Articles | Volume 4, issue 2
https://doi.org/10.5194/se-4-215-2013
© Author(s) 2013. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/se-4-215-2013
© Author(s) 2013. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
Research article
| 
01 Aug 2013
Research article |
| 01 Aug 2013
Kinematics of the South Atlantic rift
C. Heine
EarthByte Group, School of Geosciences, Madsen Buildg. F09, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
formerly at: GET GME TSG, Statoil ASA, Oslo, Norway
J. Zoethout
Global New Ventures, Statoil ASA, Forus, Stavanger, Norway
R. D. Müller
EarthByte Group, School of Geosciences, Madsen Buildg. F09, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
Related authors
Peter Haas, Myron F. H. Thomas, Christian Heine, Jörg Ebbing, Andrey Seregin, and Jimmy van Itterbeeck
Solid Earth, 15, 1419–1443, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-15-1419-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-15-1419-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Transform faults are conservative plate boundaries where no material is added or destroyed. Oceanic fracture zones are their inactive remnants and record tectonic processes that formed oceanic crust. In this study, we combine high-resolution data sets along fracture zones in the Gulf of Guinea to demonstrate that their formation is characterized by increased metamorphic conditions. This is in line with previous studies that describe the non-conservative character of transform faults.
Michael Rubey, Sascha Brune, Christian Heine, D. Rhodri Davies, Simon E. Williams, and R. Dietmar Müller
Solid Earth, 8, 899–919, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-8-899-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-8-899-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
Earth's surface is constantly warped up and down by the convecting mantle. Here we derive geodynamic rules for this so-called
dynamic topographyby employing high-resolution numerical models of global mantle convection. We define four types of dynamic topography history that are primarily controlled by the ever-changing pattern of Earth's subduction zones. Our models provide a predictive quantitative framework linking mantle convection with plate tectonics and sedimentary basin evolution.
Judith Sippel, Christian Meeßen, Mauro Cacace, James Mechie, Stewart Fishwick, Christian Heine, Magdalena Scheck-Wenderoth, and Manfred R. Strecker
Solid Earth, 8, 45–81, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-8-45-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-8-45-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
The Kenya Rift is a zone along which the African continental plate is stretched as evidenced by strong earthquake and volcanic activity. We want to understand the controlling factors of past and future tectonic deformation; hence, we assess the structural and strength configuration of the rift system at the present-day. Data-driven 3-D numerical models show how the inherited composition of the crust and a thermal anomaly in the deep mantle interact to form localised zones of tectonic weakness.
Peter Haas, Myron F. H. Thomas, Christian Heine, Jörg Ebbing, Andrey Seregin, and Jimmy van Itterbeeck
Solid Earth, 15, 1419–1443, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-15-1419-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-15-1419-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Transform faults are conservative plate boundaries where no material is added or destroyed. Oceanic fracture zones are their inactive remnants and record tectonic processes that formed oceanic crust. In this study, we combine high-resolution data sets along fracture zones in the Gulf of Guinea to demonstrate that their formation is characterized by increased metamorphic conditions. This is in line with previous studies that describe the non-conservative character of transform faults.
R. Dietmar Müller, Nicolas Flament, John Cannon, Michael G. Tetley, Simon E. Williams, Xianzhi Cao, Ömer F. Bodur, Sabin Zahirovic, and Andrew Merdith
Solid Earth, 13, 1127–1159, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-13-1127-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-13-1127-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
We have built a community model for the evolution of the Earth's plate–mantle system. Created with open-source software and an open-access plate model, it covers the last billion years, including the formation, breakup, and dispersal of two supercontinents, as well as the creation and destruction of numerous ocean basins. The model allows us to
seeinto the Earth in 4D and helps us unravel the connections between surface tectonics and the
beating heartof the Earth, its convecting mantle.
Eline Le Breton, Sascha Brune, Kamil Ustaszewski, Sabin Zahirovic, Maria Seton, and R. Dietmar Müller
Solid Earth, 12, 885–913, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-12-885-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-12-885-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
The former Piemont–Liguria Ocean, which separated Europe from Africa–Adria in the Jurassic, opened as an arm of the central Atlantic. Using plate reconstructions and geodynamic modeling, we show that the ocean reached only 250 km width between Europe and Adria. Moreover, at least 65 % of the lithosphere subducted into the mantle and/or incorporated into the Alps during convergence in Cretaceous and Cenozoic times comprised highly thinned continental crust, while only 35 % was truly oceanic.
Rohitash Chandra, Danial Azam, Arpit Kapoor, and R. Dietmar Müller
Geosci. Model Dev., 13, 2959–2979, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-13-2959-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-13-2959-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Forward landscape and sedimentary basin evolution models pose a major challenge in the development of efficient inference and optimization methods. Bayesian inference provides a methodology for estimation and uncertainty quantification of free model parameters. In this paper, we present an application of a surrogate-assisted Bayesian parallel tempering method where that surrogate mimics a landscape evolution model. We use the method for parameter estimation and uncertainty quantification.
Hugo K. H. Olierook, Richard Scalzo, David Kohn, Rohitash Chandra, Ehsan Farahbakhsh, Gregory Houseman, Chris Clark, Steven M. Reddy, and R. Dietmar Müller
Solid Earth Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/se-2019-4, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-2019-4, 2019
Revised manuscript not accepted
Sascha Brune, Simon E. Williams, and R. Dietmar Müller
Solid Earth, 9, 1187–1206, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-9-1187-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-9-1187-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
Fragmentation of continents often involves obliquely rifting segments that feature a complex three-dimensional structural evolution. Here we show that more than ~ 70 % of Earth’s rifted margins exceeded an obliquity of 20° demonstrating that oblique rifting should be considered the rule, not the exception. This highlights the importance of three-dimensional approaches in modelling, surveying, and interpretation of those rift segments where oblique rifting is the dominant mode of deformation.
Robert McKay, Neville Exon, Dietmar Müller, Karsten Gohl, Michael Gurnis, Amelia Shevenell, Stuart Henrys, Fumio Inagaki, Dhananjai Pandey, Jessica Whiteside, Tina van de Flierdt, Tim Naish, Verena Heuer, Yuki Morono, Millard Coffin, Marguerite Godard, Laura Wallace, Shuichi Kodaira, Peter Bijl, Julien Collot, Gerald Dickens, Brandon Dugan, Ann G. Dunlea, Ron Hackney, Minoru Ikehara, Martin Jutzeler, Lisa McNeill, Sushant Naik, Taryn Noble, Bradley Opdyke, Ingo Pecher, Lowell Stott, Gabriele Uenzelmann-Neben, Yatheesh Vadakkeykath, and Ulrich G. Wortmann
Sci. Dril., 24, 61–70, https://doi.org/10.5194/sd-24-61-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/sd-24-61-2018, 2018
Jodie Pall, Sabin Zahirovic, Sebastiano Doss, Rakib Hassan, Kara J. Matthews, John Cannon, Michael Gurnis, Louis Moresi, Adrian Lenardic, and R. Dietmar Müller
Clim. Past, 14, 857–870, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-14-857-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-14-857-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
Subduction zones intersecting buried carbonate platforms liberate significant atmospheric CO2 and have the potential to influence global climate. We model the spatio-temporal distribution of carbonate platform accumulation within a plate tectonic framework and use wavelet analysis to analyse linked behaviour between atmospheric CO2 and carbonate-intersecting subduction zone (CISZ) lengths since the Devonian. We find that increasing CISZ lengths likely contributed to a warmer Palaeogene climate.
Wenchao Cao, Sabin Zahirovic, Nicolas Flament, Simon Williams, Jan Golonka, and R. Dietmar Müller
Biogeosciences, 14, 5425–5439, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-14-5425-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-14-5425-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
We present a workflow to link paleogeographic maps to alternative plate tectonic models, alleviating the problem that published global paleogeographic maps are generally presented as static maps and tied to a particular plate model. We further develop an approach to improve paleogeography using paleobiology. The resulting paleogeographies are consistent with proxies of eustatic sea level change since ~400 Myr ago. We make the digital global paleogeographic maps available as an open resource.
Michael Rubey, Sascha Brune, Christian Heine, D. Rhodri Davies, Simon E. Williams, and R. Dietmar Müller
Solid Earth, 8, 899–919, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-8-899-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-8-899-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
Earth's surface is constantly warped up and down by the convecting mantle. Here we derive geodynamic rules for this so-called
dynamic topographyby employing high-resolution numerical models of global mantle convection. We define four types of dynamic topography history that are primarily controlled by the ever-changing pattern of Earth's subduction zones. Our models provide a predictive quantitative framework linking mantle convection with plate tectonics and sedimentary basin evolution.
Nicholas Barnett-Moore, Rakib Hassan, Nicolas Flament, and Dietmar Müller
Solid Earth, 8, 235–254, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-8-235-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-8-235-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
We use 3D mantle flow models to investigate the evolution of the Iceland plume in the North Atlantic. Results show that over the last ~ 100 Myr a remarkably stable pattern of flow in the lowermost mantle beneath the region resulted in the formation of a plume nucleation site. At the surface, a model plume compared to published observables indicates that its large plume head, ~ 2500 km in diameter, arriving beneath eastern Greenland in the Palaeocene, can account for the volcanic record and uplift.
Judith Sippel, Christian Meeßen, Mauro Cacace, James Mechie, Stewart Fishwick, Christian Heine, Magdalena Scheck-Wenderoth, and Manfred R. Strecker
Solid Earth, 8, 45–81, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-8-45-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-8-45-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
The Kenya Rift is a zone along which the African continental plate is stretched as evidenced by strong earthquake and volcanic activity. We want to understand the controlling factors of past and future tectonic deformation; hence, we assess the structural and strength configuration of the rift system at the present-day. Data-driven 3-D numerical models show how the inherited composition of the crust and a thermal anomaly in the deep mantle interact to form localised zones of tectonic weakness.
