Undersea volcano towers over Alaska seabed

Scientists surveying deep coral habitat in the Aleutian Chain have discovered and mapped the region’s first confirmed undersea volcano, a medium-sized cone, six kilometers across at the base.

The volcano rises more than 600 metres from the ocean floor. The black lava rock of what may become the next Aleutian island reaches relatively close to the surface, and a strong eruption with lots of lava could push above the waves and create a new island.

An Aleut language expert is consulting with native elders for an appropriate name.