Abstract: The elementary discussions which are about the growth habit and controlling factors of the cobaltrich crusts in the investigation region of the midPacific seamounts have be given basing on the samples and photograph data from DY95-10, DY105-11, DY105-12 cruises (R/V Dayang Yihao). The cobaltrich crusts have no obvious selectivity to lithology and can growth in various rocks of seamounts. The types of the rocks bearing crusts have relationship with the nonbalanced regional distribution of rocks, but haven’t the inevitable relation with the rocks themselves. The thickness of crusts not only were influenced by the chronology, physical, chemical environment, but also closed related to the intension and frequency of the regional structure. The water depth can control the growth of crusts, but the crusts on the seamounts now haven’t obvious boundary of the water depth because the seamounts ever had moved or elevated after the crusts formed. The landform obviously had controlled the covered ratio, occurrence, morphological feature of the cobaltrich crusts. The very gentle or steep slopes of seamounts are unfavourable to the growth of the cobaltrich crusts. The crusts mainly are platy on the steep slopes of seamounts, and rippled or pillow on the gentle slopes. The platy crusts mostly appear on the slopes of the seamounts, but the pebble crusts or cobaltrich nodules on the flat or low areas.

Key words: Central Pacific seamount areas, cobaltrich crusts, growth habit, controlling factors