Deposition of hydrogenetic and hydrothermal manganese minerals in the Ogasawara (Bonin) Arc Area, Northwest Pacific

Abstract

A widespread distribution of hydrothermal and hydrogenetic manganese deposits is described in the results of the Hakurei‐Maru cruises conducted in the Bonin Arc areas of the West Pacific from 1984 to 1989. Manganese deposits occur in the active volcano chains, back‐arc basins, remnant back‐arc ridges, and oceanic seamounts. The hydrogenetic iron‐manganese deposits commonly form earthly black crusts and nodules on the topographic highs of inactive ridges and old seamounts, sometimes as thick as 10 cm. They are always composed of the iron‐manganese mineral vernadite. Co and Ni contents are relatively high in the crusts from the seamounts in the open Pacific Ocean (up to 1.1% Co and 1.0% Ni). Two generations of distinct chemistry and texture are typical of these crusts, which can be compared to reported thick crusts from the Central Pacific seamounts. The hydrothermal deposits, characterized by dense, submetallic, and gray appearance, are dominant in the recent and also in past submarine volcanoes of the island‐arc systems. Evidence of past hydrothermal activity was ascertained as fossil hydrothermal manganese deposits inside the hydrogenetic nodules or beneath the hydrogenetic crusts over the Tertiary island arc. Their component minerals are considered to be todorokite and bimessite (stable and contractible upon dehydration), having almost negligible amounts of Fe, Si, Al, Ni, Co, Zn, Pb, Cu, etc. In the small model site, the Kaikata Seamount hydrothermal area, the presumably recent hydrothermal activity has yielded thin slabs of pure manganate deposits growing downward within volcanic and sand layers. Early diagenetic influence is negligible on nodules of this area.