Pillow lavas on the western rift of Vailulu'u volcano with exotic marine life, photographed during a NOAA Ocean Explorer expedition in 2005. Two principal rift zones extend E and W from the summit of the submarine volcano, parallel to the trend of the Samoan hotspot. Not discovered until 1975, this seamount rises 4,200 m from the sea floor to a depth of about 600 m and displays evidence of hydrothermal venting.

Image courtesy of Vailulu'u 2005 Exploration (NOAA Ocean Explorer).

This image is made available as a Public Domain Work, but proper attribution is appreciated.

Galleries: Submarine Volcanoes

Keywords: pillow lava | lava flow | submarine volcano

Vailulu'u