Small undersea volcanoes can generate unexpectedly large tsunamis through rapid caldera collapse, as demonstrated by the 2022 Hunga eruption in Tonga that produced a 40-meter tsunami. Researchers studying the eruption found that a 4-kilometer-wide caldera sank about a kilometer, potentially amplifying the tsunami's destructive power. Scientists warn that submarine volcanic hazards remain poorly understood due to the difficulty of accessing deep-ocean eruption sites.
Munich conducted a large-scale seismic survey using vibrotrucks to map underground geology up to 5 kilometers deep, aiming to identify geothermal heat and water resources. The survey covered 1,000 km² with over 120,000 sample locations to support future geothermal plant development, utilizing the region's Jurassic-era water reserves at approximately 100°C found 3 kilometers underground.