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A "lost world" of recently discovered underwater volcanoes abounds with diverse marine life above and below the waves.
Scientists aboard the ship of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) Investigator Seabed mapping has uncovered a diverse range of deep-sea volcanic seamounts about 400 km east of Tasmania.
Although these aquatic mountains reach a height of 3000 m from the surrounding seabed, they are still far below the ocean, with the highest peaks starting at a depth of nearly 2000 m.
Humpback whales seen from the Investigator Research Vessel Bridge over a recently discovered underwater volcano chain (Credit: Eric Woehler / CSIRO)Eric Woehler / CSIRO
"Our multibeam mapping revealed for the first time in great detail a chain of volcanic seamounts rising from an abyssal plain of about 5,000m deep," said Dr. Tara Martin from the mapping team in a statement.
"Seamounts vary in size and shape, some with steep peaks while others have wide flat plateaus, dotted with small conical hills that would have been formed by ancient volcanic activity. have detailed maps of these areas to help us better manage these unique marine environments and provide a springboard for future research.
Such submarine volcanoes are usually key sites for marine wildlife and the ship's explorations have shown increased phytoplankton activity in the area. The researchers also received frequent observations about life over water.
"While we were above the chain of seamounts, large numbers of pilot whales and large pilot whales visited the ship," said Dr. Eric Woehler of BirdLife Tasmania. Investigator with a team responsible for investigating seabirds and marine mammals, said.
"We estimated that at least 28 individual humpback whales visited us one day, followed by a group of 60 to 80 pilot whales the next day. We have also seen a large number of seabirds in the area, including four species of albatrosses and four species of petrels. "
"Obviously, these seamounts are a biological hotspot that supports life, both directly on them, as well as in the ocean above," he added.
Research indicates that migratory animals such as whales could use these underwater features as vital stopping points to make the journey and serve as navigational aids.
"These seamounts can be an important indicator on an underwater migration route for humpback whales that we have seen move from winter breeding to summer feeding grounds," said Dr. Woehler.
"Fortunately for us and our research, we parked just above this highway of marine life!"
The life and origin of these seamounts will be studied later this year when Investigator returns to the region for two more research trips departing in November and December.
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A "lost world" of recently discovered underwater volcanoes abounds with diverse marine life above and below the waves.
Scientists aboard the ship of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) Investigator Seabed mapping has uncovered a diverse range of deep-sea volcanic seamounts about 400 km east of Tasmania.
Although these aquatic mountains reach a height of 3000 m from the surrounding seabed, they are still far below the ocean, with the highest peaks starting at a depth of nearly 2000 m.
Humpback whales seen from the Investigator Research Vessel Bridge over a recently discovered underwater volcano chain (Credit: Eric Woehler / CSIRO)Eric Woehler / CSIRO
"Our multibeam mapping revealed for the first time in great detail a chain of volcanic seamounts rising from an abyssal plain of about 5,000m deep," said Dr. Tara Martin from the mapping team in a statement.
"Seamounts vary in size and shape, some with steep peaks while others have wide flat plateaus, dotted with small conical hills that would have been formed by ancient volcanic activity. have detailed maps of these areas to help us better manage these unique marine environments and provide a springboard for future research.
Such submarine volcanoes are usually key sites for marine wildlife and the ship's explorations have shown increased phytoplankton activity in the area. The researchers also received frequent observations about life over water.
"While we were above the chain of seamounts, large numbers of pilot whales and large pilot whales visited the ship," said Dr. Eric Woehler of BirdLife Tasmania. Investigator with a team responsible for investigating seabirds and marine mammals, said.
"We estimated that at least 28 individual humpback whales visited us one day, followed by a group of 60 to 80 pilot whales the next day. We have also seen a large number of seabirds in the area, including four species of albatrosses and four species of petrels. "
"Obviously, these seamounts are a biological hotspot that supports life, both directly on them, as well as in the ocean above," he added.
Research indicates that migratory animals such as whales could use these underwater features as vital stopping points to make the journey and serve as navigational aids.
"These seamounts can be an important indicator on an underwater migration route for humpback whales that we have seen move from winter breeding to summer feeding grounds," said Dr. Woehler.
"Fortunately for us and our research, we parked just above this highway of marine life!"
The life and origin of these seamounts will be studied later this year when Investigator returns to the region for two more research trips in November and December.
