Distribution and Classification of Cobalt-Rich Crust

Based on the on-the-spot investigation and related data, cobalt-rich crust is mainly distributed in the low latitude area near the equator, mostly within 20°S to 20°N, especially 5°-15°(S and N). The analysis of the microtopographic and microphysicognomy features shows that crusts are often present in the complicated topographic regions such as seamount slopes, convex parts of seamounts and joint faults, of which the ideal region is seamount slopes in water-depth of 1 500-2 500 m. The authors analyze the relation of the crusts and their bedrock, bedrock type, crust thickness and occurrence, and then attempt to classify the crusts as different types.