Structural evolution of the Feda Graben area – A new model

The pre-Cretaceous basin evolution of the Feda Graben area in the vicinity of the Norwegian-Danish basin has been reconstructed utilizing geological and structural interpretation. The analysis reveals that the basin was faulted at its borders prior to the salt deposition in the Late Permian. Salt movement was initiated in Late Triassic and thick Triassic and Lower Jurassic pods were deposited in the graben area due to this movement. Salt pillows were developing along the Feda Graben bordering faults until Middle Jurassic when the pillows were collapsed. Salt diapirs within the study area preferentially occupy the crest of the Feda Graben and their occurrence is controlled by the underlying faulted topography. The diapirs were fed by salt from the central and southern parts of the basin and were developed by different processes i.e. upbuilding, downbuilding. Various raft structures were developed in the graben area hanging wall while some uplift occurred in the footwall during Mesozoic rifting. The Feda Graben area experienced rifting from Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous. The most pronounced subsidence episode related with this rifting in the Feda Graben area took place along the eastern bounding Gert Fault. The Mesozoic rifting event is marked by a major unconformity on the seismic sections throughout the study area. Furthermore, the region experienced basin inversion in Late Cretaceous. The effects of inversion are more pronounced in the western part and along the Gert Fault. The inversion phenomenon can be properly understood only when considered together with the geometry of the Late Jurassic half-graben. Due to some inconsistencies in the previously proposed models for the development of the Feda Graben, a new conceptual model has been constructed.     

Source-rock maturation characteristics of symmetric and asymmetric grabens inferred from integrated analogue and numerical modeling: The southern Viking Graben (North Sea)

We present the results of an integrated analogue and numerical modeling study with a focus on structural, stratigraphic and thermal differences between symmetric and asymmetric grabens. These models enable fault interpretation and subsidence analyses in studies of active rifting and graben migration. We imported the surface topography and crustal thinning factors from the analogue models into tectono-stratigraphic forward models which allowed an assessment of the relative importance of sediment stacking in the generation of symmetric and asymmetric grabens. Effects on source-rock maturation zones were calculated through 1D-thermal modeling for different graben types. Combined analogue-numerical modeling appears to be a useful method to simulate natural examples, as shown in this study of the southern Viking Graben in the northern North Sea. This area was formed by Early Permian-Late Jurassic extension, with rifting most intense during the Late Jurassic. The thermal structure of the model, constrained by lithospheric and sedimentary parameters for this region, compares well with actual source-rock maturation data on the southern Viking Graben.     

Structure and evolution of the Northeastern German Basin and its transition onto the Baltic Shield

The post-Permian sequence stratigraphical and structural evolution of the Northeastern German Basin and its transition onto the Baltic Shield has been studied in the Bay of Mecklenburg (SW Baltic Sea) by means of seismic interpretation. Five major sequences have been identified: Middle Triassic, Upper Triassic, Jurassic, Cretaceous and Cenozoic. Time–isochore maps allowed the identification of several phases of salt pillow growth. The contemporaneity of active salt tectonics and the well studied tectonic evolution of the Northeastern German Basin suggest a causative correlation. The E–W directed extension during the Triassic-Early Jurassic marking the beginning break-up of Pangaea is seen as the trigger process for the first period of salt movement. A fault system outside the limit of the Zechstein evaporates is understood as the consequence of thin-skinned faulting and brittle thick-skinned deformation that accompanied this extension. The observed pronounced erosion of Upper Triassic and Lower Jurassic strata is considered to result from the uplift due to the Mid North Sea Doming event in Middle Jurassic times. The seismic data show an undisturbed Late Cretaceous succession which reflects a period of rising sea level, tectonic quiescence and no salt movement. In contrast to the salt pillows which emerged above Triassic fault systems in the westernmost Baltic and western North German Basin, the Cenozoic salt movement activity is the most pronounced. This period of reactivated salt pillow growth started coevally with the onset of the Alpine orogeny at the Cretaceous/Cenozoic transition when the Africa-Arabian plate collided with Eurasia. Generally, no significant faults were identified in the overburden of the salt floored southern Bay of Mecklenburg where ductile Zechstein salt decouples deep rooted faulting from supra-salt deformation.     

