The Jan Mayen microcontinent: an update of its architecture, structural development and role during the transition from the Ægir Ridge to the mid-oceanic Kolbeinsey Ridge

• DOI: 10.1144/sp447.5
• Publication Date: 2016-09-09T00:53:51Z
• Authors: A. Blischke; C. Gaina; J. R. Hopper; G. Péron-Pinvidic; B. Brandsdóttir; P. Guarnieri; Ö. Erlendsson; K. Gunnarsson
• Keywords: 550; 13. Climate action; 14. Life underwater; 01 natural sciences; 0105 earth and related environmental sciences

Abstract We present a revised tectonostratigraphy of the Jan Mayen microcontinent (JMMC) and its southern extent, with focus on relationship to Greenland–Iceland–Faroe Ridge area Faroe–Iceland Fracture Zone. The microcontinent's Cenozoic evolution consists six main phases corresponding regional stratigraphic unconformities. Emplacement Early Eocene plateau basalts at pre-break-up time (56–55 Ma), preceded continental break-up (55 Ma) formation seawards-dipping reflectors (SDRs) along eastern SE flanks JMMC. Simultaneously SDR formation, orthogonal seafloor spreading initiated Ægir (Norway Basin) during (C24n2r, 53.36 Ma C22n, 49.3 Ma). Changes in plate motions C21n (47.33 led oblique offset by transform faults uplift flank. At C13n (33.2 rates started decrease, first south then north. This was probably complemented intra-continental extension within JMMC, as indicated opening Basin – series small pull-apart basins NW JMMC completely isolated when mid-oceanic Kolbeinsey became fully established abandoned between C7 C6b (24–21.56