TheAlpha Ridge is a major volcanic ridge under theArctic Ocean between theCanada Basin (offEllesmere Island) and theLomonosov Ridge. It was active during the formation of theAmerasian Basin.[1] It was discovered in 1963. The highest elevation is about 2,700 m over theocean floor. It is 200 to 450 km wide. The Alpha Ridge, Lomonosov Ridge, andNansen-Gakkel Ridge are the three major ranges that divide the Arctic Ocean floor,[2] running generally parallel to each other.
The 1983 Canadian Expedition to Study the Alpha Ridge (CESAR) seemed to establish that the Alpha Ridge is an extension of the continent from Ellesmere Island and hence there is a possibility that Canada may lay claim to theresource rights for the region, in particular forpetroleum, according to theUnited Nations'Law of the Sea. There is no final conclusion to the issue so far, and part of the research planned for the European Drilling Research Icebreaker (Aurora Borealis) was drilling of the Alpha Ridge to collect more data.[3]
Other research suggests that the ridge is probably a result of the oceanic mode of development.[4]
TheStrand Fiord Formation on northwestern and west-centralAxel Heiberg Island is interpreted to represent the cratonward extension of the Alpha Ridge.[1]
The Alpha Ridge is part of theHigh Arctic Large Igneous Province.
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