New research study reveals origin of volcano’s carbon-based lavas

Scientists studying the world’s most unusual volcano have discovered the reason behind its unique carbon-based lavas. The new geochemical analyzes reveals that an extremely small degree of partial melting of typical minerals in the earth’s upper mantle is the source of the rare carbon-derived lava erupting from Tanzania’s Oldoinyo Lengai volcano. Full Story : Eurekalert….

Underwater quake, volcano off Tonga

A major underwater earthquake struck in the Pacific Friday, 132 miles off the island nation of Tonga, where an underwater volcanic eruption was in progress. The spectacular plumes are erupting from the ocean about six or seven miles (10 - 12 km) off the coast of the main island of Tongatapu. Full Story : UPI.com

Underwater Explosion

Undersea volcano explosion caught on camera in Pacific Ocean. It occurred more than 1,800 feet beneath the ocean with the ejection of red lava and exploding gases. This is the first time researchers were able to observe an active volcanic eruption underwater, although about 75 percent of the world’s volcanic activity happens underwater. It is lot harder to see and detect.

Photo Source : http://dsc.discovery.com

Chilean Volcano erupts

View Larger Map The 1,000-meter (3,280-foot) volcano some 1,300 kilometers (808 miles) south of Santiago,Chile began erupting Saturday. About 4000 inhabitants of nearby town Chaiten has been evacuated. The volcano blasted ash more than 12 miles (20 kilometers) into the sky. Wind-blown ash has traveled hundreds of kilometers (miles) as far as Argentina’s Chubut province, where town authorities have issued health emergencies, closing down schools, airports and main roads, and have distributed drinking water to some areas.