N. Herold, J. Buzan, M. Seton, A. Goldner, J. A. M. Green, R. D. Müller, P. Markwick, and M. Huber
Geosci. Model Dev., 7, 2077–2090, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-7-2077-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-7-2077-2014, 2014
J. Cannon, E. Lau, and R. D. Müller
Solid Earth, 5, 741–755, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-5-741-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-5-741-2014, 2014
S. Zahirovic, M. Seton, and R. D. Müller
Solid Earth, 5, 227–273, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-5-227-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-5-227-2014, 2014
M. Hosseinpour, R. D. Müller, S. E. Williams, and J. M. Whittaker
Solid Earth, 4, 461–479, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-4-461-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-4-461-2013, 2013
N. Wright, S. Zahirovic, R. D. Müller, and M. Seton
Biogeosciences, 10, 1529–1541, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-10-1529-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-10-1529-2013, 2013
R. D. Müller and T. C. W. Landgrebe
Solid Earth, 3, 447–465, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-3-447-2012, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-3-447-2012, 2012
Related subject area
Tectonics
Influence of lateral heterogeneities on strike-slip fault behaviour: insights from analogue models
Importance of basement faulting and salt decoupling for the structural evolution of the Fars Arc (Zagros fold-and-thrust belt): a numerical modeling approach
On the role of trans-lithospheric faults in the long-term seismotectonic segmentation of active margins: a case study in the Andes
Along-strike variation in volcanic addition controlling post-breakup sedimentary infill: Pelotas margin, austral South Atlantic
Stress state at faults: the influence of rock stiffness contrast, stress orientation, and ratio
(D)rifting in the 21st century: key processes, natural hazards, and geo-resources
Interseismic and long-term deformation of southeastern Sicily driven by the Ionian slab roll-back
Rift and plume: a discussion on active and passive rifting mechanisms in the Afro-Arabian rift based on synthesis of geophysical data
Propagating rifts: the roles of crustal damage and ascending mantle fluids
Magma-poor continent–ocean transition zones of the southern North Atlantic: a wide-angle seismic synthesis of a new frontier
Cretaceous–Paleocene extension at the southwestern continental margin of India and opening of the Laccadive basin: constraints from geophysical data
Alternating Extensional and Contractional Tectonics in the West Kunlun Mountains during Jurassic: Responses to the Neo-Tethyan Geodynamics along the Eurasian Margin
Extensional exhumation of cratons: insights from the Early Cretaceous Rio Negro–Juruena belt (Amazonian Craton, Colombia)
Hydrogen solubility of stishovite provides insights into water transportation to the deep Earth
Modelling transient thermal processes in the lithosphere: application to the NW Pannonian basin
Networks of geometrically coherent faults accommodate Alpine tectonic inversion offshore southwestern Iberia
Oblique rifting triggered by slab tearing: the case of the Alboran rifted margin in the eastern Betics
Melt-enhanced strain localization and phase mixing in a large-scale mantle shear zone (Ronda peridotite, Spain)
Selective inversion of rift basins in lithospheric-scale analogue experiments
The link between Somalian Plate rotation and the East African Rift System: an analogue modelling study
Inversion of extensional basins parallel and oblique to their boundaries: inferences from analogue models and field observations from the Dolomites Indenter, European eastern Southern Alps
Magnetic fabric analyses of basin inversion: a sandbox modelling approach
Tectonic interactions during rift linkage: insights from analog and numerical experiments
The influence of crustal strength on rift geometry and development – insights from 3D numerical modelling
Construction of the Ukrainian Carpathian wedge from low-temperature thermochronology and tectono-stratigraphic analysis
Analogue modelling of basin inversion: a review and future perspectives
Insights into the interaction of a shale with CO2
Tectonostratigraphic evolution of the Slyne Basin
Assessing the role of thermal disequilibrium in the evolution of the lithosphere–asthenosphere boundary: an idealized model of heat exchange during channelized melt transport
Control of crustal strength, tectonic inheritance, and stretching/ shortening rates on crustal deformation and basin reactivation: insights from laboratory models
Numerical simulation of contemporary kinematics at the northeastern Tibetan Plateau and its implications for seismic hazard assessment
Late Cretaceous–early Palaeogene inversion-related tectonic structures at the northeastern margin of the Bohemian Massif (southwestern Poland and northern Czechia)
A tectonic-rules-based mantle reference frame since 1 billion years ago – implications for supercontinent cycles and plate–mantle system evolution
An efficient partial-differential-equation-based method to compute pressure boundary conditions in regional geodynamic models
The analysis of slip tendency of major tectonic faults in Germany
Earthquake ruptures and topography of the Chilean margin controlled by plate interface deformation
Together but separate: decoupled Variscan (late Carboniferous) and Alpine (Late Cretaceous–Paleogene) inversion tectonics in NW Poland
Late Quaternary faulting in the southern Matese (Italy): implications for earthquake potential and slip rate variability in the southern Apennines
The topographic signature of temperature-controlled rheological transitions in an accretionary prism
Rare earth elements associated with carbonatite–alkaline complexes in western Rajasthan, India: exploration targeting at regional scale
Exhumation and erosion of the Northern Apennines, Italy: new insights from low-temperature thermochronometers
Structural complexities and tectonic barriers controlling recent seismic activity in the Pollino area (Calabria–Lucania, southern Italy) – constraints from stress inversion and 3D fault model building
The Mid Atlantic Appalachian Orogen Traverse: a comparison of virtual and on-location field-based capstone experiences
Chronology of thrust propagation from an updated tectono-sedimentary framework of the Miocene molasse (western Alps)
Orogenic lithosphere and slabs in the greater Alpine area – interpretations based on teleseismic P-wave tomography
Ground-penetrating radar signature of Quaternary faulting: a study from the Mt. Pollino region, southern Apennines, Italy
U–Pb dating of middle Eocene–Pliocene multiple tectonic pulses in the Alpine foreland
Detrital zircon provenance record of the Zagros mountain building from the Neotethys obduction to the Arabia–Eurasia collision, NW Zagros fold–thrust belt, Kurdistan region of Iraq
The Subhercynian Basin: an example of an intraplate foreland basin due to a broken plate
Late to post-Variscan basement segmentation and differential exhumation along the SW Bohemian Massif, central Europe
Sandra González-Muñoz, Guido Schreurs, Timothy C. Schmid, and Fidel Martín-González
Solid Earth, 15, 1509–1523, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-15-1509-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-15-1509-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
This work investigates how strike-slip faults propagate across domains with lateral contrasting brittle strength using analogue models. The introduction of brittle vertical domains was achieved using quartz microbead sand. The reference vertical domains influence synthetic fault propagation, segmentation, and linkage, as well as the antithetic faults which rotate about a vertical axis due to the applied simple shear. The results aligned with the faults in the NW of the Iberian Peninsula.
Fatemeh Gomar, Jonas B. Ruh, Mahdi Najafi, and Farhad Sobouti
Solid Earth, 15, 1479–1507, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-15-1479-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-15-1479-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Our study investigates the structural evolution of the Fars Arc in the Zagros Mountains through numerical modeling. We focus on the effects of the interaction between basement faults and salt décollement levels during tectonic inversion, including a rifting and a convergence phase. In conclusion, our results emphasize the importance of considering fault geometry, salt rheology, and basement involvement in understanding the resistance to deformation and the seismic behavior of fold–thrust belts.
Gonzalo Yanez C., Jose Piquer R., and Orlando Rivera H.
Solid Earth, 15, 1319–1342, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-15-1319-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-15-1319-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
We postulate that the observed spatial distribution of large earthquakes in active convergence zones, organised in segments where large events are repeated every 100–300 years, depends on large-scale continental faults and fluid release from the subducting slab. In order to support this model, we use proxies at different spatial and temporal scales (historic seismicity, megathrust slip solutions, inter-seismic cumulative seismicity, GPS/viscous plate coupling, and coastline morphology).
Marlise C. Cassel, Nick Kusznir, Gianreto Manatschal, and Daniel Sauter
Solid Earth, 15, 1265–1279, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-15-1265-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-15-1265-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
We investigate the along-strike variation in volcanics on the Pelotas segment of the Brazilian margin created during continental breakup and formation of the southern South Atlantic. We show that the volume of volcanics strongly controls the amount of space available for post-breakup sedimentation. We also show that breakup varies along-strike from very magma-rich to magma-normal within a relatively short distance of less than 300 km. This is not as expected from a simple mantle plume model.
Moritz O. Ziegler, Robin Seithel, Thomas Niederhuber, Oliver Heidbach, Thomas Kohl, Birgit Müller, Mojtaba Rajabi, Karsten Reiter, and Luisa Röckel
Solid Earth, 15, 1047–1063, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-15-1047-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-15-1047-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
The rotation of the principal stress axes in a fault structure because of a rock stiffness contrast has been investigated for the impact of the ratio of principal stresses, the angle between principal stress axes and fault strike, and the ratio of the rock stiffness contrast. A generic 2D geomechanical model is employed for the systematic investigation of the parameter space.
Frank Zwaan, Tiago M. Alves, Patricia Cadenas, Mohamed Gouiza, Jordan J. J. Phethean, Sascha Brune, and Anne C. Glerum
Solid Earth, 15, 989–1028, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-15-989-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-15-989-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Rifting and the break-up of continents are key aspects of Earth’s plate tectonic system. A thorough understanding of the geological processes involved in rifting, and of the associated natural hazards and resources, is of great importance in the context of the energy transition. Here, we provide a coherent overview of rift processes and the links with hazards and resources, and we assess future challenges and opportunities for (collaboration between) researchers, government, and industry.
Amélie Viger, Stéphane Dominguez, Stéphane Mazzotti, Michel Peyret, Maxime Henriquet, Giovanni Barreca, Carmelo Monaco, and Adrien Damon
Solid Earth, 15, 965–988, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-15-965-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-15-965-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
New satellite geodetic data (PS-InSAR) evidence a generalized subsidence and an eastward tilting of southeastern Sicily combined with a local relative uplift along its eastern coast. We perform flexural and elastic modeling and show that the slab pull force induced by the Ionian slab roll-back and extrado deformation reproduce the measured surface deformation. Finally, we propose an original seismic cycle model that is mainly driven by the southward migration of the Ionian slab roll-back.
Ran Issachar, Peter Haas, Nico Augustin, and Jörg Ebbing
Solid Earth, 15, 807–826, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-15-807-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-15-807-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
In this contribution, we explore the causal relationship between the arrival of the Afar plume and the initiation of the Afro-Arabian rift. We mapped the rift architecture in the triple-junction region using geophysical data and reviewed the available geological data. We interpret a progressive development of the plume–rift system and suggest an interaction between active and passive mechanisms in which the plume provided a push force that changed the kinematics of the associated plates.
Folarin Kolawole and Rasheed Ajala
Solid Earth, 15, 747–762, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-15-747-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-15-747-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
We investigate the upper-crustal structure of the Rukwa–Tanganyika rift zone in East Africa, where the Tanganyika rift interacts with the Rukwa and Mweru-Wantipa rifts, coinciding with abundant seismicity at the rift tips. Seismic velocity structure and patterns of seismicity clustering reveal zones around 10 km deep with anomalously high Vp / Vs ratios at the rift tips, indicative of a localized mechanically weakened crust caused by mantle volatiles and damage associated with bending strain.
J. Kim Welford
Solid Earth, 15, 683–710, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-15-683-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-15-683-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
I present a synthesis of the continent–ocean boundaries of the southern North Atlantic Ocean, as probed using seismic methods for rock velocity estimation, to assess their deep structures from the crust to the upper mantle and to discuss how they were formed. With this knowledge, it is possible to start evaluating these regions of the Earth for their capacity to produce hydrogen and critical minerals and to store excess carbon dioxide, all with the goal of greening our economy.
Mathews George Gilbert, Parakkal Unnikrishnan, and Munukutla Radhakrishna
Solid Earth, 15, 671–682, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-15-671-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-15-671-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
The study identifies evidence for extension south of Tellicherry Arch along the southwestern continental margin of India through the integrated analysis of multichannel seismic and gravity data. The sediment deposition pattern indicates that this extension occurred after the Eocene. We further propose that the anticlockwise rotation of India and the passage of the Réunion plume have facilitated the opening of the Laccadive basin.
Hong-Xiang Wu, Han-Lin Chen, Andrew V. Zuza, Yildirim Dilek, Du-Wei Qiu, Qi-Ye Lu, Feng-Qi Zhang, Xiao-Gan Cheng, and Xiu-Bin Lin
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-1670, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-1670, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
The Tethyan Orogenic Belt documents an extensive history of subduction along the southern margin of Eurasia. This study examines the stratigraphy and provenance of Jurassic strata in the West Kunlun Mountains, highlighting the alternating extensional and contractional tectonic episodes in this region. We interpret that this complex evolution was related to the northward subduction of the Neo-Tethys Ocean, transitioning from southward retreat to northward flat-slab advancement.
Ana Fonseca, Simon Nachtergaele, Amed Bonilla, Stijn Dewaele, and Johan De Grave
Solid Earth, 15, 329–352, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-15-329-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-15-329-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
This study explores the erosion and exhumation processes and history of early continental crust hidden within the Amazonian Rainforest. This crust forms part of the Amazonian Craton, an ancient continental fragment. Our surprising findings reveal the area underwent rapid early Cretaceous exhumation triggered by tectonic forces. This discovery challenges the traditional perception that cratons are stable and long-lived entities and shows they can deform readily under specific geological contexts.
Mengdan Chen, Changxin Yin, Danling Chen, Long Tian, Liang Liu, and Lei Kang
Solid Earth, 15, 215–227, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-15-215-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-15-215-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Stishovite remains stable under mantle conditions and can incorporate various amounts of water in its crystal structure. We provide a systematic review of previous studies on water in stishovite and propose a new model for water solubility of Al-bearing stishovite. Calculation results based on this model suggest that stishovite may effectively accommodate water from the breakdown of hydrous minerals and could make an important contribution to water enrichment in the mantle transition zone.
