Saikaidō Seamounts | underwater feature in the Philippine Sea

Author: Leandro Alegsa Creation date: November 13, 2022

The Saikaidō Seamounts are an underwater feature in the Philippine Sea. The seamounts are in the northern end of the Kyushu-Palau Ridge (KPR). The seabed ridge begins in an area about 900 km from the eastern end of the Bungo Channel (豊後水道, Bungo Suidō) or "Bungo strait" between the Japanese islands of Kyushu and Shikoku. The ridge creates a line on the ocean floor which runs southwest in the direction of the island of Palau. There is a chain of extinct volcanos on this line.

The Saikaidō underwater mountain chain is southeast of the Japanese island of Kyushu.

This seabed feature is named after Saikaidō, which was the name given to the southern region of Japan during the Asuka period.

Questions and Answers

Q: What is the Saikaidō Seamounts?

A: The Saikaidō Seamounts are an underwater feature in the Philippine Sea.

Q: Where are the Saikaidō Seamounts located?

A: The seamounts are in the northern end of the Kyushu-Palau Ridge (KPR), about 900 km from the eastern end of the Bungo Channel between Kyushu and Shikoku.

Q: What is at the beginning of this seabed ridge?

A: At the beginning of this seabed ridge is an area about 900 km from the eastern end of Bungo Channel.

Q: What direction does this line on ocean floor run?

A: This line on ocean floor runs southwest in direction of Palau island.

Q: Is there anything else along this line besides extinct volcanos?

A: No, there is only a chain of extinct volcanos along this line.

Q: How far southeast is Saikaidō from Japanese island Kyushu?

A: The Saikaidō underwater mountain chain is southeast of Japanese island Kyushu.

Q: What was Saikaidō named after during Asuka period?

A: During Asuka period, Saikaidō was named after its southern region in Japan.