The seafloor contains deposits of minerals that we we use in everyday life such as copper, zinc, nickel, gold, silver, and phosphorus. These deposits occur as crusts on volcanic and other rocks and as nodules on abyssal plain sediment that are typically about 3 to 10 centimeters (1 to 4 inches) in diameter.
The seafloor contains deposits of minerals that we use in everyday life such as copper, zinc, nickel, gold, silver, and phosphorus. These deposits occur as crusts on volcanic and other rocks and as nodules on abyssal plain sediment that are typically about 3 to 10 centimeters (1 to 4 inches) in diameter.
Many nodules that are rich in manganese, nickel, copper, and cobalt are particularly widespread in the deep basins of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Crusts that mainly contain iron and manganese can also have significant concentrations of cobalt, rare earth elements, nickel, tellurium, and platinum; they are found on seamounts (extinct submarine volcanoes that are found throughout the ocean) and other seafloor promontories. Muds that contain rare earth elements—widely used in consumer electronics such as smart phones and green technologies such as wind turbines and hybrid and electric cars—are found in the deep ocean. These muds are a relatively new discovery. Phosphorites, which occur in the ocean as crusts or nodules, are a critical source of phosphate for fertilizer and are also being evaluated as a potential source for rare earth elements.
The U.S. government, international and nongovernmental organizations, and other stakeholders depend on CMHRP expertise to characterize and assess seafloor mineral deposits and to evaluate the environmental impact of mining techniques. International collaborations will continue to play a critical role in providing the CMHRP with access to ships and samples, particularly in remote areas of the Pacific Ocean.
Because offshore resources could provide greater self-sufficiency for U.S. industries, the CMHRP will continue to upgrade its seafloor minerals database and evaluate developments in offshore mining practices that may become relevant if supplies of critical metals or rare earth elements were to be disrupted. For more information on seafloor mineral deposits, visit the USGS Global Ocean Mineral Resources project site.
Explore the CMHRP Decadal Strategic Plan
The CMHRP Decadal Science Strategy 2020-2030
This geonarrative constitutes the Decadal Science Strategy of the USGS's Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program for 2020 to 2030.
Global Marine Mineral Resources
The seafloor contains deposits of minerals that we we use in everyday life such as copper, zinc, nickel, gold, silver, and phosphorus. These deposits occur as crusts on volcanic and other rocks and as nodules on abyssal plain sediment that are typically about 3 to 10 centimeters (1 to 4 inches) in diameter.
The seafloor contains deposits of minerals that we use in everyday life such as copper, zinc, nickel, gold, silver, and phosphorus. These deposits occur as crusts on volcanic and other rocks and as nodules on abyssal plain sediment that are typically about 3 to 10 centimeters (1 to 4 inches) in diameter.
Many nodules that are rich in manganese, nickel, copper, and cobalt are particularly widespread in the deep basins of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Crusts that mainly contain iron and manganese can also have significant concentrations of cobalt, rare earth elements, nickel, tellurium, and platinum; they are found on seamounts (extinct submarine volcanoes that are found throughout the ocean) and other seafloor promontories. Muds that contain rare earth elements—widely used in consumer electronics such as smart phones and green technologies such as wind turbines and hybrid and electric cars—are found in the deep ocean. These muds are a relatively new discovery. Phosphorites, which occur in the ocean as crusts or nodules, are a critical source of phosphate for fertilizer and are also being evaluated as a potential source for rare earth elements.
The U.S. government, international and nongovernmental organizations, and other stakeholders depend on CMHRP expertise to characterize and assess seafloor mineral deposits and to evaluate the environmental impact of mining techniques. International collaborations will continue to play a critical role in providing the CMHRP with access to ships and samples, particularly in remote areas of the Pacific Ocean.
Because offshore resources could provide greater self-sufficiency for U.S. industries, the CMHRP will continue to upgrade its seafloor minerals database and evaluate developments in offshore mining practices that may become relevant if supplies of critical metals or rare earth elements were to be disrupted. For more information on seafloor mineral deposits, visit the USGS Global Ocean Mineral Resources project site.
Explore the CMHRP Decadal Strategic Plan
The CMHRP Decadal Science Strategy 2020-2030
This geonarrative constitutes the Decadal Science Strategy of the USGS's Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program for 2020 to 2030.