Morphology and Seismic Stratigraphy of the Manche Paleoriver System, Western Approaches

Abstract

The structure of the Western Approaches margin and of the Hurd Deep are inherited from the major Cretaceous and Mid-Tertiary orogenesis phases. The phase of extension related to the opening of the Atlantic Ocean during the Cretaceous time marked the Western Approaches margin structure whereas the Mid-Tertiary Pyrenean Orogenesis phase of compression gave birth to the Hurd Deep semi-graben (Lericolais et al. 1996). The prograding prism of the outer shelf built up during the Neogene (Jones and Cockburn formations) and then was remoulded during the glacio-eustatic period of the Plio-Quaternary (Evans 1990).