Integrated crustal–geological cross-section of Ellesmere Island

Randell Stephenson* (Corresponding Author), Karsten Piepjohn, Christian Schiffer, Werner von Gosen, Gordon N. Oakey, Goodluck Kelechukwu Anudu

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The crustal seismic velocity model (based on receiver functions) of Ellesmere Island and the structural geological cross-section of Ellesmere Island, both documented and discussed elsewhere in this volume, are here integrated into a crustal-scale transect crossing all the main tectonic domains. The velocity model satisfies much of the observed gravity field, but implies minor modifications with potentially important implications for characterizing the lower crust over the transect. The crust of the Pearya Terrane includes a high-velocity and high- ensity lower crustal body, suggested to represent a mafic underplate linked to the emplacement of the High Arctic Large Igneous Province. A similar body also lies directly beneath the Hazen Plateau, but this is more likely to be inherited from earlier tectonic stages than to be linked to the High Arctic Large Igneous Province. A large-scale basement-involving thrust, possibly linked to a deep detachment of Ellesmerian age, lies immediately south of the Pearya Terrane and forms the northern backdrop to a crustal-scale pop-up structure that accommodates Eurekan-aged shortening in northern Ellesmere Island. The thickest crust and deepest Moho along the transect are below the Central Ellesmerian fold belt, where the Moho is flexured downwards to the north to a depth of about 48 km beneath the load of the structurally thickened supracrustal strata of the fold belt.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)7-17
Number of pages11
JournalGeological Society Special Publications
Volume460
Early online date23 May 2017
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2018

Bibliographical note

The work reported in this paper was undertaken under the umbrella of CALE. The work on the geological transect was enabled by several CASE (Circum-Arctic Structural Events) expeditions of the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR, Hanover, Germany). The postdoctoral fellowship at Durham University of CS is funded by the Carlsberg Foundation.

From: Pease, V. & Coakley, B. (eds) 2018. Circum-Arctic Lithosphere Evolution.

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