Potential field modelling and interpretation along the Lithoprobe East onshore seismic reflection transects across the Newfoundland Appalachians

Wiseman, Ronald (1994) Potential field modelling and interpretation along the Lithoprobe East onshore seismic reflection transects across the Newfoundland Appalachians. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

[English] PDF (Migrated (PDF/A Conversion) from original format: (application/pdf)) - Accepted Version Available under License - The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission. Download (24MB) [English] PDF - Accepted Version Available under License - The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission. (Original Version)

Abstract

The Canadian Appalachians have been, and continue to be, an area of great geological interest. The island of Newfoundland is an ideal location to study the Appalachian orogen, and a study of Newfoundland geology led to the initial tectono-stratigraphic subdivision of the orogen. -- The Lithoprobe East program began an intensive study of the Appalachians in Canada, with much of the geological and geophysical research carried out in Newfoundland. In 1989 three Vibroseis transects across the island were shot. In addition, physical property and Bouguer gravity measurements were carried out along the transects to allow a potential field study. -- This thesis consists of a presentation of the potential field data for areas surrounding each of the transects, and application of several processing techniques applied to the data to elucidate the more subtle features of the fields. -- Traditional 2½-D potential field modelling is undertaken using constraints from the Vibroseis data and physical property data to develop a model of the crust across the Newfoundland Appalachians. The results from the processing are then used to interpret the crustal structure away from the seismic line. -- In general it is found that the major features on the potential field maps can be explained by sources in the upper crust. Most of the major terrane bounding faults have significant geophysical signatures as the terranes exhibit differing potential field character. -- Most of the Appalachian terrane or tectono-stratigraphic boundaries are observed to be northwest-directed thrusts. The Red Indian Line and the Day Cove Thrust appear to be exceptions, in that they exhibit a northwesterly dip. -- The Dunnage Zone material consists of oceanic remnants of the Iapatus Ocean which have been thrust upon the continental margin of North America. -- The gravity and magnetic processing and modelling are a good supplement to the Vibroseis data for studying the Appalachian Orogen in Newfoundland. These data are able to identify terrane boundaries which are not directly observed on the Vibroseis data due to gaps in the coverage.

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