Download "Seamounts of the Balearic Islands | 2010" - Oceana

SEAMOUNTS OF THE BALEARIC ISLANDS | 2010
10
In the Western Mediterranean, the highest concentration of seamounts occurs
in the Alboran Sea and adjoining areas, as is the case of Seco de los
Olivos seamount off Almeria or the seamounts and volcanic cones off Alboran.
The LIFE+INDEMARES project focuses on these mounts and from 2009 to 2013
the project will study 10 Spanish marine areas for their inclusion in the Natura 2000
network, along with other areas of special ecological interest.
Currently, there are 10 named seamounts in the Balearic promontory or adjoining
areas: Four are in the Mallorca Channel (Emile Baudot, Ausias March, Ses Olives
and Guyot Bel), one is in the Ibiza Channel (Xabia), one is south of Formentera
(Prunnes), one is north of Mallorca (Cresques), one is north of Ibiza (Morrot de
Sa Dragonera) and two are south of the Menorca canyon (Jaume 1 and Colom),
although other seamounts are pending designation.
THE SEAMOUNTS OF THE MALLORCA CHANNEL
The seamounts in the Mallorca Channel are especially unique: Emile Baudot,
Ausias March and Ses Olives are located in the heart of the Mallorca Channel,
between the islands of Ibiza, Formentera and Mallorca. Furthermore,
up to 118 pinnacles were identified near Emile Baudot, forming a veritable
volcanic field 5 .
Figure 1. Location of the seamounts in the Mallorca Channel.