Seamount

Definition

A seamount is an underwater mountain formed by volcanic activity, typically rising at least 1,000 meters above the surrounding seafloor. These features are significant in ocean basins as they influence local ecosystems, ocean currents, and sedimentation patterns. Seamounts can also create habitats for diverse marine life and serve as hotspots for biodiversity due to their unique geological structures.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Seamounts can be found in all oceans, with many located in the Pacific Ocean, particularly along the mid-ocean ridges and near island arcs.
2. These underwater mountains can be classified into two main types: active seamounts, which are associated with ongoing volcanic activity, and extinct seamounts that have not erupted for thousands of years.
3. Seamounts often rise abruptly from the ocean floor, creating steep slopes that provide habitats for various marine species, making them essential for marine ecology.
4. Some seamounts can form clusters known as seamount chains, which result from the movement of tectonic plates over a stationary hotspot.
5. Due to their remote locations and unique ecosystems, seamounts are often targets for marine conservation efforts to protect their biodiversity from overfishing and climate change.

Review Questions

• How do seamounts influence marine ecosystems in their surrounding areas?
  • Seamounts significantly influence marine ecosystems by creating varied habitats that support diverse marine life. The steep slopes and unique geological features provide shelter and feeding grounds for many species, including commercially important fish. Additionally, the presence of seamounts can enhance nutrient upwelling, which promotes productivity in the surrounding waters, further supporting rich biodiversity.
• Discuss the relationship between seamounts and ocean currents. How can these underwater features affect local hydrodynamics?
  • Seamounts interact with ocean currents by acting as obstacles that cause water to flow around them, often leading to increased turbulence and mixing. This disruption in flow can enhance nutrient availability in the water column, which is crucial for sustaining marine ecosystems. The changes in current patterns due to seamounts can also impact sediment transport and distribution around these features.
• Evaluate the significance of seamounts in terms of biodiversity conservation and environmental challenges they face.
  • Seamounts are crucial for biodiversity conservation because they serve as hotspots of marine life due to their complex habitats. However, they face significant environmental challenges such as overfishing, climate change, and deep-sea mining, which threaten their delicate ecosystems. Effective management and conservation strategies are essential to protect these unique underwater features and maintain their ecological functions amidst increasing anthropogenic pressures.

Related terms

volcano: An opening in the Earth's crust through which molten lava, ash, and gases erupt, often forming mountains or hills.

ridge: An underwater mountain range formed by tectonic plate movements, where new oceanic crust is created.

biodiversity hotspot:

A biogeographic region that is both a significant reservoir of biodiversity and is threatened by human activities.