Seismic reflection and gravity study of proposed Taconic suture under the New Jersey Coastal Plain: Implications for continental growth

Abstract

Research Article| March 01, 1991 Seismic reflection and gravity study of proposed Taconic suture under the New Jersey Coastal Plain: Implications for continental growth R. E. SHERIDAN; R. E. SHERIDAN 1Department of Geological Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08903 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar R. K. OLSSON; R. K. OLSSON 1Department of Geological Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08903 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar J. J. MILLER J. J. MILLER 2U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, Colorado 80225 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information R. E. SHERIDAN 1Department of Geological Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08903 R. K. OLSSON 1Department of Geological Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08903 J. J. MILLER 2U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, Colorado 80225 Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 01 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2674 Print ISSN: 0016-7606 Geological Society of America GSA Bulletin (1991) 103 (3): 402–414. https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1991)103<0402:SRAGSO>2.3.CO;2 Article history First Online: 01 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation R. E. SHERIDAN, R. K. OLSSON, J. J. MILLER; Seismic reflection and gravity study of proposed Taconic suture under the New Jersey Coastal Plain: Implications for continental growth. GSA Bulletin 1991;; 103 (3): 402–414. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1991)103<0402:SRAGSO>2.3.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract A vibroseis seismic reflection line near Buena, New Jersey, crosses the linear positive Salisbury Bouguer gravity and magnetic anomaly that follows the proposed Taconic suture. Two reflections at 1.4 and 1.7 sec under the positive gravity anomaly and beneath the Coastal Plain basement reflections at 1.1 sec are from interpreted Taconic suture rocks with ophiolitic crustal fragments (7.1-7.9 km/sec). A gently southeast-dipping reflection (2.0-2.7 sec) is interpreted as the detachment thrust below the allochthonous suture rocks. A stratified sequence (5.4-6.3 km/sec) is interpreted as remnants of parautochthonous lower Paleozoic drift-stage sedimentary rocks beneath the detachment thrust. Below 3.0 sec (8 km depth), the reflections are subhorizontal or gently dipping (11°) all the way to the Moho reflection at 11.0 sec. On the northwest end of the vibroseis line, a northwest-tilted Mesozoic rift-basin basement reflection is seen from 1.1 to 1.5 sec. These Mesozoic rocks (4.5-4.8 km/sec) are at least 1 km thick. The denser suture rocks with ophiolitic fragments and the less dense Mesozoic rocks explain almost all of the Salisbury Bouguer anomaly. No significant lateral density variations are needed below 8 km depth. These results are compatible with the Taconic suture under the New Jersey Coastal Plain being allochthonous and underlain by parautochthonous Grenville-age continental crust. A deep-seated Taconic suture at the edge of the Grenville North American basement may be southeast of the New Jersey Coastal Plain. This implies a greater amount of Taconic overthrusting and lesser amounts of accretion of the North American crust than previously proposed. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.