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Seamount in the Pacific Ocean From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ujlān volcanic complex is a group of seamounts in the Marshall Islands. The complex consists of the seamounts Ļajutōkwa, Ļalibjet, Likelep, Ļotāb and Ujlān[1] which with a minimum depth of 1,250 metres (4,100 ft) is the shallowest part of the complex;[2] sometimes Ujelang Atoll is also considered to be a part of the complex;[1][3] Eniwetok atoll and Lo-En seamount form a cluster together with this volcanic complex.[4]
| Ujlān volcanic complex | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Location | Marshall Islands |
| Geology | |
| Type | Volcanic complex |
These are simple single-peaked seamounts with the exception of the three-peaked Ujlān and there appear to be two rift zones associated with the complex.[5] Between the seamounts the seafloor is covered with debris while the seamounts themselves are covered with varying thicknesses of pelagic sediments;[2] however in general volcanic rocks and mostly breccia are the dominant components.[6] Minerals found in samples from the volcanic complex include biotite, hornblende and plagioclase.[7] Video observation has noted sediment deposits with ferromanganese knolls on some of the seamounts.[8] There is little evidence of reefs but most seamounts were affected by slumps; in addition there are frequently terraces and volcanic cones on the seamounts.[9]
The volcanic complex and neighbouring structures may be of Cretaceous age but with some scatter.[10] Likelep features probably Campanian-age rocks[6] and radiometric dating has yielded an age of 81.4–82.8 million years ago for Ļalibjet,[11] 81.2 ± 0.5 for Ļajutōkwa, 82.5 ± 0.2 for Likelep, 79.7 ± 0.4 for Ļotāb and 80.1 ± 0.5 for Ujlān.[12] The complex is also known as the Ujlān seamount trail[7] and its formation of this complex may be related to the Rarotonga hotspot[13] while the geochemistry shows affinities to the Samoa hotspot.[14]
The seamount complex is located within the exclusive economic zone of the Marshall Islands,[1] and Ļalibjet has been considered a site for cobalt mining.[15] The names of the seamounts come from Marshallese; Ļajutōkwa was the first navigator chief in the northern Marshall Islands, Ļalibjet is a sea god, Likelep is a place on Ujlān and Ļotāb like his ancestor Litōrmalū is a legendary navigator.[16] One source has given Ļalibjet as the old name for Likelep.[17]
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