Frontier science and exploration: the Atlantic-Arctic

Abstract

Confidential until December 1, 2008A new kinematic model from the pre-breakup to present day has been developed for the Arctic-North Atlantic region. Using potential field data (magnetic and gravity), published seismic interpretation and geological records we have re-interpreted the continent ocean boundaries and transition zones. Seafloor spreading has been quantitatively determined and new palaeo-age grids have been constructed for the oceanic area. Kinematic parameters have been used in the case of a triple junction to estimate the errors of continent ocean boundary location. For the Jurassic-Cretaceous evolution of the Arctic we have explored several scenarios of oceanic basin evolution and used the predicted present day age configuration for estimation of crustal thickness. A new plate tectonic model of the North Atlantic-Barents Sea area have been used for modelling the Late Triassic-Early Jurassic compression in the Novaya Zemlya and eastern Barents Sea basins.