Geophysical study of the Chagos-Laccadive Ridge, Indian Ocean

Geophysical profiles across portions of the Chagos-Laccadive Ridge, one of the most prominent features in the Indian Ocean, have been examined. Several north-south fracture zones were found along the margins of the ridge, which is composed of several segments of different origins. Some portions of the ridge are volcanic features formed as either ‘leaky’ transform faults due to the northeastward movement of India and the spreading activity of the Central Indian Ridge or from drift over a ‘hot-spot’ area, while others, especially the Maldive Islands segment, may be microcontinents rifted away from India. No obvious magnetic lineations were found in the study area.