2000/01/01 by Robert A. Scott, Scott, R. A.
Computer Science · Earth and Planetary Sciences · #Geochemistry and Geologic Mapping #Geological Studies and Exploration #Geological and Geochemical Analysis #Science
paper · pdf · doi:10.2312/polarforschung.68.83
openalex publication_date 2000/01/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/15
Summary: Reeent aeromagnetie syntheses of the North Atiantie region illustrate that on a key segment of the East Greenland margin immcdiatcly north of the Jan Mayen Fraeture Zone, previous continent-ocean boundary Ioeations are seriously in error. An area of crust 500 km long and ISO km wide at its widest, previously eonsiderecl to be eontinental, is here reinterpreted as oeeanie. Four important implications are reeognised. (I) Integration of different datasets in a geographie information systcm (GIS) has revealed an important onshore lineament cornpatible with the new interpretation of aeromagnetie data. Reeonstruetions of the East Greenlancl margin inclicate that this lineament mal' have becn a signifieant eontrol on palaeogeography from at least Jurassie time. (2) The East Greenland margin north of the Jan Mayen Fracture Zone is the eonjugate margin to the Vering Basin region of offshore Norway. Several authors have proposed thc existence of a long-lived Mesozoie landmass in eentral parts of the North Atlantic rift system prior to spreading, loeatecl in the vicinity of the outer Voring margin. The new reconstruetion makes the existenee of a signifieant landmuss unlikely. (3) Prior to the opening of the northern North Atlantie, the Voring Basin lay much eloser to the East Greenland eoast than previously recognised, such that NE-SW trencling structural highs along the outer margin of the Voring Basin mal' have hacl original continuity to the southwest with the Liverpool Land/ Jameson Land area of onshore East Greenlancl. (4) The tighter fit between the Norwegian margin ancl the East Greenlancl eoast enhances the signifieanee of East GreenIancl as an analogue for hyclroearbon exploration in the Voring Basin.