Nikkō Seamount (Japanese: 日光海山) is a submarine volcano in the Volcano Islands region of Japan. It is the southernmost volcano of Japan.
| Nikkō Seamount | |
|---|---|
 Bathymetry map of Nikko | |
 | |
| Summit depth | −392 m (−1,286 ft)[1] |
| Height | ~2,900 m (9,514 ft) |
| Location | |
| Range | Izu-Ogasawara Ridge |
| Coordinates | 23°04′40″N 142°19′33″E / 23.07778°N 142.32583°E[1] |
| Country | Japan |
| Geology | |
| Type | Caldera |
| Last activity | 1979 |
Geography
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The Nikkō caldera is a volcanic complex consisting of a caldera and 2 other cones that are the active parts of the volcano which last had an activity in 1979.[2] It is 155 km (96 mi) south-southeast of Iwo Jima and 945 km (587 mi) north-northwest of Saipan.
Marine life
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Nikkō is home to many underwater species, specifically 14 species which come from 12 families including the Symphurus thermophilus, which are species that live in hydrothermal vent environments, which Nikkō has hydrothermal vents considering it is an active volcano.[3] The seamount does also have endemic crustaceans, including the Paragiopagurus ventilatus.[4]
Activity
editThe volcano isn't the most active volcano, however the last activity recorded was in 1979.[1] In July 12, 1979, a pale-green and wide patch of discolored water was observed over Nikkō Seamount.[2]
2006 expedition
editIn 2006, the NOAA Ocean Explorer program launched an expedition called 'The Submarine Ring of Fire 2006 Expedition'. This expedition started in April 18, 2006 and ended in May 13, 2006. During the expedition, in 12 May 2006, the research vessel arrived near the Nikkō area. The remotely operated underwater vehicle Jason II was deployed. With the vehicle, the caldera floor of Nikkō was observed. Large sulfur deposits were found and hydrothermal vents were seen.[5]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c "Nikko". Global Volcanism Program. Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
- ^ a b "Nikko Seamount" (in Japanese). Japan Coast Guard Hyrdographic and Oceanographic Department. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
- ^ Koeda, K.; Takashima, S.; Yamakita, T.; Tsuchida, S.; Fujiwara, Y. (2021). "Deep-Sea Fish Fauna on the Seamounts of Southern Japan with Taxonomic Notes on the Observed Species". Journal of Marine Science and Engineering. 9 (11): 1294. doi:10.3390/jmse9111294.
- ^ Komai, T.; Kitajima, M.; Nemoto, S.; Miyake, H. (2011). "New record of Paragiopagurus ventilatus (Crustacea: Decapoda: Anomura: Parapaguridae) from hydrothermal vents on the Nikko Seamount, Mariana Trough, the first hermit crab using siboglinid tubes for housing". Marine Biodiversity Records. 3 (1). doi:10.1017/S1755267210001090. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
- ^ "Sulfur and Water: Volcano Supports Life on Nikko Seamount". NOAA. Retrieved January 7, 2023.