EarthRef.org Digital Archive (ERDA) -- Eel City on Nafanua Cone in the Vailulu'u Crater -- Samoan Hotspot

Description
The Nafanua volcanic cone was discovered during a recent diving expedition with the NOAA research submersible Pisces V launched from the University of Hawaii Research vessel Kaimikai O Kanaloa (KOK). Nafanuas¿ active hydrothermal system was apparent from the murky water that limited visibility during two submersible dives. The ALIA expedition mapped Nafanua and recovered a rock dredge with substantial amounts of pristine olivine-phyric volcanic rocks. Abundant large vesicles in the rocks from Nafanua suggest a volatile-rich magma that is quite capable of submarine lava fountaining and explosive outgassing in shallower water. The summit region of Nafanua is covered with microbial mats up to several cm thick and there are cavernous spires (a few meters high and 5 m wide at base) with dozens of eels occupying the cavities, named Eel City.

Location
14º 20.52' S - 14º 05.36' S

169º 17.14' W - 168º 49.70' W, Pacific Ocean, American Samoa, Nafanua Volcanic Cone, SMNT-142S-1691W, Samoan Hotspot, Vailulu'u Seamount