Abstract
Beneath the Arctic Ocean, the Alpha Ridge complex is the principal tectonic feature between the Canada Basin and the Lomonsov Ridge. Here we report on analysis of seismic refraction data along the Alpha Ridge and within the basin area 175 km to the north (Fig. 1), which, together with geological and aeromagnetic constraints, indicates that the Alpha Ridge is characterized by regions of continental-like thickness but has probably resulted from an oceanic mode of development. The ridge flank thins towards the North Pole but may extend as far north as 88° N, and is therefore >500 km wide in the region near 110° W. Consequently, south of the pole along 110° W, typical oceanic crust beneath the eastern Makarov Basin may be present only locally, if at all. Similarities between the velocity structures of the Alpha Ridge and the Iceland area suggest that the Icelandic structure may be a currently active analogue for the Alpha Ridge.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Mair, J. A. & Lyons, J. A. Can. J. Earth Sci. 18, 724–741 (1981).
Jackson, H.R. Geol. Surv Pap. Can. 84–22, 19–23 (1985).
Spence, G. D., Whittall, K. P. & Clowes, R. M. Bull seism. Soc. Am. 74, 1209–1223 (1984).
Taylor, P. T., Kovacs, L. C., Vogt, P. R. & Johnson, G. L. J. geophys. Res. 86, 6323–6333 (1981).
Weber, J. R. & Sweeney, J. F. J. geophys. Res. 90, 663–677 (1985).
Van Wagoner, N. A. & Robinson, P. T. Geol. Sum Pap. Can. 84–22, 47–57 (1985).
Carlson, R. L., Christensen, N. I. & Moore, R. P. Earth planet. Sci. Lett. 51, 171–180 (1980).
Gebrande, H., Miller, H. & Einarsson, P. J. Geophys. 47, 239–249 (1980).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Forsyth, D., Asudeh, I., Green, A. et al. Crustal structure of the northern Alpha Ridge beneath the Arctic Ocean. Nature 322, 349–352 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1038/322349a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/322349a0
This article is cited by
-
4D Arctic: A Glimpse into the Structure and Evolution of the Arctic in the Light of New Geophysical Maps, Plate Tectonics and Tomographic Models
Surveys in Geophysics (2014)
-
Hemipelagic deposits on the Mendeleev and northwestern Alpha submarine Ridges in the Arctic Ocean: acoustic stratigraphy, depositional environment and an inter-ridge correlation calibrated by the ACEX results
Marine Geophysical Researches (2010)
-
Iron and manganese micro-precipitates within a cretaceous biosiliceous ooze from the Arctic Ocean: possible hydrothermal source
Geo-Marine Letters (1987)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.