Eszter Békési, Jan-Diederik van Wees, Kristóf Porkoláb, Mátyás Hencz, and Márta Berkesi
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-308, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-308, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
We present a workflow to model the temperature distribution within the lithosphere of sedimentary basins and apply it to NW Hungary. The model can reproduce the thermal evolution through basin formation, making use of temperature measurements from wells. Models provide key input to constrain geodynamic processes and geo-energy resource potential.
Tiago M. Alves
Solid Earth, 15, 39–62, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-15-39-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-15-39-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Alpine tectonic inversion is reviewed for southwestern Iberia, known for its historical earthquakes and tsunamis. High-quality 2D seismic data image 26 faults mapped to a depth exceeding 10 km. Normal faults accommodated important vertical uplift and shortening. They are 100–250 km long and may generate earthquakes with Mw > 8.0. Regions of Late Mesozoic magmatism comprise thickened, harder crust, forming lateral buttresses to compression and promoting the development of fold-and-thrust belts.
Marine Larrey, Frédéric Mouthereau, Damien Do Couto, Emmanuel Masini, Anthony Jourdon, Sylvain Calassou, and Véronique Miegebielle
Solid Earth, 14, 1221–1244, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-14-1221-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-14-1221-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Extension leading to the formation of ocean–continental transition can be highly oblique to the main direction of crustal thinning. Here we explore the case of a continental margin exposed in the Betics that developed in a back-arc setting perpendicular to the direction of the retreating Gibraltar subduction. We show that transtension is the main mode of crustal deformation that led to the development of metamorphic domes and extensional intramontane basins.
Sören Tholen, Jolien Linckens, and Gernold Zulauf
Solid Earth, 14, 1123–1154, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-14-1123-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-14-1123-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Intense phase mixing with homogeneously distributed secondary phases and irregular grain boundaries and shapes indicates that metasomatism formed the microstructures predominant in the shear zone of the NW Ronda peridotite. Amphibole presence, olivine crystal orientations, and the consistency to the Beni Bousera peridotite (Morocco) point to OH-bearing metasomatism by small fractions of evolved melts. Results confirm a strong link between reactions and localized deformation in the upper mantle.
Anindita Samsu, Weronika Gorczyk, Timothy Chris Schmid, Peter Graham Betts, Alexander Ramsay Cruden, Eleanor Morton, and Fatemeh Amirpoorsaeed
Solid Earth, 14, 909–936, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-14-909-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-14-909-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
When a continent is pulled apart, it breaks and forms a series of depressions called rift basins. These basins lie above weakened crust that is then subject to intense deformation during subsequent tectonic compression. Our analogue experiments show that when a system of basins is squeezed in a direction perpendicular to the main trend of the basins, some basins rise up to form mountains while others do not.
Frank Zwaan and Guido Schreurs
Solid Earth, 14, 823–845, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-14-823-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-14-823-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
The East African Rift System (EARS) is a major plate tectonic feature splitting the African continent apart. Understanding the tectonic processes involved is of great importance for societal and economic reasons (natural hazards, resources). Laboratory experiments allow us to simulate these large-scale processes, highlighting the links between rotational plate motion and the overall development of the EARS. These insights are relevant when studying other rift systems around the globe as well.
Anna-Katharina Sieberer, Ernst Willingshofer, Thomas Klotz, Hugo Ortner, and Hannah Pomella
Solid Earth, 14, 647–681, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-14-647-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-14-647-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Through analogue models and field observations, we investigate how inherited platform–basin geometries control strain localisation, style, and orientation of reactivated and new structures during inversion. Our study shows that the style of evolving thrusts and their changes along-strike are controlled by pre-existing rheological discontinuities. The results of this study are relevant for understanding inversion structures in general and for the European eastern Southern Alps in particular.
Thorben Schöfisch, Hemin Koyi, and Bjarne Almqvist
Solid Earth, 14, 447–461, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-14-447-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-14-447-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
A magnetic fabric analysis provides information about the reorientation of magnetic grains and is applied to three sandbox models that simulate different stages of basin inversion. The analysed magnetic fabrics reflect the different developed structures and provide insights into the different deformed stages of basin inversion. It is a first attempt of applying magnetic fabric analyses to basin inversion sandbox models but shows the possibility of applying it to such models.
Timothy Chris Schmid, Sascha Brune, Anne Glerum, and Guido Schreurs
Solid Earth, 14, 389–407, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-14-389-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-14-389-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Continental rifts form by linkage of individual rift segments and disturb the regional stress field. We use analog and numerical models of such rift segment interactions to investigate the linkage of deformation and stresses and subsequent stress deflections from the regional stress pattern. This local stress re-orientation eventually causes rift deflection when multiple rift segments compete for linkage with opposingly propagating segments and may explain rift deflection as observed in nature.
Thomas B. Phillips, John B. Naliboff, Ken J. W. McCaffrey, Sophie Pan, Jeroen van Hunen, and Malte Froemchen
Solid Earth, 14, 369–388, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-14-369-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-14-369-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Continental crust comprises bodies of varying strength, formed through numerous tectonic events. When subject to extension, these areas produce distinct rift and fault systems. We use 3D models to examine how rifts form above
strongand
weakareas of crust. We find that faults become more developed in weak areas. Faults are initially stopped at the boundaries with stronger areas before eventually breaking through. We relate our model observations to rift systems globally.
Marion Roger, Arjan de Leeuw, Peter van der Beek, Laurent Husson, Edward R. Sobel, Johannes Glodny, and Matthias Bernet
Solid Earth, 14, 153–179, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-14-153-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-14-153-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
We study the construction of the Ukrainian Carpathians with LT thermochronology (AFT, AHe, and ZHe) and stratigraphic analysis. QTQt thermal models are combined with burial diagrams to retrieve the timing and magnitude of sedimentary burial, tectonic burial, and subsequent exhumation of the wedge's nappes from 34 to ∼12 Ma. Out-of-sequence thrusting and sediment recycling during wedge building are also identified. This elucidates the evolution of a typical wedge in a roll-back subduction zone.
Frank Zwaan, Guido Schreurs, Susanne J. H. Buiter, Oriol Ferrer, Riccardo Reitano, Michael Rudolf, and Ernst Willingshofer
Solid Earth, 13, 1859–1905, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-13-1859-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-13-1859-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
When a sedimentary basin is subjected to compressional tectonic forces after its formation, it may be inverted. A thorough understanding of such
basin inversionis of great importance for scientific, societal, and economic reasons, and analogue tectonic models form a key part of our efforts to study these processes. We review the advances in the field of basin inversion modelling, showing how the modelling results can be applied, and we identify promising venues for future research.
Eleni Stavropoulou and Lyesse Laloui
Solid Earth, 13, 1823–1841, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-13-1823-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-13-1823-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Shales are identified as suitable caprock formations for geolocigal CO2 storage thanks to their low permeability. Here, small-sized shale samples are studied under field-representative conditions with X-ray tomography. The geochemical impact of CO2 on calcite-rich zones is for the first time visualised, the role of pre-existing micro-fissures in the CO2 invasion trapping in the matererial is highlighted, and the initiation of micro-cracks when in contact with anhydrous CO2 is demonstrated.
Conor M. O'Sullivan, Conrad J. Childs, Muhammad M. Saqab, John J. Walsh, and Patrick M. Shannon
Solid Earth, 13, 1649–1671, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-13-1649-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-13-1649-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
The Slyne Basin is a sedimentary basin located offshore north-western Ireland. It formed through a long and complex evolution involving distinct periods of extension. The basin is subdivided into smaller basins, separated by deep structures related to the ancient Caledonian mountain-building event. These deep structures influence the shape of the basin as it evolves in a relatively unique way, where early faults follow these deep structures, but later faults do not.
Mousumi Roy
Solid Earth, 13, 1415–1430, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-13-1415-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-13-1415-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
This study investigates one of the key processes that may lead to the destruction and destabilization of continental tectonic plates: the infiltration of buoyant, hot, molten rock (magma) into the base of the plate. Using simple calculations, I suggest that heating during melt–rock interaction may thermally perturb the tectonic plate, weakening it and potentially allowing it to be reshaped from beneath. Geochemical, petrologic, and geologic observations are used to guide model parameters.
Benjamin Guillaume, Guido M. Gianni, Jean-Jacques Kermarrec, and Khaled Bock
Solid Earth, 13, 1393–1414, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-13-1393-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-13-1393-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Under tectonic forces, the upper part of the crust can break along different types of faults, depending on the orientation of the applied stresses. Using scaled analogue models, we show that the relative magnitude of compressional and extensional forces as well as the presence of inherited structures resulting from previous stages of deformation control the location and type of faults. Our results gives insights into the tectonic evolution of areas showing complex patterns of deformation.
Liming Li, Xianrui Li, Fanyan Yang, Lili Pan, and Jingxiong Tian
Solid Earth, 13, 1371–1391, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-13-1371-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-13-1371-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
We constructed a three-dimensional numerical geomechanics model to obtain the continuous slip rates of active faults and crustal velocities in the northeastern Tibetan Plateau. Based on the analysis of the fault kinematics in the study area, we evaluated the possibility of earthquakes occurring in the main faults in the area, and analyzed the crustal deformation mechanism of the northeastern Tibetan Plateau.
Andrzej Głuszyński and Paweł Aleksandrowski
Solid Earth, 13, 1219–1242, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-13-1219-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-13-1219-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Old seismic data recently reprocessed with modern software allowed us to study at depth the Late Cretaceous tectonic structures in the Permo-Mesozoic rock sequences in the Sudetes. The structures formed in response to Iberia collision with continental Europe. The NE–SW compression undulated the crystalline basement top and produced folds, faults and joints in the sedimentary cover. Our results are of importance for regional geology and in prospecting for deep thermal waters.
R. Dietmar Müller, Nicolas Flament, John Cannon, Michael G. Tetley, Simon E. Williams, Xianzhi Cao, Ömer F. Bodur, Sabin Zahirovic, and Andrew Merdith
Solid Earth, 13, 1127–1159, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-13-1127-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-13-1127-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
We have built a community model for the evolution of the Earth's plate–mantle system. Created with open-source software and an open-access plate model, it covers the last billion years, including the formation, breakup, and dispersal of two supercontinents, as well as the creation and destruction of numerous ocean basins. The model allows us to
seeinto the Earth in 4D and helps us unravel the connections between surface tectonics and the
beating heartof the Earth, its convecting mantle.
Anthony Jourdon and Dave A. May
Solid Earth, 13, 1107–1125, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-13-1107-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-13-1107-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
In this study we present a method to compute a reference pressure based on density structure in which we cast the problem in terms of a partial differential equation (PDE). We show in the context of 3D models of continental rifting that using the pressure as a boundary condition within the flow problem results in non-cylindrical velocity fields, producing strain localization in the lithosphere along large-scale strike-slip shear zones and allowing the formation and evolution of triple junctions.
Luisa Röckel, Steffen Ahlers, Birgit Müller, Karsten Reiter, Oliver Heidbach, Andreas Henk, Tobias Hergert, and Frank Schilling
Solid Earth, 13, 1087–1105, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-13-1087-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-13-1087-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Reactivation of tectonic faults can lead to earthquakes and jeopardize underground operations. The reactivation potential is linked to fault properties and the tectonic stress field. We create 3D geometries for major faults in Germany and use stress data from a 3D geomechanical–numerical model to calculate their reactivation potential and compare it to seismic events. The reactivation potential in general is highest for NNE–SSW- and NW–SE-striking faults and strongly depends on the fault dip.
