What is Tamu Massif?
The '''Tamu Massif''' is an extinct submarine [[shield volcano]] in the northwest [[Pacific Ocean]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Witze |first1=Alexandra |title=Underwater volcano is Earth's biggest |journal=Nature |date=5 September 2013 |doi=10.1038/nature.2013.13680 }}</ref> It looks like a hybrid between a [[mid-ocean ridge]] and a [[shield volcano]]. In 2013 researchers announced that it could be a single volcano. If true, that would make Tamu [[Massif]] the largest known [[volcano]] on Earth. The Tamu Massif was formed about 145 million years ago during the late [[Jurassic]] to early [[Cretaceous]] period over a relatively short period of time (a few million years) and then became extinct.<ref>J.J. Mahoney 2005. Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary age and mid-ocean-ridge–type [[Mantle (geology)|mantle]] source for [[Shatsky Rise]]. ''Geology''. '''33''' (3): 185.</ref> Tamu Massif is in the [[Shatsky Rise]] about {{convert|1600|km|abbr=on}} east of [[Japan]]. The volcano covers an area of about 553,000 square kilometers or 214,000 square miles. Its summit is about {{convert|1980|m|ft|abbr=on}} below the surface of the ocean, and its base extends to about {{convert|6.4|km|mi|abbr=on}} deep. The volcano is about {{convert|14620|ft|m|disp=flip}} high, standing on the floor of the ocean. == References == {{reflist}} == Other websites == *Sager W. 2014. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bhUEYNNr1Y ''The largest volcano in the World-mid Pacific Ocean'']. [http://www.hgs.org/multimedia_Education Education Videos], Houston Geological Society, Houston, Texas. [[Category:Volcanoes of Oceania]] [[Category:Pacific Ocean]] [[Category:Mesozoic]]