bob@uhmanoa.UUCP (02/13/87)
Yesterday, for the first time, scientists actually visited the caldera of the undersea volcano Loihi---as the Alvin submersible from Woods Hole descended more than a kilometer into the ocean. Although Loihi has been investigated for years seismically and magnetically from surface ships, and a preliminary photographic survey was done using the Argus towed camera array, this is the first time anybody has actually been down there. Yes, it is an active volcano...though it will probably be about 10,000 years before it builds up to the surface of the ocean and becomes the next Hawaiian island. [Incidentally, to honor the occasion, we've just named our newest computer (an Alliant FX/8) "loihi".] Bob Cunningham ...nosc!humu!uhmanoa!loihi!bob -- Bob Cunningham bob@hig.hawaii.edu