Uplift History and Structural Development of the Jan Mayen Micro-Continent During the Cenozoic

Anett Blischke

In preparation for the first and second licensing rounds on the north-eastern margin of the Iceland Plateau in 2009 and 2012, a structural and geological study was initiated with the aim to include more recently acquired and publicly available data for the area in comparison with known interpretations and publications. A significant amount of research of the Jan Mayen micro-continent has been conducted since the early 1970's, especially in regards to its formation during the opening of the North Atlantic. Newly publicly available data sets enable us to take a closer look at the inner structures of the Jan Mayen micro-continent and the age of those structures by incooperating geophysical data, and recent geodynamic modelling concerning the timing of the North Atlantic Opening and the Jan Mayen Fracture Zone. Joint interpretation of 2D seismic reflection and refraction profiles, high resolution bathymetry, existing core and seafloor samples data, with detailed volcano-stratigraphic seismic characterization has been used for mapping seaward dipping, sill- and dyke, and hydrothermal vent complexes within the different segments of the micro-continent in regards to their possible geological timing and location relative to sea level. The Jan Mayen micro-continent contains several major unconformities and related structures that are linked to complex opening processes on either side of the micro-continent. Important events include the opening of the Aegir Ridge, east of the micro-continent during the Paleocene to Mid-Eocene (C24-C21), the rifting transition and uplift along the southeastern and southern flanks of the micro-continent from the Mid-Eocene to Late Oligocene (C20? – C7?), and finally, the formation of the Kolbeinsey Ridge along the western flank of the micro-continent during the Early Miocene (C6). These major tectonic events left their mark on the segments of the micro-continent to a different degree, which has implications for basin development and potential maturation history.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90177©3P Arctic, Polar Petroleum Potential Conference & Exhibition, Stavanger, Norway, October 15-18, 2013