Morphologic investigation of “uncharted” seamount from central Indian basin revisited with multibeam sonar system

Abstract

Morphology of a seamount at 12°35'E and 76°18.5’ and two abyssal hills in its vicinity is described using the Hydrosweep multibeam‐swath bathymetric system. The height of the seamount is 1350 m, and it occupies an area of 330 km². Its basal width is 22.5 km, and the mount has a gentle and longer western flank and a steep and shorter eastern flank. There is a characteristic terracelike feature on the western flank, about 300 m from the top. A caldera is also observed on top of the seamount. Slope angles in this area are high (over 35"). Results of morphologic studies of the seamount from the multibeam survey are comparable to those from a narrow‐beam echosounding survey. The origin of the seamount may be related to the presence of a fracture zone at 75°45'E.

Keywords:

• seamount
• multibeam survey
• caldera
• morphology
• fracture zone