Evolution of Passive Continental Margins with Special Reference to the U.S. East Coast from Seismic and Potential Field Data

Abstract

The structure and evolution of continental margins, especially those that contain large thickness of sediments, are difficult to resolve. Seismic reflection data acquired by the EDGE project off the US East Coast employing a 6 km streamer and large capacity air guns, provided the best data across this margin (Sheridan et aI., 1993). These data were supplemented by wide angle reflection and refraction data collected by ocean bottom hydrophones and ocean bottom seismometers (Holbrook et aI., 1994). In addition to resolving the structural problems, there are several interesting geophysical features associated with this margin which, in some cases, are in common with similar features associated with other margins.