'We measured sunlight going into the ocean interacting with particles consistent with underwater volcanic eruptions,' said O'Malley. O'Malley and Behrenfeld developed a process for analyzing low-resolution images to show evidence of eruptions, which can extend over thousands of square miles, by matching five known eruptions with data from NASA satellites. 'Satellite measurements of the planet are made every day,' Behrenfeld said, 'so this new method provides another tool for spotting these dramatic events that affect life in the oceans.' Underwater volcanic eruptions are rarely detected, so little is known about them, according to Mike Behrenfeld, an OSU expert in marine algae and and one of the researchers on the project. Many times you can't spot an eruption if you were floating over it in a boat.' 'It's amazing an orbiting satellite can detect color changes that indicate an eruption has taken place. 'Some volcanic eruptions take place hundreds of feet below water and show no changes to the sea surface to the naked eye,' said Robert O'Malley, an OSU research assistant in botany and plant pathology in OSU's College of Agricultural Sciences. The plumes are picked up as shades of green in satellite images.
Volcanic eruptions on the ocean floor can spew large amounts of pumice and fine particles, as well as hot water that brings nutrients to the surface, resulting in plumes of algae.
