The origin of the Campeche Escarpment in the Gulf of Mexico has been attributed to several causes. Some suggest that the scarp represents a fault scarp, others suggest that its origin is a function of upbuilding and outbuilding likened, in some cases, to that of delta building. Still others suggest that the scarp represents the detrital accumulation seaward of a barrier or reef complex. In order to clarify these possible interpretations, Site 86 was located on a bench at a depth of 780 fathoms in the vicinity of the Campeche Escarpment.

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1989 NOAA-NCEI compiled the NOAA-MMS Marine Minerals Geochemical Database from journal articles, technical reports and unpublished sources from other institutions.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.

Supplement to: Worzel, J Lamar; Bryant, W R; Beall, A O; Dickinson, K; Laury, R; Smith, L A; McNeely, B; Foreman, H P; Capo, R (1973): Site 86. In: Worzel, J.L.; Bryant, W.; et al., Initial Reports of the Deep Sea Drilling Project, Initial Reports of the Deep Sea Drilling Project, U.S. Government Printing Office, X, 25-47