Volcanic Eruption in the Pacific Ocean Released Massive Pumice, NASA Revealed

Some areas from the Pacific look more like an ocean of pumice. The dwindling system could be saved using the enormous amounts of pumice caused by an underwater volcanic eruption, according to NASA. The pumice is heading towards the Great Barrier Reef from Australia, and it belongs from an underwater volcano which is located near the Polynesian island of Tonga in Oceana, and it erupted two weeks ago.

For those who don’t know, pumice is a volcanic rock that consists of highly vesicular rough-textured volcanic glass, which may or may not contain crystals. It is typically light-colored and of low density.

Although it was silent for 18 years, the volcano erupted in all its fury and overwhelming power. But surprisingly or not, the world’s most extensive coral reef system, meaning the Great Barrier Reef, could be saved by it. As officials of NASA claim, the marine creatures living in the Great Barrier Reef would treat the pumice as a temporary habitat and survive.

NASA Revealed Massive Pumice Released by Volcanic Eruption in the Pacific

In recent years, climate change played a significant and negative role in the corals’ lives, the water becoming too warm and making them to expel the algae, become white and ultimately die.

“Based on past pumice raft events we have studied over the last 20 years, it’s going to bring new healthy corals and other reef dwellers to the Great Barrier Reef. Each piece of pumice is a rafting vehicle. It’s a home and a vehicle for marine organisms to attach and hitch a ride across the deep ocean to get to Australia.”, says geologist Scott Bryan from the Queensland University of Technology.

Volcanologist Erik Klemetti of Denison University also supported NASA’s claim, saying the following to Discover Magazine’s blog: “Pumice rafts can drift for weeks to years, slowly dispersing into the ocean currents. These chunks of pumice end up making great, drifting homes for sea organisms, helping them spread.