Crustal structure of the central Sverdrup Basin

1979 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. 1581-1598 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. A. Forsyth ◽  
J. A. Mair ◽  
I. Fraser
Keyword(s):  
Crustal Structure ◽  
Upper Mantle ◽  
Seismic Energy ◽  
Major Change ◽  
Compressional Wave ◽  
Geological Structure ◽  
Significant Loss ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Crustal Layer ◽  
Sverdrup Basin

A synthesis of refraction data recorded in 1972 and 1973 in the central Sverdrup Basin with other geophysical data shows major features which correlate well with the regional geological structure. The record sections from the Arctic Archipelago show little coherent secondary energy compared with those from other areas of Canada. Normalization of the sections to remove effects of varying shot size and instrument gain has revealed a significant loss of amplitude and coherence of the upper and mid-crustal phases of the seismic energy on traversing a major northeast-trending structure between Melville and Lougheed Islands. The upper mantle phase (Pn), however, is not abnormally attenuated in its travel beneath the area. The aeromagnetic data reveal a major series of dykes or minor graben, a likely cause of scattering and attenuation of the seismic energy travelling within the crust. These seismic effects and the focal depths of earthquakes suggest that lateral heterogeneities in the crust may extend to near-mantle depths in this area. The age dates available suggest fracture or dyke development progressed from south to north beginning in the Early Cretaceous. The correlation of the recorded seismicity with these structures provides one of the better examples of an active, intraplate tectonic feature.East of King Christian Island (KCI) the refraction results concur with gravity and regional geology in suggesting a major change in crustal and upper mantle structure. Models derived using ray theory indicate a crust which thins from near 40 km beneath the eastern Sabine Peninsula to 32 km west of KCI. East of KCI the Moho may lie at 40 km beneath a complex crustal structure. The average crustal compressional wave velocity is between 5.9 and 6.4 km s−1 and the mean upper mantle velocity is 8.2 km s−1. The present study does not support the existence of a distinct mid-crustal layer with a velocity of about 7.3 km s−1.

Crustal structure in Northwestern Ontario: Regional magnetic anomalies

1969 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter H. McGrath ◽  
Donald H. Hall
Keyword(s):  
Crustal Structure ◽  
Upper Mantle ◽  
Magnetic Anomalies ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
Crustal Layer ◽  
Smoothing Operator ◽  
Northwestern Ontario ◽  
Map Series ◽  
Lower Crustal ◽  
Seismic Discontinuity

A regional aeromagnetic map, portraying the regional magnetic anomaly system in Northwestern Ontario west of longitude 92 °W and south of latitude 55 °N and extending westward into Manitoba to longitude 97 °W (with an additional block bounded by latitudes 54° N and 56 °N and longitudes 97° W and 102 °W) is presented. The map was prepared by multiple application of a two-dimensional smoothing operator applied to data digitized at 3 km intervals from the 1-inch-to-1-mile aeromagnetic map series published by the Geological Survey of Canada. Comparison was made with previous maps overlapping on portions of the area, which had been made by various techniques, including Fourier analysis, fitting of 6th-order polynomials, and photographic reduction. The general features of the anomaly system were found to be similar for all of these techniques. The regional anomaly system is found to be related in some cases to the thickness of the upper crustal layer (defined as lying above the Intermediate seismic discontinuity) and to structure within it, but not to the lower crustal layer or to the upper mantle.

scholarly journals Change in the North Atlantic circulation associated with the mid-Pleistocene transition

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (11) ◽  
pp. 1639-1651 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gloria M. Martin-Garcia ◽  
Francisco J. Sierro ◽  
José A. Flores ◽  
Fátima Abrantes
Keyword(s):  
North Atlantic ◽  
Major Change ◽  
Water Masses ◽  
Meridional Overturning Circulation ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
North Atlantic Current ◽  
The North ◽  
Oceanic Fronts ◽  
Surface Circulation ◽  
The North Atlantic

