Chapter 11 Rifted passive margins

Abstract

This chapter deals with rifled passive margins. Passive continental margins mark the juxtaposition of continental and oceanic lithosphere within plate interiors. Passive margins originate by the continental break-up process, and are divisible into rifted and sheared (offset) types. Rifted margins form where the initial plate separation is approximately perpendicular to the rupture. They show a gradational transition, and their morphology can be subdivided into continental shelf, continental slope and continental rise. Sheared margins form when the initial split is along a transform fault; they generally show a much sharper transition and a much smaller thickness of sediments. There are several recent compilations dealing with passive margins.