Evolution of the western Barents Sea

Information from multichannel seismic reflection data complemented by seismic refraction, gravity and magnetics forms the basis for a regional structural and evolutionary model of the western Barents Sea during post-Caledonian times. The western Barents Sea contains a thick succession, locally > 10 km, of Upper Paleozoic to Cenozoic sedimentary rocks covering a basement of probably Caledonian origin. The area is divided into three regional geological provinces: (1) an east-west trending basinal province between 74°N and the coast of Norway; (2) an elevated platform area to the north towards Svalbard; and (3) the western continental margin. Several structural elements of different origin and age have been mapped within each of these provinces. The main stratigraphic sequence boundaries have been tentatively dated from available well information, correlation with the geology of adjacent areas, and correlation with the interregional unconformities caused by relative changes of sea level. The main structural elements were developed during three major post-Caledonian tectonic phases: the Svalbardian phase in Late Devonian to Early Carboniferous times, the Mid and Late Kimmerian phase in Mid Jurassic to Early Cretaceous times and Cenozoic tectonism related to the progressive northward opening of the Norwegian-Greenland Sea. The sediments are predicted to be of mainly clastic origin except for a thick sequence of Middle Carboniferous — Lower Permian carbonates and evaporites. Salt diapirs have developed in several sub-basins, especially in the Nordkapp Basin where they form continuous salt walls that have pierced through > 7 km of sediments.     

The petroleum geology of the Unst Basin, North Sea

The Unst Basin is situated in the northern North Sea between the East Shetland Basin and the Shetland Isles. The basin is essentially a three-armed, Permo-Triassic fault-controlled basin containing up to 3600 m of red-beds. This is overlain by a westerly thickening Jurassic and early Cretaceous sequence, the stratigraphy of which is very similar to that of the East Shetland Basin. In particular, the Brent Group (140 m), Humber Group (685 m) and Cromer Knoll Group (300 m) are well represented.As a result of Laramide uplift of the area, the thick Upper Cretaceous and Palaeocene strata of the East Shetland Basin are absent from the Unst Basin. This uplift resulted in substantial erosion within the Unst Basin providing the major source for Palaeocene sands in the Viking Graben and the Faeroes Basin. Late Palaeocene and younger Tertiary strata transgress westwards across this erosion surface.Petroleum exploration within the basin culminated in the drilling of two exploration wells. These wells encountered potential reservoir and source rocks in the Jurassic section. However, geochemical analyses indicate these source rocks are immature for hydrocarbon generation within the Unst Basin. It is concluded that the Unst Basin has a low petroleum potential.     

Stratigraphy and inversion tectonics in the St. Georges Channel area off SW Wales,U.K.

Transgressive Upper Cretaceous Chalk terminates (between SW Wales and SE Ireland) at approximately latitude 52°N as thinly bedded marginal facies; while the Tertiary sequences, previously considered to extend uninterrupted into both the South Celtic Sea area and the Nymphe Bank basin are preserved as isolated subcrops separated by Jurassic. The distinct subsidence history of St. Georges Channel basin, as compared to the Nymphe Bank basin which both belong to the North Celtic Sea graben, is attributed to inversion activity with the final phase occurring during the Paleogene.     

低勘探程度盆地模拟研究——以南黄海盆地北部坳陷为例

盆地模拟已成为当前沉积盆地研究的重要工具。南黄海盆地北部坳陷自裂陷期演化以来沉积了巨厚的中-新生代碎屑沉积,近年来的地质调查获取的数据为其盆地模拟研究提供了条件,本次研究在收集相关基础数据的基础上,首先对盆地构造热演化史进行了模拟,重建了盆地热史,模拟结果显示其古热流在中-晚侏罗世平均值约为61mW/m²,在约145-74Ma间不断上升至约80 mW/m²,随后缓慢下降至65 mW/m²,并持续到渐新世末期,据此将盆地演化阶段划分为裂前期、裂陷期及裂后期。盆地模拟结果显示北部坳陷在白垩纪逐步进入强裂陷演化阶段并经历快速沉积过程,至晚白垩纪裂陷发育程度中等,在此基础上,对研究区进行了三维盆地模拟,结果显示北部坳陷生烃门限深度大致位于古近系阜宁组顶部,下伏的侏罗系及白垩系烃源岩基本完成生排烃过程,其中侏罗系烃源岩生排烃主要发生在盆地发育的裂陷期及裂后期,而白垩系及古近系烃源岩生排烃主要发生在裂后期。尽管研究区尚处在低勘探程度阶段,但盆地模拟结果已能为研究区下一步的勘探提供重要的信息,此外,本次研究对模拟过程中的主要不确定性也进行了分析。     

