Read more at source.
Read more at source.
While the terrestrial aftermath of the Chaitén eruption was well documented, the impact on the sea was not. The debris from the eruption flowed through rivers into the Northern Patagonian Sea. The scientists' observations could help us understand how active volcanoes affect marine environments and infrastructure, including fisheries and communication cables.
The team used a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) called SuBastian to explore the areas where volcanic debris had washed into the ocean. Equipped with lights, cameras, and sensors, the ROV gathered samples that would otherwise be impossible to obtain. This technology enabled the scientists to select the best sampling sites based on visuals, a significant advancement from the traditional blind selection process.
Volcanoes are often found in or near the ocean, yet the impact of eruptions on marine ecosystems is under-researched. The information gathered from studying the 2008 Chaitén eruption could be relevant for coastal and island volcanoes globally, providing valuable insights into a range of hazards that can impact communities in the aftermath of volcanic eruptions.
The town of Chaitén is very rural, and the area itself lacks submarine cables, but the team's work could help assess whether volcanic activity might damage those cables at other locations across the globe.
