Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute
Submarine Volcanism
Submarine Volcanism Project


Collapsed lava pillow at 2107m depth on Puna Ridge, the submarine extension of Kilauea's East Rift Zone, April 2001
Photo © 2001 MBARI


Equivalent lava flow on land, on Kilauea's East Rift Zone, April 2001
Photo © 2001 J. B. Paduan

We study processes that form and modify volcanoes in the sea

Volcanic eruptions and flank collapses are significant geologic hazards. Our goal is to better understand these and other volcanic processes in the deep sea environment. Through this research we hope to gain insight into potentially destructive eruptions on land or in shallow water. We are studying:

  • Style of volcanic eruptions at varying depths and lava compositions
  • Explosive volcanism in the deep sea
  • Submarine landslides and the structure of the flanks of volcanoes
  • Evolution of hydrothermal systems
  • Plio-Pleistocene paleoclimatic history recorded in drowned coral reefs
  • Origin and evolution of oceanic volcanoes
  • Biogeography of ocean islands and submarine volcanoes


Image © MBARI
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The latest

Mapping AUV MBARI news story about 2011 AUV ops
West Mata eruption New MBARI video:
"Snow-blower" hydrothermal vents, from our dive on the 2011 eruption at Axial Volcano
West Mata eruption Active eruption in the Lau Basin observed, sampled, and mapped
See also our most recent publications

Our research is highlighted in these web pages

To study these processes, our research takes us to places such as Hawaii, the Gorda Ridge, and the seamounts off California. These places are characterized by different types of volcanism: hot spots, mid-ocean ridges, and intraplate seamounts. We also work off the West Coast studying geologic processes unrelated to volcanoes.

Hot spots: Hawaiian Islands and Loihi Seamount
Mid-ocean ridges: Gorda and Juan de Fuca Ridges, Axial Volcano, East Pacific Rise, Lau Basin
Seamounts: Intraplate seamounts off California and in the central Pacific
Margins: Continental margin off Oregon and California

Our work is presented here through abstracts of our publications. Where possible, links are given to the complete papers on-line, but users will need to be subscribed to on-line library services to view them. Our most recent work is listed at the top of the Publication List page.

There are also two recent special volumes in which our research is reported:
Mountains in the Sea Encyclopedia of Islands
Special issue of Oceanography on Mountains in the Sea Encyclopedia of Islands is available from UC Press and from Amazon.
books

Submarine Volcanism project team

Dave Jenny Julie Ryan

Current projects

Why is this research important?

Submarine volcanoes may impact us, even though they are underwater. How?
Submarine eruptions are poorly understood. Why?
There are many advantages to studying samples erupted under water. What are they?

Dive into your imagination Here is an interview with Dr. Clague

What is it like to explore the deep sea?

We send back daily cruise logs from our expeditions. These logs contain dive reports written by the scientists, images, maps, and updates from the others in the crew.
Latest cruise logs: Ridges 2011: on the Juan de Fuca Ridge 

How do we explore the deep sea? Here is information about the equipment we use.

Mapping undersea mountains (Monterey Bay Aquarium web site)

| Hot spots | Mid-ocean ridges | Seamounts | Margin |

| Publication list | Cruise logs | FAQ, resources | Site map |

Questions? Comments? Please contact Jenny Paduan
Last updated: Jan. 12, 2012