Seamounts near the eastern coast of North America

Abstract

The chain of seamonts known as the New England Seamonts was examined. Bathymetry from six cruises in this region was contoured and a discussion of errors provided. Remains of calcareous algae in rocks dredges from the tops of two of the seamounts indicate that the seamounts have subsided more than 4,000 feet. Isostatic adjustment of a small seamount does not explain the subsidence, therefore it is suggested that much of this subsidence might be attributed to squeezing-out of plastic sediment from beneath the base of the seamounts or possibly that the sedimentary apron from the continent has spread seaward and caused the continental slope to become depressed.