In this image taken from a May 7, 2009 video and provided by the National Science Foundation and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a robotic arm collects samples at the West Mata Volcano nearly 4,000 feet beneath the Pacific Ocean, south of Samoa. Scientists have captured on video fiery bubbles of molten lava, calling it a major geological discovery. Federal ocean scientists are presenting the video in San Francisco at a geophysics conference on Thursday, Dec. 17, 2009.
(AP Photo/NSF NOAA)