Abstract: Jurassic Reconstruction of the Gulf of Mexico Basin, Based on Reinterpreted Geological and Geophysical Data

Gyorgy Marton

A revised definition of the oceanic area in the Gulf of Mexico has been obtained by combining the results of different geophysical data sets, including: (a) OBS data, (b) magnetic data, (c) depth to the basement map of the Gulf of Mexico, (d) multichannel seismic data in the eastern Gulf of Mexico area, and (e) gravity data. Using this revised definition of oceanic crust a reconstruction of the basin has been completed using PLATES 2.O plate reconstruction software.

For the drifting stage of Gulf opening a rotation pole for the Yucatan block in the southeastern Gulf of Mexico (23.46N, 84.74W) is proposed. Around this pole the Yucatan block rotated about 42° counterclockwise out from the northern Gulf. The location of this rotation pole is well in agreement with the rifting style in the southeastern Gulf. Seismic data indicate southward rift propagation between the Yucatan and Florida/Bahamas blocks, contemporaneously with oceanic crust formation to the north. Rifting in the southeastern Gulf is interpreted to have ceased by late Berriasian time, giving a good estimate for the completion of oceanic crust formation in the Gulf of Mexico. Initiation of the oceanic crust formation is less constrained. Based on the paleo-position of the main cont nental blocks, however, it is suggested that spreading in the Gulf of Mexico did not start before Callovian. Reconstruction of the Louann and Campeche salt provinces shows that some original salt may had been deposited in an already partially opened oceanic basin in Callovian to early Oxfordian time.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90986©1994 AAPG Annual Convention, Denver, Colorado, June 12-15, 1994