A research team led by the Schmidt Ocean Institute has discovered a massive underwater mountain range called the Davidson Seamount off the Pacific coastline of California, Oregon and Washington. The underwater mountain range, over 60,000 sq. km, is approximately 225 million years old and stands at over 2,500 meters tall, making it taller than any mountain in the continental United States. The discovery provides a habitat for a diverse range of marine life, including deep-sea coral forests, sponges and fish. The team used sonar mapping, 360-degree cameras, and autonomous underwater vehicles to explore the underwater mountain range.
Scientists Discover Massive Underwater Mountain Range off Pacific Coastline
In early August 2021, a research team led by the Schmidt Ocean Institute discovered a massive underwater mountain range off the Pacific coastline of California, Oregon, and Washington. The research vessel, Falkor, used a combination of sonar mapping, 360-degree cameras, and autonomous underwater vehicles to explore the underwater mountain range, which covers over 60,000 square kilometers.
The underwater mountain range, called the Davidson Seamount, is approximately 225 million years old and stands at over 2,500 meters tall, making it taller than any mountain in the continental United States. The Davidson Seamount was first discovered in 1933 by Watson and Fenton, who were conducting a geological survey for the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey.
The discovery of the Davidson Seamount is significant because it provides a habitat for a diverse range of marine life, including deep-sea coral forests, sponges, and fish. The research team also discovered that the Davidson Seamount has a unique distribution of deep-sea corals that form higher densities on the south side of the mountain range.
The research team consisted of 31 scientists from 14 different institutions and was led by Dr. Chadwick Trujillo. The research team was able to collect data and samples, including seabed sediment and water, for further analysis in the laboratory. The research team plans to continue to study the Davidson Seamount to better understand the geology and biology of the underwater mountain range.
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Scientists Discover Massive Underwater Mountain Range off Pacific Coastline
Introduction
The Davidson Seamount
Significance of the Discovery
The Research Team
Further Analysis
FAQs
What technology was used to explore the underwater mountain range?
The research vessel, Falkor, used a combination of sonar mapping, 360-degree cameras, and autonomous underwater vehicles to explore the underwater mountain range.
How old is the Davidson Seamount?
The Davidson Seamount is approximately 225 million years old.
What type of marine life was discovered on the Davidson Seamount?
The Davidson Seamount provides a habitat for a diverse range of marine life, including deep-sea coral forests, sponges, and fish.
What is the significance of the Davidson Seamount?
The Davidson Seamount is significant because it provides a habitat for a diverse range of marine life, and it is a unique geological feature that can help scientists better understand the history and structure of the Pacific Ocean.