Nadaya Cubas, Philippe Agard, and Roxane Tissandier
Solid Earth, 13, 779–792, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-13-779-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-13-779-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Earthquake extent prediction is limited by our poor understanding of slip deficit patterns. From a mechanical analysis applied along the Chilean margin, we show that earthquakes are bounded by extensive plate interface deformation. This deformation promotes stress build-up, leading to earthquake nucleation; earthquakes then propagate along smoothed fault planes and are stopped by heterogeneously distributed deformation. Slip deficit patterns reflect the spatial distribution of this deformation.
Piotr Krzywiec, Mateusz Kufrasa, Paweł Poprawa, Stanisław Mazur, Małgorzata Koperska, and Piotr Ślemp
Solid Earth, 13, 639–658, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-13-639-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-13-639-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Legacy 2-D seismic data with newly acquired 3-D seismic data were used to construct a new model of geological evolution of NW Poland over last 400 Myr. It illustrates how the destruction of the Caledonian orogen in the Late Devonian–early Carboniferous led to half-graben formation, how they were inverted in the late Carboniferous, how the study area evolved during the formation of the Permo-Mesozoic Polish Basin and how supra-evaporitic structures were inverted in the Late Cretaceous–Paleogene.
Paolo Boncio, Eugenio Auciello, Vincenzo Amato, Pietro Aucelli, Paola Petrosino, Anna C. Tangari, and Brian R. Jicha
Solid Earth, 13, 553–582, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-13-553-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-13-553-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
We studied the Gioia Sannitica normal fault (GF) within the southern Matese fault system (SMF) in southern Apennines (Italy). It is a fault with a long slip history that has experienced recent reactivation or acceleration. Present activity has resulted in late Quaternary fault scarps and Holocene surface faulting. The maximum slip rate is ~ 0.5 mm/yr. Activation of the 11.5 km GF or the entire 30 km SMF can produce up to M 6.2 or M 6.8 earthquakes, respectively.
Sepideh Pajang, Laetitia Le Pourhiet, and Nadaya Cubas
Solid Earth, 13, 535–551, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-13-535-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-13-535-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
The local topographic slope of an accretionary prism is often used to determine the effective friction on subduction megathrust. We investigate how the brittle–ductile and the smectite–illite transitions affect the topographic slope of an accretionary prism and its internal deformation to provide clues to determine the origin of observed low topographic slopes in subduction zones. We finally discuss their implications in terms of the forearc basin and forearc high genesis and nature.
Malcolm Aranha, Alok Porwal, Manikandan Sundaralingam, Ignacio González-Álvarez, Amber Markan, and Karunakar Rao
Solid Earth, 13, 497–518, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-13-497-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-13-497-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Rare earth elements (REEs) are considered critical mineral resources for future industrial growth due to their short supply and rising demand. This study applied an artificial-intelligence-based technique to target potential REE-deposit hosting areas in western Rajasthan, India. Uncertainties associated with the prospective targets were also estimated to aid decision-making. The presented workflow can be applied to similar regions elsewhere to locate potential zones of REE mineralisation.
Erica D. Erlanger, Maria Giuditta Fellin, and Sean D. Willett
Solid Earth, 13, 347–365, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-13-347-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-13-347-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
We present an erosion rate analysis on dated rock and sediment from the Northern Apennine Mountains, Italy, which provides new insights on the pattern of erosion rates through space and time. This analysis shows decreasing erosion through time on the Ligurian side but increasing erosion through time on the Adriatic side. We suggest that the pattern of erosion rates is consistent with the present asymmetric topography in the Northern Apennines, which has likely existed for several million years.
Daniele Cirillo, Cristina Totaro, Giusy Lavecchia, Barbara Orecchio, Rita de Nardis, Debora Presti, Federica Ferrarini, Simone Bello, and Francesco Brozzetti
Solid Earth, 13, 205–228, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-13-205-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-13-205-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
The Pollino region is a highly seismic area of Italy. Increasing the geological knowledge on areas like this contributes to reducing risk and saving lives. We reconstruct the 3D model of the faults which generated the 2010–2014 seismicity integrating geological and seismological data. Appropriate relationships based on the dimensions of the activated faults suggest that they did not fully discharge their seismic potential and could release further significant earthquakes in the near future.
Steven Whitmeyer, Lynn Fichter, Anita Marshall, and Hannah Liddle
Solid Earth, 12, 2803–2820, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-12-2803-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-12-2803-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Field trips in the Stratigraphy, Structure, Tectonics (SST) course transitioned to a virtual format in Fall 2020, due to the COVID pandemic. Virtual field experiences (VFEs) were developed in web Google Earth and were evaluated in comparison with on-location field trips via an online survey. Students recognized the value of VFEs for revisiting outcrops and noted improved accessibility for students with disabilities. Potential benefits of hybrid field experiences were also indicated.
Amir Kalifi, Philippe Hervé Leloup, Philippe Sorrel, Albert Galy, François Demory, Vincenzo Spina, Bastien Huet, Frédéric Quillévéré, Frédéric Ricciardi, Daniel Michoux, Kilian Lecacheur, Romain Grime, Bernard Pittet, and Jean-Loup Rubino
Solid Earth, 12, 2735–2771, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-12-2735-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-12-2735-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Molasse deposits, deposited and deformed at the western Alpine front during the Miocene (23 to 5.6 Ma), record the chronology of that deformation. We combine the first precise chronostratigraphy (precision of ∼0.5 Ma) of the Miocene molasse, the reappraisal of the regional structure, and the analysis of growth deformation structures in order to document three tectonic phases and the precise chronology of thrust westward propagation during the second one involving the Belledonne basal thrust.
Mark R. Handy, Stefan M. Schmid, Marcel Paffrath, Wolfgang Friederich, and the AlpArray Working Group
Solid Earth, 12, 2633–2669, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-12-2633-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-12-2633-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
New images from the multi-national AlpArray experiment illuminate the Alps from below. They indicate thick European mantle descending beneath the Alps and forming blobs that are mostly detached from the Alps above. In contrast, the Adriatic mantle in the Alps is much thinner. This difference helps explain the rugged mountains and the abundance of subducted and exhumed units at the core of the Alps. The blobs are stretched remnants of old ocean and its margins that reach down to at least 410 km.
Maurizio Ercoli, Daniele Cirillo, Cristina Pauselli, Harry M. Jol, and Francesco Brozzetti
Solid Earth, 12, 2573–2596, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-12-2573-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-12-2573-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Past strong earthquakes can produce topographic deformations, often
memorizedin Quaternary sediments, which are typically studied by paleoseismologists through trenching. Using a ground-penetrating radar (GPR), we unveiled possible buried Quaternary faulting in the Mt. Pollino seismic gap region (southern Italy). We aim to contribute to seismic hazard assessment of an area potentially prone to destructive events as well as promote our workflow in similar contexts around the world.
Luca Smeraglia, Nathan Looser, Olivier Fabbri, Flavien Choulet, Marcel Guillong, and Stefano M. Bernasconi
Solid Earth, 12, 2539–2551, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-12-2539-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-12-2539-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
In this paper, we dated fault movements at geological timescales which uplifted the sedimentary successions of the Jura Mountains from below the sea level up to Earth's surface. To do so, we applied the novel technique of U–Pb geochronology on calcite mineralizations that precipitated on fault surfaces during times of tectonic activity. Our results document a time frame of the tectonic evolution of the Jura Mountains and provide new insight into the broad geological history of the Western Alps.
Renas I. Koshnaw, Fritz Schlunegger, and Daniel F. Stockli
Solid Earth, 12, 2479–2501, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-12-2479-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-12-2479-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
As continental plates collide, mountain belts grow. This study investigated the provenance of rocks from the northwestern segment of the Zagros mountain belt to unravel the convergence history of the Arabian and Eurasian plates. Provenance data synthesis and field relationships suggest that the Zagros Mountains developed as a result of the oceanic crust emplacement on the Arabian continental plate, followed by the Arabia–Eurasia collision and later uplift of the broader region.
David Hindle and Jonas Kley
Solid Earth, 12, 2425–2438, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-12-2425-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-12-2425-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Central western Europe underwent a strange episode of lithospheric deformation, resulting in a chain of small mountains that run almost west–east across the continent and that formed in the middle of a tectonic plate, not at its edges as is usually expected. Associated with these mountains, in particular the Harz in central Germany, are marine basins contemporaneous with the mountain growth. We explain how those basins came to be as a result of the mountains bending the adjacent plate.
Andreas Eberts, Hamed Fazlikhani, Wolfgang Bauer, Harald Stollhofen, Helga de Wall, and Gerald Gabriel
Solid Earth, 12, 2277–2301, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-12-2277-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-12-2277-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
We combine gravity anomaly and topographic data with observations from thermochronology, metamorphic grades, and the granite inventory to detect patterns of basement block segmentation and differential exhumation along the southwestern Bohemian Massif. Based on our analyses, we introduce a previously unknown tectonic structure termed Cham Fault, which, together with the Pfahl and Danube shear zones, is responsible for the exposure of different crustal levels during late to post-Variscan times.
Cited articles
Adeniyi, J.: Geophysical investigations of the central part of Niger State, Nigeria, Ph.D. thesis, University of Wisconsin–Madison, http://madcat.library.wisc.edu/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=909335, 1984.
Almeida, F. F. M. d., Brito Neves, B. B. d., and Dal Ré Carneiro, C.: The origin and evolution of the South American Platform, Earth-Sci. Rev., 50, 77–111, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0012-8252(99)00072-0, 2000.
Amante, C. and Eakins, B. W.: ETOPO1 1 Arc-Minute Global Relief Model: Procedures, Data Sources and Analysis, Noaa technical memorandum, NESDIS NGDC-24, 2009.
Andersen, O. B., Knudsen, P., and Berry, P.: The DNSC08GRA global marine gravity field from double retracked satellite altimetry, J. Geodesy, 84, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00190-009-0355-9, 2010.
Antobreh, A. A., Faleide, J. I., Tsikalas, F., and Planke, S.: Rift-shear architecture and tectonic development of the Ghana margin deduced from multichannel seismic reflection and potential field data, Mar. Petrol. Geol., 26, 345–368, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2008.04.005, 2009.
Aslanian, D. and Moulin, M.: Comment on "A new scheme for the opening of the South Atlantic Ocean and the dissection of an Aptian salt basin" by Trond H. Torsvik, Sonia Rousse, Cinthia Labails and Mark A. Smethurst, Geophys. J. Int., https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-246X.2010.04727.x, 2010.
Azevedo, R. P. D.: Tectonic Evolution Of Brazilian Equatorial Continental Margin Basins, Ph.D. thesis, Department of Geology, Royal School of Mines, Imperial College, Prince Consort Road, London SW7 2BP, 1991.
Barr, D.: 3-D palinspastic restoration of normal faults in the Inner Moray Firth: implications for extensional basin development, Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 75, 191–203, https://doi.org/10.1016/0012-821X(85)90101-3, 1985.
Basile, C., Mascle, J., and Guiraud, R.: Phanerozoic geological evolution of the Equatorial Atlantic domain, J. African Earth Sci., 43, 275–282, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2005.07.011, 2005.
Basile, C., Maillard, A., Patriat, M., Gaullier, V., Loncke, L., Roest, W., Mercier de Lépinay, M., and Pattier, F.: Structure and evolution of the Demerara Plateau, offshore French Guiana: Rifting, tectonic inversion and post-rift tilting at transform-divergent margins intersection, Tectonophysics, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tecto.2012.01.010, 2013.
Bassi, G.: Relative importance of strain rate and rheology for the mode of continental extension, 122, 195–210, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-246X.1995.tb03547.x, 1995.
Bate, R. H.: Non-marine ostracod assemblages of the Pre-Salt rift basins of West Africa and their role in sequence stratigraphy, in: The Oil and Gas Habitats of the South Atlantic, edited by Cameron, N. R., Bate, R. H., and Clure, V. S., Vol. 153 of Special Publications, 283–292, Geol. Soc. Lond., https://doi.org/10.1144/GSL.SP.1999.153.01.17, 1999.
