The Arctic Ocean: Advances in Geopolitics and Geoscience

Abstract

The Arctic Ocean is an area where geoscience knowledge and (geo-) politics are closely intertwined. In several regions of the globe, tensions between different States are rising in view of sovereignty claims over parts of the ocean. However, the harsh climate conditions in the Arctic Ocean require tremendous efforts on behalf of its coastal States in order to establish the outer limits of their continental shelves, which force them to collaborate and share information. Over the last 20 years, significant advances in geoscience research have been achieved by mapping and imaging the Arctic seafloor and subsoil, often as a result of close collaboration between the Arctic coastal States. This includes the development of technology to facilitate operations in deep water, in remote areas and under harsh conditions, such as the use of icebreakers, of remotely operated vehicles and of autonomous underwater vehicles. These States are now in a position to prepare well substantiated submissions to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf that delineate the extent of their continental shelves. The international collaboration and cooperation has resulted in a tremendous increase in our collective understanding of the Arctic over the last few decades. In this paper, we will discuss the political context and some of the major geological and tectonic features that make up the Arctic Ocean and its surrounding continental shelves.