The seismic reflection information collected on CESAR is presented to provide a continuous record of sedimentary horizons and basement relief. The sedimentary reflectors on the highs are flat lying and layered while those in the topographic lows are less regular and probably slumped. Faults predate and postdate the sediment. The age of the Alpha Ridge is estimated from its magnetic character and fossil information. The ridge's topography, sedimentary and basement structures and bedrock samples resemble those of an oceanic plateau.From 1983 until 1989 NOAA-NCEI compiled the NOAA-MMS Marine Minerals Geochemical Database from journal articles, technical reports and unpublished sources from other institutions. At the time it was the most extended data compilation on ferromanganese deposits world wide. Initially published in a proprietary format incompatible with present day standards it was jointly decided by AWI and NOAA to transcribe this legacy data into PANGAEA. This transfer is augmented by a careful checking of the original sources when available and the encoding of ancillary information (sample description, method of analysis...) not present in the NOAA-MMS database.