There are three prospects of lead- zinc, gold and gold-silver deposits in the area that show geological background and prospective reserves of super large-scale deposits.

Now imagine that happening on an apocalyptic scale: millennia-long volcanic eruptions setting on fire--even exploding--massive coal deposits in present day Siberia.

Scientists say the ocean's floors contain rich deposits of a range of potentially valuable minerals, but the extreme depths pose technical difficulties in harvesting them on a wide scale.