Significance of volcanism for the formation of bottom relief of the Atlantic Ocean

Abstract

The features of the volcanic structure and distribution on the Atlantic ocean bottom based on the materials of the expedition investigations and published charts and papers are described. The volcanic processes play the main part in the forming of the seamounts and oceanic islands. The total volume of the volcanic rocks, the forms built of, is 1,4 mil. km². The formation of the submarine ridges and arch. block rises is caused by the tectonic movements but the volcanic processes play the main role in forming the basement of these morphostructures. The total volume of the volcanic rocks in the morphostructures reaches 67 mil. km².