Fractal characteristics of resource quantity of cobalt crusts and seamount topography, the West Pacific

Abstract

This paper presents the fractal distribution of topography of seamounts from the West Pacific and the resource quantity of cobalt crust therein. The cobalt resource quantity has three to four variable fractal dimensions, corresponding to the distinct slopes and water depths of the seamount. The multiple fractal property of resource quantity may have resulted from various factors, such as types and components of cobalt crusts and ages of oceanic crusts hosting the seamounts. Individual seamounts display complex topography and quantity of cobalt crust, both in the same and different regions.