Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Surprise: Explosive volcanic eruption under the Arctic ice found 25 06 2008

I posted on a similar story about volcanic eruptions under Antarctic ice earlier this year. What is unique about this situation is that it was a large eruption that went completely undetected, and under pressures that they thought not possible. The big question is then; where did the heat from the volcano go, and what effect did it have on the sea ice environment? Another question is how much CO2 would such an eruption emit, and how long would it take to out-gas?

From Science and The Sea: “In the last few years, for example, scientists have found that a long ridge beneath the north polar ice cap is dotted with volcanoes, and with vents of superheated water that could be home to many new species.”... See More

This area underneath the Polar Ice Cap is called Gakkel Ridge.

Posted via email from Enviromenment

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