Russia submitted a revised application to the United Nations to expand the continental shelf in the Arctic – BFM.Ru

In addition to Russia, the territory under the Arctic Ocean claimed by Canada, Denmark, Norway and the United States

Russia submitted a revised application to the United Nations to expand the limits of the continental shelf in the Arctic due to the addition Lomonosov Ridge and other areas of the Arctic seabed, reports Tass. Summary of the application was published on the official website of the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf.

The Russian scientists claim that the Lomonosov Ridge, Mendeleev – Alpha and Chukchi uplift of the basin and the Chukchi Submariners have continental nature of education.

The Convention on the Law of the Sea allows countries to expand economic zone provided that the seabed beyond a natural extension of the continental margin. In addition to Russia, the territory under the Arctic Ocean claimed by Canada, Denmark, Norway and the United States. The interest of the northern seas due to the fact that under their bottom, according to geologists, may be about 30% of undiscovered natural gas and 15% oil.

Russia has tried to defend their right to an enclave in the Arctic Ocean which will include the underwater Lomonosov Ridge in 2001. Three years later, Russia’s bid, which also concerned the area in the Sea of ​​Okhotsk, was rejected by the UN commission. After that, it was decided to request accession of these territories separately. In March 2014 Russia’s claim to the area in the Sea of ​​Okhotsk area of ​​52 thousand sq. M. km have been satisfied.

In the 2005-2014 biennium. Russian scientists have carried out a wide range of geological and geophysical studies in the Arctic Ocean, to reinforce the revised request new evidence taking into account the recommendation of the Commission in 2002.

In the newly filed separately noted that the results obtained as a result of new research data “do not support supported in the first recommendations of the Commission in 2002 view».

The Commission then claimed that “Mendeleev – Alpha formed as a large volcanic oceanic plateau, built on the oceanic crust of the Canadian pool after its opening as a result of passage of magma “hot spot”. “These hypotheses were based on geological data and information on the adjacent land due to the absence or scarcity of the necessary geological and geophysical data on deep-water part of the Arctic basin at that time,” – the document says. It is accompanied by a geological model of the evolution of the Arctic basin, taking into account new data that suggest that these areas of the seabed is a natural extension of Russia’s continental shelf.

The Russian side stressed that “a large complex of geological and geophysical studies It was carried out in recent years, Danish, Canadian and American researchers. ” “However, most of the results of these studies are limited to use and is not yet fully available,” – said in the text of the application. It also reported that Russia held consultations with Denmark, Canada and Norway. This application is filed by Denmark concerning the continental shelf north of Greenland, “essentially covers the areas”, included in the Russian view, the document says.

It also states that “the final delimitation of the continental shelf of the Russian Federation “Denmark, Canada, Norway and the United States will be in accordance to the Convention on the Law of the Sea” after the adoption of the Commission recommendations on the nominations of the Russian Federation ».

In the accompanying records to document online commission reported that its review would” include in the provisional agenda of the next (39th) regular session “, which will be held at the headquarters of the United Nations from 12 October to 27 November. “After consideration of the application, the Commission will make its recommendations”, – stated on the website.