Active Tectonics of the Eastern Arctic: New Data from Geological and Geophysical Studies at Cape Thomas (West of Wrangel Island)

Research at Cape Thomas, Wrangel Island, reveals the presence of an active sublatitudinal fault with repeated thrust movements, pushing the mountain ridge southward. This fault, contrasting with older geological structures, indicates north-to-south displacement and suggests a potential source for strong earthquakes along the boundary of the Western Plateau and southern coastal lowland. Despite the identified seismic potential, current data show low seismic activity, implying the region may be in a seismic quiescence stage. The study, conducted during a 2020 expedition by the Northern Fleet and the Russian Geographical Society, combines geological and geophysical methods to refine the understanding of young tectonic movements on Wrangel Island.

Ovsyuchenko, A. N., Edemsky, D. E., & Zhostkov, R. A. (2022). Active Tectonics of the Eastern Arctic: New Data from Geological and Geophysical Studies at Cape Thomas (West of Wrangel Island). Geotectonics, 56(3), 265–279. https://doi.org/10.1134/s0016852122030050