Underwater Bubble โPlumeโ Near Australianโ Volcano Triggers Alert
SYDNEY – An unusually large mass of bubbles risingโ from a deep-sea volcano off the coast of Australia has prompted an urgent warning from marine scientists,who fear a potential tsunami threat. The bubbleโฃ plume, detected nearโ the โRumble III seamount in theโ Tasmanโ Sea, is composed of โขvolcanic gases and could displace meaningful volumes of water, perhaps generating destructive waves.
The Rumbleโ III volcano, located approximately 500 kilometers (310 miles) southeast of Tasmania, is an active underwater volcano. While gas emissionsโ are normal,โข the current โฃplume โฃis significantly larger andโฃ more sustained than previously observed,โ raising concernsโฃ among authorities and prompting increasedโฃ monitoring. Expertsโ are workingโค to โdetermine the cause of theโค increased activity โand assess the risk to coastalโ communities. โ
“We’reโข seeing a substantial releaseโ of volcanicโ gases, โprimarily โcarbon dioxide and water vapor, that’s โcreating this large bubble โplume,” โคexplained Dr.โค michele Koppes, โa โคmarine geologist with โขGeoscience australia.โ “The concernโข is that a rapid and forceful โexpulsion โof โthese gases could trigger a localized tsunami.”
Theโข seamount has been โคclosely monitored โsince โ2012,with โฃpreviousโ periods of heightened activity recorded.However, โขthe current event is notable for โขit’s intensity and duration. Scientists are utilizing a network of seafloor sensors and satellite data to track the plume’s evolution โคand model potential โคwave propagation scenarios.
While the risk of a major tsunami impacting the Australian coastline is currently considered low, authorities are advising residents in Tasmania and Victoria toโ remain vigilant and heed any official warnings.The Bureauโ of meteorology โis providing regular updates, and emergency management agencies are on standby.
the Rumble III seamount โขis part of the โฃZealandia continental fragment, a largely submerged landmass thatโค broke away from Gondwana millions of years ago. Ongoing volcanic activity in โthe region is a naturalโค outcomeโฃ of tectonic processes, but the recent increase in gas โemissions underscores the need for continued monitoring and research to better understand and mitigate potential hazards.