Nature of the connection between the Northern and Southern Zechstein Basins across the Mid North Sea High

The seismic expression of a salt-filled channel which cuts across the Mid North Sea High in Quadrant 37 is described, with features interpreted as being produced by salt-edge dissolution forming both eastern and western margins of the channel. The apparent half-graben nature of the channel is shown to be only superficial, and due to complex faulting associated with, but not defining, its western margin. The shallower faulting here is a Mesozoic to early Tertiary growth fault related to local dissolution of Zechstein salt. The dissolution effect appears in turn to have been localized by the presence of a deeper fault that was already downthrown to the east in Zechstein times, when it seems to have limited the eastward progradation of Zechstein shelf carbonates and anhydrites, and had probably ceased to move significantly before the onset of the Late Cimmerian erosional phase. The origin of this arcuate fault is tentatively ascribed to subsidence around a granite batholith. Zechstein salt originally spread some distance to the east and west of the channel; it was dissolved from the edges inwards, mainly before the Late Cretaceous, giving rise to a thicker Mesozoic sequence on parts of the flanks of the channel than in the middle. Besides providing an interesting structural case history, the features described have implications regarding Zechstein sedimentation, reservoir potential, the tectonic history of the North Sea, and the nature of the Mid North Sea High itself.     

Petroleum retention in the Mandal Formation,Central Graben,Norway

Upper Jurassic organic matter-rich, marine shales of the Mandal Formation have charged major petroleum accumulations in the North Sea Central Graben including the giant Ekofisk field which straddles the graben axis. Recent exploration of marginal basin positions such as the Mandal High area or the Søgne Basin has been less successful, raising the question as to whether charging is an issue, possibly related to high thermal stability of the source organic matter or delayed expulsion from source to carrier.The Mandal Formation is in part a very prolific source rock containing mainly Type II organic matter with <12 wt.-% TOC and HI < 645 mg HC/g TOC but Type III-influenced organofacies are also present. The formation is therefore to varying degrees heterogeneous. Here we show, using geochemical mass balance modelling, that the petroleum expulsion efficiency of the Mandal Formation is relatively low as compared to the Upper Jurassic Draupne Formation, the major source rock in the Viking Graben system. Using maturity series of different initial source quality from structurally distinct regions and encompassing depositional environments from proximal to distal facies, we have examined the relationship between free hydrocarbon retention and organic matter structure. The aromaticity of the original and matured petroleum precursors in the Mandal source rock plays a major role in its gas retention capacity as cross-linked monoaromatic rings act on the outer surface of kerogen as sorptive sites. However, oil retention is a function of both kerogen and involatile bitumen compositions. Slight variations in total petroleum retention capacities within the same kerogen yields suggest that texture of organic matter (e.g. organic porosity) could play a role as well.     

东海陆架盆地中生代残留地层特征及其构造启示

东海陆架盆地是位于中国东部华南大陆边缘的一个中、新生代叠合盆地,具有较大油气潜力。目前东海陆架盆地油气的发现均来自于新生界,对中生代残留地层的各方面特征认识不足:在空间上通常集中于特定构造单元,且基本位于盆地西部;在时间上主要涉及白垩纪和侏罗纪,且多是定性或半定量的研究。本文在前人研究的基础上,收集、整理了研究区目前最新、最全的反射地震资料和钻井数据,从钻遇中生界井的标定出发,以地震资料的层序划分和解释为基础,进行残留地层的研究,空间上统一盆地东、西两大坳陷带,时间上统揽白垩纪、侏罗纪以及前侏罗纪三个时期。结果表明,东海陆架盆地中生代残留地层遭受了后期严重的剥蚀改造,总体呈现东厚西薄、南厚北薄的特征,残留地层范围随时间不断东扩。对比各时期残留地层平面展布特征,揭示了东海陆架盆地的演变过程:三叠纪时期盆地原型为被动大陆边缘坳陷型盆地,早、中侏罗世时期为活动大陆边缘弧前盆地,晚侏罗世—晚白垩世时期为大陆边缘弧后伸展盆地;与此相对应,古太平洋板块俯冲肇始于晚三叠世—早、中侏罗世时期,板块后撤始于晚侏罗世。东海陆架盆地在中生代的东侧边界位于钓鱼岛隆褶带的东侧。     

