A discussion concerning the floor of the northwest Indian Ocean - The Gulf of Aden

Abstract

The details of topography outlined in a new contour chart of the sea floor are related to the geophysical studies made in the Gulf of Aden during the last decade. These studies include magnetic and gravity field, seismic refraction, heat flow and earthquake epicentre measurements. The Gulf is interpreted as a tensional feature involving the separation of the continental blocks of Arabia and Africa and the formation of new oceanic crust in between. The central rough zone is compared with mid-ocean ridges. The matching of pre-Miocene continental geology on either side is discussed in the light of this theory.