Scientists capture deepest underwater volcanic eruption on film

Scientists witnessed the eruption of the deepest underwater volcano and caught the entire event on film for the first time -- complete with molten lava and sulfur smoke clouds. The volcanic eruption was filmed by a U.S. robotic submarine more than 1.2 kilometers (4,000 feet) below the surface of the Pacific Ocean near Samoa during an expedition in May this year. It was an underwater Fourth of July -- a spectacular display of fireworks, Pacific Marine Environmental scientist Bob Embley said. Since the water pressure at that depth suppresses the violence of the volcano's explosions said Bob. The eruptive area was 1.8 meters across and about 91 meters along the summit. Scientists have been trying for 25 years to witness an underwater volcanic eruption, but this is the first time it has ever been caught on film.