Models for the evolution of seamounts. Issue 3 (28th July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wessel, Paul; Watts, Anthony B; Kim, Seung-Sep; Sandwell, David T
• Is Part Of: Geophysical journal international. Volume 231:Issue 3(2022)
• Page Start: 1898
• Page End: 1916
• Publication Date: 2022-07-28
• Subjects: Gravity anomalies and Earth structure -- Loading of the Earth -- Lithospheric flexure -- Oceanic hotspots and intraplate volcanism -- Submarine landslides -- Submarine tectonics and volcanism -- Seamounts; Geophysics -- Periodicals; 550
• DOI: 10.1093/gji/ggac285
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0956-540X

Abstract

SUMMARY: Seamounts are volcanic constructs that litter the seafloor. They are important for understanding numerous aspects of marine science, such as plate tectonics, the volcanic melt budget, oceanic circulation, tsunami wave diffraction, tidal energy dissipation and mass wasting. Geometrically, seamounts come in many sizes and shapes, and for the purpose of modelling them for morphological, gravimetric or isostatic studies it is convenient to have simple analytical models whose properties are well known. Here, we present a family of seamount models that may be used in such studies, covering both the initial construction phase and later mass-wasting by sectoral collapses. We also derive realistic axisymmetric density variations that are compatible with observed first-order structure from seismic tomography studies.