Age and formation conditions of the Co-rich manganese crust on guyots of the Magellan seamounts

Abstract

Based on the analysis of planktonic and benthic foraminiferal assemblages, geological dating of the major elements of the section (layers) in the Co-rich manganese crust of the Magellan seamounts has been accomplished. The ore crust layers were formed at the following age intervals: layer I-1 in the Late Paleocene-Early Eocene, layer I-2 in the Middle-first half of Late Eocene, layer II in the Middle-Late Miocene, and layer III in the Pleistocene. Relict layers of the older crust, which underlies the main section in some places, are dated at the Campanian-Maestrichtian and Late Paleocene(?). Data on foraminifers generally fit the results obtained previously based on the analysis of nannoplankton assemblages. Insignificant discrepancies in the datings require further refinement and explanation. Biostratigraphic investigations of the sedimentary cover made it possible to identify the Aptian-Turonian, Campanian-Maestrichtian, Late Paleocene-Eocene, and Miocene rock associations and the unlithified Pliocene-Quaternary sediments. Comparison of the structure and composition of ore crust layers with the coeval rocks of the sedimentary cover revealed that layers I-1 and I-2 were deposited at depths corresponding to the shelf-upper bathyal zone (shallower than 600 m). Relict layers could be formed at even shallower depths up to the photic zone. The upper layers II and III were formed under nearly present-day conditions.