Manganese nodules from the Cook Islands EEZ

Manganese nodules from the Cook Islands EEZ, from Hein et al., 2015. Pictured scale bars for A, B, C, D, F, J, K, and L are in cm, and the grid dimensions for E, G, H, and I are 5 × 5 mm;

• (A) 12 ellipsoidal nodules with smooth surfaces from a free-fall grab;
• (B) 14 poly-nucleate nodules with smooth surfaces;
• (C) Four granular surface spheroidal nodules;
• (D) Two flat nodules with granular surfaces;
• (E) Six poly-nucleate nodules with a smooth-oxidized millimeter-thick surface layer missing in places on some samples;
• (F) Cross-section of a quarter of a nodule displaying interior structure and older manganese nodule fragment as a nucleus.
• (G) Interior of nodule U339 (20 millimeters) showing a relatively large, altered volcaniclastic rock nucleus;
• (H) Interior of nodule with moderate-sized mudstone nucleus;
• (I) Interior of sample with older manganese nodule fragment as the nucleus;
• (J) Interior of sample with small mudstone nucleus;
• (K) Interior of large (~ 80 mm) nodule with small mudstone nucleus;
• (L) Interior of sample with mudstone nucleus and gray–brown mud that coats fracture or growth surfaces in some nodules.

See a photograph of a bed of manganese nodules from deep offshore of the Cook Islands.