Some Remarks on Geomorphology of Continental Shelves off Norway, Labrador, and Southeast Alaska

Abstract

Studies of the continental shelves off Labrador and the west coast of southeast Alaska suggest that there are marked topographical similarities between these and the Norwegian shelf. A large longitudinal channel or depression is present outside the northeast coast of Labrador, running almost parallel to the coast for more than 400 km., with depths of 300-400 fathoms. Another submarine arcuate channel of smaller dimensions runs parallel to the coast for about 140 km. north of Belle Isle. In the Yakutat Bay region of Alaska and in the Cross Sound area similar, but less significant, channels are present. Both in the Labrador and in the Alaskan area large transverse depressions on the shelf terminate landward in a relatively steep slope which is located along the line of the longitudinal channels. The features are thought to indicate that these present land areas are bordered by major fracture zones along which dislocations took place during the Cenozoic uplift.