Structure and development of the southeast Newfoundland continental passive margin: derived from SCREECH Transect 3

Type Article
Date 2009-08
Language English
Author(s) Deemer Sharon1, Hall Jeremy1, Solvason Krista2, Lau K. W. Helen6, Louden Keith3, Srivastava Shiri4, Sibuet Jean-Claude5
Affiliation(s) 1 : Mem Univ Newfoundland, Dept Earth Sci, St John, NF A1B 3X5, Canada.
2 : Nexen Inc, Calgary, AB T2P 3P7, Canada.
3 : Dalhousie Univ, Dept Oceanog, Halifax, NS B3H 4J1, Canada.
4 : Geol Survey Canada, Bedford Inst Oceanog, Dartmouth, NS B2Y 4A2, Canada.
5 : IFREMER, Ctr Brest, Dept Marine Geosci, F-29280 Plouzane, France.
6 : Univ Cambridge, Bullard Labs, Cambridge CB3 0EZ, England.
Source Geophysical Journal International (0956-540X) (Wiley / Blackwell), 2009-08 , Vol. 178 , N. 2 , P. 1004-1020
DOI 10.1111/j.1365-246X.2009.04162.x
WOS© Times Cited 10
Keyword(s) Atlantic Ocean, Submarine tectonics and Volcanism, Continental margins: divergent, Crustal structure
Abstract P>New seismic reflection data from the Grand Banks of Newfoundland and the Newfoundland Basin add to the growing knowledge of the composition, structure and history of this non-volcanic margin. Geophysical imaging is now approaching the extent of that done previously on the conjugate margin along Iberia, providing a valuable database for the development of rifting models. Two parallel profiles over the shelf platform image deep crustal fabric representing Precambrian or possibly Appalachian deformation as well as Mesozoic extension. Progressively more intense extension of continental crust is imaged oceanwards without the highly reflective detachments frequently seen on profiles off Galicia. A landward-dipping event 'L' is imaged sporadically and appears to be analogous to a similar event on the Iberian IAM9 profile. The transition zone is probably exposed serpentinized mantle as interpreted off the Iberian margin although there appears to be a difference in the character of ridge development and reflectivity. The distinctive 'U' reflection identified previously at the base of the Newfoundland Basin deep water sedimentary section and recently identified as one or more thin basalt sills is imaged on newly presented profiles that connect previously published profiles SCR3 and SCR2 showing that 'U' is highly regular and continuous except where interrupted by basement highs. 'U' is also seen to have a major impact on the ability to image underlying basement. A full transect beginning over completely unextended continental crust through to oceanic crust has provided a data set from which estimates of extension and the pre-rifting location of the present continental edge can be made. Two estimates were obtained; 85 km based on faulting and 120 km based on crustal thickness.
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Deemer Sharon, Hall Jeremy, Solvason Krista, Lau K. W. Helen, Louden Keith, Srivastava Shiri, Sibuet Jean-Claude (2009). Structure and development of the southeast Newfoundland continental passive margin: derived from SCREECH Transect 3. Geophysical Journal International, 178(2), 1004-1020. Publisher's official version : https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-246X.2009.04162.x , Open Access version : https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/6919/