Relief of the Walvis Ridge

Abstract

A geomorphological scheme of the Walvis Ridge has been compiled on the basis of data obtained by soviet and foreign specialists. The scheme and geological and geophysical data available show the ridge to be a complicate block-volcanic formation, its structure changing along the axis direction. Three morphological provinces are distinguished which differ in the floor topography and internal structure: eastern-most important-block province, central province of plateau massives and western province of volcanic mountains. Provinces as well as individual blocks are delimited with faults. Morphological and geophysical data suggest the Walvis Ridge to be ancient structure which is now in the process of downwearing and subsidence.