Geophysical investigations in the Eastern Indian Ocean in cruise SO258/2 of RV Sonne (Germany)
New geophysical data were obtained in 2017 in cruise #SO258/2 of RV Sonne in the Central Indian Basin between 81° and 84°E. Total length of collected geophysical profiles (bathymetry, seismoacoustic profiling, magnetometry, gravimetry) is about 6,500 miles. Deep seismic sounding was carried out along N-S profile by 375 m long, which extends on the land, and SW-NE profile by 340 m long. The main objectives of the research were to verify the existing kinematic/geodynamic models of separation of India from Antarctica, to determine drift rate of the Indian Plate, location of the continent-ocean transition zone south of Sri Lanka and structure of 85°E Ridge. The cruise was part of a project INGON performed by the Center for marine research, GEOMAR and the Institute for polar and marine research Alfred Wegener.