The topography of the marine geoid (and corresponding sea surface) contains characteristic local features caused by sediments. These features can be successfully detected and located using matched filters to process single tracks of satellite altimeter data. Comparison of detected seamount features with the SNYBAPS and Scripps bathymetric data bases can reveal uncharted seamounts. This technique has been applied to 33 Seasat tracks in a region of the western Pacific bounded by 0 to 15 degrees North and 160 and 165 degrees East. From this analysis, we find three uncharted seamounts in this region. In all three cases, a detailed examination of the bathymetry shows no known bathymetric feature consistent with the detected signature. The method used to estimate the size and location of these uncharted seamounts is discussed. |