Seaward Dipping Reflectors Sequences (SDRs) mapping in the field of the Mendeleev Rise

Abstract

<p>The report focuses on the strata of the Mendeleev Rise and adjacent Podvodnikov Basin, Makarov Basin, Toll Basin, and North Chukchi Basin together with Lomonosov Ridge and Chukchi Plateau. Eleven 2-D seismic profiles with a total length of 7540 km were interpreted. The uplifts within the study area are represented by asymmetric raised blocks of the crust with strongly rugged by half-graben structures. We found semi-continuous, from moderate to bright high-amplitude gently dipping reflectors similar to SDRs inside some half-grabens. The SDRs complexes distribute only in half-grabens. A few wedges with several kilometers thick can be distinguished here. The lower boundary of SDRs does not clearly trace. The relationship with underlying complexes is uncertain.  SDRs top is bright enough and interpreted as an angular unconformity, that is progressively onlapped by overlying sediments. Top of SDRs probably coincides with rift-postrift boundary age of 110-100 Ma.  We traced the distribution and direction of SDRs and made a map. SDRs dip from the central axis of Mendeleev Ridge in opposite directions – toward to Toll and Podvodnikov basins. In the central part of Podvodnikov and Toll basins are recognized small raised blocks of continental crust to which anti-directional SDRs converge. The nature of this rises can be explained by tectonic uplift. Thus, SDRs complexes dip symmetrically in two directions from the Mendeleev Rise. Two-directional SDRs also occur in conjugate Podvodnikov and Toll basins. They dip from the Mendeleev Rise and from the Lomonosov Terrace and the Chukchi Plateau, respectively. The SDRs occur on the hyperextension continental crust complex and accompany magmatism on volcanic passive margin (VPM). We propose that the Mendeleev Rise was formed as two-directional VPM, and the Lomonosov Terrace and the Chukchi Plateau also was formed as one-directional VPM. The Mendeleev Rise was formed simultaneously with Podvodnikov, Toll and North Chukchi basins ca. 125-100 Ma because of extensional tectonics. We also assume that the Makarov Basin (with obvious half-graben structures) could form simultaneously with the Nautilus Basin. This work was supported by RFBR grants (18-05-70011 and 18-05-00495).</p>