Arctic Ocean Map and Bathymetric Chart
Within the last few years a significant amount of interest has developed in the Arctic Ocean and its features. Three factors are important in driving this new level of interest in the Arctic. First, an enormous amount of oil, natural gas and other resources are thought to be held within the Arctic Ocean's floor. The United States Geological Survey estimates that up to 25% of the world's remaining oil and natural gas resource might be held within the Arctic Region. Second, global warming is starting to reduce the extent and thickness of the Arctic's sea ice. If the current trend continues, the Northwest Passage might be open to standard ships during summer within the next couple of decades and the Arctic could be ice-free in summer by midway through the current century. Third, the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea allows nations to extend their coastal economic zone beyond 350 nautical miles - if they can acquire scientific data that demonstrates that additional areas are a natural extension of their continent. Many nations are fielding scientific missions in hopes of extending their Arctic opportunities.
The map above was produced by Brad Cole of Geology.com using data licensed from Map Resources. It illustrates the Arctic Ocean and bordering countries. It also shows the Arctic Circle and minimal extent of the summer sea ice cover. Shown below is the International Bathymetric Chart of the Arctic Ocean which was produced by a team of investigators from Canada, Denmark, Germany, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and the USA. It can be considered a "physical map of the Artic Ocean" as it shows the bathymetry, ridges and basins that are part of this important area.
Who Owns the Arctic?
Ocean and any resources that might be found beneath those waters? This question has enormous economic significance. The United States Geological Survey estimates that up to 25% of the world's remaining oil and natural gas resource might be held within the seafloor of the Arctic Region. Significant quantities of other mineral resources might also be present. Control of Arctic resources is an extremely valuable prize. These resources become more accessible as global warming melts the sea ice and opens the region to commercial navigation. Freedom of the SeasSince the seventeenth century a "freedom of the seas" doctrine was accepted by most nations. This doctrine limited a nation's rights and jurisdiction to the narrow area of sea along the nation's coastline. The remainder of the oceans were considered as common property that could be used by anyone. This was before anyone had the ability to exploit offshore resources. Then in the mid-1900's concerns that long-distance fishing fleets were depleting coastal fish stocks triggered a desire in some nations to have greater control over their coastal waters. Then oil companies became capable of drilling in deep water and ideas for the seabed mining of manganese nodules, diamonds and tin-bearing sands started to seem possible. Any nation that claimed a greater distance from shore also made claim to valuable seafloor resources. Unilateral ClaimsIn 1945, the United States announced that it assumed jurisdiction of all natural resources out to the edge of its continental shelf. This was the first nation to depart from the freedom of the seas doctrine and other nations quickly followed. Nations began making unilateral claims to seafloor resources, fishing grounds and exclusive navigable zones. A New "Law of the Sea"The United Nations sought to bring order and equity to the diversity of claims being made by nations around the world. In 1982 a United Nations treaty known as "The Law of the Sea" was presented. It addressed navigational rights, territorial waters limits, exclusive economic zones, fishing, pollution, drilling, mining, conservation and many other aspects of maritime activity. With over 150 nations participating it was the first attempt by the international community to establish a formal agreement on how the seas can be used. It also proposes a logical allocation of ocean resources. Under the Law of the Sea, each country receives exclusive economic rights to any natural resource that is present on or beneath the sea floor out to a distance of 200 nautical miles (230 miles / 371 kilometers) beyond their natural shorelines. In the Arctic, this gives Canada, the United States, Russia, Norway and Denmark a legal claim to extensive sea floor areas that might contain valuable resources. (As of November, 2007, the United States had not yet ratified the Law of the Sea treaty. Those who have opposed ratification say that it would limit United States sovereignty)