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Seamounts are isolated elevations in the seafloor with circular or elliptical plans, comparatively steep slopes, and relatively small summit area (Menard, 1964). The vertical gravity gradient (VGG), which is the curvature of the ocean surface topography derived from satellite altimeter measurements, has been used to map the global distribution of seamounts (Kim & Wessel, 2011, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-246x.2011.05076.x). We used the latest grid of VGG to update and refine the global seamount catalog; we identified 19,325 new seamounts, expanding a previously published catalog having 24,643 seamounts. Seven hundred thirty‐nine well‐surveyed seamounts, having heights ranging from 421 to 2,500 m, were used to estimate the typical radially symmetric seamount morphology. First, an Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) analysis was used to demonstrate that these small seamounts have a basal radius that is linearly related to their height—their shapes are scale invariant. Two methods were then used to compute this characteristic base to height ratio: an average Gaussian fit to the stack of all profiles and an individual Gaussian fit for each seamount in the sample. The first method combined the radial normalized height data from all 739 seamounts to form median and median‐absolute deviation. These data were fit by a 2‐parameter Gaussian model that explained 99.82% of the variance. The second method used the Gaussian function to individually model each seamount in the sample and further establish the Gaussian model. Using this characteristic Gaussian shape we show that VGG can be used to estimate the height of small seamounts to an accuracy of ∼270 m. Key Points: We used the latest vertical gravity gradient maps to update and refine a global seamount catalog, finding 19,325 new seamountsSmaller seamounts (<2,500 m tall) having good bathymetry coverage (739) were modeled with a radially symmetric Gaussian functionTwo modeling approaches show that smaller seamounts have a sigma to height ratio of 2.4 which agrees with an earlier study by Smith (1988) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Seamounts are isolated elevations in the seafloor with circular or elliptical plans, comparatively steep slopes, and relatively small summit area (Menard, 1964). The vertical gravity gradient (VGG), which is the curvature of the ocean surface topography derived from satellite altimeter measurements, has been used to map the global distribution of seamounts (Kim & Wessel, 2011, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-246x.2011.05076.x). We used the latest grid of VGG to update and refine the global seamount catalog; we identified 19,325 new seamounts, expanding a previously published catalog having 24,643 seamounts. Seven hundred thirty‐nine well‐surveyed seamounts, having heights ranging from 421 to 2,500 m, were used to estimate the typical radially symmetric seamount morphology. First, an Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) analysis was used to demonstrate that these small seamounts have a basal radius that is linearly related to their height—their shapes are scale invariant. Two methods were then used to compute this characteristic base to height ratio: an average Gaussian fit to the stack of all profiles and an individual Gaussian fit for each seamount in the sample. The first method combined the radial normalized height data from all 739 seamounts to form median and median‐absolute deviation. These data were fit by a 2‐parameter Gaussian model that explained 99.82% of the variance. The second method used the Gaussian function to individually model each seamount in the sample and further establish the Gaussian model. Using this characteristic Gaussian shape we show that VGG can be used to estimate the height of small seamounts to an accuracy of ∼270 m.

The ecological knowledge of seamounts has accumulated plentifully in recent years. However, there are few studies on the distribution and degradation pattern of organic matter in seamounts morphology by using microorganisms and nutrients as indicators. In this research, we investigated the dynamic distribution of nutrients, particulates and microbial communities of the summits, flanks and base in the M5 Pair-summit Seamount, aiming to better understand the distribution and degradation pattern of organic matter around the seamount. The results indicate that TOC concentration presented a gradual decrease from summit to base, and obtained the lowest value at Base1 (0.65 mg L−1). Illumina Hiseq high-throughput sequencing analysis shows that Firmicutes (38.86%) and Bacteroidetes (6.86%) on the seamount Base1 obtained the highest relative abundance, which were related to the degradation of organic matter caused by denitrification. The distribution of organic matter and composition of microbial communities formed disparity due to the morphology of seamounts. In addition, shallow seamounts and deep seamounts exhibited a high degree of temporal and spatial specificity. Summit1 produced organic matter from phytoplankton, with the highest TOC content (1.23 mg L−1), dominated in microorganisms of Cyanobacteria (18.06%), and an upwelling of nutrients due to the “seamount effect”. However, Summit2 utilized nitrifying bacteria Taumarchaeota to degrade organic matter. This research suggests that the unique topographic features of seamounts is essential to sustain the surrounding microbial composition and hydrodynamics, which can further promote the study of seamount ecological environment.

