Photographic Investigations on Three Seamounts in the Gulf of Alaska

Abstract

Geological and biological features of three of nine Gulf of Alaska seamounts surveyed by the National Marine Fisheries Service during the summer of 1979 are compared and discussed. A modified free vehicle photographic system, which produced the first photographs of the fauna and substrate on the summits of Patton, Giacomini, and Quinn seamounts, is described. Interpretations of echo sounding data, a limited number of rock samples, photographs from the seamount summits, and exploratory fishing catches are also presented. Geological features described as characterizing the summits of the three surveyed seamounts seem consistent with similar features described from other Pacific basin seamounts (Hess 1946, Menard and Dietz 1951, Murray 1941, Palmer 1966). The taxonomic composition of the observed epibenthic invertebrate fauna, and demersal and benthopelagic fishes, is discussed. Patton seamount is described as having the greatest taxonomic diversity. Photographs from the summits of Patton, Giacomini, and Quinn seamounts are presented.