Morphostructural types of seamounts and massifs near the axis at the North Atlantic Ridge

Abstract

On the basis of their morphology and position with respect to the North Atlantic Ridge axis three morphological types of submerged massifs are identified, namely narrow and broad longitudinal massifs and transversal ones, and two seamount types: ridge-like with steep slopes and conical ones. Massifs and steep-sloped mounts are shown to be horsts while conical mounts are small volcanoes. The latter are not typical of the axial region.