Architecture and tectonic evolution of the Vøring and Møre rifted margins: insights from seismic interpretation combined with potential field modeling.

Abstract

The mid-Norwegian Vøring and Møre margins are listed as the type example of volcanic rifted margins, with their formation usually related to the influence of the Icelandic plume. Recent studies have shown that these margins have more in common with non-volcanic rifted margins than the scientific community used to think, which opens the discussion on their architecture and evolution. As the rifting mechanisms are not yet fully constrained, a wide variety of extensional models have been proposed in the literature. The evolution of the rifting models requires updated studies based on the new concepts and the new high resolution datasets now available. Despite the large amount of geophysical data acquired on the Vøring and Møre margins during the past decades, the ambiguity with respect to the deep structures, and especially in detecting sub-basaltic basement structures, where intrusions and lava flows perturb the seismic imaging, is still a matter of concern. This study illustrates the benefit of the combination of seismic and potential field modeling results. The forward gravity and magnetic modeling significantly improves the model accuracy and provides a valuable tool to estimate sub-basaltic deep crustal structures.