Bubble Column

A bubble column is a block generated by placing magma blocks or soul sand in water. Bubble columns will push or pull entities in certain directions.

Obtaining
Bubble columns cannot be obtained as an item, and can only be placed by a block-placement command such as.

Natural generation
When generating the world, caves, ravines and underwater ruins will be created below the water surface. When lava is generated in the former two, some lava will be converted to obsidian, and some to magma blocks which will generate bubble columns.

Usage
The player can replenish their air supply and when it is moved by piston, the bubble column will be destroyed.

Vortex
Vortex bubble columns can be seen by air bubbles wandering downwards and it drags entities downwards. When riding a boat over a vortex it will begin to shake and finally will sink if kept above the vortex for too long.

Lifting
Lifting bubble columns can be seen with vertically rising air bubbles. When soul sand is placed on the bottom, a lifting bubble column is generated. A lifting bubble column draws entities upwards. The longer an object is rising through the bubble column the faster they will go. When the speed is high enough, the object will shoot out of the water. When jumping on a lifting bubble column, the player will be propelled about one block upwards.

Trivia

 * Bubble Columns refilling your breath when standing in them might be a reference to bubbles in the Sonic the Hedgehog series refilling your air in underwater levels.

Blasensäule Colonne de bulles Столб пузырей 气泡柱