Linkages between sediment thickness, geomorphology and Mn nodule occurrence: New evidence from AUV geophysical mapping in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone

The relationship between polymetallic nodules (Mn nodules) and deep-sea stratigraphy is relatively poorly studied the role of sediment thickness in determining nodule occurrence an active field research. This study utilizes geophysical observations from three types autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) data (multi-beam bathymetry, sub-bottom profiles photography) order to assess this relationship. Multi-beam bathymetry was processed with a pattern recognition approach for producing objective geomorphometric classes seafloor examining their relation occurrence. Sub-bottom were used extracting along dense network tracklines. Close-range AUV-photography automated counting geometric features it served as ground truth data. It observed that higher related layers increased thickness. evidence reveals local heterogeneity formation suggests unique patterns may affect geochemical processes promote development at scales. • AUV mapping complex Mn distribution. Geophysical image-based suggest relates requires detailed investigation.