Abstract
Summary In an area around the Faeroe Islands, seismic reflection profiles have been used to map the depth to the surface of the early Tertiary basalts and the distribution of three different types of reflector configurations within the basalts. Using this information, the early Tertiary physiography of the area has been deduced. The evolution of the seaward-dipping reflector sequence N and NW of the Faeroe Islands is discussed. In models of simple rifting of a normal lithosphere, extension is accompanied by significant subsidence (probably more than 2 km) before a large quantity of magma is produced. It is suggested that in the study area, subsidence prior to magma generation was reduced or avoided due to an additional increase in the geothermal gradient above that predicted by rifting models. Finally, the relation between extension, volcanism and subsidence before and after the early Tertiary opening of the NE Atlantic Ocean is discussed.
Published Version
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