Seamounts, Ridges, and Reef Habitats of American Samoa

Seamounts, Ridges, and Reef Habitats of American Samoa 801open slopes dominate, which further descend toward the broad depressions with openbottoms (Figure 58.8A). Open slopes above and on the edge of the narrow depressionsin the center of the bay suggest prior seafloor subsidence, resulting also in anoteworthy ridge at the east center of the bay (~14°221S, 170°4552W; Figure58.8B). It is classified as a narrow crest with fringing lateral mid-slope crests anddepressions. The edge of the narrow crest deepens so dramatically in some placesthat there is a narrow strand of steep slopes around it. Steep slopes are also seen atthe edge of other narrow crests and lateral mid-slope features throughout the bay. Thearea that appears most complex, containing a diverse combination of BPI zones, aswell as high to medium-high rugosity, is in the southeast portion of the bay, whichextends to depths safe enough for submersible observations. Submersible observationson Dive P5–649 visually confirmed the presence of narrow mid-slope depressionsand lateral mid-slope crests, while noting also the presence of several small boxcanyons cut into the southeast wall that were not detected in the original terrain classification.Of note also is a transition at ~185–209 m depth from old carbonate reef toa basalt layer, and another carbonate layer before transitioning to sediment at ~235 m.s0025p0130p0135p0140Biological CommunitiesPisces V submersible Dive P5–648 consisted of a video and photographic survey upthe southwest wall of Taema Bank, noting 36 m as the depth at which the main coralsextend to (base of main reef on bank) on a fairly consistent basis. It then proceededto a deeper, safer contour of interest for sub/ships operations (down to 110 m, belowsignificant surface wave surge), following it to the east along the south side of thebank, making observations of biota and physical structure.The dive followed the 110 m depth contour for ~7 km in the broad depression/openbottom habitat class, and noted a significant assemblages of gorgoniancorals (Iciligorgia), sea fans (e.g., Annella reticulata, Melithaea), whip corals(Cirrhipathes), and sea cucumbers (Holothuria edulus, Thelonota anax). A transitionwas noted from west to east of sea fans in the east having crinoids attached to theirtops, and with three-armed, feathery brittlestars. There were also alternating “provinces”of barren, sloping calcareous (Halimeda) algae, sand plains, to slopes cut bydeep crevices in calcareous conglomerate blocks to sea fans assemblages. In thissame habitat class, various species of groundfish (e.g., greeneye or Chlorophthalmuspriridens, orange sea toad or Chaunax fimbriatus, and the black-botched stingray orTaeniura meyeni; Figure 58.9) congregated in high rugosity, carbonate rubble piles,which may have been created by the fish as habitat.Dive P5–649 consisted of a video and photographic survey around the edge ofFagatele Bay and Canyon, starting from the southwest corner and reaching the far southeastportion of the national marine sanctuary. Most of the dive scaled both southwestand southeast walls of the bay and canyon; hence, the predominant habitat classes werenarrow (vertical) depression and lateral mid-slope crest. Main species observed includedthe harlequin grouper (Cephalopholis; Figure 58.9), the bigeye (Heteropriacanthus cruentatus),sea fans (Annella reticulata), gorgonian corals (Iciligorgia), and “doughboy”