Sharkcano

The volcanic eruption at Sharkcano under the Pacific Ocean continues according to the New York Post.

Kavachi, one of the most active underwater volcanoes in the Pacific Ocean, also known as Sharkcano because of its shark inhabitants, shows a volcanic eruption in recent satellite images.

Kadie Bennis, a volcano data researcher in the Smithsonian Institution's Global Volcanism Program, pointed out that better-known aerial volcanoes are easier to study because their higher elevation usually makes them more accessible. Submarine volcanoes such as Kavachi, however, present more of a challenge when it comes to studying how deep they are.

Bennis explained that Kavachi was formed by plate tectonics. She added that there are different plates around the world that move on the Earth's mantle. When two plates meet at certain boundaries, one plate will subduct and form a volcano. The researcher pointed out that this is the case with Kavachi.

Bennis and her team track volcanic activity using data from global volcano observatories and from space through Earth Observatory NASA and other spacecraft.

On May 14, NASA and the U.S. Landsat-9 satellite captured an image showing that the Kavachi volcano continues to actively erupt.

In explaining the marine life thriving at submarine volcanoes below the Earth's surface, Bennis cited that it is not uncommon for humans to live near surface volcanoes.

In 2015, researchers from National Geographic explored the volcano. The team discovered marine life living in the crater, including hammerhead sharks. Kavachi subsequently became known as Sharkcano.

Bennis goes on to explain that it is perfectly normal for sharks and other marine life to be near underwater volcanoes, as this also contributes to the ecosystem.

Kavachi

The first recorded eruption of Kavachi was in 1939, observed by people traveling on a boat who noticed the formation of an island in the middle of the ocean.

Since the discovery of the underwater volcano, 36 eruptive periods have been reported. Bennis attributes the ease of monitoring Kavachi's volcanic activity to satellite data from Landsat-9 and other spacecraft.

Aboveground volcanoes and underwater volcanoes have several similar characteristics, including explosions.

Bennis reports that Kavachi poses no danger to boaters in the region because people know to stay away from the volcano.

Venice pointed out that submarine volcanoes can produce pumice rafts. This indicates volcanic activity under the sea. In 1973, another submarine volcano was seen near the Tonga Islands with the floating pumice.

Bennis explains that the floating pumice around the submarine volcano are rock fragments that were blasted out of the landform. It happens that the floating pumice can be dangerous for boats as it can get stuck in the rudder, but there are no extreme dangers to worry about in Kavachi.

In 2014, NASA noted that residents of the nearby island could see visible steam and ash from Kavachi. That was the last activity and significant eruptions were recorded.

In October 2021, Kavachi's most recent eruptive period began and has been intermittent since then. Bennis explained that the GVP uses satellite imagery to look for new activity.

She explained that the current activity is just the discoloration of the water and the production of colored plumes around the volcano.