The bulk of the mapping is based upon coarse interpretation of satellite altimetry data in which the ocean floor bathymetry is inferred from measured variations in the elevation of the overlying sea surface.
Later on, complicated tectonic activity that was associated with local rifting and sea floor spreading separated the Wallaby and Zenith plateaus from Australia and each other.
[2][11][12] Judging from research conducted for adjacent oceanic rises and plateaus, it is presumed that the volcanic rocks, which comprise the Zenith Plateau are covered by a blanket of Cenozoic and older deep sea sediments of unknown thickness.
[2] Research conducted during the 25th cruise of the R/V Dmitriy Mendeleyev indicates that the deep sea sediments covering the Zenith Plateau consist of calcareous ooze.
[13] The northern flank of the Zenith Plateau underlies the part of the Indian Ocean that was initially suspected to be the final resting place of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370.
Except for its depth, the blanket of foraminiferal ooze, which likely covers the Zenith Plateau, provides an environment that should be helpful for searching for any aircraft wreckage lying on the ocean bottom.
"[14] In addition, Robin Beaman, a marine geologist at James Cook University, Queensland, Australia, noted that any large metallic object lying on an ocean bottom covered by foraminiferal ooze would be readily recognizable on an autonomous underwater vehicle's sidescan sonar.