Bauer, K., Neben, S., Schreckenberger, B., Emmermann, R., Hinz, K., Fechner, N., Gohl, K., Schulze, A., Trumbull, R. B., and Weber, K.: Deep structure of the Namibia continental margin as derived from integrated geophysical studies, J. Geophys. Res., 105, 25829–25853, https://doi.org/10.1029/2000JB900227, 2000.
Benkhelil, J.: Benue Trough and Benue Chain, Geological Magazine, 119, 155–168, 1982.
Benkhelil, J.: The origin and evolution of the Cretaceous Benue Trough (Nigeria), Journal of African Earth Sciences (and the Middle East), 8, 251–282, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0899-5362(89)80028-4, 1989.
Benkhelil, J., Mascle, J., and Tricart, P.: The Guinea continental margin: an example of a structurally complex transform margin, Tectonophysics, 248, 117–137, https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-1951(94)00246-6, 1995.
Berggren, W. A., Kent, D. V., Swisher III, C. C., and Aubry, M. P.: A revised Cenozoic geochronology and chronostratigraphy, in: Geochronology, Time Scales, and Global Stratigraphic Correlation, edited by: Berggren, W. A., Kent, D., Aubry, M.-P., and Hardenbol, J., Vol. 54 of Special Publication, 129–212, SEPM Soc. Sediment. Geol., 1995.
Binks, R. M. and Fairhead, J. D.: A plate tectonic setting for Mesozoic rifts of West and Central Africa, Tectonophysics, 213, 141–151, https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-1951(92)90255-5, 1992.
Bird, P.: An updated digital model of plate boundaries, Geochem. Geophys. Geosyst., 4, 1027, https://doi.org/10.1029/2001GC000252, 2003.
Blaich, O. A., Faleide, J. I., Tsikalas, F., Franke, D., and León, E.: Crustal-scale architecture and segmentation of the Argentine margin and its conjugate off South Africa, Geophys. J. Int., 178, 85–105, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-246X.2009.04171.x, 2009.
Blaich, O. A., Faleide, J. I., and Tsikalas, F.: Crustal breakup and continent-ocean transition at South Atlantic conjugate margins, J. Geophys. Res., 116, B01402, https://doi.org/10.1029/2010JB007686, 2011.
Bosworth, W.: Mesozoic and early Tertiary rift tectonics in East Africa, Tectonophysics, 209, 115–137, https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-1951(92)90014-W, 1992.
Bransden, P. J. E., Burges, P., Durham, M. J., and Hall, J. G.: Evidence for multi-phase rifting in the North Falklands Basin, in: \citeCameron.GSLSP.99, 425–443, https://doi.org/10.1144/GSL.SP.1999.153.01.26, 1999.
Browne, S. and Fairhead, J.: Gravity study of the Central African Rift system: A model of continental disruption 1. The Ngaoundere and Abu Gabra Rifts, Tectonophysics, 94, 187–203, https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-1951(83)90016-1, 1983.
Browne, S., Fairhead, J., and Mohamed, I.: Gravity study of the White Nile Rift, Sudan, and its regional tectonic setting, Tectonophysics, 113, 123–137, https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-1951(85)90113-1, 1985.
Brownfield, M. E. and Charpentier, R. R.: Geology and Total Petroleum Systems of the West-Central Coastal Province (7203), West Africa, Bulletin 2207-B, 52 p., U.S. Geological Survey, http://www.usgs.gov/bul/2207/B/, 2006.
Buck, W. R., Lavier, L. L., and Poliakov, A. N. B.: How to make a rift wide, Phil. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. A., 357, 671–693, 1999.
Bumby, A. J. and Guiraud, R.: The geodynamic setting of the Phanerozoic basins of Africa, J. African Earth Sci., 43, 1–12, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2005.07.016, 2005.
Burke, K.: The Chad basin: An active intra-continental basin, Tectonophysics, 36, 197–206, https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-1951(76)90016-0, 1976.
Burke, K. and Dewey, J. F.: Two plates in Africa during the Cretaceous?, Nature, 249, 313–316, https://doi.org/10.1038/249313a0, 1974.
Burke, K., MacGregor, D. S., and Cameron, N. R.: Africa's petroleum systems: four tectonic "aces" in the past 600 million years, in: Petroleum geology of Africa: New themes and developing techniques, edited by: Arthur, T., MacGregor, D. S., and Cameron, N. R., Vol. 207 of Special Publications, 21–60, Geol. Soc. Lond., https://doi.org/10.1144/GSL.SP.2003.207.01.03, 2003.
Cainelli, C. and Mohriak, W. U.: Some remarks on the evolution of sedimentary basins along the eastern Brazilian continental margin, Episodes, 22, 206–216, 1999.
Cameron, N. R., Bate, R. H., and Clure, V. S., eds.: The Oil and Gas Habitats of the South Atlantic, Vol. 153 of Special Publication, Geol. Soc. Lond., https://doi.org/10.1144/GSL.SP.1999.153.01.28, 1999.
Castro, A. C. M., J.: The northeastern Brazil and Gabon Basins: A double rifting system associated with multiple crustal detachment surfaces, Tectonics, 6, 727–738, https://doi.org/10.1029/TC006i006p00727, 1987.
Catuneanu, O., Wopfner, H., Eriksson, P. G., Cairncross, B., Rubidge, B. S., Smith, R. M. H., and Hancox, P. J.: The Karoo basins of south-central Africa, J. African Earth Sci., 43, 211–253, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2005.07.007, 2005.
Chaboureau, A.-C., Guillocheau, F., Robin, C., Rohais, S., Moulin, M., and Aslanian, D.: Palaeogeographic evolution of the central segment of the South Atlantic during Early Cretaceous times: Palaeotopographic and geodynamic implications, Tectonophysics, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tecto.2012.08.025, in press.
Chang, H. K.: Mapeamento e Interpreta\c cão dos Sistemas Petrolíferos da Sistemas Petrolíferos da Bacia de Santos, http://www.anp.gov.br/brnd/round5/round5/Apres_SemTec/R5_Santos.pdf, 2004.
Chang, H. K., Kowsmann, R. O., Ferreira Figueiredo, A. M., and Bender, A. A.: Tectonics and stratigraphy of the East Brazil Rift system: an overview, Tectonophysics, 213, 97–138, https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-1951(92)90253-3, 1992.
Channell, J., Erba, E., Muttoni, G., and Tremolada, F.: Early Cretaceous magnetic stratigraphy in the APTICORE drill core and adjacent outcrop at Cismon (Southern Alps, Italy), and correlation to the proposed Barremian-Aptian boundary stratotype, Geol. Soc. Am. Bull., 112, 1430–1443, https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(2000)112<1430:ECMSIT>2.0.CO;2, 2000.
Clemson, J., Cartwright, J., and Swart, R.: The Namib Rift: a rift system of possible Karoo age, offshore Namibia, in: \citeCameron.GSLSP.99, pp. 381–402, https://doi.org/10.1144/GSL.SP.1999.153.01.23, 1999.
Clift, P. D., Lorenzo, J. M., Carter, A., Hurford, A. J., and ODP Leg 159 Scientific Party: Transform tectonics and thermal rejuvenation on the Cote d'Ivoire-Ghana margin, west Africa, J. Geol. Soc. Lond., 154, 483–489, https://doi.org/10.1144/gsjgs.154.3.0483, 1997.
Cogné, J.-P. and Humler, E.: Trends and rhythms in global seafloor generation rate, Geochem. Geophys. Geosyst., 7, https://doi.org/10.1029/2005GC001148, 2006.
Contrucci, I., Matias, L., Moulin, M., Géli, L., Klingelhoefer, F., Nouzé, H., Aslanian, D., Olivet, J.-L., Réhault, J.-P., and Sibuet, J.-C.: Deep structure of the West African continental margin (Congo, Zaire, Angola), between 5° S and 8° S, from reflection/refraction seismics and gravity data, Geophys. J. Int., 158, 529–553, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-246X.2004.02303.x, 2004.
Costa, J. B. S., Léa Bemerguy, R., Hasui, Y., and da Silva Borges, M.: Tectonics and paleogeography along the Amazon river, J. South Am. Earth Sci., 14, 335–347, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0895-9811(01)00025-6, 2001.
Costa, J. B. S., Hasui, Y., Bemerguy, R. L., Soares-Júnior, A. V., and Villegas, J. M. C.: Tectonics and paleogeography of the Marajó Basin, northern Brazil, Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências, 74, 519–531, https://doi.org/10.1590/S0001-37652002000300013, 2002.
Coward, M. P., Purdy, E. G., Ries, A. C., and Smith, D. G.: The distribution of petroleum reserves in basins of the South Atlantic margins, in: \citeCameron.GSLSP.99, 101–131, https://doi.org/10.1144/GSL.SP.1999.153.01.08, 1999.
Cratchley, C. R., Louis, P., and Ajakaiye, D. E.: Geophysical and geological evidence for the Benue-Chad Basin Cretaceous rift valley system and its tectonic implications, J. African Earth Sci., 2, 141–150, 1984.
Crosby, A., White, N., Edwards, G., and Shillington, D. J.: Evolution of the Newfoundland-Iberia Conjugate Rifted Margins, Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 273, 214–226, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2008.06.039, 2008.
Croveto, C. B., Novara, I. L., and Introcaso, A.: A stretching model to explain the Salado Basin (Argentina), Boletín del Instituto de Fisiografía y Geología, 77, 1–10, 2007.
da Cruz Cunha, P. R., Gonçalves de Melo, J. H., and da Silva, O. B.: Bacia do Amazonas, Boletim de Geociências da Petrobras, 15, 227–251, 2007.
Daly, M. C., Chorowicz, J., and Fairhead, J. D.: Rift basin evolution in Africa: the influence of reactivated steep basement shear zones, in: Inversion Tectonics, edited by: Cooper, M. A. and Williams, G. D., Vol. 44 of Special Publications, 309–334, Geol. Soc. Lond., https://doi.org/10.1144/GSL.SP.1989.044.01.17, 1989.
Davison, I.: Geology and tectonics of the South Atlantic Brazilian salt basins, in: Deformation of the Continental Crust: The Legacy of Mike Coward, edited by: Ries, A. C., Butler, R. W. H., and Graham, R. H., No. 272 in Special Publications,345–359, Geol. Soc. Lond., 2007.
de Oliveira, D. C. and Mohriak, W. U.: Jaibaras trough: an important element in the early tectonic evolution of the Parna\`\iba interior sag basin, Northern Brazil, Mar. Petrol. Geol., 20, 351–383, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0264-8172(03)00044-8, 2003.
Dunbar, J. A. and Sawyer, D. S.: Implications of continental crust extension for plate reconstruction: An example for the Gulf of Mexico, Tectonics, 6, 739–755, 1987.
Dupré, S., Bertotti, G., and Cloetingh, S. A. P. L.: Tectonic history along the South Gabon Basin: Anomalous early post-rift subsidence, Mar. Petrol. Geol., 24, 151–172, 2007.
Eagles, G.: New angles on South Atlantic opening, Geophys. J. Int., 168, 353–361, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-246X.2006.03206.x, 2007.
Exxon Production Research Company: Tectonic Map of the World, American Association of Petroleum Geologists Foundation, Tulsa, OK, USA, 1985.
Eyles, N. and Eyles, C. H.: Glacial geologic confirmation of an intraplate boundary, in the Paraná basin of Brazil, Geology, 21, 459–462, https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1993)021<0459:GGCOAI>2.3.CO;2, 1993.
Fairhead, J. D.: Mesozoic plate tectonic reconstructions of the central South Atlantic Ocean: The role of the West and Central African rift system, Tectonophysics, 155, 181–191, 1988.
Fairhead, J. D. and Binks, R. M.: Differential opening of the Central and South Atlantic Oceans and the opening of the West African rift system, Tectonophysics, 187, 191–203, https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-1951(91)90419-S, 1991.
