Extension, crustal structure and magmatism at the outer Voring Basin, Norwegian margin

• Published in: Journal of the Geological Society Vol. 160; no. 2; pp. 197 - 208
• Main Authors: Gernigon, L, Ringenbach, J. C, Planke, S, Le Gall, B, Jonquet-Kolsto, H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Geological Society of London 01.03.2003; The Geological Society of London; Geological Society; Geological Society Publishing House
• Subjects: Arctic Ocean; Atlantic Ocean; basins; Bouguer anomalies; Campanian; Cenozoic; chronostratigraphy; Cretaceous; crust; Crystalline rocks; deep-seated structures; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Europe; Exact sciences and technology; extension tectonics; Geology; geophysical methods; geophysical profiles; geophysical surveys; Gjallar Ridge; gravity anomalies; gravity methods; Igneous and metamorphic rocks petrology, volcanic processes, magmas; Lava; lower Campanian; lower Paleocene; magmatism; marginal basins; Mesozoic; multichannel methods; North Atlantic; Northeast Atlantic; Norway; Norwegian Sea; Paleocene; Paleogene; Plate tectonics; rift zones; rifting; Scandinavia; seismic methods; seismic profiles; Senonian; stratigraphic columns; Structural geology; style; surveys; tectonics; Tectonics. Structural geology. Plate tectonics; Tertiary; three-dimensional models; underplating; Upper Cretaceous; volcanism; Voring Basin; Western Europe; Voring Plateau; Norwegian Sea; Norway; Scandinavia; magmatism; rifting; Norwegian margin; underplating; Senonian; Mesozoic; Paleogene; domes; Paleocene; seismic profiles; lateral variations; tectonic maps; deformation; Upper Cretaceous; tectonics; Cenozoic; continental margin; seismic waves; models; Campanian; Europe; Tertiary; magmas; velocity; Cretaceous; extension tectonics; correlation; interpretation; Arctic Ocean; Phanerozoic
• ISSN: 0016-7649; 2041-479X
• DOI: 10.1144/0016-764902-055

Regional analysis of new 2D and 3D multichannel seismic data has improved interpretation of the crustal configuration and structural style along the Norwegian margin. Five domains with different structural styles and evolutions are defined along the outer Voring Basin: (1) the Nyk High-Naglfar Dome; (2) the north Gjallar Ridge; (3) the Gleipne saddle; (4) the south Gjallar Ridge; (5) the Ran ridge. Early Campanian-Early Paleocene and Early to mid-Cretaceous extensional events are evidenced. Timing of deformation and structural styles observed along each segment reflect a lateral variation of the rifted system, probably affected by magma-tectonic processes. Correlation with the deep structures of the outer Voring Basin shows that the shallow structure in that basin is directly controlled by a deep-seated, strong, high-amplitude reflection (the T reflection), marking the top of a high-velocity body (Vp>7 km s-1). The relation between the lower-crustal architecture and the subsurface basin structures has implications for the margin evolution and for the nature of the high-velocity body.