The development of volcanic sequences at rifted margins: New insights from the structure and morphology of the Vøring Escarpment, mid‐Norwegian Margin

• DOI: 10.1002/2015jb012788
• Publication Date: 2016-06-15T16:06:58Z
• Authors: M. M. Abdelmalak; S. Planke; J. I. Faleide; D. A. Jerram; D. Zastrozhnov; S. Eide; R. Myklebust
• Keywords: Escarpment; Continental Margin; Flood basalt

Abstract On the Vøring Margin offshore mid‐Norway, Paleogene continental breakup was characterized by extrusion of large volumes flood basalts erupted in different depositional environments. The transition from subaerial to submarine emplacement environment is marked formation Escarpment which records early encroachment basalt into basin and buildup a lava delta system. increased availability new reprocessed high‐quality seismic data allows more detailed characterization along‐strike across‐strike continuity variability volcanic facies units. Detailed interpretation shows that ~350 km long NE‐SW trending prominent feature along with height ranging between 200 1600 m. Structurally, segmented strike five segments (E1–E5) controlling factors leading variation accommodation space. Relative sea level change magma supply are major for E2 E4 well‐developed system significant escarpment height. Tectonic movements Jan Mayen Fracture Zone resulted second‐order segmentation E1 segment pseudoescarpments very thin limited Segments E3 E5, situated flanks Cretaceous/Paleocene highs, controlled structural were possibly reactivated during time. Our mapping results provide crucial information about paleogeography yield important regarding paleo–water depth depocenter locations prior Margin.