MAGNETIC STUDIES OF THE EASTERN ATLANTIC DURING THE 66th CRUISE OF THE RESEARCH VESSEL “AKADEMIK YOFFE”

Abstract

The article presents materials obtained by the staff of the geophysical fields laboratory during the 66th cruise of the research vessel “Akademik Ioffe” and the results of their preliminary processing and interpretation. The materials in the article are presented in two sections, depending on the degree of their study during the cruise. The first section includes materials and results of interpretation of side scan sonar surveys in profile format. This includes materials on the AzoresGibraltar fracture zone and the Canary Basin region. The second section includes materials from grid surveys conducted with the highest possible density of survey lines. This section includes materials and results of interpretation from regions such as: the Cape Verde Ridge, the Ivory Coast uplift, and the Rochel underwater mountain. New data obtained from the 66th voyage of the research vessel “Akademik Ioffe”, supplemented with materials from open sources, allowed the authors to perform an interpretation and to obtain new information about the structure, processes of formation and development of the oceanic crust, and to refine the geochronology in the studied areas of the Atlantic. After conducting a preliminary interpretation of the magnetic survey materials, the authors proposed hypotheses about the nature of the magnetic anomalies in the studied section of the Azores-Gibraltar fracture zone. In the Canary Basin, the position of the linear magnetic anomaly M0 and the positions of the transform faults Tirro and Atlantis were clarified. The volcanic nature of the underwater mountain Rokel was established, and a hypothesis was made about the existence of an extensive area of serpentinization beneath the mountain.