Fairhead, J. D. and Okereke, C. S.: Crustal thinning and extension beneath the Benue Trough based on gravity studies, J. Afr. Earth Sci., 11, 329–335, https://doi.org/10.1016/0899-5362(90)90011-3, 1990.
Fairhead, J. D., Okereke, C. S., and Nnange, J. M.: Crustal structure of the Mamfe basin, West Africa, based on gravity data, Tectonophysics, 186, 351–358, https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-1951(91)90368-3, 1991.
Fairhead, J. D., Bournas, N., and Raddadi, M. C.: The Role of Gravity and Aeromagnetic Data in Mapping Mega Gondwana Crustal Lineaments: the Argentina – Brazil – Algeria (ABA) Lineament, in: International Exposition and 77th Annual Meeting, Society of Exploration Geophysicists, San Antonio TX, USA, 2007.
Feng, M., van der Lee, S., and Assump\c cão, M.: Upper mantle structure of South America from joint inversion of waveforms and fundamental mode group velocities of Rayleigh waves, J. Geophys. Res., 112, https://doi.org/10.1029/2006JB004449, 2007.
Fetter, M.: The role of basement tectonic reactivation on the structural evolution of Campos Basin, offshore Brazil: Evidence from 3D seismic analysis and section restoration, Mar. Petrol. Geol., 26, 873–886, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2008.06.005, 2009.
Forsythe, R.: The late Palaeozoic to early Mesozoic evolution of southern South America: a plate tectonic interpretation, J. Geol. Soc., 139, 671–682, https://doi.org/10.1144/gsjgs.139.6.0671, 1982.
Fort, X., Brun, J.-P., and Chauvel, F.: Salt tectonics on the Angolan margin, synsedimentary deformation processes, AAPG Bulletin, 88, 1523–1544, https://doi.org/10.1306/06010403012, 2004.
Franke, D., Neben, S., Schreckenberger, B., Schulze, A., Stiller, M., and Krawczyk, C. M.: Crustal structure across the Colorado Basin, offshore Argentina, Geophys. J. Int., 165, 850–864, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-246X.2006.02907.x, 2006.
Franke, D., Neben, S., Ladage, S., Schreckenberger, B., and Hinz, K.: Margin segmentation and volcano-tectonic architecture along the volcanic margin off Argentina/Uruguay, South Atlantic, Mar. Geol., 244, 46–67, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.margeo.2007.06.009, 2007.
Gee, J. S. and Kent, D. V.: Source of Oceanic Magnetic Anomalies and the Geomagnetic Polarity Timescale, in: Treatise on Geophysics, edited by: Kono, M., Vol. 5, Chap. 12, 455–507, Elsevier, Amsterdam, https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-044452748-6.00097-3, 2007.
Genik, G. J.: Regional framework, structural and petroleum aspects of rift basins in Niger, Chad and the Central African Republic (C.A.R.), Tectonophysics, 213, 169–185, https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-1951(92)90257-7, 1992.
Genik, G. J.: Petroleum Geology of Cretaceous-Tertiary Rift Basins in Niger, Chad, and Central African Republic, AAPG Bulletin, 77, 1405–1434, 1993.
Gibbs, A. D.: Structural evolution of extensional basin margins, J. Geol. Soc. Lond., 141, 609–620, 1984.
Gladczenko, T. P., Hinz, K., Eldholm, O., Meyer, H., Neben, S., and Skogseid, J.: South Atlantic volcanic margins, J. Geol. Soc., Lond., 154, 465–470, 1997.
Gomes, P. O., Kilsdonk, B., Minken, J., Grow, T., and Barragan, R.: The Outer High of the Santos Basin, Southern São Paulo Plateau, Brazil: Pre-Salt Exploration Outbreak, Paleogeographic Setting, and Evolution of the Syn-Rift Structures, in: AAPG International Conference and Exhibition, Search and Discovery Article #10193, Cape Town, South Africa, October 26–29, 2008, 2009.
Gonzaga, F. G., Gon\c calves, F. T. T., and Coutinho, L. F. C.: Petroleum geology of the Amazonas Basin, Brazil: modeling of hydrocarbon generation and migration, in: Petroleum systems of South Atlantic margins, edited by: Mello, M. R. and Katz, B. J., No. 73 in Memoir, Chap. 13, AAPG, 2000.
Gradstein, F., Ogg, J., Smith, A., Agterberg, F., Bleeker, W., Cooper, R., Davydov, V., Gibbard, P., Hinnov, L., House, M., Lourens, L., Luterbacher, H., McArthur, J., Melchin, M., Robb, L., Shergold, J., Villeneuve, M., Wardlaw, B., Ali, J., Brinkhuis, H., Hilgen, F., Hooker, J., Howarth, R., Knoll, A., Laskar, J., Monechi, S., Plumb, K., Powell, J., Raffi, I., Röhl, U., Sadler, P., Sanfilippo, A., Schmitz, B., Shackleton, N., Shields, G., Strauss, H., Van Dam, J., van Kolfschoten, T., Veizer, J., and Wilson, D.: A Geologic Time Scale, Cambridge University Press, 2004.
Gradstein, F. M., Agterberg, F. P., Ogg, J. G., Hardenbol, J., van Veen, P., Thierry, J., and Huang, Z.: A Mesozoic time scale, J. Geophys. Res., 99, 24051–24074, https://doi.org/10.1029/94JB01889, 1994.
Greenroyd, C. J., Peirce, C., Rodger, M., Watts, A. B., and Hobbs, R. W.: Crustal structure of the French Guiana margin, West Equatorial Atlantic, Geophys. J. Int., 169, 964–987, 2007.
Greenroyd, C. J., Peirce, C., Rodger, M., Watts, A. B., and Hobbs, R. W.: Demerara Plateau the structure and evolution of a transform passive margin, Geophys. J. Int., 172, 549–564, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-246X.2007.03662.x, 2008.
Guiraud, R. and Maurin, J.-C.: Early Cretaceous rifts of Western and Central Africa: an overview, Tectonophysics, 213, 153–168, https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-1951(92)90256-6, 1992.
Guiraud, R., Binks, R. M., Fairhead, J. D., and Wilson, M.: Chronology and geodynamic setting of Cretaceous-Cenozoic rifting in West and Central Africa, Tectonophysics, 213, 227–234, https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-1951(92)90260-D, 1992.
Guiraud, R., Bosworth, W., Thierry, J., and Delplanque, A.: Phanerozoic geological evolution of Northern and Central Africa: An overview, J. African Earth Sci., 43, 83–143, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2005.07.017, 2005.
Haq, B. U., Hardenbol, J., and Vail, P. R.: Chronology of fluctuating sea levels since the Triassic, Science, 235, 1156–1167, 1987.
He, H., Pan, Y., Tauxe, L., Qin, H., and Zhu, R.: Toward age determination of the M0r (Barremian–Aptian boundary) of the Early Cretaceous, Phys. Earth Planet. Int., 169, 41–48, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pepi.2008.07.014, 2008.
Heine, C. and Brune, S.: Breaking the Cratonic Equatoiral Atlantic Bridge: Why there is no Saharan Ocean, in: DGG/GV/GSA Conference "Fragile Earth", Munich, Germany, http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2011FE/finalprogram/abstract_189822.htm, 2011.
Heine, C., Müller, R. D., Steinberger, B., and Torsvik, T. H.: Subsidence in intracontinental basins due to dynamic topography, Phys. Earth Planet. Int., 171, 252–-264, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pepi.2008.05.008, 2008.
Homovc, J. F. and Constantini, L.: Hydrocarbon Exploration Potential within Intraplate Shear-Related Depocenters: Deseado and San Julian Basins, Southern Argentina, AAPG Bulletin, 85, 1795–1816, https://doi.org/10.1306/8626D077-173B-11D7-8645000102C1865D, 2001.
Huismans, R. and Beaumont, C.: Depth-dependent extension, two-stage breakup and cratonic underplating at rifted margins, Nature, 473, 74–78, https://doi.org/10.1038/nature09988, 2011.
Jacques, J. M.: A tectonostratigraphic synthesis of the Sub-Andean basins: inferences on the position of South American intraplate accommodation zones and their control on South Atlantic opening, J. Geol. Soc. Lond., 160, 703–717, 2003.
Janssen, M. E., Stephenson, R. A., and Cloetingh, S.: Temporal and spatial correlations between changes in plate motions and the evolution of rifted basins in Africa, Geol. Soc. Am. Bull., 107, 1317–1332, 1995.
Jones, E. J. W.: Fracture zones in the equatorial Atlantic and the breakup of western Pangea, Geology, 15, 533–536, https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1987)15<533:FZITEA>2.0.CO;2, 1987.
Jones, S. M., White, N. J., Faulkner, P., and Bellingham, P.: Animated models of extensional basins and passive margins, Geochem. Geophys. Geosyst., 5, Q08009, https://doi.org/10.1029/2003GC000658, 2004.
Karner, G. D. and Gambôa, L. A. P.: Timing and origin of the South Atlantic pre-salt sag basins and their capping evaporites, in: Evaporites Through Space and Time, edited by: Schreiber, B., Lugli, S., and Babel, M., No. 285 in Special Publications, Geol. Soc. Lond., 2007.
Karner, G. D., Driscoll, N. W., McGinnis, J. P., Brumbaugh, W. D., and Cameron, N. R.: Tectonic significance of syn-rift sediment packages across the Gabon-Cabinda continental margin, Mar. Petrol. Geol., 14, 973–1000, 1997.
Karner, G. D., Manatschal, G., and Pinheiro, L.-M., eds.: Imaging, Mapping and Modelling Continental Lithosphere Extension and Breakup, No. 282 in Special Publication, Geol. Soc., 2007.
Kirstein, L. A., Peate, D. W., Hawkesworth, C. J., Turner, S. P., Harris, C., and Mantovani, M. S. M.: Early Cretaceous Basaltic and Rhyolitic Magmatism in Southern Uruguay Associated with the Opening of the South Atlantic, J. Petrol., 41, 1413–1438, https://doi.org/10.1093/petrology/41.9.1413, 2000.
König, M. and Jokat, W.: The Mesozoic breakup of the Weddell Sea, J. Geophys. Res., 111, B12102, https://doi.org/10.1029/2005JB004035, 2006.
Laske, G.: A New Global Crustal Model at 2×2 Degrees, http://igppweb.ucsd.edu/ gabi/crust2.html, 2004.
Lavier, L. L. and Manatschal, G.: A mechanism to thin the continental lithosphere at magma-poor margins, Nature, 440, https://doi.org/10.1038/nature04608, 2006.
Lawrence, S. R., Munday, S., and Bray, R.: Regional geology and geophysics of the eastern Gulf of Guinea (Niger Delta to Rio Muni), The Leading Edge, 21, 1112–1117, 2002.
Le Pichon, X. and Sibuet, J. C.: Passive margins: A model of formation, J. Geophys. Res., 86, 3708–3720, 1981.
Li, Z. X., Bogdanova, S. V., Collins, A. S., Davidson, A., De Waele, B., Ernst, R. E., Fitzsimons, I. C. W., Fuck, R. A., Gladkochub, D. P., Jacobs, J., Karlstrom, K. E., Lu, S., Natapov, L. M., Pease, V., Pisarevsky, S. A., Thrane, K., and Vernikovsky, V.: Assembly, configuration, and break-up history of Rodinia: A synthesis, Precambrian Research, 160, 179–210, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.precamres.2007.04.021, 2008.
Macdonald, D., Gomez-Pereza, I., Franzese, J., Spalletti, L., Lawver, L., Gahagan, L., Dalziel, I., Thomas, C., Trewind, N., Holed, M., and Patona, D.: Mesozoic break-up of SW Gondwana: implications for regional hydrocarbon potential of the southern South Atlantic, Mar. Petrol. Geol., 20, 287–308, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0264-8172(03)00045-X, 2003.
