underwater volcano located coast southwest west long wide largest known world base crest tall summit sea surface diverse species types deep sea coral having identified discovered mapping california coast named studied sparsely decades expeditions cast light unique deep sea coral ecosystem populated dense population large ancient years age data gathered studies fueled making geology underwater volcano rises surrounding ocean floor pacific_ocean explored environment means differently land surface composed lava flows lava typical lava type deeper flank summit composed layered deposits volcanic ash material rocks indicate mildly explosive gas rich lava near summit volcano base probably buried deep layer long wide large land dominate landscape way similar mount dominates horizon northern california perspective size fill group continental margin including guide pioneer rodriguez located roughly degrees latitude group unique similar group complex northeast southwest structures consisting parallel ridges separated sediment filled ridges constructed run parallel ancient spreading center replaced role system unique origin formed remnants old ocean ridge spreading center series aligned ridges distinctive summit crater evident oceanic absent lack collapse crater suggests stored chamber structure analysis dating studies indicate formed million years ago million years formation oceanic crust ecology studies indicated functions oasis life higher species count biodiversity surrounding previous analysis stressed exceptionally habitat recent biological analysis centered indicated necessarily translate higher endemic percentage believed provide refuge rare species difficulty surviving reasons important rise high water column creating complex current patterns support life surface provides substrate organisms attach grow turn supports species feed turn supporting ecological food web scientists found provide habitat endemic species found best described worldwide major expeditions volcano yielded species observations scientists observed recorded species species endemic meaning live species classified cosmopolitan widespread sufficient data exists observed species strongly suggest range limited remaining seen video footage species identified areas populated large variety deep sea turn provide habitat species past called oasis deep hosting vast coral forest large field crabs deep sea fish basket stars number rare benthic species studied properly named cold water species temperature freezing compared ocean surface despite size remains ocean surface great depth means habitats supports significantly disturbed human activity typically occur depth waste disposal discharge occurs closer shore comparisons drawn nearby shown different species rare common vice versa deep sea coral ecology dominated extensive forest ancient deep sea coral years old species grow generally sparsely distributed far smaller younger coral growth conversely sea common walls absent example bay researchers speculate ideal habitat deep sea favorable rock bare lava rock steady food supply supplied water current favoring section disturbed strong currents bother areas scientists studying told research suggests valuable rare species use breeding grounds likely source larvae maintains population species nearby sub optimal areas known low lying areas species live poorly nearby population centers disappear area entirely dna studies future help scientists prove sources larvae surrounding history exploration initially discovered mapped underwater volcano classified named honor survey scientist key figures survey america west coast great depth long time preceded sparse investigations interesting unique geology unique ecology sponsored modern depth study team included scientists resource managers goal documenting species taking samples describing ocean environment expedition documented rare previously species exist nearby including ancient coral gardens vulnerable human activity recent expeditions focused ecology specifically variety deep sea years old live banks large colonies extremely fragile human interaction proximity scientific research institutions helped exploration multiple studies better studied world exploration collaboration undertaken mainly test model developed predict availability coral advance understanding deep sea coral outlined set goals expedition understand deep sea live determine age growth patterns bamboo coral improve species list taxonomy share exciting experience public television internet scientific data water currents food availability collected information age growth patterns bbc filmed cruise series planet earth total hours observations deep sea animal rock specimens collected cruise expedition lasted january february use research vessel marine sanctuary following information learned expeditions public support making marine sanctuary key group research scientists fishermen officials marine formed discuss national marine act sanctuary incorporate nearby group decided eligible sanctuary designation majority group recommended incorporation nearby bay sanctuary advisory group concurred findings submitted approval final decision rested press release dated november finalized approval plans expanded total km2 include protected area management plan created incorporated years originally proposed
Davidson Seamount