Patton Seamount

Patton Seamount is a prominent seamount (underwater volcano) in the Cobb-Eickelberg Seamount chain in the Gulf of Alaska. Located 166 nmi (307 km) east of Kodiak Island and reaching to within 600 ft (180 m) of the ocean surface, Patton is one of the largest seamounts in the Cobb-Eickelberg Seamount chain. It was originally created near the coast of Oregon by the Cobb hotspot 33 million years ago, and was moved to its present location by tectonic plate movement. Patton is one of the most well-understood seamounts, as a major expedition using DSV Alvin in 1999 and another in 2002 helped define the scope of the seamount's biological community. Like other large seamounts, Patton acts as an ecological hub for sea life. Dives have revealed that the volcano is heavily encrusted in sea life of various forms, including sea stars, corals, king crabs, demersal rockfish, and other species.