Precambrian crustal evolution and Cretaceous–Palaeogene faulting in West Greenland: Faults and fractures in central West Greenland: onshore expression of continental break-up and sea-floor spreading in the Labrador – Baffin Bay Sea
The complex Ungava fault zone lies in the Davis Strait and separates failed spreading centres in the Labrador Sea and Baffin Bay. This study focuses on coastal exposures east of the fault-bound Sisimiut basin, where the onshore expressions of these fault systems and the influence of pre-existing bas...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland
2006-12-01
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| Series: | Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland Bulletin |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.geus.dk/publications/bull/nr11/nr11_p185-204.pdf |
| _version_ | 1818020392794587136 |
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| author | Chalmers, James A. Holdsworth, Robert E. van Gool, Jeroen A.M. McCaffrey, Kenneth J.W. Klint, Knud Erik S. Wilson, Robert W. |
| author_facet | Chalmers, James A. Holdsworth, Robert E. van Gool, Jeroen A.M. McCaffrey, Kenneth J.W. Klint, Knud Erik S. Wilson, Robert W. |
| author_sort | Chalmers, James A. |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The complex Ungava fault zone lies in the Davis Strait and separates failed spreading centres in the Labrador Sea and Baffin Bay. This study focuses on coastal exposures east of the fault-bound Sisimiut basin, where the onshore expressions of these fault systems and the influence of pre-existing basement are examined. Regional lineament studies identify five main systems: N–S, NNE–SSW, ENE–WSW, ESE–WNW and NNW–SSE. Field studies reveal that strike-slip movements predominate, and are consistent with a ~NNE–SSW-oriented sinistral wrench system. Extensional faults trending N–S and ENE–WSW (basement-parallel), and compressional faults trending E–W, were also identified. The relative ages of these fault systems have been interpreted using cross-cutting relationships and by correlation with previously identified structures. A two-phase model for fault development fits the development of both the onshore fault systems observed in this study and regional tectonic structures offshore. The conclusions from this study show that the fault patterns and sense of movement on faults onshore reflect the stress fields that govern the opening of the Labrador Sea – Davis Strait – Baffin Bay seaway, and that the wrench couple on the Ungava transform system played a dominant role in the development of the onshore fault patterns |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-14T08:04:11Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-7b6ecf7c10254054ba64ccb2c9b9c461 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1604-8156 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-14T08:04:11Z |
| publishDate | 2006-12-01 |
| publisher | Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland Bulletin |
| spelling | doaj.art-7b6ecf7c10254054ba64ccb2c9b9c4612022-12-22T02:04:48ZengGeological Survey of Denmark and GreenlandGeological Survey of Denmark and Greenland Bulletin1604-81562006-12-0111185204Precambrian crustal evolution and Cretaceous–Palaeogene faulting in West Greenland: Faults and fractures in central West Greenland: onshore expression of continental break-up and sea-floor spreading in the Labrador – Baffin Bay SeaChalmers, James A.Holdsworth, Robert E.van Gool, Jeroen A.M.McCaffrey, Kenneth J.W.Klint, Knud Erik S.Wilson, Robert W.The complex Ungava fault zone lies in the Davis Strait and separates failed spreading centres in the Labrador Sea and Baffin Bay. This study focuses on coastal exposures east of the fault-bound Sisimiut basin, where the onshore expressions of these fault systems and the influence of pre-existing basement are examined. Regional lineament studies identify five main systems: N–S, NNE–SSW, ENE–WSW, ESE–WNW and NNW–SSE. Field studies reveal that strike-slip movements predominate, and are consistent with a ~NNE–SSW-oriented sinistral wrench system. Extensional faults trending N–S and ENE–WSW (basement-parallel), and compressional faults trending E–W, were also identified. The relative ages of these fault systems have been interpreted using cross-cutting relationships and by correlation with previously identified structures. A two-phase model for fault development fits the development of both the onshore fault systems observed in this study and regional tectonic structures offshore. The conclusions from this study show that the fault patterns and sense of movement on faults onshore reflect the stress fields that govern the opening of the Labrador Sea – Davis Strait – Baffin Bay seaway, and that the wrench couple on the Ungava transform system played a dominant role in the development of the onshore fault patternshttp://www.geus.dk/publications/bull/nr11/nr11_p185-204.pdfFaults and fracturesextensional tectonicswrench systemssedimentary basinsbasement reactivationWest |
| spellingShingle | Chalmers, James A. Holdsworth, Robert E. van Gool, Jeroen A.M. McCaffrey, Kenneth J.W. Klint, Knud Erik S. Wilson, Robert W. Precambrian crustal evolution and Cretaceous–Palaeogene faulting in West Greenland: Faults and fractures in central West Greenland: onshore expression of continental break-up and sea-floor spreading in the Labrador – Baffin Bay Sea Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland Bulletin Faults and fractures extensional tectonics wrench systems sedimentary basins basement reactivation West |
| title | Precambrian crustal evolution and Cretaceous–Palaeogene faulting in West Greenland: Faults and fractures in central West Greenland: onshore expression of continental break-up and sea-floor spreading in the Labrador – Baffin Bay Sea |
| title_full | Precambrian crustal evolution and Cretaceous–Palaeogene faulting in West Greenland: Faults and fractures in central West Greenland: onshore expression of continental break-up and sea-floor spreading in the Labrador – Baffin Bay Sea |
| title_fullStr | Precambrian crustal evolution and Cretaceous–Palaeogene faulting in West Greenland: Faults and fractures in central West Greenland: onshore expression of continental break-up and sea-floor spreading in the Labrador – Baffin Bay Sea |
| title_full_unstemmed | Precambrian crustal evolution and Cretaceous–Palaeogene faulting in West Greenland: Faults and fractures in central West Greenland: onshore expression of continental break-up and sea-floor spreading in the Labrador – Baffin Bay Sea |
| title_short | Precambrian crustal evolution and Cretaceous–Palaeogene faulting in West Greenland: Faults and fractures in central West Greenland: onshore expression of continental break-up and sea-floor spreading in the Labrador – Baffin Bay Sea |
| title_sort | precambrian crustal evolution and cretaceous palaeogene faulting in west greenland faults and fractures in central west greenland onshore expression of continental break up and sea floor spreading in the labrador baffin bay sea |
| topic | Faults and fractures extensional tectonics wrench systems sedimentary basins basement reactivation West |
| url | http://www.geus.dk/publications/bull/nr11/nr11_p185-204.pdf |
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