Tectonic development of the Mid-Norway continental margin

The area reviewed covers the Mid-Norway continental margin between latitudes 62°N and 68°N. Main structural elements, as defined at the base Cretaceous level, are the Tröndelag Platform, underlying the inner shelf, the Möre and Vöring Basins, located beneath the outer shelf and slope, and the Möre Platform and the Outer Vöring Plateau, forming a base of slope trend of highs. Sediments contained in the Mid-Norway Basin range in age from Late Palaeozoic to Cenozoic. The basement was consolidated during the Caledonian orogenic cycle. Devonian and Early Carboniferous wrench movements along the axis of the Arctic-North Atlantic Caledonides are thought to have preceded the Namurian onset of crustal extension. Rifting processes were intermittently active for some 270 My until crustal separation between Greenland and Fennoscandia was achieved during the Early Eocene. During the evolution of the Norwegian-Greenland Sea rift system a stepwise concentration of tectonic activities to its axial zone (the area of subsequent continental separation) is observed. During the Late Palaeozoic to Mid-Jurassic a broad zone was affected by tensional faulting. During the Late Jurassic and Cretaceous the Tröndelag Platform was little affected by faulting whilst major rift systems in the Möre and Vöring Basins subsided rapidly and their shoulders became concomitantly upwarped. During the latest Cretaceous and Early Palaeogene terminal rifting phase only the western Möre and Vöring Basins were affected by intrusive and extrusive igneous activity. Following the Early Eocene crustal separation and the onset of sea floor spreading in the Norwegian-Greenland Sea, the Vöring segment of the Mid-Norway marginal basin subsided less rapidly than the Möre segment. During the Early and Mid Tertiary, minor compressional deformations affected the Vöring Basin and to a lesser degree the Möre Basin. Tensional forces dominated the Late Palaeozoic to Early Cenozoic evolution of the Mid-Norway Basin and effected strain mainly in the area where the crust was weakened by the previous lateral displacements. The lithosphere thinned progressively and the effects of the passively upwelling hot asthenospheric material became more pronounced. Massive dyke invasion of the thinned crust preceded its rupture.     

Seismic stratigraphy and structural analysis of the northern East China Sea Shelf Basin interpreted from multi-channel seismic reflection data and cross-section restoration

Analysis of multi-channel seismic data from the northern East China Sea Shelf Basin (ECSSB) reveals three sub-basins (Socotra, Domi, and Jeju basins), separated by structural highs (Hupijiao Rise) and faulted basement blocks. These sub-basins show a typical rift-basin development: faulted basement and syn-rift and post-rift sedimentation separated by unconformities. Four regional unconformities, including the top of acoustic basement, have been identified and mapped from multi-channel seismic data. Faults in the acoustic basement are generally trending NE, parallel to the regional structural trend of the area. The depths of the acoustic basement range from less than 1000 m in the northwestern part of the Domi Basin to more than 4500 m in the Socotra Basin and 5500 m in the Jeju Basin. The total sediment thicknesses range from less than 500 m to about 1500 m in the northwest where the acoustic basement is shallow and reach about more than 5500 m in the south.Interpretation of seismic reflection data and reconstruction of three depth-converted seismic profiles reveal that the northern ECSSB experienced two phases of rifting, followed by regional subsidence. The initial rifting in the Late Cretaceous was driven by the NW-SE crustal stretching of the Eurasian Plate, caused by the subduction of the Pacific Plate beneath the Eurasian Plate. Extension was the greatest during the early phase of basin formation; estimated rates of extension during the initial rifting are 2%, 6.5%, and 3.5% in the Domi, Jeju, and Socotra basins, respectively. A regional uplift terminated the rifting in the Late Eocene-Early Oligocene. Rifting and extension, although mild, resumed in the Early Oligocene; while fluvio-lacustrine deposition continued to prevail. The estimated rates of extension during the second phase of rifting are 0.7%, 0.8%, and 0.5% in the Domi, Jeju, and Socotra basins, respectively. A second phase of uplift in the Early Miocene terminated the rifting, marking the transition to the post-rift phase of regional subsidence. Regional subsidence dominated the study area between the Early Miocene and the Late Miocene. An inversion in the Late Miocene interrupted the post-rift subsidence, resulting in an extensive thrust-fold belt in the eastern part of the area. Uplift and subsequent erosion were followed by regional subsidence.     

