Are There Mountains Under the Sea?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Are there mountains under the sea?

The Big Idea

Yes! The sea floor has huge mountains, and some are taller than mountains on land. They are called seamounts, and there are tens of thousands of them. Most are hidden deep under the water, where it is dark and cold.

Seamounts

Step one: seamounts. A seamount is a mountain that rises from the sea floor but does not reach the surface. Many are old volcanoes that stopped erupting long ago, and some are taller than mountains on land.

The Ridge

Step two: the Mid-Ocean Ridge. This giant chain of underwater mountains winds around the world for about 40,000 miles. It is the longest mountain range on Earth, and almost all of it is hidden under the sea.

Ocean Life

Step three: ocean life. Currents carry food up the sides of seamounts. So fish, sharks, corals, and whales gather around them, like a busy underwater city.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! Many seamounts started as underwater volcanoes. Corals grow on their sides. Fish crowd around to eat the food that currents bring. If a mountain grows tall enough, its tip becomes an island.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! Scientists have found tens of thousands of seamounts. Most of Hawaii's mountains are tall volcanoes that rise from the ocean floor. Many seamounts have never been explored. Scientists use sound waves and robot submarines to map them.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! Fill a bowl with water and place a mound of clay in it. The tip sticks out like an island. The rest is hidden below, just like a seamount! Share what you discover with a grown-up.

Outro

Mountains rise from the ocean floor, too. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!