Abstract. The southwestern Iberian margin is highly sensitive to changes in the distribution of North Atlantic currents and to the position of oceanic fronts. In this work, the evolution of oceanographic parameters from 812 to 530 ka (MIS20–MIS14) is studied based on the analysis of planktonic foraminifer assemblages from site IODP-U1385 (37∘34.285′ N, 10∘7.562′ W; 2585 m b.s.l.). By comparing the obtained results with published records from other North Atlantic sites between 41 and 55∘ N, basin-wide paleoceanographic conditions are reconstructed. Variations of assemblages dwelling in different water masses indicate a major change in the general North Atlantic circulation during MIS16, coinciding with the definite establishment of the 100 ky cyclicity associated with the mid-Pleistocene transition. At the surface, this change consisted in the redistribution of water masses, with the subsequent thermal variation, and occurred linked to the northwestward migration of the Arctic Front (AF), and the increase in the North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW) formation with respect to previous glacials. During glacials prior to MIS16, the NADW formation was very weak, which drastically slowed down the surface circulation; the AF was at a southerly position and the North Atlantic Current (NAC) diverted southeastwards, developing steep south–north, and east–west, thermal gradients and blocking the arrival of warm water, with associated moisture, to high latitudes. During MIS16, the increase in the meridional overturning circulation, in combination with the northwestward AF shift, allowed the arrival of the NAC to subpolar latitudes, multiplying the moisture availability for ice-sheet growth, which could have worked as a positive feedback to prolong the glacials towards 100 ky cycles.

scholarly journals A subduction influence on ocean ridge basalts outside the Pacific subduction shield

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Y. Yang ◽  
C. H. Langmuir ◽  
Y. Cai ◽  
P. Michael ◽  
S. L. Goldstein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Upper Mantle ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Mantle Flow ◽  
Mantle Heterogeneity ◽  
Gakkel Ridge ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Mid Ocean Ridge ◽  
The Pacific Ocean ◽  
Back Arc ◽  
Ocean Ridge

AbstractThe plate tectonic cycle produces chemically distinct mid-ocean ridge basalts and arc volcanics, with the latter enriched in elements such as Ba, Rb, Th, Sr and Pb and depleted in Nb owing to the water-rich flux from the subducted slab. Basalts from back-arc basins, with intermediate compositions, show that such a slab flux can be transported behind the volcanic front of the arc and incorporated into mantle flow. Hence it is puzzling why melts of subduction-modified mantle have rarely been recognized in mid-ocean ridge basalts. Here we report the first mid-ocean ridge basalt samples with distinct arc signatures, akin to back-arc basin basalts, from the Arctic Gakkel Ridge. A new high precision dataset for 576 Gakkel samples suggests a pervasive subduction influence in this region. This influence can also be identified in Atlantic and Indian mid-ocean ridge basalts but is nearly absent in Pacific mid-ocean ridge basalts. Such a hemispheric-scale upper mantle heterogeneity reflects subduction modification of the asthenospheric mantle which is incorporated into mantle flow, and whose geographical distribution is controlled dominantly by a “subduction shield” that has surrounded the Pacific Ocean for 180 Myr. Simple modeling suggests that a slab flux equivalent to ~13% of the output at arcs is incorporated into the convecting upper mantle.

scholarly journals A Seismic Refraction Study of the Crust and Upper Mantle in the Vicinity of Bass Strait

1969 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 573 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Underwood
Keyword(s):  
Crustal Structure ◽  
Upper Mantle ◽  
Seismic Refraction ◽  
Travel Times ◽  
Crust And Upper Mantle ◽  
Australian Institute ◽  
First Arrival Travel Times ◽  
First Arrival ◽  
Future Work

A reconnaissance seismic refraction study of the crust and upper mantle of Bass Strait and adjacent land was undertaken in 1966 under the sponsorship of the Geophysics Group of the Australian Institute of Physics. The shot locations and times, the station locations, distances, and first arrival travel times are presented. Analysis of these data is described; they indicate a P n velocity below 8 km sec-I. Time terms are less than expected and do not agree with previous work. Crustal thicknesses cannot be computed until studies of upper crustal structure are made. These, and several mantle refraction studies, are suggested for future work.

scholarly journals Finding the VOICE: organic carbon isotope chemostratigraphy of Late Jurassic – Early Cretaceous Arctic Canada

2019 ◽  
Vol 157 (10) ◽  
pp. 1643-1657 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer M. Galloway ◽  
Madeleine L. Vickers ◽  
Gregory D. Price ◽  
Terence Poulton ◽  
Stephen E. Grasby ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Carbon Isotope ◽  
High Latitude ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Sudden Increase ◽  
Arctic Canada ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Compositional Evolution ◽  
Sverdrup Basin

