Crustal structure and tectonic framework of the Canadian Arctic margin: New insights on the development of the Amerasia Basin
Abstract
A significant volume of new Arctic geophysical data have been collected over the last decade during collaborative Canadian, American, and Danish research expeditions. These data have been integrated with pre-existing geophysical data sets (e.g., US Naval Research Lab airborne gravity and magnetic surveys) to constrain models for the crustal structure and tectonic evolution of the Amerasia Basin. 2-D gravity and magnetic models have been generated for cross-sections of the Canadian margin, Chukchi Plateau, Alpha Ridge and Lomonosov Ridge. The models are constrained using seismic reflection and refraction data. The models illustrate the variability of different segments of the rifted margins as well as the distribution of magnetized crust and volcanic units. Density values for all of the models are based on standard velocity-density relationships. The models support the velocity analysis of the sonobuoy data that true oceanic crust is present only in a narrow central portion of Canada Basin and that most of the basin is underlain by hyper-extended continental crust and/or 'transitional' crust with localized high-velocity/density sub-crustal layers. Moho depths beneath Canada Basin range from 18 to 22 km. Moho depths beneath the Alpha Ridge are considerably deeper (25 to 30 km) than those in the adjacent Canada Basin. The upper crust of Alpha Ridge is modeled with continental densities in the upper crust underlain by a thick lower crust with an intermediate density. This crustal character is consistent with the formation of the Alpha Ridge by intrusion of a large igneous province (the High Arctic Large Igneous Province - HALIP) into continental crust.
- Publication:
-
AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2013
- Bibcode:
- 2013AGUFMOS13B1702O
- Keywords:
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- 3045 MARINE GEOLOGY AND GEOPHYSICS Seafloor morphology;
- geology;
- and geophysics;
- 3010 MARINE GEOLOGY AND GEOPHYSICS Gravity and isostasy