Crustal-scale architecture and segmentation of the Argentine margin and its conjugate off South Africa

Abstract

SUMMARY Integration of regional seismic reflection and refraction profiles and potential field data across the Argentine margin and its conjugate off South Africa, complemented by crustal-scale gravity modelling, is used to reveal and illustrate the whole-crust architecture, onshore–offshore crustal structure correlations, the character of the continent–ocean boundary/transition and the relationship of crustal structure to regional variation of potential field anomalies. The study reveals, within these two provinces, distinct along-margin structural and magmatic changes that are spatially related to a number of conjugate transfer systems governing the margin segmentation and evolution, clearly implying structural inheritance. In particular, the Colorado transfer system on the Argentina margin, marks a distinct along-margin boundary in the distribution and volume of breakup-related magmatism. Similarly, the Hope transfer system on the conjugate South Africa margin also marks a distinct along-margin transition from a zone of relative magnetic quiescence to a zone of prominent magnetic anomalies. Furthermore, the study indicates that the ‘G-magnetic anomaly’ along the South Africa margin probably defines the eastern limit of the continent–ocean transition (COT) rather than a discrete continent– ocean boundary (COB). Potential field plate reconstructions of the South Atlantic suggest conjugate margin asymmetry, characterized by a rather broad Argentine margin conjugate to a narrow South Africa margin. In detail, the Argentine margin is characterized by a sharp and relatively constant COT, whereas the COT along the conjugate South Africa margin is considerably wider. An along-strike tectonomagmatic asymmetry variation is also observed and is expressed by the northward increase in width of the COT on the South African margin. The study clearly shows that integration of regional seismic reflection and refraction profiles, potential field data and gravity modelling provide a powerful resource for testing and validating alternative seismic profile structural interpretations and plate tectonic reconstructions, as well as geodynamic models for lithospheric breakup and early drift.