Control of Carboniferous Graben Structures on Evaporite Accumulation and Domes Location in Southeastern Norwegian Barents Sea

Abstract

Summary We utilize available seismic and well data, and focus on the distribution, orientation of deep-seated Carboniferous graben structures and their control on the domes in the southeastern Norwegian Barents Sea. We map prominent NW-SE trending that represents Timanian Orogeny trend, deep-seated Carboniferous graben structures separated by platforms and structural highs. Evaporites were accumulated in the deep basins, while carbonates occupied the highs. Several distinct domes at top Gipsdalen to Cretaceous levels are present within the study area, including the Haapet, Veslekari, and Signalhorn domes, and the central domal feature of the Fedynsky High. The spatial analysis of graben structures, evaporite accumulation, and domes reveal that the deep-seated Carboniferous structures strongly control the distribution and partially the evolution of the domes along with facies variations. Effect of salt mobilization on the dome evolution is dependent on the lithological variations (mobile and immobile evaporites and carbonates) and thickness. Lateral thickness variations of the uppermost Triassic to the lowermost Cretaceous sediments, the Cretaceous onlaps to the Jurassic successions and erosion of the residual Cretaceous strata, all suggest a multiphase evolution of the domes. We propose Paleogene timing for the main phase of reactivation of the domes, probably in response to regional compressional stresses.