How deep is the worlds deepest volcano?
Ross Beitzel
Dear Ross,
I had to think about your question for awhile. I assume that by
deepest you mean below sea level. If so, the deepest volcanoes would
be seamounts. Seamounts have received little attention in the past
because they are not readily observable. Recent advances in technology,
such as side-scan sonar, have greatly increased our knowledge about this
type of volcano. They vary in size and shape with most being a few
hundred meters tall and circular in plan view. Most seamounts form along
fracture zones and ocean ridges. Some seamounts are associated with hot
spots. Since seamounts are very common in ocean basins (one estimate for
the Pacific basin is 1 million seamounts) and the deepest ocean basins
are about 20,000 feet deep (6,000 m) that's probably where the
deepest volcanoes are.
If you were thinking something different send me another message.
Steve Mattox, University of North Dakota
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