North Sea troughs and plate tectonics.

Abstract

Interlinked roughly trilete-shaped predominantly sub-Upper Cretaceous trough systems extending north-south for more than 1200 km are described for the North Sea basin and the Northeast Atlantic. Palimpsest tectonic controls are rejected as a major explanation of their development and an explanation in terms of lithospheric plate development is offered. the trilete trough patterns are seen as failed arms, superficial manifestations and consequences of plume or hot spot generated crestal uplifts initiated mainly in Late -carboniferous and Early Permian times over an area extending from Hatton and Rockall Banks in the west to the Skagerrak in the east. The Tertiary and Late Cretaceous broad basinal development of the North Sea Basin is seen as an inner continental margin development of the Bott and Watt type related to Cenozoic spreading of the North Atlantic arc development of the Cenozoic continental margin. The Mainz trilete system may be part of the overall pattern but data are inconclusive. Close relationships exist between trough and trap formation, geothermal history and the generation, maturation and accumulation of hydrocarbons. The role of mantle plumes - hot spot activity in the formation of the rift network is discussed.