华南中生代岩相变化及海相地层时空分布

在搜集大量资料的基础上，分析了华南中生代地层时代、岩性、岩相对比关系，重点综述了中生代海相地层的时空分布特征。受所处构造部位的控制，华南中生代岩相时空变化总体上可分为3个区：东区(闽西南-粤东-粤北-粤中)、中区(粤西-桂东)、西区(滇西-滇东南)。中区在早三叠世以后完全隆升成陆，仅局部有山间盆地碎屑沉积。海相地层集中于东西两区，但存在明显的东西差异：海侵时间在东区为早三叠世、晚三叠世-早侏罗世和早白垩世，西区为中三叠世和中侏罗世；海侵方向在东区来自东南，西区则为中特提斯滇缅海的-部分。晚三叠世-早侏罗世的粤东海盆发育厚达5000m的海相和海陆交互相沉积，可能向南延伸到台西南盆地和南沙群岛东部，但它与南海西部围区的同时代海盆并不直接相通。     

Hydrocarbon Potential of Pre-cenozoic Strata in the North Yellow Sea Basin

The North Yellow Sea Basin ( NYSB ), which was developed on the basement of North China (Huabei) continental block, is a typical continental Mesozoic Cenozoic sedimentary basin in the sea area. Its Mesozoic basin is a residual basin, below which there is probably a larger Paleozoic sedimentary basin. The North Yellow Sea Basin comprises four sags and three uplifts. Of them, the eastern sag is a Mesozoic Cenozoic sedimentary sag in NYSB and has the biggest sediment thickness; the current Korean drilling wells are concentrated in the eastern sag. This sag is comparatively rich in oil and gas resources and thus has a relatively good petroleum prospect in the sea. The central sag has also accommodated thick Mesozoic-Cenozoic sediments. The latest research results show that there are three series of hydrocarbon source rocks in the North Yellow Sea Basin, namely, black shales of the Paleogene, Jurassic and Cretaceous. The principal hydrocarbon source rocks in NYSB are the Mesozoic black shale. According to the drilling data of Korea, the black shales of the Paleogene, Jurassic and Cretaceous have all come up to the standards of good and mature source rocks. The NYSB owns an intact system of oil generation, reservoir and capping rocks that can help hydrocarbon to form in the basin and thus it has the great potential of oil and gas. The vertical distribution of the hydrocarbon resources is mainly considered to be in the Cretaceous and then in the Jurassic.     

南黄海盆地东北凹构造特征及伸缩率研究

通过选取南黄海盆地东北凹典型地震剖面,开展精细的构造解释,系统梳理了东北凹构造样式特征。采用平衡剖面恢复技术和伸缩率计算方法,恢复了东北凹各时期的地质演化剖面,分析了东北凹不同构造演化阶段的伸缩率变化特征。研究表明,南黄海盆地东北凹主要发育伸展构造、走滑构造(负花状)和反转构造等多种构造组合样式,经历了晚侏罗世的仪征运动和渐新世末的三垛运动,相应地在中—上侏罗统和渐新统沉积时期,东北凹处于明显的收缩阶段,伴随发育TK40和T20不整合界面。同时,本文结合区域应力场特征,探讨了南黄海盆地东北凹的构造演化历程:以两次构造运动为界,划分为3个构造演化阶段(晚三叠世—侏罗纪的初始断陷阶段、白垩纪—渐新世的裂陷-反转阶段、新近纪—第四纪的区域沉降阶段)。南黄海盆地东北凹伸缩率的时空变化及构造演化过程,是对“晚中生代以来,古太平洋板块相对欧亚板块俯冲汇聚速率和方向的改变”的局部响应。     