Magnavita, L. P., Davison, I., and Kusznir, N. J.: Rifting, erosion, and uplift history of the Recòncavo-Tucano-Jatobà Rift, northeast Brazil, Tectonics, 13, 367–388, https://doi.org/10.1029/93TC02941, 1994.
Mann, P.: Global catalogue, classification and tectonic origins of restraining- and releasing bends on active and ancient strike-slip fault systems, 290, 13–142, https://doi.org/10.1144/SP290.2, 2007.
Maslanyj, M. P., Light, M. P. R., Greenwood, R. J., and Banks, N. L.: Extension tectonics offshore Namibia and evidence for passive rifting in the South Atlantic, Mar. Petrol. Geol., 9, 590–601, https://doi.org/10.1016/0264-8172(92)90032-A, 1992.
Matos, R. M. D. d.: The Northeast Brazilian Rift System, Tectonics, 11, 766–791, https://doi.org/10.1029/91TC03092, 1992.
Matos, R. M. D. d.: History of the northeast Brazilian rift system: kinematic implications for the break-up between Brazil and West Africa, in: The Oil and Gas Habitats of the South Atlantic, edited by: Cameron, N. R., Bate, R. H., and Clure, V. S., Vol. 153 of Special Publications, 55–73, Geol. Soc. Lond., https://doi.org/10.1144/GSL.SP.1999.153.01.04, 1999.
Matos, R. M. D. d.: Tectonic evolution of the equatorial South Atlantic, in: Atlantic Rifts and Continental Margins, edited by: Mohriak, W. U. and Talwani, M., Vol. 115 of Geophys. Monogr. Ser., 331–354, American Geophysical Union, https://doi.org/10.1029/GM115p0331, 2000.
Matos, R. M. D. d. and Brown, L. D.: Deep seismic profile of the Amazonian Craton (northern Brazil), Tectonics, 11, 621–633, https://doi.org/10.1029/91TC03091, 1992.
Maurin, J.-C. and Guiraud, R.: Basement control in the development of the early cretaceous West and Central African rift system, Tectonophysics, 228, 81–95, https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-1951(93)90215-6, 1993.
Maus, S., Sazonova, T., Hemant, K., Fairhead, J. D., and Ravat, D.: National Geophysical Data Center candidate for the World Digital Magnetic Anomaly Map, Geochem. Geophys. Geosyst. Technical Brief, 8, Q06017, https://doi.org/10.1029/2007GC001643, 2007.
Max, M. D., Ghidella, M., Kovacs, L., Paterlini, M., and Valladares, J. A.: Geology of the Argentine continental shelf and margin from aeromagnetic survey, Mar. Petrol. Geol., 16, 41–64, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0264-8172(98)00063-4, http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6V9Y-3VKSDC6-3/2/1e22d18befbb4a3bc9ca7939ea1fe5dd, 1999.
McHargue, T. R., Heidrick, T. L., and Livingston, J. E.: Tectonostratigraphic development of the Interior Sudan rifts, Central Africa, Tectonophysics, 213, 187–202, https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-1951(92)90258-8, 1992.
Meisling, K. E., Cobbold, P. R., and Mount, V. S.: Segmentation of an obliquely rifted margin, Campos and Santos basins, southeastern Brazil, AAPG Bull., 85, 1903–1924, 2001.
Milani, E. J. and Davison, I.: Basement control and transfer tectonics in the Recòncavo-Tucano-Jatobà rift, Northeast Brazil, Tectonophysics, 154, 41–50, 53–70, https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-1951(88)90227-2, 1988.
Mitchell, C., Taylor, G. K., Cox, K. G., and Shaw, J.: Are the Falkland Islands a rotated microplate?, Nature, 319, 131–134, https://doi.org/10.1038/319131a0, 1986.
Mittelstaedt, E., Ito, G., and Behn, M. D.: Mid-ocean ridge jumps associated with hotspot magmatism, Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 266, 256–270, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2007.10.055, 2008.
Modica, C. J. and Brush, E. R.: Postrift sequence stratigraphy, paleogeography, and fill history of the deep-water Santos Basin, offshore southeast Brazil, AAPG Bulletin, 88, 923–945, https://doi.org/10.1306/01220403043, 2004.
Mohamed, A. Y., Ashcroft, W. A., and Whiteman, A. J.: Structural development and crustal stretching in the Muglad Basin, southern Sudan, J. African Earth Sci., 32, 179–191, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0899-5362(01)90003-X, 2001.
Mohriak, W. U. and Rosendahl, B. R.: Transform zones in the South Atlantic rifted continental margins, in: Intraplate Strike-Slip Deformation Belts, edited by: Storti, F., Holdsworth, R. E., and Salvini, F., Vol. 210 of Special Publications, 211–228, Geol. Soc. Lond., 2003.
Mohriak, W. U., Bassetto, M., and Vieira, I. S.: Tectonic Evolution of the Rift Basins in the Northeastern Brazilian Region, in: Atlantic Rifts and Continental Margins, edited by: Mohriak, W. U. and Talwani, M., Vol. 115 of Geophys. Monogr. Ser., 293–315, AGU, Washington, DC, https://doi.org/10.1029/GM115p0293, 2000.
Mohriak, W. U., Nobrega, M., Odegard, M. E., Gomes, B. S., and Dickson, W. G.: Geological and geophysical interpretation of the Rio Grande Rise, south-eastern Brazilian margin: extensional tectonics and rifting of continental and oceanic crusts, Petrol. Geosci., 16, 231–245, https://doi.org/10.1144/1354-079309-910, 2010.
Morley, C. K., Bosworth, W., Day, R., Lauck, R., Bosher, R., Stone, D., Wigger, S., Wescott, W., Haun, D., and Bassett, N.: Geology and Geophysics of the Anza Graben, in: Geoscience of Rift Systems–Evolution of East Africa, edited by Morley, C. K., No. 44 in AAPG Studies in Geology, Chap. 4, 67–90, Amer. Assoc. Petr. Geol., Tulsa, OK, United States, http://archives.datapages.com/data/specpubs/study44/st44ch04/ch4.htm, 1999.
Moulin, M., Aslanian, D., and Unternehr, P.: A new starting point for the South and Equatorial Atlantic Ocean, Earth-Science Rev., 97, 59–95, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2009.08.001, 2009.
Moulin, M., Aslanian, D., Rabineau, M., Patriat, M., and Matias, L.: Kinematic keys of the Santos–Namibe basins, in: Conjugate Divergent Margins, edited by: Mohriak, W. U., Danforth, A., Post, P. J., Brown, D. E. abd Tari, G. C., Nem\v cok, M., and Sinha, S. T., Vol. 369 of Special Publications, Geol. Soc. Lond., https://doi.org/10.1144/SP369.3, 2012.
Müller, R. D., Sdrolias, M., Gaina, C., and Roest, W. R.: Age, spreading rates, and spreading asymmetry of the world's ocean crust, Geochem. Geophys. Geosyst., 9, Q04006, https://doi.org/10.1029/2007GC001743, 2008.
Norton, I. O. and Sclater, J. G.: A model for the evolution of the Indian Ocean and the breakup of Gondwanaland, J. Geophys. Res., 84, 6803–6830, https://doi.org/10.1029/JB084iB12p06803, 1979.
Nunn, J. A. and Aires, J. R.: Gravity Anomalies and Flexure of the Lithosphere at the Middle Amazon Basin, Brazil, J. Geophys. Res., 93, 415–428, https://doi.org/10.1029/JB093iB01p00415, 1988.
Nürnberg, D. and Müller, R. D.: The tectonic evolution of the South Atlantic from Late Jurassic to present, Tectonophysics, 191, 27–53, https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-1951(91)90231-G, 1991.
Obaje, N. G., Wehner, H., Scheeder, G., Abubakar, M. B., and Jauro, A.: Hydrocarbon prospectivity of Nigeria's inland basins: From the viewpoint of organic geochemistry and organic petrology, AAPG Bulletin, 88, 325–353, https://doi.org/10.1306/10210303022, 2004.
Ogg, J. G.: Geomagnetic Polarity Time Scale, in: The Geologic Time Scale 2012, edited by: Gradstein, F. M., Ogg, J. G., Schmitz, M., and Ogg, G., Chap. 5, Elsevier, https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-444-59425-9.00005-6, 2012.
Ogg, J. G. and Hinnov, L.: Cretaceous, in: The Geologic Time Scale 2012, edited by: Gradstein, F. M., Ogg, J. G., Schmitz, M., and Ogg, G., Chap. 27, 793–853, Elsevier, https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-444-59425-9.00027-5, 2012.
Oliveira, L. O. A.: Aspectos da evolucao termomecanica da Bacia do Parana no Brasil, Revista Brasileira de Geociências, 19, 330 – 342, 1989.
O'Neill, C., Müller, D., and Steinberger, B.: On the uncertainties in hot spot reconstructions and the significance of moving hot spot reference frames, Geochem. Geophys. Geosyst., 6, Q04003, https://doi.org/10.1029/2004GC000784, 2005.
Pángaro, F. and Ramos, V. A.: Paleozoic crustal blocks of onshore and offshore central Argentina: New pieces of the southwestern Gondwana collage and their role in the accretion of Patagonia and the evolution of Mesozoic south Atlantic sedimentary basins, Mar. Petrol. Geol., 37, 162–183, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2012.05.010, 2012.
Paton, D. A. and Underhill, J. R.: Role of crustal anisotropy in modifying the structural and sedimentological evolution of extensional basins: the Gamtoos Basin, South Africa, Basin Res., 16, 339–359, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2117.2004.00237.x, 2004.
Peate, D. W.: The Paraná-Etendeka Province, in: Large Igneous Provinces: Continental, Oceanic, and Planetary Flood Volcanism, edited by: Mahoney, J. J. and Coffin, M. F., Vol. 100 of Geophysical Monograph, 217–245, American Geophysical Union, https://doi.org/10.1029/GM100p0217, 1997.
Pérez-Gussinyé, M., Lowry, A. R., and Watts, A. B.: Effective elastic thickness of South America and its implications for intracontinental deformation, Geochem. Geophys. Geosyst., 8, Q05009, https://doi.org/10.1029/2006GC001511, 2007.
Péron-Pinvidic, G. and Manatschal, G.: The final rifting evolution at deep magma-poor passive margins from Iberia-Newfoundland: a new point of view, Int. J. Earth Sci. (Geol. Rundschau), 98, 1581–1597, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00531-008-0337-9, 2009.
Petters, S. W.: Stratigraphy of Chad and Iullemmeden basins (West Africa), Eclogae Geologicae Helvetiae, 74, 139–159, https://doi.org/10.5169/seals-165095, 1981.
Pletsch, T., Erbacher, J., Holbourn, A., Kuhnt, W., Moullade, M., Oboh-Ikuenobede, F., Söding, E., and Wagner, T.: Cretaceous separation of Africa and South America: the view from the West African margin (ODP Leg 159), J. South Am. Earth Sci., 14, 147–174, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0895-9811(01)00020-7, 2001.
Plomerová, J., Babu\v ska, V., Dorbath, C., Dorbath, L., and Lillie, R. J.: Deep lithospheric structure across the Central African Shear Zone in Cameroon, Geophys. J. Int., 115, 381–390, 1993.
Popoff, M.: Du Gondwana à l'atlantique sud: les connexions du fossé de la Bénoué avec les bassins du Nord-Est brésilien jusqu'à l'ouverture du golfe de Guinée au crétacé inférieur, Journal of African Earth Sciences (and the Middle East), 7, 409–431, https://doi.org/10.1016/0899-5362(88)90086-3, 1988.
Poropat, S. F. and Colin, J.-P.: Early Cretaceous ostracod biostratigraphy of eastern Brazil and western Africa: An overview, Gondwana Research, 22, 772–798, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gr.2012.06.002, 2012.
