International SEAMOUNTS Initiative
Building a coordinated global science program to understand seamounts as interconnected ocean systems and biodiversity hotspots.
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Why seamounts?
Seamounts are the underwater oases of our planet. Covering roughly 21% of the seafloor, these hidden volcanic mountains act as critical biological and physical engines for the global ocean.
Despite their immense global importance, they remain among the least explored and least understood ecosystems on Earth, leaving us with vital questions about how they function, how they respond to human pressures, and the socioeconomic benefits they provide to mankind.
Four interconnected scientific priorities
The SEAMOUNTS Initiative is organizing a program’s research around four complementary strategic goals that reflect the transdisciplinary nature of submarine volcanoes in our global ocean:
DISCOVERY: Accelerate exploration to generate fundamental knowledge of unmapped and unstudied seamount ecosystems.
MONITORING: Establish a standardized global network of long-term reference sites to track oceanic changes.
CONNECTIVITY: Coordinate targeted research campaigns to resolve ecological, genetic, and physical connections between isolated seamounts.
RESILIENCE: Assess ecosystem vulnerability and resilience under the dual pressures of human exploitation and climate change.
Participating Networks and Initiatives
Join the SEAMOUNTS Initiative
The SEAMOUNTS Initiative welcomes researchers, institutions, and partners from around the world. Share your ideas and participate in shaping the future program.
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