北黄海盆地中生代地层的地质特征和油气潜力(英文)

位于山东半岛东北部的北黄海盆地沿东北方向可以延伸到朝鲜的西朝鲜湾盆地和安州盆地 ,而沿西南方向可以延伸到中国的胶莱盆地。长期以来该盆地的找油重点为第三系 ,结果收效甚微。2 0世纪 80年代末朝鲜在西朝鲜湾靠北黄海盆地一侧钻井数口且在中生代地层中发现了商业性油气流 ,自此中生代地层替代新生代第三纪地层成为人们关注的焦点 ,人们希望在北黄海盆地的中生代地层中也能找出商业性油气流。本文以李四光 ( 1 979)划分的新华夏系第二隆起带理论为指导 ,将胶莱盆地、北黄海盆地、西朝鲜湾盆地和安州盆地作为一个整体进行考虑 ,在详细分析了安州盆地、西朝鲜湾盆地和胶莱盆地的中生代地层分布、油气潜力及其类比关系后认为 ,北黄海盆地在基底结构及其上覆盖层的沉积特征上应具有与安州盆地、西朝鲜湾盆地和胶莱盆地相似的特征。目前 ,西朝鲜湾盆地和胶莱盆地在中生代地层中已取得重要的油气发现和油气显示 ,而它们主要是由下白垩统和上侏罗统组成。因此 ,我们有理由相信 ,北黄海盆地的中生代地层很可能成为有远景的勘探靶区。     

Structural evolution of the northern East China Sea Shelf Basin interpreted from cross-section restoration

The northern East China Sea Shelf Basin consists of three depressions (the Domi, Jeju, and Socotra Depressions), separated by basement highs or rises. Reconstruction of depth-converted seismic reflection profiles from these depressions reveals that the northern East China Sea Shelf Basin experienced two phases of rifting, followed by regional subsidence. Initial rifting in the Late Cretaceous was driven by the NW?CSE crustal stretching of the Eurasian plate, caused by the subduction of the Pacific plate beneath the plate margin. Major extension (~15 km) took place during the early phase of basin formation. The initial rifting was terminated by regional uplift in the Late Eocene-Early Oligocene, which was probably due to reorganization of plate boundaries. Rifting resumed in the Early Oligocene; the magnitude of extension was mild (<1 km) during this period. A second phase of uplift in the Early Miocene terminated the rifting, marking the transition to the postrift phase of regional subsidence. Up to 2,600 m of sediments and basement rock were removed by erosion during and after the second phase of uplift. An inversion in the Late Miocene interrupted the postrift subsidence, resulting in an extensive thrust-fold belt in the eastern part of the area. Subsequent erosion removed about 900 m of sediments. The regional subsidence has dominated the area since the Late Miocene.     

Structural evolution of the Kopeh Dagh fold-and-thrust belt (NE Iran) and interactions with the South Caspian Sea Basin and Amu Darya Basin

We present a detailed stratigraphic and structural study of the Kopeh Dagh fold-and-thrust belt in NE Iran, which is an investigation of the complex polyphased tectonic history of this belt and its links with the adjacent South Caspian Sea and Amu Darya basins. Based on numerous field surveys, a large amount of 2D and 3D seismic data, borehole data and more than 150 new biostratigaphic datings, a new detailed biostratigraphic chart and 4 main regional cross-sections illustrate the importance of lateral facies variations and structural inheritance in the present-day structure of the belt.After the Cimmerian orogeny corresponding to the closure of the Paleotethys Ocean in Late Triassic/Early Jurassic times, a Middle Jurassic post-collisional rifting event was associated with the deposition of one of the main source rocks of the Kopeh Dagh and the Amu Darya Basin (Kashafrud Formation). Following this rifting event, over 7 km of sediments were accumulated until the Tertiary above a regional post-Triassic unconformity. The occurrence of local uplifts during the Late Cretaceous-Early Paleocene is interpreted as a consequence of regional-scale modification of plate-slab coupling in the Neotethys subduction zone. The main inversion of the Kopeh Dagh occurred at Late Eocene times, when the far-field deformation developed in Eurasia as a consequence of the locking of the Neo-Tethys subduction. This folding phase is sealed in the western part of the belt by a major Eocene-Oligocene unconformity at the base of the thick sedimentary series belonging to the South Caspian Sea Basin. The bulk of sedimentary infill in the South Caspian Sea Basin is Oligocene and younger, and it is probably related to syn-compressional downward flexure of the resistant basement basin at the onset of the Alpine phase. In the eastern part of the Kopeh Dagh, this deformation is characterized by Middle Jurassic graben inversion with evidence of forced folding, short-cuts and as well by larger scale basement uplifts. In contrast, the northwestern part of the belt shows thrust faults involving basement and fault-propagation folds within the sedimentary sequence. The Kopeh Dagh presents tectonic structures that are parallel to the Paleotethys suture zone, which emphasizes the importance of the structural inheritance and inversion processes during the structural evolution of the belt. Finally, a change from a mostly dip-slip to a mostly strike-slip tectonics occurred during the Pliocene within the Kopeh Dagh as a consequence of a major tectonic reorganization in North-East Iran.     

