West Indian Ridge
West Indian Ridge
a submarine midocean ridge in the southwestern Indian Ocean. In the southwest the ridge joins the Atlantic-Indian Rise and in the northeast the Carlsberg and Mid-Indian ridges. It is approximately 4,000 km long and 200-300 km wide. Prevailing depths over the crest range from 2,000-3,000 m, with a minimum depth of 250 m. Relative height is 2,000-1,000 m. The surface is strongly dissected. Outcrops of bedrock, including ultrabasic rock (serpentine, peridotite), are widespread. Heightened seismic activity confined to the ridge’s axial rift zone is characteristic.