What are individual underwater mountains of volcanic material known as?

Individual underwater mountains of volcanic material are known as seamounts. These geological features form when volcanic activity occurs on the ocean floor, leading to the buildup of magma that eventually rises above the sea level, though many remain submerged. Seamounts can vary in height and size, and they often provide unique ecosystems, attracting a variety of marine life due to their elevation and surrounding ocean currents.

Ridges refer to linear mountain ranges formed by tectonic plate movements, while atolls are ring-shaped coral reefs that typically form on the remnants of submerged volcanic islands. Plateaus are flat, elevated areas of land that do not necessarily have volcanic origins and are usually formed by processes such as sedimentation or erosion. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify why seamounts specifically are defined as underwater mountains created from volcanic material.