SeaXoor morphology and ferromanganese nodule occurrence were studied using a multibeam side scan sonar (SeaBeam, 2000) and a deep-sea camera system in the Korea Deep-sea Environmental Study (KODES) area, northeast equatorial PaciWc. SeaXoor morphology and nodule abundance are highly variable even in this small study area. The NNE± SSW oriented hills are parallel and about 100± 200 m high. Valleys are very Xat-Xoored, while hilltops are rugged with depressions of tens of meters. CliVs to about 100 m bound the valleys and the hills. The study area can be classiWed into three types based both on nodule occurrence and seaXoor morphology, mostly G-and B-types and some M-type. G-type is characterized by high nodule abundance, ubiquitous bioturbation, and Xat seaXoor morphology, while B-type is characterized by irregular-shaped nodules, variable nodule abundance, occurrence of giant nodules and sediment lumps, rugged bottom morphology with depressions, and white calcareous surface sediments. Medium nodule abundance and a generally Xat seaXoor characterize M-type. G-type occurs mostly in the valley regions, while Btype is on the hilltop areas. M-type is located between the hilltop and the valley. Tectonic movement of the PaciWc plate resulted in the elongated abyssal hills and cliVs. The rugged morphology on hilltops resulted from erosion and redistribution of surface siliceous sediments on hilltops by bottom currents, outcropping of underlying calcareous sediments, and dissolution of the carbonate sediments by corrosive bottom water undersaturated with CaCO3. Sediment eroded from the hills, which is relatively young and organic-rich, is deposited in the valleys, and diagenetic metal 167