The Floor of the Arctic Ocean in Photographs

Abstract

Over 2,000 usable bottom photographs have been taken in the western Arctic Ocean. The 87 stations cover the major geomorphic provinces of this part of the Arctic Basin, including the Alpha Cordillera, Mendeleyev Ridge, and Canada Abyssal Plain as well as smaller features. The ridge and plain provinces differ markedly in their bottom characteristics. Scattered rocks, living animals and indications of bottom current are most prevalent on the ridges. Trails are most abundant on the abyssal plains. The differences are attributed to bottom current distributions and turbidity currents. Bedrock outcrops were observed on the tops of two knolls on the Mendeleyev Ridge.