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Geography

The Distribution of Manganese Nodules on the Abyssal Plains

Quick fact

Manganese nodules grow incredibly slowly—about 1 to 5 millimeters per million years—yet they cover vast areas of the abyssal plains, sometimes containing more than 20% manganese.

Why this is interesting

Imagine walking across a vast, dark desert of sand and mud thousands of meters below the ocean surface, and finding it scattered with billions of potato-sized rocks. Why are these rocks here, and why are they so evenly spread out?