Rabinowitz, P. D. and LaBrecque, J.: The Mesozoic south Atlantic Ocean and evolution of its continental margins, J. Geophys. Res., 84, 5973–6002, 1979.
Ramos, V. A.: Late Proterozoic-early Paleozoic of South America; a Collisional History, Episodes, 11, 168–174, 1988.
Ramos, V. A.: Patagonia: A paleozoic continent adrift?, J. South Am. Earth Sci., 26, 235–251, 2008.
Reeves, C. V., Karanja, F. M., and MacLeod, I. N.: Geophysical evidence for a failed Jurassic rift and triple junction in Kenya, Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 81, 299–311, https://doi.org/10.1016/0012-821X(87)90166-X, 1987.
Reston, T. J.: The opening of the central segment of the South Atlantic: symmetry and the extension discrepancy, Petrol. Geosci., 16, 199–206, https://doi.org/10.1144/1354-079309-907, 2010.
Rosendahl, B. R. and Groschel-Becker, H.: Deep seismic structure of the continental margin in the Gulf of Guinea: a summary report, in: \citeCameron.GSLSP.99, 75–83, https://doi.org/10.1144/GSL.SP.1999.153.01.05, 1999.
Ross, M. I. and Scotese, C. R.: A hierarchical tectonic model of the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean region, Tectonophysics, 155, 139–168, https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-1951(88)90263-6, 1988.
Rudge, J. F., Shaw Champion, M. E., White, N., McKenzie, D., and Lovell, B.: A plume model of transient diachronous uplift at the Earth's surface, Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 267, 146–160, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2007.11.040, 2008.
Rüpke, L. H., Schmalholz, S. M., Schmid, D., and Podladchikov, Y. Y.: Automated thermotectonostratigraphic basin reconstruction: Viking Graben case study, AAPG Bulletin, 92, 1–18, https://doi.org/10.1306/11140707009, 2008.
Sandwell, D. T. and Smith, W. H. F.: Global marine gravity from retracked Geosat and ERS-1 altimetry: Ridge segmentation versus spreading rate, J. Geophys. Res., 114, B01411, https://doi.org/10.1029/2008JB006008, 2009.
Sawyer, D. S.: Total Tectonic Subsidence: A Parameter for Distinguishing Crust Type at the U.S. Atlantic Continental Margin, J. Geophys. Res., 90, 7751–7769, https://doi.org/10.1029/JB090iB09p07751, 1985.
Schull, T. J.: Rift Basins of Interior Sudan: Petroleum Exploration and Discovery, AAPG Bulletin, 72, 1128–1142, https://doi.org/10.1306/703C9965-1707-11D7-8645000102C1865D, 1988.
Scotchman, I. C., Gilchrist, G., Kusznir, N. J., Roberts, A. M., and Fletcher, R.: The breakup of the South Atlantic Ocean: formation of failed spreading axes and blocks of thinned continental crust in the Santos Basin, Brazil and its consequences for petroleum system development, in: Petroleum Geology: From Mature Basins to New Frontiers–Proceedings of the 7th Petroleum Geology Conference, edited by: Vining, B. A. and Pickering, S. C., Vol. 7 of Petroleum Geology Conference series, 855–866, Geol. Soc. Lond., https://doi.org/10.1144/0070855, 2010.
Séranne, M. and Anka, Z.: South Atlantic continental margins of Africa: A comparison of the tectonic vs climate interplay on the evolution of equatorial west Africa and SW Africa margins, J. Afr. Earth Sci., 43, 283–300, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2005.07.010, 2005.
Seton, M., Müller, R. D., Gaina, C., and Heine, C.: Mid-Cretaceous seafloor spreading pulse: Fact or fiction?, Geology, 37, 687–690, https://doi.org/10.1130/G25624A.1, 2009.
Seton, M., Müller, R. D., Zahirovic, S., Gaina, C., Torsvik, T. H., Shephard, G. E., Talsma, A., Gurnis, M., Turner, M., Maus, S., and Chandler, M.: Global continental and ocean basin reconstructions since 200 Ma, Earth-Sci. Rev., 113, 212–270, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2012.03.002, 2012.
Sibuet, J.-C., Hay, W. W., Prunier, A., Montadert, L., Hinz, K., and Fritsch, J.: Early Evolution of the South Atlantic Ocean: Role of the Rifting Episode, in: Initial reports of the Deep Sea Drilling Project covering Leg 75 of the cruises of the drilling vessel Glomar Challenger, Walvis Bay, South Africa to Recife, Brazil, July-September, 1980, edited by: Hay, W. W., Sibuet, J.-C., , Barron, E. J., Brassell, S. C., Dean, W. E., Huc, A. Y., Keating, B. H., McNulty, C. L., Meyers, P. A., Nohara, M., Schallreuter, R. E. L., Steinmetz, J. C., Stow, D. A. V., Stradner, H., Boyce, R. E., and Amidei, R., Vol. 75, 469–481, Texas A & M University, Ocean Drilling Program, College Station, TX, United States, https://doi.org/10.2973/dsdp.proc.75.107.1984, 1984.
Soares Júnior, A. V., Hasui, Y., Costa, J. B. S., and Machado, F. B.: Evolu\c cão do rifteamento e Paleogeografia da Margem Atlântica Equatorial do Brasil: Triássico ao Holoceno, Revista Geociências, 30, 669–692, http://geociencias.no-ip.org/30_4/Art_13_Soares_Jr_et_al.pdf, 2011.
Somoza, R. and Zaffarana, C. B.: Mid-Cretaceous polar standstill of South America, motion of the Atlantic hotspots and the birth of the Andean cordillera, Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 271, 267–277, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2008.04.004, 2008.
Soto, M., Morales, E., Veroslavsky, G., de Santa Ana, H., Ucha, N., and Rodríguez, P.: The continental margin of Uruguay: Crustal architecture and segmentation, Mar. Petrol. Geol., 28, 1676–1689, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2011.07.001, 2011.
Stanton, N., Schmitt, R., Galdeano, A., Maia, M., and Mane, M.: Crustal structure of the southeastern Brazilian margin, Campos Basin, from aeromagnetic data: New kinematic constraints, Tectonophysics, 490, 15–27, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tecto.2010.04.008, 2010.
Steinberger, B. and Torsvik, T. H.: Absolute plate motions and true polar wander in the absence of hotspot tracks, Nature, 452, 620–623, https://doi.org/10.1038/nature06824, 2008.
Stewart, K., Turner, S., Kelley, S., Hawkesworth, C., Kirstein, L., and Mantovani, M.: 3-D, 40Ar/39Ar geochronology in the Paraná continental flood basalt province, Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 143, 95–109, https://doi.org/10.1016/0012-821X(96)00132-X, 1996.
Stoakes, F. A., Campbell, C. V., Cass, R., and Ucha, N.: Seismic Stratigraphic Analysis of the Punta Del Este Basin, Offshore Uruguay, South America, AAPG Bulletin, 75, 219–240, 1991.
Stone, P., Richards, P., Kimbell, G., Esser, R., and Reeves, D.: Cretaceous dykes discovered in the Falkland Islands: implications for regional tectonics in the South Atlantic, J. Geol. Soc., 165, 1–4, https://doi.org/10.1144/0016-76492007-072, 2008.
Stuart, G. W., Fairhead, J. D., Dorbath, L., and Dorbath, C.: A seismic refraction study of the crustal structure associated with the Adamawa Plateau and Garoua Rift, Cameroon, West Africa, Geophys. J. Roy. Astro. Soc., 81, 1–12, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-246X.1985.tb01346.x, 1985.
Sykes, T. J. S.: A correction for sediment load upon the ocean floor: Uniform versus varying sediment density estimations–implications isostatic correction, Mar. Geol., 133, 35–49, 1996.
Szatmari, P. and Milani, E. J.: Microplate rotation in northeast Brazil during South Atlantic rifting: Analogies with the Sinai microplate, Geology, 27, 1115–1118, https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1999)027<1115:MRINBD>2.3.CO;2, 1999.
Torsvik, T. H., Müller, R. D., Van der Voo, R., Steinberger, B., and Gaina, C.: Global Plate Motions Frames: Toward a unified model, Rev. Geophys., 46, RG3004, https://doi.org/10.1029/2007RG000227, 2008.
Torsvik, T. H., Rousse, S., Labails, C., and Smethurst, M. A.: A new scheme for the opening of the South Atlantic Ocean and the dissection of an Aptian salt basin, Geophys. J. Int., 177, 1315–1333, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-246X.2009.04137.x, 2009.
Turner, J. P., Rosendahl, B. R., and Wilson, P. G.: Structure and evolution of an obliquely sheared continental margin: Rio Muni, West Africa, Tectonophysics, 374, 41–55, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0040-1951(03)00325-1, 2003.
Turner, S., Regelous, M., Kelley, S., Hawkesworth, C., and Mantovani, M.: Magmatism and continental break-up in the South Atlantic: high precision 40Ar-39Ar geochronology, Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 121, 333–348, https://doi.org/10.1016/0012-821X(94)90076-0, 1994.
United States Geological Survey: Energy Resources Program: World Geologic Maps, http://energy.usgs.gov/OilGas/AssessmentsData/WorldPetroleumAssessment/WorldGeologicMaps.aspx, 2012.
Unternehr, P., Curie, D., Olivet, J. L., Goslin, J., and Beuzart, P.: South Atlantic fits and intraplate boundaries in Africa and South America, Tectonophysics, 155, 169–179, https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-1951(88)90264-8, 1988.
Unternehr, P., Peron-Pinvidic, G., Manatschal, G., and Sutra, E.: Hyper-extended crust in the South Atlantic: in search of a model, Petrol. Geosci., 16, 207–215, https://doi.org/10.1144/1354-079309-904, 2010.
Urien, C. M., Zambrano, J. J., and Yrigoyen, M. R.: Petroleum Basins of Southern South America: An Overview, Vol. 62 of AAPG Memoir, AAPG, 1995.
von Gosen, W. and Loske, W.: Tectonic history of the Calcatapul Formation, Chubut province, Argentina, and the "Gastre fault system", J. South Am. Earth Sci., 18, 73–88, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsames.2004.08.007, 2004.
Webster, R. E., Chebli, G. A., and Fischer, J. F.: General Levalle basin, Argentina: A frontier Lower Cretaceous rift basin, AAPG Bulletin, 88, 627–652, https://doi.org/10.1306/01070403014, 2004.
Wessel, P. and Smith, W. H. F.: New, improved version of Generic Mapping Tools released, EOS Trans. Am. Geophys. Union, 79, 579, 1998.
White, N.: Nature of lithospheric extension in the North Sea, Geology, 17, 111–114, 1989.
White, R. S. and McKenzie, D.: Magmatism at rift zones: the generation of volcanic continental margins and flood basalts, J. Geophys. Res., 94, 7685–7729, https://doi.org/10.1029/JB094iB06p07685, 1989.
Wright, J. B.: South Atlantic continental drift and the Benue Trough, Tectonophysics, 6, 301–310, https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-1951(68)90046-2, 1968.
Zalán, P. V., do Carmo G. Severino, M., Rigoti, C. A., Magnavita, L. P., Bach de Oliveira, J. A., and Roessler Vianna, A.: An Entirely New 3D-View of the Crustal and Mantle Structure of a South Atlantic Passive Margin – Santos, Campos and Espírito Santo Basins, Brazil, in: AAPG Annual Convention and Exhibition, Search and Discovery Article #30177, American Association of Petroleum Geologists, Houston, Texas, USA, http://www.searchanddiscovery.com/documents/2011/30177zalan/ndx_zalan.pdf, 2011.
Zambrano, J. J. and Urien, C. M.: Geological Outline of the Basins in Southern Argentina and Their Continuation off the Atlantic Shore, J. Geophys. Res., 75, 1363–1396, https://doi.org/10.1029/JB075i008p01363, 1970.
