seamount

views updated May 08 2018

seamount Isolated, submarine mountain rising more than 1000 m above the ocean floor. The sharp, crested summits of seamounts are usually 1000–2000 m below the ocean surface. Seamounts are of volcanic origin. They are increasingly coming under study with modern methods of submarine acoustic imagery, e.g. GLORIA (Geological LOng Range Inclined Asdic) side-scan sonar. See also GUYOT.

seamount

views updated May 17 2018

seamount An isolated, submarine mountain, of volcanic origin, which rises more than 1000 m above the ocean floor and has a sharp, crested summit that is, in most cases, 1000–2000 m below the ocean surface.