Measuring 1,600 meters (5,249 feet) in height, it is nearly twice the height of the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building. This seamount, covering 14 square kilometers (5.4 square miles) and situated 2,400 meters (7,874 feet) below sea level, was detected during an expedition by the Schmidt Ocean Institute (SOI) aboard the research vessel Falkor. The discovery highlights the vast uncharted areas of the ocean, with less than 25% of the ocean floor mapped as of 2023.
A significant geological discovery has emerged from the depths of the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Guatemala—an immense underwater mountain known as a seamount. This colossal seamount, reaching a towering height of 1,600 meters (5,249 feet), has captured the attention of oceanographers and researchers. For context, it stands nearly twice as tall as the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.
The discovery of this remarkable underwater feature was made possible during an expedition by the Schmidt Ocean Institute (SOI) conducted aboard the research vessel Falkor. In July, the expedition successfully mapped the seafloor using advanced technology, shedding light on previously unexplored areas of the ocean.
Seamounts are typically remnants of extinct volcanoes, a characteristic that aligns with the prevailing understanding of this newly discovered underwater mountain. Its substantial size and impressive height have made it an intriguing subject for scientific exploration.
The massive seamount covers a substantial area, spanning 14 square kilometers (5.4 square miles). Situated at a depth of 2,400 meters (7,874 feet) below sea level, it exists as an astonishing geological formation beneath the ocean’s surface.
Surprisingly, this colossal seamount had not been previously documented in any ocean-depth databases, including the General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans. The absence of prior knowledge about its existence underscores the vastness of the uncharted regions of the ocean.
Dr. Jyotika Virmani, the executive director of the Schmidt Ocean Institute, expressed the significance of this discovery and its implications for ocean exploration. She stated, “A seamount over 1.5 kilometers tall which has, until now, been hidden under the waves really highlights how much we have yet to discover. A complete seafloor map is a fundamental element of understanding our Ocean so it’s exciting to be living in an era where technology allows us to map and see these amazing parts of our planet for the first time.”
The seamount was situated 84 nautical miles beyond the Guatemalan Exclusive Economic Zone, emphasizing the expansive, unexplored regions of the ocean. While the oceanographic community possesses data on many seamounts, often derived from satellite radar altimeters that detect surface bulges above these underwater mountains, this particular seamount remained uncharted until this recent discovery.
Seamounts, due to their geological formation, function as biodiversity hotspots in the ocean. They provide a solid substrate for marine invertebrates such as corals and sponges to attach themselves, creating distinct ecosystems. The enhanced currents around seamounts also draw in a variety of fauna, making them vital for both endemic and migratory species.
Tony Koslow, an emeritus research oceanographer, emphasized the significance of seamounts, stating that they “create distinct ecosystems because the normally sluggish currents above the deep seafloor accelerate as much as 10-fold as they flow around these obstructions.” This acceleration in currents facilitates the attachment of invertebrates and attracts other marine life, contributing to the unique biodiversity found around seamounts.
The discovery of this massive seamount serves as a poignant reminder of the vast unexplored areas of the ocean. While researchers estimate that there are more than 100,000 seamounts taller than 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) in the world, less than one-tenth of a percent have been explored, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
This remarkable finding underscores the ongoing need for comprehensive ocean mapping and exploration to gain a deeper understanding of our planet’s oceans and their intricate ecosystems.
