Structural features of the northeastern slope of Govorov Guyot, Magellan Seamounts, Pacific Ocean

Photo/TV surveying (approximately 4500 photographs of the oceanic floor) and multibeam echo sounding data were compared to analyze the structural features of the northeastern slope of Govorov Guyot. A network of linear structures complicating this slope was visualized. The trajectories of the linear structures were determined and shown in rose diagrams. It was demonstrated that the photo/TV surveying of the oceanic floor represents an effective tool for studying its topography. The blocks bordered by linear fractures are characterized by different parameters of ferromanganese ore mineralization of the crust type, which may be explained by the determining role of the tectonic factor in the relief-forming process. The combination of the topographic features and the hydrodynamic regime within the blocks provides conditions favorable to different extents for the accumulation of Mn hydroxides.