Chukchi Plateau
The Chukchi Plateau or Chukchi Cap is a large subsea formation extending north from the
Geology
The cap is normally ice-covered, year-round.[2] The cap lies roughly about 800 kilometres north of the Point Barrow, Alaska.[3] The area is notable because it is believed to be rich in natural resources (especially oil, natural gas and manganese).
The geologic history of Arctic Ocean basins is a major source of debate among marine geophysicists. The difficulties associated with collecting marine geologic and geophysical data in this remote region has added to the debate on the tectonic history of the Arctic Ocean and the formation of its bathymetric features.
The Chukchi Borderland, which comprises the subsea region north of the Alaskan coast as well as the bathymetric highs of the Chukchi Plateau and the adjacent Northwind Ridge, is a continental fragment that is thought to have drifted from the Canadian
Although there is no consensus as to the pre-rift location of the Chukchi Borderland, its tectonic migration could be attributed to an inferred
The Chukchi Plateau also shows substantial evidence of pockmarks, which indicates subsurface hydrocarbon activity.[8]
Law of the sea implications
Under the
The first equation calculates the Hedberg Line, which is derived by adding 60 nautical miles to the foot of the slope of the natural prolongation. The second yields the Gardiner Line, which refers to the point at which the measurement of subsea sediment thickness is 1% of the distance back to the foot of the slope. The two formulae for deriving these values can be substituted in order to form a composite continental shelf for a coastal state that yields the most advantageous possible maritime territory extension.[9]
The
USCGC Healy expeditions
Since 2003, USCGC Healy has undertaken eight expeditions to the Chukchi Sea with researchers from the Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping/Joint Hydrographic Center at the University of New Hampshire and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.[12] The cruises investigated the bathymetry of the Chukchi Borderlands in order to inform discourse involving the potential ratification of UNCLOS by the U.S.
The latest cruise (HEALY-1202), lasting from 25 August to 27 September 2012, traversed 11,965 km of the Arctic Ocean and mapped about 68,600 km2 of the seafloor. The Healy was equipped with multi-beam sonar devices and seismic measurement devices, and was crewed by a 34-person scientific party and around 100
Prior to the Healy cruises, the foot of the slope of the US continental shelf was believed to lie at the margin of the Chukchi Plateau. The cruises revealed that the foot of the slope was significantly further north at 81° 15’ N and a depth of approximately 3,800 m[15]–the boundary of the Northern Chukchi Borderland with the Nautilus Basin.[8]
In 2011 scientists aboard sea vessel, Marcus G. Langseth, ran tests to increase understanding of the geology, structure and history of the continental shelves running underwater off Asia and North America, and the Chukchi Borderland, an adjoining region of dramatic deep-sea plateaus and ridges some 800 miles from the North Pole. One test includes sending sound pulses to the seabed and reading the echoes.[16]
References
- ^ Mayer, Larry; Andrew Armstrong (September 28, 2012). "U.S. Law of the Sea cruise to map and sample the US Arctic Ocean margin" (PDF). Center For Ocean and Coastal Mapping/Joint Hydrographic Center, University of New Hampshire. p. 4. Retrieved November 21, 2013.
- ^ Marie Darling, Donald Perovich. "CRREL scientists complete Arctic voyage of discovery". United States Army Corps of Engineers. Archived from the original on 2007-08-23. Retrieved 2007-09-18.
- ^
National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration. "United States Explores the Seabed of the Arctic Ocean: to bolster its Claims to the North's Strategic Resources". Canadian American Strategic Review. Archived from the originalon 2007-10-24. Retrieved 2007-09-18.
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-04-08. Retrieved 2014-04-08.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ Hall, John K. (1990). "Chapter 19: The Chukchi Borderland". In Grantz; Johnson; Sweeney (eds.). The Arctic Ocean Region. The Geology of North America. pp. 337–50.
- .
- S2CID 129968291.
- ^ a b c d Baker, Betsy. "The Arctic Continental Shelf: Science & Law in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea". Institute for Social and Economic Research, University of Alaska–Anchorage. Retrieved November 21, 2013.
- ^ a b c "United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea" (PDF). p. 53. Retrieved November 21, 2013.
- ^ Patrick, Stewart (June 10, 2012). "(Almost) Everyone Agrees: The U.S. Should Ratify the Law of the Sea Treaty". The Atlantic. Retrieved November 22, 2013.
- National Archives.
Strengthen International Cooperation – Working through bilateral relationships and multilateral bodies, including the Arctic Council, we will pursue arrangements that advance collective interests, promote shared Arctic state prosperity, protect the Arctic environment, and enhance regional security, and we will work toward U.S. accession to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Law of the Sea Convention).
Alt URL - ^ "Law of the Sea". Center for Ocean and Coastal Mapping/Joint Hydrographic Center, University of New Hampshire. 18 July 2011. Retrieved November 21, 2013.
- ^ Mayer, Larry; Andrew Armstrong (September 28, 2012). "U.S. Law of the Sea Cruise to map and sample the US Arctic Ocean margin" (PDF). Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping/Joint Hydrographic Center, University of New Hampshire. p. 24. Retrieved November 21, 2013.
- ^ Mayer, Larry; Andrew Armstrong. "U.S. Law of the Sea cruise to map and sample the US Arctic Ocean margin" (PDF). Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping/Joint Hydrographic Center, University of New Hampshire. p. 1. Retrieved November 21, 2013.
- ^ Mayer, Larry; Andrew Armstrong (September 28, 2012). "U.S. Law of the Sea Cruise to map and sample the US Arctic Ocean margin" (PDF). Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping/Joint Hydrographic Center, University of New Hampshire. p. 8. Retrieved November 21, 2013.
- ^ blogs.ei.columbia.edu