Morphology of an uncharted seamount from central Indian Basin

Abstract

The morphology of a seamount at 12°35'S and 76°16'E is studied. This conical seamount has a maximum height of 1275 m (water depth 4135 m) and covers an area of about 189 sq km. The maximum basal extension is about 24 km. The mount is gentler and lengthier on the western flank and steeper and shorter on the eastern flank. A conspicuous flat steplike feature is present on the western flank. Slope angles are high (up to 35°). The trend of the seamount is approximately NNE‐SSW. Dredging yielded basalts containing ferromanganese encrustations indicating its volcanic origin.

Keywords:

• Morphology
• seamount
• contour map
• profiles
• slope angles
• volcanic origin