Cape Leeuwin Manganese Nodule Deposit Survey Data from 1976

Geoscience Australia Data hosts a dataset from a 1976 research cruise to study a large manganese nodule deposit discovered in 1970 southwest of Cape Leeuwin. The HMAS Diamantina occupied 9 stations over 10 days, recovering about 2000 nodules from the sea bed. The deposit, named the 'Southeast Indian Ocean Manganese Pavement', is estimated to cover nearly 900,000 km².

Use Cases

• Analyze the distribution and extent of ferromanganese nodules based on the described 900,000 km² deposit.
• Study the relationship between bottom currents and nodule formation based on evidence of ripple marks and scour marks.
• Investigate the chemistry and mineralogy of seabed nodules based on the collection of about 2000 samples.
• Assess sedimentation rates in deep-sea environments based on the described disconformities and low sedimentation rates.

Strengths

• Describes a large deposit estimated to cover nearly 900,000 square kilometers.
• Based on a dedicated 10-day research cruise that recovered about 2000 nodule samples.
• References specific historical research vessels and publications for context.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Positioning during the survey was by celestial navigation, with errors of up to 10 km possible.

Provenance

Source

Geoscience Australia Data

Collection Method

Sampling via light box dredge on a research vessel hydrowire.

Time Range

1976

Freshness

Last updated 2026-05-14 04:57:19.737648; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Indian Ocean southwest of Cape Leeuwin, Western Australia.