Tasmantid Seamount Chain facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tasmantid Seamount Chain |
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 Location in Pacific Ocean
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| Location | |
| Location | Coral and Tasman seas |
| Coordinates | 31°00′S 156°00′E / 31.000°S 156.000°E |
| Geology | |
| Type | Seamount chain |
The Tasmantid Seamount Chain is a long line of underwater mountains, called seamounts. It stretches for about 2,000 km (1,200 mi) in the South Pacific Ocean. Imagine a giant underwater mountain range!
This chain has more than 16 extinct volcanoes. Many of these peaks rise over 4,000 m (13,000 ft) from the ocean floor. That's like having mountains taller than some of the highest peaks on land, but hidden under the sea!
The Tasmantid Seamount Chain is one of two similar chains found near the East Coast of Australia. Both the Tasmantid and the Lord Howe chains run from north to south. They are located in parts of the Coral Sea and Tasman Sea.
These amazing underwater mountains formed because the Indo-Australian Plate slowly moved north. It passed over a "hotspot" deep inside the Earth. A hotspot is like a fixed point where hot rock rises from the Earth's core. As the plate moved, new volcanoes formed over the hotspot.
The seamounts in this chain are very old. They range in age from 40 million to 6 million years old. You might also hear this chain called the Tasmantid Seamounts, Tasman Seamounts, Tasman Seamount Chain, Tasmantide Volcanoes or just the Tasmantids.
What Makes Up the Tasmantid Chain?
The Tasmantid Seamount Chain includes many individual seamounts and reefs. Each one has its own unique features. Some are tall, pointed mountains, while others are flat-topped, known as guyots.
Here are some of the notable seamounts and reefs in the chain:
- Barcoo Bank
- Brisbane Guyot
- Britannia Guyots
- Cato Reef
- Derwent Hunter Guyot
- Fraser Seamount
- Gascoyne Seamount
- Kenn Reef
- Moreton Seamount
- Queensland Guyot
- Recorder Guyot
- Stradbroke Seamount
- Taupo Bank
- Wreck Reefs
These underwater features are important for ocean life. They create unique habitats for many different sea creatures. Scientists continue to study them to learn more about Earth's history and ocean ecosystems.
