When a Volcano Erupts Underwater | UnderH2O | PBS Digital Studios

On the southeast coast of the big island of Hawaii, lava flowing from the Kilauea crater collides with the Pacific Ocean. As new lava emerges, it quickly cools, forming billowy, round shapes called pillow lava. The constant accumulation of new rock results in frequent collapse and avalanche on the reef slope -- an accelerated cycle of creation and destruction that makes for a very unstable environment. The steam, heat, fire and chaos that make up this underwater inferno are the backdrop for Episode 1 of our new series UnderH2O. In the series, our team of cameramen will give a behind-the-scenes look at underwater filmmaking and show how we go about capturing images of some nature’s most exciting underwater events, creatures, and locations. Please subscribe to our channel for new episodes every other Monday. Coming up, we’ll feature a night dive with manta rays and go 100 feet deep to explore the marine life that has taken root around an airplane wreck. And we’ll do our best to