U.S., Canada Starts Joint-Arctic Survey To Establish Territorial Claims, Curb Russia's Aggressive Claims

Ottawa, Ontario (AHN) - The United States and Canada have teamed up for a seismic survey of the of the Beaufort seabed in the northern areas of the Yukon-Alaska border in an attempt to curb Russia's aggressive Arctic claims.

The Financial Times reported Monday that icebreakers of the two North American countries were launched to start research and gather data to support their territorial claims in the Arctic.

The U.S. and Canada have set aside a territorial dispute in Beaufort Sea seabed to join forces in countering Russia's expansion in the Arctic. Aside from the three countries, Denmark and Norway have also claimed sovereignty in several of its areas.

The melting of ice in the Arctic has opened a less hostile environment for exploration in the region.

The unexploited region holds vast natural resources, which is equivalent to one quarter of the world's oil supplies. The US Geological Survey estimated that the Arctic contains 90 billion barrels of oil waiting to be explored.

Also, the warming of the region has made the Arctic accessible for commercial seafaring vessels. Potential new shipping routes via Arctic waters are seen to lessen travel time compared with traditional routes passing through Suez Canal and Panama Canal.

In early August, Canadian and Danish researchers said the Lomonosov Ridge is linked to the North American and Greenland plates, which Russia claimed in 2001.

Canada and Denmark may disagree on their respective territories but they agree that it is not an extension of the Russian continental shelf, according to the Financial Times.

Countries are allowed control in areas beyond customary limits if they can establish that it is part of their continental shelf.