Yōmei Seamount facts for kids
Yōmei Seamount (用明海山) is a very old and huge underwater mountain located in the Pacific Ocean. It's a type of volcano called a seamount, which means it's completely hidden beneath the ocean's surface. Yōmei Seamount is part of a long line of underwater mountains known as the Hawaiian–Emperor seamount chain.
This giant underwater peak is an extinct volcano. This means it hasn't erupted in a very, very long time, and scientists don't expect it to erupt ever again.
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What is Yōmei Seamount?
Yōmei Seamount is like a giant, hidden mountain under the sea. It's a volcano that formed millions of years ago, but it's no longer active. Imagine a mountain range, but instead of being on land, it's deep down on the ocean floor. That's what a seamount is!
Where is Yōmei Seamount Located?
Yōmei Seamount is found in the vast Pacific Ocean. It's part of a massive chain of underwater mountains and islands that stretches for thousands of miles. This chain, called the Hawaiian–Emperor seamount chain, includes the famous Hawaiian Islands, which are much younger and still active volcanoes. Yōmei is much further north in this chain.
How Old is Yōmei Seamount?
Scientists believe that Yōmei Seamount had its last volcanic eruption a very, very long time ago. This was between 60 million and 65 million years ago! To give you an idea, that's around the time when dinosaurs were disappearing from Earth. Since then, it has been quiet and slowly sinking deeper into the ocean as the Earth's crust moves.
Why is it Called Yōmei?
This underwater mountain is named after a historical figure from Japan, Emperor Yōmei. Many of the seamounts in this chain are named after emperors of Japan, honoring their history and culture.