The Morphostructure of the Atlantic Ocean Floor

The study of the topography and structure of the ocean floor is one of the most important stages in ascertaining the geological structure and history of development of the Earth's oceanic crust. This, in its turn, provides a means for purposeful, scientifically-substantiated prospecting, exploration and development of the mineral resources of the ocean. The Atlantic Ocean has been geologically and geophysically studied to a great extent and many years of investigating its floor have revealed the laws governing the structure of the major forms of its submarine relief (e. g. , the continental shelf, the continental slope, the transition zones, the ocean bed, and the Mid-Oceanic Ridge). The basic features of the Earth's oceanic crust structure, anomalous geophysical fields, and the thickness and structure of its sedimentary cover have also been studied. Based on the investigations of the Atlantic Ocean floor and its surrounding continents, the presently prevalent concept of new global tectonics has appeared. A great number of works devoted to the results of geomorphological, geolog­ ical, and geophysical studies of the Atlantic Ocean floor have appeared. In the U. S. S. R. , such summarizing works as The Geomorphology of the Atlantic Ocean Floor [34], Types of Bottom Sediments of the Atlantic Ocean [24], The Geology of the Atlantic Ocean [38], and, somewhat earlier, Geophysical Studies of the Earth's Crust Structure in the Atlantic Ocean [13], have been published.

Contenu

Abstract.- 1. Bathyography of the Atlantic Ocean Floor.- 1. Principal Forms of Relief and Geomorphological Zoning of the Ocean Floor.- 2. Continental Shelf.- 3. Continental Slope.- 4. Transition Zones.- 5. Ocean Bed.- 6. Mid-Oceanic Ridge.- 7. Symmetry and Asymmetry of the Ocean Floor Relief.- 2. The Structure of the Sedimentary Series and its Role in the Morphostructure of the Ocean Floor.- 1. The General Structural Scheme of Sedimentary Series.- 2. Sedimentary Cover of the Continental Margins and Foredeeps.- 3. The Sedimentary Cover of Transition Zones.- 4. The Sedimentary Cover of Oceanic Basins.- 5. The Sedimentary Cover of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.- 6. The Relationship of the Ocean Floor Relief with the Basement Relief and the Role of Sedimentary Cover in Relief Formatio.- 3. The Structure of the Consolidated Crust and Anomalous Geophysical Fields of the Atlantic Ocean.- 1. The Structure of the Earth's Crust According to Seismic Data.- 2. Geological Nature of the Seismic Layers of Consolidated Crust.- 3. Magnetic Field Anomalies.- 4. Gravity Anomalies.- 5. Heat Flow Through the Ocean Floor.- 4. Seismicity, Volcanism and Faults of the Atlantic Ocean Floor.- 1. Seismicity.- 2. Volcanism and its Role in the Formation of Ocean Floor Relief.- 3. Faults.- 5. Tectonic Movements and the Development of the Atlantic Ocean Floor Morphostructure in the Meso-Cenozoic.- 1. Horizontal Tectonic Movement.- 2. Vertical Tectonic Movements.- 3. The Main Stages in the Development of Ocean Floor Morphostructure in the Meso-Cenozoic.- References.- Geographical Index.