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

Deemer, Sharon and Hall, Jeremy and Solvason, Krista and Lau, K. W. Helen and Louden, Keith and Srivastava, Shiri P. and Sibuet, Jean-Claude (2009) Structure and development of the southeast Newfoundland continental passive margin: Derived from SCREECH Transect 3. Geophysical Journal International, 178 (2). pp. 1004-1020. ISSN 0956-540X

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Abstract

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 nonvolcanic 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 asMesozoic 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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