Geodynamic Aspects of the Evolution of the Northwestern Indian Ocean

Abstract

This work is devoted to studying the structure of the northwestern part of the Indian Ocean. Primary materials of the area geological and geophysical survey performed in the southern part of the midoceanic Carlsberg Ridge (research vessel Issledovatel’, PGO Yuzhmorgeologiya, 1987) and results of unique studies of the Equator Ridge (the Somali Basin) from a manned underwater vehicle are used. The Rodrigues block is isolated at the southern extremity of the Carlsberg Ridge, which is anomalous in its morphological characteristics. The conclusion is made that this block is a connecting link of the existed continental bridge between the Seychelles Islands and the Maldive Ridge. It is conjectured that the Carlsberg Ridge was formed on a transitional crust. A complex analysis of all data on the structure of the northwestern Indian Ocean convincingly demonstrates that differentiated tectonic movements were the leading geodynamic factor in its evolution.