Scientists Investigate Origins Of Sea Floor Supervolcanoes
Friday, April 9, 2010 - 12:42
in Earth & Climate
Supervolcanoes have been blamed for multiple mass extinctions in Earth's history. But despite their global impact, their origin and triggering mechanisms have remained unexplained. New data obtained during a recent Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) expedition in the Pacific Ocean may help explain the sea floor giants' origins. In fall 2009, an international team of scientists participating in IODP Expedition 324 drilled five sites in the ocean floor. They studied the origin of the 145 million-year-old Shatsky Rise volcanic mountain chain. Located 1,500 kilometers (930 miles) east of Japan, Shatsky Rise measures roughly the size of California. read more