Chapter I Intro & Objectives - SPREP

PHOENIX ISLANDS PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN
Chapter III. Background, 1. Physical Setting of the Islands
Draft 1 March 2007
There was more combined Ni + Cu + Co in the nodules than in the crust (Cronan and
Hodkinson 1989 and 1991). Crust resource potential was estimated at 1,970,000 tonnes Mn,
69,000 tonnes Co, 55,800 tonnes Ni, and 3.7 tonnes platinum (Pt) (Cronan and Hodkinson
1989 and 1991).
Kinoshita and Tiffin (1993) identified the benthic sediment composition around the Phoenix
Islands. The three main types of sediments included: brown clay, siliceous-calcareous clay,
and calcareous ooze. The distribution of these benthic materials is illustrated in Figure III-
1.21 below.
Figure III-1.21. Benthic composition around the Phoenix Islands
(source: Kinoshita and Tiffin 1993).
Aslanian et al (1998a) analyze cumulative volcano amplitude (CVA) in the central Pacific.
They note that the Phoenix Islands crustal flowlines have a strong role in both Mehetia and
MacDonald CVA maxima. However, the Phoenix Islands flowline cannot be linked with
both hot-spots.
JICA et al (2005) provided a 2 and 3-D bathymetry of the Phoenix Islands based on 1987
survey results. The 2 and 3-D images are presented in Figures III-1.22 and III-1.23 below.
Figure III-1.22. Two dimensional view of the bathymetry of the Phoenix Islands.
(source: JICA et al 2005)
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