underwater volcanoes

Nothing escapes man anymore! Until recently, reaching the abyssal depths was just a chimera for humans. But, for a few years, scientists from all over the world have been carrying out dives to study this habitat thanks to the development of technologies.

With manned submersibles, sonars and robotic vehicles, the international scientific community is making great progress in the study of the ocean ridges, where the Earth's crust is always in a continuous process of formation and, therefore, movement. , due to the separation of the tectonic plates. It is in these areas where there is a greater concentration of life on the seabed, thanks to the heat that filters from the interior of the Earth's crust.

Life under the sea

Underwater volcanoes are one of the key elements so that, at the bottom of oceans and seas, we can find great sources of life. Until now, a great biodiversity of invertebrates and microbes have been found, such as polychaete worms, shrimps with eyes on their backs and other species that only occur in this ecosystem.

Fumaroles and bacterial species

The deep thermal springs that are formed due to the leakage of water into the interior of the earth and that, after heating, re-emerge through chimneys formed on the sea floor, they are called fumaroles. This phenomenon arouses great interest among scientists because some bacterial species that live near these events are of particular interest for science.

These tiny living beings are able to withstand extreme temperatures and pressure changes without being affected, so they could be useful for humans and the development of industrial processes.

But beyond the applications that may be found for these microorganisms in the future, the great theory that is driving scholars to continue investigating is that perhaps it was there, at more than 3000 meters deep, where it emerged for the first time life on Earth.

Volcanoes and underwater mountains in Spain

If you are thinking about diving off the Spanish coast, let us recommend two key areas: the Canary archipelago and the Balearic. Environments that, if they generally arouse a different interest, their volcanic origin and their important seabed make the diving experiences are a success.

They are the Balearic Islands with the Mediterranean as the protagonist, a space that houses more than 100 volcanoes and underwater mountains, highlighting in style Emile Baudot,a mountain of volcanic origin that is home to the most exotic species such as sponges chupa chups or glass and gorgonian forests.

And it is in the Canary Islands where the immensity of the Atlantic hides two underwater volcanoes of vital importance for the marine ecosystem, such as the Tagoro volcano in the vicinity of the island of El Hierro and the Enmedio volcano which, As its name reflects, it sleeps between the islands of Tenerifeand Gran Canaria, in the Anaga Canal - Agaete.

The past eruptions of these submarine volcanoes, far from ending the life of the fauna and flora of the area, together with the erosion of the underwater mountains by the currents , favored and favors all diving lovers since, during the dives, they can find great natural treasures under the sea as well as enjoy the company of friendly cetaceansin these vicinity.