Submarine morphology
Mapping the submarine morphology of the Galapagos Islands can give researchers a better understanding of the processes that cause island growth and evolution. Some of the structures found using bathymetric and sonar techniques include rift zones, volcanic cones, and lava flows. Recently, geologists have learned that these lava flows (which are at great depth) are originating from submarine rift volcanism, and that volcanic activity in the northwestern Fernandina rift has been focused at the shallow end of the rift.
Although volcanism may be my least favorite subdiscipline of geology, its complexities still amaze me. Completely understanding the process of island formation might be a lofty goal, but studies like this one certainly help, and may help us better predict what will happen to the Galapagos in the future.