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Under Ice

Expedition yields first evidence of explosive volcanism on Arctic seafloor

By Sid Perkins

- More than 2 years ago

A two-week cruise on an icebreaker to the top of the world last summer gave scientists a look at the aftermath of an event once thought impossible: a violent volcanic eruption on the deep-sea floor.

Layers of volcanic ash (samples shown in inset) blanket the Arctic seafloor 4,000 meters down. The ash is evidence of an explosive eruption, long thought impossible at those depths.
ASHDRIFTS Layers of volcanic ash (samples shown in inset) blanket the Arctic seafloor 4,000 meters down.