Ocean News & Technology reported on information that has been recorded from underneath the Axial Seamount volcano in the Pacific Ocean. According to the source, scientists from the University of Washington have been monitoring this site since last year using underwater sensors, and plan to learn more about activity in this area as operations continue.
So far, the researchers have been able to record seismic motions and changes in pressure using instruments at the site of the volcano. As these sensors gather data about the volcano's pressure, the scientists involved with the project can monitor the results from hundreds of miles away, through the use of a fiber optic cable.
Based on changes in the water and tremors, the researchers involved with this project have determined that this volcano is erupting. The instruments include eight seismometers and three pressure sensors.
One of the scientists involved with this project, Geologist Bill Chadwick, called the Axial Seamount a "wired volcano" in a LiveScience article. Chadwick also explained the way the volcano is interacting with its environment to LiveScience, comparing the movement of the seafloor to "letting air out of a balloon."
"It's kind of like a balloon — as magma is going into the balloon, it's inflating, and it pushes the seafloor up," he said. "As more and more magma gets in, the pressure builds. Eventually, it reaches some critical pressure where [the seamount] can't hold it in anymore, and then it squirts out." Later this summer, the University of Washington will dispatch a "maintenance cruise" to further investigate the site.
ROV insurance is a wise choice when using remote tools to track activity in sensitive areas, especially when seismic tremors could be present.