Abstract Basement structure is known to exert strong magmatic and morphological control on continental volcanoes, but relatively little is known about the structural control of submarine volcanoes. Here we investigate the morphology of the Tasmantid Seamounts, a >2,400 km long chain of age‐progressive intraplate volcanoes, ranging from 56 to 7 Ma. The seamounts are emplaced over the extinct Tasman Sea spreading center, which was active between 84 and 52 Ma. While thick sediment (∼1 km) obscures much of the basement, detailed morphological and geophysical analyses of the seamounts reveal a strong correlation between tectonic setting, seamount orientation, and volcanic structure, despite the ≥20 Ma interval between spreading cessation and seamount emplacement. Seamounts emplaced on fracture zones or spreading segment‐transform fault inside corners are typically large and elongate. Where original morphology is preserved, they often appear rugged and predominantly fissure‐fed. By contrast, comparatively smooth, conical seamounts with isolated dike‐fed flank cones are often found midsegment and at outside corners. Volcanic fabrics also align closely with the expected principal stress directions for strong mechanical coupling across transform faults. This behavior suggests the lithosphere is dissected by numerous deep faults, channeling magma along preexisting structural trends. Generally, low effective elastic thicknesses (

Basement structure is known to exert strong magmatic and morphological control on continental volcanoes, but relatively little is known about the structural control of submarine volcanoes. Here we investigate the morphology of the Tasmantid Seamounts, a >2,400 km long chain of age‐progressive intraplate volcanoes, ranging from 56 to 7 Ma. The seamounts are emplaced over the extinct Tasman Sea spreading center, which was active between 84 and 52 Ma. While thick sediment (∼1 km) obscures much of the basement, detailed morphological and geophysical analyses of the seamounts reveal a strong correlation between tectonic setting, seamount orientation, and volcanic structure, despite the ≥20 Ma interval between spreading cessation and seamount emplacement. Seamounts emplaced on fracture zones or spreading segment‐transform fault inside corners are typically large and elongate. Where original morphology is preserved, they often appear rugged and predominantly fissure‐fed. By contrast, comparatively smooth, conical seamounts with isolated dike‐fed flank cones are often found midsegment and at outside corners. Volcanic fabrics also align closely with the expected principal stress directions for strong mechanical coupling across transform faults. This behavior suggests the lithosphere is dissected by numerous deep faults, channeling magma along preexisting structural trends. Generally, low effective elastic thicknesses (<10 km) and lack of correlation with plate age at emplacement suggest that structural inheritance is also a major control on lithospheric strength near the extinct spreading center. Our study clearly demonstrates that, like in the continents, structural inheritance in oceanic lithosphere can exert significant control on the morphology of submarine volcanoes. Plain Language Summary: The shapes of volcanoes in continental regions can be strongly influenced by faults. These lines of weakness provide a natural pathway for rising magma so that large volumes are erupted along these trends, and volcanoes are often elongated parallel to underlying faults. However, little is known about the effect of faults on submarine volcanoes. Here we use high‐resolution ocean depth and gravity data to investigate how faulting influences the structure of the Tasmantid Seamounts, a 2,500 km long chain of underwater volcanoes off the east coast of Australia. We find that seamount shapes are strongly influenced by faults that formed when Australia and New Zealand rifted apart, tens of millions of years before the volcanoes formed. The mechanical strength of the crust and mantle beneath the seamounts is also far weaker than expected due to the faulting. Finally, much of the magma making up the volcanoes never reached the surface and instead solidified below the seafloor. This suggests that the hot region in the mantle causing the volcanoes to form was not very strong compared to places like Hawaii or Iceland. This study shows that, like in the continents, preexisting faults can have a profound effects on the structure of submarine volcanoes. Key Points: Tasmantid Seamount morphology governed by structural inheritance from Tasman spreading center, despite eruption >20 Ma after spreading ceasedThis morphological dependence, low mass‐wasting rates, and evidence of dense intrusive cores suggest a relatively weak Tasmantid plumeTe measurements suggest lithosphere is heavily faulted near ridge‐transform intersections, deforming predominantly by brittle yielding [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • "Seamount effect" enhanced TOC content in Summit1. • Obtained high OM degradation and nutrients regeneration on the flanks and base of the seamount. • Degradation of OM in the base was related to denitrification by Firmicutes. • Microbial community composition associated with OM degradation changed with seamount morphology and surrounding hydrodynamics. The ecological knowledge of seamounts has accumulated plentifully in recent years. However, there are few studies on the distribution and degradation pattern of organic matter in seamounts morphology by using microorganisms and nutrients as indicators. In this research, we investigated the dynamic distribution of nutrients, particulates and microbial communities of the summits, flanks and base in the M5 Pair-summit Seamount, aiming to better understand the distribution and degradation pattern of organic matter around the seamount. The results indicate that TOC concentration presented a gradual decrease from summit to base, and obtained the lowest value at Base1 (0.65 mg L−1). Illumina Hiseq high-throughput sequencing analysis shows that Firmicutes (38.86%) and Bacteroidetes (6.86%) on the seamount Base1 obtained the highest relative abundance, which were related to the degradation of organic matter caused by denitrification. The distribution of organic matter and composition of microbial communities formed disparity due to the morphology of seamounts. In addition, shallow seamounts and deep seamounts exhibited a high degree of temporal and spatial specificity. Summit1 produced organic matter from phytoplankton, with the highest TOC content (1.23 mg L−1), dominated in microorganisms of Cyanobacteria (18.06%), and an upwelling of nutrients due to the "seamount effect". However, Summit2 utilized nitrifying bacteria Taumarchaeota to degrade organic matter. This research suggests that the unique topographic features of seamounts is essential to sustain the surrounding microbial composition and hydrodynamics, which can further promote the study of seamount ecological environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]