AbstractA new carbon isotope record for two high-latitude sedimentary successions that span the Jurassic–Cretaceous boundary interval in the Sverdrup Basin of Arctic Canada is presented. This study, combined with other published Arctic data, shows a large negative isotopic excursion of organic carbon (δ13Corg) of 4‰ (V-PDB) and to a minimum of −30.7‰ in the probable middle Volgian Stage. This is followed by a return to less negative values of c. −27‰. A smaller positive excursion in the Valanginian Stage of c. 2‰, reaching maximum values of −24.6‰, is related to the Weissert Event. The Volgian isotopic trends are consistent with other high-latitude records but do not appear in δ13Ccarb records of Tethyan Tithonian strata. In the absence of any obvious definitive cause for the depleted δ13Corg anomaly, we suggest several possible contributing factors. The Sverdrup Basin and other Arctic areas may have experienced compositional evolution away from open-marine δ13C values during the Volgian Age due to low global or large-scale regional sea levels, and later become effectively coupled to global oceans by Valanginian time when sea level rose. A geologically sudden increase in volcanism may have caused the large negative δ13Corg values seen in the Arctic Volgian records but the lack of precise geochronological age control for the Jurassic–Cretaceous boundary precludes direct comparison with potentially coincident events, such as the Shatsky Rise. This study offers improved correlation constraints and a refined C-isotope curve for the Boreal region throughout latest Jurassic and earliest Cretaceous time.

scholarly journals Krill, climate, and contrasting future scenarios for Arctic and Antarctic fisheries

2014 ◽  
Vol 71 (7) ◽  
pp. 1934-1955 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret M. McBride ◽  
Padmini Dalpadado ◽  
Kenneth F. Drinkwater ◽  
Olav Rune Godø ◽  
Alistair J. Hobday ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Southern Ocean ◽  
Open Water ◽  
Geological Structure ◽  
Climate Impacts ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Life History Strategies ◽  
Future Scenarios ◽  
Zooplankton Species ◽  
Commercial Fish

Abstract Arctic and Antarctic marine systems have in common high latitudes, large seasonal changes in light levels, cold air and sea temperatures, and sea ice. In other ways, however, they are strikingly different, including their: age, extent, geological structure, ice stability, and foodweb structure. Both regions contain very rapidly warming areas and climate impacts have been reported, as have dramatic future projections. However, the combined effects of a changing climate on oceanographic processes and foodweb dynamics are likely to influence their future fisheries in very different ways. Differences in the life-history strategies of the key zooplankton species (Antarctic krill in the Southern Ocean and Calanus copepods in the Arctic) will likely affect future productivity of fishery species and fisheries. To explore future scenarios for each region, this paper: (i) considers differing characteristics (including geographic, physical, and biological) that define polar marine ecosystems and reviews known and projected impacts of climate change on key zooplankton species that may impact fished species; (ii) summarizes existing fishery resources; (iii) synthesizes this information to generate future scenarios for fisheries; and (iv) considers the implications for future fisheries management. Published studies suggest that if an increase in open water during summer in Arctic and Subarctic seas results in increased primary and secondary production, biomass may increase for some important commercial fish stocks and new mixes of species may become targeted. In contrast, published studies suggest that in the Southern Ocean the potential for existing species to adapt is mixed and that the potential for the invasion of large and highly productive pelagic finfish species appears low. Thus, future Southern Ocean fisheries may largely be dependent on existing species. It is clear from this review that new management approaches will be needed that account for the changing dynamics in these regions under climate change.

SEISMIC STUDIES ON THE EASTERN SEABOARD OF CANADA: THE ATLANTIC COAST OF NOVA SCOTIA

1964 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. L. Barrett ◽  
M. Berry ◽  
J. E. Blanchard ◽  
M. J. Keen ◽  
R. E. McAllister
Keyword(s):  
Nova Scotia ◽  
Upper Mantle ◽  
Atlantic Coast ◽  
Seismic Refraction ◽  
Compressional Wave ◽  
Crust And Upper Mantle ◽  
Compressional Waves ◽  
Wave Velocities ◽  
Shear Wave Velocities ◽  
Eastern Seaboard

The results of seismic refraction profiles on the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia and on the continental shelf off Nova Scotia are presented. Compressional and shear waves have been observed in the crust and mantle and suggest that the thickness of the crust is about 34 km. The compressional wave velocities recorded in the main crust and upper mantle are 6.10 and 8.11 km s−1 respectively. No compressional waves with values of velocity between these values can be identified, and this suggests that any "intermediate" layer is thin or absent. The corresponding shear wave velocities are 3.68 and 4.53 km s−1. Values of Poisson's ratio in the crust and mantle are 0.22 and 0.28. Alternative models of the crust which, on the evidence of travel times, might fit the observed results are discussed.

Crustal structure near the Arctic Mid-Ocean Ridge

1982 ◽  
Vol 87 (B3) ◽  
pp. 1773 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. R. Jackson ◽  
I. Reid ◽  
R. K. H. Falconer
Keyword(s):  
Crustal Structure ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Mid Ocean Ridge ◽  
Ocean Ridge
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