Russia's effort to stake a larger claim to the Arctic Ocean has sent shivers through international observers.

Last week, an expedition that included a nuclear-powered ice breaker and submersible vessels left Murmansk bound for the North Pole. Their mission: To prove that a large part of the Arctic is actually connected to Russia's far northern region and, hence, fair game for Russian oil and gas exploration.

On Thursday, the submersibles dove two miles under the Polar ice cap and planted a Russian flag on the ocean floor. The expedition has so far generated hundreds of news stories--and a fair bit of diplomatic bluster. Canada's foreign minister was quoted by the New York Times as saying "This isn’t the 15th century. You can’t go around the world and just plant flags and say, 'We’re claiming this territory.' "

Russia's claim rests on its belief that the area of the seabed, known as the Lomonosov Ridge, is part of Russia’s continental shelf and not international territory. And in case anybody missed the symbolism of the move, the crew, which included two Russian legislators, got a congratulatory call from President Vladimir Putin.

According to news reports, Russia has tried legal maneuvers to extend its claim to the Arctic in the past. And planting a flag won’t be the last word because it is not the only country with the possibility of a geographic toe-hold. Denmark has has also sent out an expedition to prove The Arctic is part of its territory of Greeland. (The U.S., Canada and Norway might also be able to get in on the act--check your globe.)

When I was a full-time member of the mainstream news business, we used to call August the "silly season" because it always seemed full of wackadoo stories. I'd be tempted to put this one in that basket, except, in this oil-mad world, nobody jokes about drilling rights. Especially not Russia.