The Rumble III, New Zealand

The 2300meter Rumble III forms part of the Kermadec Ridge, a chain of 30 large underwater volcanoes that ascend from the ocean floor between New Zealand and Tonga. This area has the highest activity of submarine volcanoes. The Rumbles consist of five volcanoes, Rumble I to V.

The Rumble III seamount, the largest of the Rumbles seamount group along the South Kermadec Ridge, rises 2300 meter from the sea floor to within about 200 meter of the sea surface. Rumble III sits on the southern ridge of the Kermadec Arc of about 100 submarine volcanoes.

Rumble III has been the source of several submarine eruptions detected by hydrophone signals. Early surveys placed its depth at 117 meter, and later depths of about 200 meter, 140 meter, and 220 meter.