El Hierro : Underwater Volcanic Crater Discovered

Spain's National Geographic Institute (IGN) has confirmed that the seismic activity recorded over the course of Tuesday on El Hierro was centered around the town of la Frontera.

A total of 45 earthquakes were recorded, with three of them being in El Pinar and the rest in Nevada, two of which were of significant magnitudes to be felt by local residents, with the largest measuring 2.9 on the Richter scale.

The majority of yesterday's earthquakes were aligned in the NNW / SSE from El Golfo towards the Ocean, covering a distance 12 kilometers from the coast to the center of the island, with average depths being between 20 and 23 kilometers.

All evidence seems to be that acitivity has remained constant for around a week now - whether that is a good thing or bad remains to be seen. Observers have also commented how, as Volcanic activity appears to be decreasing, seismic activity on the opposite side of the Island appears to be on the increase.

The underwater data retreived from the seabed eruption by the Ramon Margalef, Oceanographic research vessel from the Spanish Institute of Oceanography, has confirmed that the activity is a fissure type eruption, which is still on going.

More Importantly, the scientists in charge of the remotely controlled submarine, Juan Acosta and Francisco Sanchez, have identified a new volcanic 'structure' which is some 100 meters tall, but situated 300 meters below the surface. The base of the cone has a diameter of 700 meters and the crater of 120 Meters.

Elsewhere yesterday, sicentists lost control of a glider used to gather data from above the eruption area, causing it to crash into the ocean and sink.

Check out the interesting video clip detailing the size and progressing of the stain eminating from the eruption >>>

Read further news stories about the El Hierro Volcano by clicking the link HERE .