Workshop on the Establishment of a Geological Model of ...

The primary objectives of the present study are (a) to present a comprehensive overview of the
characteristics, occurrence; distribution and resource potential of manganese nodules in the Cook Islands EEZ and
(b) to compare these factors with similar characteristics of manganese nodules in the Clarion‐Clipperton Zone
(CCZ).
The primary objectives of the present study are (a) to present a comprehensive overview of the
characteristics, occurrence; distribution and resource potential of manganese nodules in the Cook Islands EEZ and
(b) to compare these factors with similar characteristics of manganese nodules in the Clarion‐Clipperton Zone
(CCZ).
Geography of the Cook Islands’ exclusive economic zone
The Cook Islands territory occupies approximately 2.5 x 10 km² in the South Pacific Ocean and comprises
two groups: the southern group, including the islands of Roratonga, Mangaia, Atiu, Mitiaro, Aitutaki, Manuae,
Takutea; and Palmerston and the northern group, including the islands of Penrhyn, Manihiki, Pukapuka,
Pakahanaga, Suwarrow, and Nassau (Figure 2)
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Figure 2: Submarine geomorphologic regions of the Cook Islands EEZ
The Cook Islands region includes four district topographic provinces (Figure 2):
1. The area occupied by the southern Cook Islands group featuring several northwest trending chains of
submarine and volcanoes (Wood et al., 1970);
2. The area between Aitutaki and Penrhyn, characterized by low topographic relief or a deep current
passage and two abyssal basins, the south Penrhyn Basin and the eastern Samoan Basin, with water
depths greater than 4,500 m;