Seamounts are undersea mountains (usually of volcanic origin) rising from the seafloor and peaking below sea level. Underwater mountains of heights above 1000 m are considered to be seamounts, those between 500-1000 m as knolls, and those below 500 m as hills. A seamount tall enough to break the sea surface is called an oceanic island, e.g., the islands of Hawaii, the Azores and Bermuda were all underwater seamounts at some point in the past.
Photo of a deep-sea rattail fish and seastar Courtesy of Lisa Levin/ONRSee More...
Extreme Life, Marine Style, Highlights 2006 Ocean Census
Census of Marine Life
11 December 2006
A host of record-breaking discoveries from the Census of Marine Life in 2006. Scientists intrigued by life around hottest-ever seafloor vent; Manhattan-sized school of fish off New jersey coast; More new than familiar species on Antarctic seafloor.
E-Mail Topic link
