wide craters left by collapsed volcanoes. On top of being geologically interesting, these relatively warm waters are inhabited by many species, which also makes them interesting for Biologists.
