Lava on the floor of the Axial Summit Trough (AST) of the East Pacific Rise (EPR) near the primary eruptive fissure from which most volcanic eruptions originate. During the eruption, when hot lava comes into contact with cold seawater, the top layer of the lava flow hardens, and hot molten lava continues to flow beneath the surface of the crust. As the eruption concludes, the lava drains back into the eruptive fissure and creates collapse features on the seafloor with fragmented pieces of lava like these.
Species (common):
Year: 2004
Details:
Media Type: Photograph
Data Type: Photograph
Device Type: Camera:Digital
Feature: EPR:9N
Investigator: Vicki Ferrini
Expedition: AT11-20
Chief Scientist: Marvin Lilley
Species: