Largest Underwater Volcanoes

January 1, 2010

Most often the eruptions of the underwater volcanoes go unnoticed. When an underwater volcano visibly erupts it can be spectacular. The following are some of the largest underwater volcanoes.

1. Kolumbo, Santorini Island

The Kolumbo lies about 8 km northeast of Cape Kolumbo, Santorini Island and I an active underwater volcano in the Aegean Sea. This is one of the largest underwater volcanoes in the world but has not seen any major eruptions for a long time.

2. Mt Marsili, Europe

Mt Marsili is one of Europe’s largest submarine volcanoes which is active according to scientists who have been monitoring it continuously. This mountain rises to an altitude of 9800 feet from the Tyrrhenian Sea bed and can cause large tidal waves in southern Italy if there is an eruption.

3. Aleutian Islands, Alaska

An underwater volcano in Alaska’s Aleutian Islands has become active. This volcano is cone shaped and is found below the waters close to the Amchitka Pass, which lies between the Bering sea and the Pacific ocean. This volcano has a height of 1,903 feet and can erupt at any time according to scientists.

4. Morro Rock in California

This was a part of volcanoes known as “Nine Sisters,” formed millions of years ago. Though this largest submarine volcano is not active anymore it is monitored by scientists constantly. The base of Morro rock is filled with broken boulders. Visitors are allowed to go closer to this area to have a view of this volcanic plug. It is a series of ancient volcanic plugs that line the Los Osos Valley between the cities of San Luis Obispo and Morro Bay.

5. Heimaey, Iceland

Iceland witnesses volcanic eruptions frequently. In 1973, Heimaey, the biggest island of the Vestmannaejyar archipelago, showed great volcanic activity. The volcano actually lies in the northeast part of the island.

6. Brothers volcano, New Zealand

This volcano lies 1850 m below sea level and is part of the Kermadec Arc that lies 400 km northeast of New Zealand. The large crate of this volcano is notable formed owing to eruptions more than 50,000 years ago.

7. Kick ‘em Jenny, Caribbean sea

This is an active volcano lying on the sea bed of the Caribbean Sea, to the north of Grenada. There were 12 eruptions from this volcano is 2001. Today, a safety zone near the volcano prohibits scuba divers and snorkellers from going near the area.

8. Barren Island, Andaman Sea

You can find this volcano in the Andaman Sea. This is the only volcano that is still active in South Asia. Most part of the volcano lies below the ocean and its peak can be seen at a height of 354 meters. Its first recorded eruption took place as far back as 1787. Since then it has erupted more than 6 times.

9. South Pacific – Vailulu’u

This volcano in the Samoa Islands rises to a height of 16,400 feet from the sea floor. This volcano is located to the east of Taiu Island and it is said to have emitted smoggy water from its peak recently. In appearance and size this volcano is similar to Mt Fuji in Japan.

10. The Rumble III, New Zealand

Rumble III is a currently extinct volcano which is situated 300 km off the north coast of New Zealand. It is found on the New Zealand – Kermadec arc. It is said that this volcano erupted between 2007 and 2008. There was a wide crater in this volcano in 2007.