Evolution of passive rifted margins - perspective and retrospective of DSDP Leg 48.

Abstract

The principle objectives of Leg 48 were to compare the structural and stratigraphic evolution of the Biscay and Rockall margins that contrasted in both age and structural style. The results have raised new questions as to the nature of the continent/ocean boundary formed under subaerial and deep water conditions. The presence of deep-seated Hercynian granites overlain by a thin sedimentary cover has important implications for mechanisms of crustal attenuation. The paleoenvironmental studies have emphasised the importance of passive continental margins as a link between land, shelf and deep ocean environments. -from Authors