Tectonotype of volcanic passive margins in the Norwegian-Greenland region

Abstract

A tectonotype of volcanic passive margins exemplified in the conjugate Norwegian and East Greenland margins is considered, with discussion of the Paleogene igneous complexes and the regional rift structure before continental breakup. Fragments of asymmetrical rift have been retained on both sides of the ocean. Large Cretaceous pre-rift sedimentation basins marking the initial stage of the ocean opening are included into the passive margin as well. The continental breakup was accompanied by intense basaltic magmatism over a short time span. This magmatic episode was distinguished by (1) the formation of widespread plateau-basalt complexes on continents and in near-shore areas of the ocean; (2) the development of thick lava series that are recorded in seaward dipping reflector wedges; (3) thick high-velocity lower crust, resulting from magmatic underplating; (4) asymmetrical accretion of the crust and structure formation. The discussion is based on published seismic data and reference sections selected for each margin with consideration of the composition and thickness of the igneous rocks, their lateral variations, source composition, and eruption and crust formation conditions. The characteristic feature of both sections is the two-member structure of volcanic complexes with substantial geochemical differences between the rocks from the lower and upper parts of the section, which correspond to the pre-breakup and breakup phases. At the initial phase, small magma volumes were melted out from the lithosphere. The geochemical signatures of the upper parts of the sections testify to the melting of the asthenospheric mantle. Their spatiotemporal variations reflect the ascent and melting of the deep plume, which was active during and after continental breakup. In the Greenland area, near the central part of the plume, a N-MORB-type mantle magma source gave way to a depleted Iceland-type mantle, while apart from the central part of the plume, its effect is expressed only in the enormous volume of mantle-derived melt without migration of its source. A variety of evidence is provided for the plume’s activity: the great thickness of the volcanic complexes and the relatively stable composition of the melt; the elevated temperature in the mantle; the specific geochemistry of the breakup-related lavas and their lateral zoning; conclusions on the necessity of dynamic support of volcanic eruptions; and recent results of seismographic tomography. The continental breakup inherited a system of older sedimentary basins in the zone of prolonged extension of the lithosphere in the North Atlantic. The continuous dynamic support of extension was most likely provided by long-term ascent of the Iceland plume. The comparison of the considered tectonotype with other volcanic and non-volcanic margins opens the way to further elucidation of the geodynamic processes responsible for the ocean opening.