Active Geology
The realm of Active Geology, where geological forces control or create the habitat, includes seamounts, hydrothermal vents and seeps. As volcanic cones and eruptions plus earthquakes testify on land, seamounts, vents, and seeps testify to active geology under the ocean. Although very few seamounts are erupting, we group these ghost volcanoes under active geology.
Two CoML field projects are designed for this realm:
Vents and Seeps: ChEss
A global study of the biogeography of deep-water chemosynthetic ecosystems (vents, seeps, whale carcasses, wood debris) and the processes that drive them.
Seamounts: CenSeam
A global study of seamount ecosystems, to determine their role in the biogeography, biodiversity, productivity, and evolution of marine organisms, and to evaluate the effects of human exploitation.
