What is the tectonic explanation for parallel ridges in the Arctic Ocean?

Asked by: Dallas Dooley

Is the Arctic Ocean a divergent ocean?

The Arctic Ocean is home to the volcanically active Gakkel ridge, which is an example of a divergent plate boundary. Unlike volcanic activity on land (tall, conical, non-spreading), undersea volcanoes are linear, usually long and continuously oozing magma.

What formed the Lomonosov Ridge?

The Lomonosov Ridge is a continental-crust block of a craton. The craton was reworked during the Caledonian tectonomagmatic activity with the formation of a Precambrian–Caledonian seismically unsegmented basement (upper crust) and an epi-Caledonian platform cover.

Who owns the Lomonosov Ridge?

Canada and Russia have already asserted their own sovereignty over the energy-rich Arctic territory. Arctic nations have agreed that a UN panel will settle the dispute. The focus of the dispute is the Lomonosov Ridge, a 1,800km-long (1,120 miles) underwater mountain range that splits the Arctic in two.

What is divergent in plate tectonics?

Divergent (Spreading):This is where two plates move away from each other. Molten rock from the mantle erupts along the opening, forming new crust.

Are mid-ocean ridges divergent or convergent?

Mid-ocean ridges occur along divergent plate boundaries, where new ocean floor is created as the Earth’s tectonic plates spread apart. As the plates separate, molten rock rises to the seafloor, producing enormous volcanic eruptions of basalt.

Why is the Lomonosov Ridge so important?

The ridge divides the Arctic Ocean into two major basins, and it influences water circulation, marine life, and ice movement. The ridge crest, which at its highest point is at a depth of 3,200 feet (975 m), rises 6,000–11,000 feet (1,800–3,400 m) from the basin floor.

What are underwater mountain ridges called?

If originated from current tectonic forces, they are often referred to as a mid-ocean ridge. In contrast, if formed by past above-water volcanism, they are known as a seamount chain. The largest and best known undersea mountain range is a mid-ocean ridge, the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.

Who claims the Lomonosov Ridge?

Russia

The territory claimed by Russia in the submission is a large portion of the Arctic reaching the North Pole. One of the arguments was a statement that the underwater Lomonosov Ridge and Mendeleev Ridge are extensions of the Eurasian continent.

Can a helicopter fly to the North Pole?

Though inaccessible for most of the year, it is possible to travel to the North Pole in June and July when the ice is thinner, or in April if travelling via helicopter. All North Pole voyages start and end in Helsinki, Finland, from where you’ll fly by charter plane to Murmansk, in Northwest Russia to board your ship.

Did Russia claim the North Pole?

Russia has formally enlarged its claim to the seabed in the Arctic Ocean all the way to Canada’s and Greenland’s exclusive economic zones. The claim is enlarged by two extensions that were filed on Wednesday, stretching from points near the North Pole to Greenland’s and Canada’s exclusive economic zones.

How much of the Arctic does Russia own?

Russia stretches over 53 percent of the Arctic Ocean coastline. Approximately two and a half million of Russia’s inhabitants live in Arctic territory, accounting for nearly half of the population living in the Arctic worldwide.

Which two tectonic plates are separated by a mid-ocean ridge?

Mid-Ocean Ridges Seafloor spreading occurs along mid-ocean ridges—large mountain ranges rising from the ocean floor. The Mid-Atlantic Ridge, for instance, separates the North American plate from the Eurasian plate, and the South American plate from the African plate.

Which type of boundaries movement causing the formation of oceanic ridges?

When two plates are moving away from each other, we call this a divergent plate boundary. Along these boundaries, magma rises from deep within the Earth and erupts to form new crust on the lithosphere. Most divergent plate boundaries are underwater and form submarine mountain ranges called oceanic spreading ridges.

Are ridges on divergent plate boundaries?

Divergent boundaries are spreading boundaries, where new oceanic crust is created to fill in the space as the plates move apart. Most divergent boundaries are located along mid-ocean oceanic ridges (although some are on land).

What is the Arctic ocean called?

Even though the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) recognizes it as an ocean, oceanographers may call it the Arctic Mediterranean Sea or simply the Arctic Sea, classifying it as one of the mediterranean seas of the Atlantic Ocean.

What are 5 facts about the Arctic ocean?

Arctic Ocean Facts for Kids

• Ocean Name: Arctic Ocean.
• Location: Covers the Arctic, Borders North America and Eurasia.
• Average Depth: 3,953 feet.
• Total Surface Area: 6 million mi²
• Total Coastline: 28,203 miles.
• Total Volume of Water: 160.7 million mi³

What are the characteristics of the Arctic ocean?

The Arctic Ocean is contained in a polar climate characterized by persistent cold and relatively narrow annual temperature ranges. Winters are characterized by the polar night, extreme cold, frequent low-level temperature inversions, and stable weather conditions. Cyclones are only common on the Atlantic side.

Why is the Arctic ocean least explored?

Much of the Arctic Ocean’s complex life can only be seen by underwater explorers who dive through holes in thick sea ice. Much of the ocean here is dark, blocked from sunlight by ice cover, but photographers have dived with lights to expose underwater Arctic life.

What is the shallowest ocean in the world?

Arctic Ocean The Arctic Ocean

Arctic Ocean. The Arctic Ocean is the smallest and shallowest of the world’s five major oceans. This water body is completely surrounded by the continents of Asia, North America, Europe and the island of Greenland.

Can you swim in the Arctic ocean?

It has beautiful beaches and other scenery. You wouldn’t want to go swimming without a wetsuit, but you wouldn’t be the only one taking a short dip in summer. The water temperature in summer is never very warm, but in summer, you shouldn’t risk hypothermia without warning signs.