SEABED ASSESSMENT 



Chapter 4 



The Seabed Assessment Program is de- 

 signed to increase understanding of the geo- 

 logic processes active along the continental 

 margins, the mid-oceanic ridges and the deep 

 ocean basins (Figure 14) which generate the 

 raw materials (e.g., petroleum and heavy 

 metals) of our modern industrial civilization. 

 The obvious deposits have already been 

 found. However, new sources must be located, 

 and the results of these seabed investigations 

 already materially aid resource geologists in 

 that search. 



PROGRAM: 



CONTINENTAL MARGIN STUDIES 



The continental margins are important for 

 both economic and scientific reasons. Rich 

 deposits of sulfur, heavy minerals, sand, and 

 gravel are dredged from the bottom. Except 

 for a few areas where oil fields have been 

 developed, however, the continental margins 

 of the world remain largely unknown (Fig- 

 ure 15). 



INTERNATIONAL DECADE OF OCEAN EXPLORATION SEABED ASSESSMENT 



MANGANESE NODULES OF 

 ABYSSAL PLAINS (Ni.Cu.Co ETC.I 



HEAVY MINERAL DEPOSITS 

 ON ANCIENT STRAND LINES 



OIL & GAS PROVINCES ON 

 THE CONTINENTAL MARGINS 



HEAVY MINERAL 

 CONCENTRATION ALONG 

 RIFT VALLEYS 



IDCE 73-635 

 11-7-72 



Figure 14 



27 



