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Anocean bank, sometimes referred to as afishing bank or simplybank, is a part of theseabed that is shallow compared to its surrounding area, such as ashoal or the top of anunderwater hill. Somewhat likecontinental slopes, ocean bank slopes canupwell astidal and other flows intercept them, sometimes resulting in nutrient-rich currents.[how?] Because of this, some large banks, such asDogger Bank and theGrand Banks of Newfoundland, are among the richest fishing grounds in the world.
There are some banks that were reported in the 19th century by navigators, such asWachusett Reef, whose existence is doubtful.
Ocean banks may be ofvolcanic nature. Banks may becarbonate orterrigenous. In tropical areas some banks are submergedatolls. As they are not associated with anylandmass, banks have no outside source ofsediments. Carbonate banks are typically platforms, rising from the ocean depths, whereas terrigenous banks are elevated sedimentary deposits.[1]
Seamounts, by contrast, are mountains rising from thedeep sea and are steeper and higher in comparison to the surroundingseabed.[2] Examples of these are Pioneer and Guide Seamounts, west of theFarallon Islands. The Pioneer Seamount has a depth of 1,000 meters,[2] In other cases, parts of a bank may reach above the water surface, thereby formingislands.[3]
The largest banks in the world are:
