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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,‌[Java and Legacy Console editions only] and can only be placed by a block-placement command such as /setblock.

In the Bedrock Edition, it may be obtained as an item via inventory editing.‌[Bedrock Edition only]

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. All bubble columns will generate bubble column blocks until the bubble column is on the surface of the water space it’s in or a solid block is in the way of the would-be taller bubble column.

Usage

Mobs can enter a bubble column to replenish their air supply. A bubble column is destroyed when moved by a piston. When creating a bubble column, all blocks above must be source blocks. This requires either naturally generated water, or for the player to place a water source for each block they would like the column to reach. Bubble columns will not propagate through waterlogged blocks.

Whirlpool

Whirlpool bubble columns can be seen by air bubbles wandering downwards. They drag entities downwards. When a magma block is placed underwater, a whirlpool bubble column is generated. When riding a boat over a whirlpool it will begin to shake, and will sink if kept above the whirlpool for too long.

Upward

Upward bubble columns can be seen as vertically rising air bubbles. When soul sand is placed under source water blocks, an upward bubble column is generated. An upward bubble column accelerates entities upwards. The longer an object rises through the bubble column, the faster it will travel. At high enough speeds, players and entities can be launched out of water by several blocks. Sitting on the surface above a rising bubble column will cause entities to bounce upwards repeatedly by about 1 block.

Transport

Entities move at a speed of approximately 15 blocks (meters) per second when inside a bubble column. This equates to a speed of 900 blocks per minute, albeit only vertically.

Data values

Block data

See also: Data values

In Bedrock Edition, bubble columns uses the following data values:

DV Description
0 The bubble column is a whirlpool.
1 The bubble column is upwards.

Block states

See also: Block states

Java Edition:

Name Default value Allowed values Description
dragtruefalse
true
Determines whether the bubble column is upward or whirlpool.

Bedrock Edition:

NameMetadata Bits Default value Allowed valuesValues for
Metadata Bits
Description
drag_down0x1falsefalse
true
0
1
Determines whether the bubble column is upward or whirlpool.

History

Java Edition
November 18, 2017Bubble Column were shown in a video clip during MineCon Earth.
1.1318w07aAdded bubble columns.
18w08aBubble columns will now generate in underwater ravines.
18w09aBubble columns will now generate in underwater ruins.
Bedrock Edition
1.5beta 1.5.0.4Added bubble columns.
beta 1.5.0.7Bubble columns can now be toggled to look similar to Java Edition, but only for devices that can handle them.
Legacy Console Edition
TU69 1.76 Patch 38Added bubble columns.

Issues

Issues relating to "Bubble Column" are maintained on the bug tracker. Report issues there.

Gallery

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