A seamount is a mountain rising from the seafloor that does not reach to the surface of the ocean. Seamounts are often found in groupings or submerged archipelagos. A classic example is the Emperor Seamounts, which are an extension of the Hawaiian Islands. Formed millions of years ago by volcanism, they have since been eroded away to below sea level. The long chain of islands and seamounts stretching thousands of kilometres north-east from the Big Island demonstrates the movement of a plate over a volcanic hotspot. Isolated seamounts and those without clear volcanic origins appear to be less common.

Seamounts often project upwards into shallower zones more hospitable to sea life, providing habitats for marine species that are not found on or around the surrounding deeper ocean bottom. In addition to simply providing physical presence in this zone, the seamount itself may deflect deep currents and create upwelling. This process can bring nutrients into the photosynthetic zone, producing an area of productivity in an otherwise desert-like open ocean. Seamounts may thus be vital stopping points for some migratory animals such as whales.

See also

• Guyot
• Lo'ihi seamount – an active undersea volcano.

External links

• SeamountsOnline, a database of seamount biology
• Volcanic History of Seamounts in the Gulf of Alaska
• Hydrographic structure and circulation at the Great Meteor Seamount showing an example of an isolated seamount and the formation of a submerged island of life.
• Seamount Oasis