<P> In 1978, a US Geological Survey research ship collected dredge samples and photographed Lōʻihi's summit with the goal of studying whether Lōʻihi is active . Analysis of the photos and testing of pillow lava rock samples appeared to show that the material was "fresh", yielding more evidence that Lōʻihi is still active . An expedition from October 1980 to January 1981 collected further dredge samples and photographs, providing additional confirmation . Studies indicated that the eruptions came from the southern part of the rift crater . This area is closest to the Hawaiʻi hotspot, which supplies Lōʻihi with magma . Following a 1986 seismic event, a network of five ocean bottom observatories (OBOs) were deployed on Lōʻihi for a month . Lōʻihi's frequent seismicity makes it an ideal candidate for seismic study through OBOs . In 1987, the submersible DSV Alvin was used to survey Lōʻihi . Another autonomous observatory was positioned on Lōʻihi in 1991 to track earthquake swarms . </P> <P> The bulk of information about Lōʻihi comes from dives made in response to the 1996 eruption . In a dive conducted almost immediately after seismic activity was reported, visibility was greatly reduced by high concentrations of displaced minerals and large floating mats of bacteria in the water . The bacteria that feed on the dissolved nutrients had already begun colonizing the new hydrothermal vents at Pele's Pit (formed from the collapse of the old ones), and may be indicators of the kinds of material ejected from the newly formed vents . They were carefully sampled for further analysis in a laboratory . An OBO briefly sat on the summit before a more permanent probe could be installed . </P> <P> Repeated multibeam bathymetric mapping was used to measure the changes in the summit following the 1996 collapse . Hydrothermal plume surveys confirmed changes in the energy, and dissolved minerals emanating from Lōʻihi . Hawaiʻi Undersea Research Laboratory, HURL's 2,000 m (6,562 ft) submersible Pisces V allowed scientists to sample the vent waters, microorganisms and hydrothermal mineral deposits . </P> <P> Since 2006, the Fe - Oxidizing Microbial Observatory (FeMO), funded by the National Science Foundation and Microbial Observatory Program, has led cruises to Lōʻihi investigate its microbiology every October . The first cruise, on the ship R / V Melville and exploiting the submersible JASON2, lasted from September 22 to October 9 . These cruises study the large number of Fe - oxidizing bacteria that have colonized Lōʻihi . Lōʻihi's extensive vent system is characterized by a high concentration of CO2 and Iron, while being low in sulfide . These characteristics make a perfect environment for iron - oxidizing bacteria, called FeOB, to thrive in . </P>

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