A geophysical study of the northern Svalbard continental margin

Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

11

Arctic, Continental Margins, Eurasia Basin, Reflection Seismology, Seismic Stratigraphy, Svalbard

Scientific paper

SUMMARY In the summer of 1999, the first systematic seismic profiles were acquired across the northern Svalbard continental margin east of 15°E. Approximately 1470 km of multi-channel seismic reflection data as well as sonobuoy wide-angle data were collected up to 82°N. With few exceptions the signals imaged the whole sedimentary cover down to the acoustic basement. The uppermost sedimentary deposits of the inner shelf yield P-wave velocities of 2 km s-1 and higher, indicating erosion and compaction due to a former ice load. The inner shelf east of Hinlopen Strait has only a thin veneer of over-consolidated sediments above the acoustic basement. Beneath the outer shelf, up to 3.5 km of sedimentary deposits cover the down-faulted acoustic basement. The continental slope is heavily eroded due to bottom current activity and slumping. At about 30°E the morphology of the continental slope has a smooth appearance. Shelf progradation only in the vicinity of glacial troughs crossing the shelf (associated with submarine fans) indicates main sediment transport by ice streams during former glacial periods. The maximum sedimentary thickness in the Sophia Basin is more than 9 km, and the Nansen Basin has a sediment thickness of 4.5 km close to the margin. Gravity modelling along the seismic profiles was performed to constrain the position of the continent-ocean transition. Existing sedimentary thickness and structural maps were extended over the area investigated. The new data provide no evidence for the presence of former extensive subaerial volcanic sequences (seaward-dipping reflectors), which would have been emplaced during the break-up along the margin. Thus, we consider this part of the margin as non-volcanic.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

A geophysical study of the northern Svalbard continental margin does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with A geophysical study of the northern Svalbard continental margin, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and A geophysical study of the northern Svalbard continental margin will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1009770

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.