Rich deep-sea ecosystem off South Point

[TomK]

SBH - I was actually wondering the same thing. We know seamounts can help provide environments that lead to enhanced marine life plus hydrothermal vents in, e.g., the mid-Atlantic ridge can support life without sunlight, so a combination of the two might explain the observation. However, as you mention, Lo'ihi is much farther offshore, so there may be no connection. Interesting possibility, though.

[Guest]

The abundance of sea life in that area may come with the abundance of fresh water from the many springs. Some folks preferred bait to use when fishing in the Ocean here can be found in the local fresh water streams and rivers.

https://lovingthebigisland.wordpress.com...r-springs/

Many Generations of local folks from the big Island have known about the rich sea-life South Point has provided or offered over the years, it's only now being confirmed by scientists. jmo

[PaulW]

I should try pouring salt water into a fresh water pond, see if that causes more abundance of life as well.

[Guest]

PaulW, Some 101 here, There is a big difference between fresh water ponds and Oceans.

TomK, Do You really believe the Rich-sea-life a mile off the South Point shore is from the volcano Lo'ihi that is 19 miles away and some thousands of feet deeper in depth?

The Big Island has some very strong currents that wrap around that South Point, so, I find that theory a bit hard to believe. From one of my favorite movies finding nemo, Nemo's Dad once said "stay away from the current". It's More likely the rich sea life is being created or formed because of a combination of unique things our Big Island offers to the middle of the Pacific Ocean. jmg

[Guest]

Left unchecked, more bullying and making fun of Gypsy by Tom and Paul. Thank you Rob for allowing me to point this out.

[Kapoho Joe]

Ah ha! Gypsy has a sock puppet named Airport Parking. I am sure we can almost all agree that Gypsy adds nothing to this forum but gibberish. AP, you're running a close 2nd in the nonsense category.

[PaulW]

Ignore the spamtroll, he'll drift away.

[TomK]

Gypsy asked:

"TomK, Do You really believe the Rich-sea-life a mile off the South Point shore is from the volcano Lo'ihi that is 19 miles away and some thousands of feet deeper in depth?"

This is what I had written:

"However, as you mention, Lo'ihi is much farther offshore, so there may be no connection. Interesting possibility, though."

I think it's pretty obvious what I think. Incidentally, the top of the Lo'ihi seamount is 3000 feet below the surface, so only one thousand feet deeper than the depth of the study I mentioned in my original post, not "some thousands of feet deeper in depth".