L. Gernigon¹, J.-C. Ringenbach¹, S. Planke², H. Jonquet-Kolsto¹, and B. Le Gall³

¹TotaFinaElf Norge, Stavanger
²Volcanic Basin Petroleum Research, Oslo
³Institut Universitaire Européen de la Mer, Brest

ABSTRACT: Segmentation of Rifting and Magmatism along the Outer Vøring Basin, NE Atlantic Margin, Norway

The Mid-Norwegian Margin is part of the NE Atlantic rift system . It is characterised by a long period of episodic rifting initiated after the Caledonian Orogeny. The overall tectonic framework of this volcanic rifted margin between 62° and 69°N consists of a central area of NE-SW trending deep Cretaceous basins, flanked by paleo-highs, platforms and elevated mainland. The western part of the Vøring Basin (the Outer Vøring Basin) consists of a NE-SW trending system of ridges and grabens, overlain to the west by Tertiary flood basalts emitted prior to and during the continental break-up between Greenland and Norway in the Late Paleocene-Early Eocene. Such volcanism postdates a regional uplift interpreted as the response of the impingement of the Icelandic plume below the lithosphere.

This work is based on the interpretation of an extensive seismic grid covering the outer Vøring Margin and has been initiated in the framework of the 16^th Norwegian Licensing Round. In this study, the Outer Vøring Basin is clearly segmented in term of timing and structural style.

We suggest also that lower crustal structures, also segmented, have strongly influenced the structural style of the sub-surface basins.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90906©2001 AAPG Annual Convention, Denver, Colorado