High-resolution bathymetry of one of the extinct asphalt volcanoes, collected using the autonomous underwater vehicle Sentry.
Credit: Dana Yoerger
A schematic diagram shows the formation of an asphalt volcano and the associated release of oil and methane to the surrounding environment.
Credit: Jack Cook
Ed Keller, a scientist at the University of California, Santa Barbara, looked at sonar maps collected by the Monterrey Bay Aquarium Research Institute and first noticed mysterious mounds poking out of the seafloor off Santa Barbara. He offered theories of what they were in a paper published in 2007.
(Edward A. Keller, University of California, Santa Barbara)
From left, UCSB's Christopher Farwell, Sarah Bagby, and David Valentine with asphalt recovered from underwater volcanoes during a dive on the research submarine Alvin.
Credit: George Foulsham Office of Public Affairs
Today's Spotlight:
About 10 miles off the Santa Barbara coast, at the bottom of the Santa Barbara Channel, a series of impressive landmarks rise from the sea floor. They've been there for about 40,000 years, but they've remained hidden in the murky depths of the Pacific Ocean –– until now.
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