Although volcanoes are typically located in or near the ocean, we’ve spent relatively little effort studying how eruptions affect the marine environment. A recent research voyage aimed to change that by studying the Patagonian Sea near the site of the 2008 Chaitén eruption. Marked by massive ashfalls that, when mixed with heavy rains, created huge mudslides, the 2008 eruption was the Chaitén volcano’s first in 9,000 years.
The researchers mapped the seafloor near the volcano, finding massive dunes shaped by strong currents. Using a remotely operated vehicle, the team surveyed and sampled the seafloor, collecting sediments reaching back some 15,000 years. They also located ash from the 2008 eruption over 24 kilometers from the volcano. With their data, they hope to understand both how the recent eruption changed the marine environment as well as how older eruptions affected the area. (Image credits: volcano – USGS, dunes – Schmidt Ocean Institute; see also Schmidt Ocean Institute; via Ars Technica)
P.S. – This Friday, January 24th from 12 to 1:30pm Eastern I’m moderating a panel discussion on the Traveling Gallery of Fluid Motion and how art and science can work together in public outreach. Register here to join. It’s free!