Land–offshore tectonic links in western Norway and the northern North Sea

Abstract

Aeromagnetic and marine gravity data sets for the northern North Sea and western Norway have been interpreted in terms of land to offshore tectonic links. The data allow identification of linking-structures both in crystalline basement and overlying sedimentary rocks and consequently facilitate a more comprehensive interpretation of regional structural features and trends. With the help of bathymetric data in the inshore region, major fault structures can be traced between western Norway and the offshore region west of the Øygarden Fault Zone. In this way spatial and chronological links have been established between tectonic events recognized on land and the development of the North Sea Basin. An interpretation of basement geology is proposed for the region between western Norway and the Uer Terrace. This is complemented with a depth to top crystalline basement map covering the North Sea Basin between the Uer terrace and the East Shetland Basin. Two regional NW–SE lineaments were recognized offshore western Norway and given the names Marflo Lineament and Troll Lineament. The Marflo Lineament is interpreted to be a Caledonian or older zone of weakness that accommodated development of a 20–30 km offset in the Jurassic Viking Graben axis. The lineament can be traced into the North Atlantic where it parallels oceanic fracture zones and transform faults. The Troll Lineament relates to a deep geological discontinuity crossing the Uer and Lomre Terraces. A grouping of earthquake epicentres along part of the lineament suggests that the discontinuity is tectonically active.