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Arctic seabed 'belongs to Russia' | Arctic seabed 'belongs to Russia' |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A Russian expedition has proved that a ridge of mountains below the Arctic Ocean is part of Russia's continental shelf, government officials have said. | A Russian expedition has proved that a ridge of mountains below the Arctic Ocean is part of Russia's continental shelf, government officials have said. |
The Natural Resources Ministry said tests on soil samples showed Russia was linked to the Lomonosov Ridge. | |
Moscow has mounted several expeditions recently - and risked tensions with rivals in August by planting a flag in the seabed below the North Pole. | |
The Arctic is thought to be rich in oil, gas and mineral reserves. | The Arctic is thought to be rich in oil, gas and mineral reserves. |
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Correspondents say Russia's main rivals for the supposed spoils - the US, Canada and Denmark - have been angered by Moscow's recent aggressive strategy in the region. | |
class="bodl" href="#map">See detailed map of the region | |
Under a United Nations convention, the country claiming ownership of the region's ocean floor must show evidence that the seabed is an extension of their continental shelf. | |
Evidence claim | |
Moscow has repeatedly argued that the Lomonosov Ridge is part of its land mass - and now the Natural Resources Ministry believes it has the proof. | |
Nasa photo shows ice cover in 2005 and as it was in 1979 The ministry said analysis of samples from the ridge - taken in May and June - showed "the structure of the underwater Lomonosov mountain chain is similar to the world's other continental shelves". | |
The statement added: "The ridge is therefore part of Russia's land mass." | |
Marine research official Viktor Posyolov told Russia's Tass news agency the claim could extend Russia's seabed by 1.2m sq km (463,323 sq miles). | |
He said the territory could potentially yield 10,000 billion tonnes of conventional fuel. | |
In a further sign of its intent, the Kremlin announced that four strategic bombers were to make training flights over the Arctic and the Atlantic Ocean. | |
Rival expeditions | |
Russia's claim to a vast swathe of territory in the Arctic has sparked an increasingly tense rivalry with other countries who believe they have a claim. | |
After Russia planted its flag in the seabed, Canada vowed to increase its icebreaker fleet and build two new military facilities in the Arctic. | |
Denmark recently sent a team of scientists to the Arctic ice pack to seek evidence that the Lomonosov Ridge was attached to the Danish territory of Greenland. | |
And a US Coast Guard icebreaker also set off late last month for a research expedition - although scientists said the trip had been planned well before the Russian move. | |
Competition for territorial and economic rights has heated up as melting polar ice caps have introduced the possibility of exploiting the previously inaccessible seabed. | |
1) North Pole:Russia leaves its flag on the seabed, 4,000m (13,100ft) beneath the surface2) Lomonosov Ridge: Russia argues that this underwater feature is an extension of its continental territory3) 200-nautical mile (370km) line:Shows how far countries' agreed4) Russian-claimed territory:The bid to claim a vast area is being closely watched by other countries | |
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