Illustration of the undersea features of Monterey Canyon and Davidson Seamount, based on SeaBeam bathymetric data. Copyright © 2003 MBARI Click for larger image

ACS Monterey Bay Program for March 2003 Voyage to the Davidson Seamount Thursday, March 27, 2003 7 p.m. Refreshments, 7:30 p.m. Program Lecture Hall, Monterey Boatworks, Hopkins Marine Station, Pacific Grove (across from the American Tin Cannery Outlet Stores) Speaker: Dr. George Matsumoto, Education and Research Specialist, Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI)

The Davidson Seamount, an "undersea island" located 120 kilometers to the southwest of Monterey, is one of the largest known seamounts in U.S. waters. 42 kilometers long (roughly the width of Monterey Bay) and rising 2,400 meters from the ocean floor (the height of the Sierras), the summit of this inactive volcano is still 1,256 meters below the sea surface. Named for George Davidson of the Coast and Geodetic Survey, it was first mapped in 1933 but only recent advances in technology, such as ROVs, have allowed comprehensive studies of this fascinating and unique area to take place. MBARI mounted an expedition to the Davidson Seamount in 2001, returning again in 2002 in a joint venture with other local institutions and using the Western Flyer. In addition to its unique shape and geology, the Davidson Seamount has remarkable biological communities. The waters above its surface are very productive feeding grounds for a wide variety of fishes, marine mammals, and seabirds, including albatross and sperm whales. This presentation will focus on the geology of the seamount and the biology on and around the seamount. There is interest in seeing the area incorporated into the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

Our speaker, who has a special interest in marine invertebrates, received his Ph.D. from UCLA and taught marine biology for three years at Flinders University of South Australia before coming to MBARI in 1996. Dr. Matsumoto will introduce us to this fascinating and unique area.



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