Extrusion of "Pillow" Lava Flow Below Hades Vent, West Mata Volcano

Lava flowing from the Hades vent feeds slowly flowing "pillow" lavas downslope. As the pillows advance, the surface cracks open, revealing glowing hot lava beneath until the cold ambient seawater (near freezing) quenches the lava. This is the first observations of pillow lavas flowing from a submarine vent. Depth is 1,217 meters (3,992 feet). Video courtesy of National Science Foundation (NSF), Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).


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