Approximate surface projection on South Atlantic Ocean of Bouvet Triple Junction where the white lines of the three mid-oceanic ridges intercept. Other nearby associated named fracture zones are also shown in orange. Click to expand map and obtain interactive feature details.[1]
The Bouvet Triple Junction is a geologic triple junction of three tectonic plates located on the seafloor of the South Atlantic Ocean. It is named after Bouvet Island, which lies about 250 km (160 mi) to the east.[2] The three plates which meet here are the South American Plate, the African Plate, and the Antarctic Plate. The Bouvet Triple Junction although it appears to be a R-R-R type, that is, the three plate boundaries which meet here as mid-ocean ridges: the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR), the Southwest Indian Ridge (SWIR), and the South American-Antarctic Ridge (SAAR) is actually slightly more complex and in transition.[3]
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
FZmaplinkwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Sclater et al. 1976, p. 1857.
- ^ Ligi et al. 1999, p. 365.