Genesis and age of the Erlend Volcano, NE Atlantic Margin

Abstract

Abstract The Palaeogene Erlend Volcano subcrops in the Faroe-Shetland Basin on the NE Atlantic Margin and was first recognized on the basis of its pronounced positive gravity and magnetic anomalies. Three hydrocarbon exploration wells (209/3-1; 209/4-1A; 209/9-1) have penetrated thick sequences of subaerial facies basaltic lavas and subaqueous volcanic breccias (the ‘Basaltic Suite’), overlying Palaeogene (Thanetian) and Cretaceous (Maastrichtian and Campanian) sedimentary rocks interbedded with medium to fine-grained silicic igneous rocks (the ‘Acidic Suite’). Detailed palynological and petrological analysis indicates that the basaltic rocks were contemporaneous with the Faroes Lower Lava Formation at c. 56.6-55 Ma, and were erupted into environments ranging between dry land and brackish to freshwater lagoons at the margin of a marine channel separating the Erlend Volcano from the Brendan’s Volcano to the north. The subjacent Acidic Suite is interpreted as a series of sills emplaced approximately contemporaneously with the volcanic rocks on the basis of their diachronous relationship with interbedded sedimentary rocks, together with high Thermal Alteration Index values of in situ fossils.