Rifting process and thermal evolution of the continental margin of Eastern Canada determined from subsidence curves

Abstract

The subsidence history of the Nova Scotia and Labrador shelves, determined from deep exploratory well data, indicates that these regions underwent extension during rifting in the Early Jurassic and Late Cretaceous, respectively, and have since subsided passively due to conductive cooling of the lithosphere. The timing of the extension process is consistent with the ages of oldest sea floor adjacent to these margins. Extension parameters determined from the subsidence history of the Nova Scotian margin indicate both crustal and subcrustal material extended by approximately the same amount. For Labrador, the extension parameters indicate that the mantle lithosphere was extended considerably more than the crust. The magnitudes of extension on both margins are in good agreement with observed crustal thickness determined from seismic refraction data. Profiles depicting the sedimentary stratigraphies and depth to basement were constructed across each margin. The temperature distribution within the sediments was calculated from the extension parameters using a two-dimensional model with sediment units of varying thickness, radioactive heat production, and conductivity. The calculated temperature distribution across the margins is in good agreement with bottom hole temperatures measured in deep exploratory wells, and with surface heat flow measurements where they are available. Similar plots of temperature paleotemperature within the sediments suggest that thermal conditions have been favorable for hydrocarbon generation in some of the older strata.