A digital compilation of structural and magmatic elements of the mid-Norwegian continental margin (Version 1.0)

Abstract

A new generation of long-offset 2D seismic reflection lines, 2D-cubed seismic volumes, extensive 3D seismic surveys, high-resolution potential field data, and exploration wells has resulted in improved geological mapping of the Mid-Norwegian continental margin. Over the past decade, we have conducted an integrated seismic-gravity-magnetic interpretation of the entire volcanic rifted margin. This work has resulted in the reassessment and identification of several structural and magmatic elements. The elements have been classified and assembled in a regional and digital geological map compilation that documents both 1) the pre-breakup and 2) the syn-to post-breakup outlines of the volcanic rifted margin. The 1:1,000,000 digital compilation includes layers with structural elements defined at the Base Cretaceous, Base Paleogene and Mid-Miocene levels, as well as major detachment faults. The main sets of faults identified in the sedimentary basins were active during the Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous and Late Cretaceous-Paleocene rifting episodes before the earliest Eocene continental breakup. In the oceanic province, magnetic anomaly chrons and oceanic fracture zones have been revised based on up-to-date aeromagnetic data. The syn-to post-breakup elements feature late Paleocene-early Eocene volcanic facies units, which were mapped using seismic volcanostratigraphy and igneous seismic geomorphology. We have further mapped the distribution of igneous sills and associated hydrothermal vent complexes, compressional domes, arches, slides and glacial depocentres. The project datasets include layers in standard GIS formats (e.g., shapefiles) as well as a ready-to-use QGIS project that includes embedded files, dedicated colour codes and standards. This open-source compilation is intended for exploration and academic purposes. The 1.0 version of this compilation will be periodically updated and revised depending on the availability of new data and scientific results.