Interaction between trench retreat and Anatolian escape as recorded by neogene basins in the northern Aegean Sea

The evolution of the North Aegean Sea is studied through the development of three deep basins: the North Aegean Trough, the North Skyros Basin and the Ikaria Basin. Bathymetric data, a 2D seismic dataset and the well-investigated stratigraphic records of the onshore deep basins of northern Greece and Western Turkey were used to make structural and seismic stratigraphic interpretations. The study area shows two sharp unconformities that correspond to the Eocene-Oligocene transition and the Miocene-Pliocene shift. These discontinuities were used as marker horizons for a more detailed structural and seismic stratigraphic interpretation resulting in the identification of several seismic units. A general seismic signature chart was established using onshore basin stratigraphy and well data, which was then used to constrain the ages of the different seismic units. The main features observed in the basins are interpreted as: 1) trans-tensional growth patterns in Pliocene and Quaternary sediments that combine NE–SW trending and steeply dipping fault zones that likely correspond to strike-slip corridors and E-W/WNW-ESE trending normal faults, 2) regional erosional truncations of Miocene sediments, likely related to the Messinian Salinity Crisis (MSC), 3) thick delta-turbidite deposits of Neogene age. Only the North Aegean Trough shows evidence of earlier development and polyphase deformation through inversion structures, and additional seismic units. Extension processes in the Aegean region have been driven by the Hellenic slab rollback since the middle Eocene. The widespread development of Neogene basins at the whole Aegean scale attests to a major tectonic change due to an acceleration of the trench retreat in the middle Miocene. The present study shows that the Neogene basins of the North Aegean Sea developed in dextral transtension with the northward migration of the associated NE-SW trending strike-slip faults. At regional scale, this tectonic pattern indicates that the westward escape of Anatolia started to interact with the trench retreat in the middle Miocene, around 10 Myr before the arrival of the North Anatolian Fault in the North Aegean Sea.     

Lateral variations in tectono-magmatic style along the Lofoten–Vesterålen volcanic margin off Norway

The ∼400 km-long passive continental margin west of the Lofoten–Vesterålen archipelago, off northern Norway, links the volcanic rifted Vøring margin and the sheared W Barents Sea margin. Multi-channel seismic reflection profiles, supplemented with crustal velocity, gravity and magnetic anomaly data are used to outline the regional setting and main tectono-magmatic features. A well-defined along-strike margin segmentation comprising three segments characterized by distinct crustal properties, structural and magmatic styles, sediment thickness, and post-opening history of vertical motion is revealed. The margin segments are governed by changes in fault polarity on Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous border faults and are separated by coeval cross-margin transfer zones which acted as persistent barriers to rupture propagation and reflect the trend and character of older structural heterogeneities. The transfer zones spatially correlate to small-offset, early opening oceanic fracture zones, implying a structural inheritance from one rift episode to another culminating with lithospheric breakup at the Paleocene–Eocene transition. The pre-seafloor spreading margin structural evolution is governed by the older, predominantly Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous structural framework. However, the margin also provides evidence for mid- and Late Cretaceous extension events that are poorly understood elsewhere off Norway. Furthermore, the Lofoten–Vesterålen post-breakup subsidence history contrasts with the adjacent margins reflecting breakup in thicker crust and a diminishing volume of high-velocity lower crust emplaced during breakup.