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Global Volcanism Program | Image GVP-12103

An eruption plumes rises from the Prometheus vent at West Mata submarine volcano summit in May 2009. A November 2008 NOAA Vents Program expedition to the Lau Basin had discovered hydrothermal plumes from an actively erupting site on the summit of West Mata volcano. During a return trip in May 2009 explosive and effusive activity was observed from Hades, a vent on the SW flank, and explosive activity ejecting ash and bombs was seen from a scoria cone at the Prometheus vent. Courtesy of NSF and NOAA Ocean Exploration Program, 2009.

An eruption plumes rises from the Prometheus vent at West Mata submarine volcano summit in May 2009. A November 2008 NOAA Vents Program expedition to the Lau Basin had discovered hydrothermal plumes from an actively erupting site on the summit of West Mata volcano. During a return trip in May 2009 explosive and effusive activity was observed from Hades, a vent on the SW flank, and explosive activity ejecting ash and bombs was seen from a scoria cone at the Prometheus vent.

Courtesy of NSF and NOAA Ocean Exploration Program, 2009.

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Galleries: Submarine Volcanoes

Keywords: submarine volcano | submarine eruption | vent | plume | geothermal


West Mata