Beneath the waves of our planet’s mighty oceans lies a fiery world that few ever see. In the darkness of the deep, molten rock bursts through the ocean floor, shaping landscapes and influencing life in profound ways. These underwater volcanoes, hidden from ordinary view, are far more common than most realize, and produce the majority of volcanic activity on Earth.
When they erupt, they create astonishing displays of fire meeting water, building new islands, altering ecosystems, and sometimes unleashing global hazards. They are often overlooked in favor of dramatic eruptions on land, but underwater volcanoes hold just as much power. How do they reshape our world? And what exactly makes them so dangerous? Click on to find out.