SUBSIDENCE ANALYSIS AND MODELING OF THE ROER VALLEY GRABEN (SE NETHERLANDS)

L ZIJERVELD, R STEPHENSON, S CLOETINGH, E DUIN, M W VANDENBERG, Randell Stephenson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

71 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The Roer Valley Graben (southeastern Netherlands) forms the most northern branch of the European Cenozoic Rift System. Sedimentary backstripping of exploration wells provides control on vertical tectonic motions during the complex post-Paleozoic geodynamic evolution of the area.

The Roer Valley Graben evolved by repeated reactivation of Permo-Carboniferous fracture systems. At least three episodes of extension-related subsidence are recorded. These occurred during the Late Permian-Early Triassic (> 255-240 Ma), the Middle Jurassic (168-165 Ma) and the late Cenozoic (36-0 Ma). A Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous stretching phase is weakly inferred from incomplete data.

Crustal stretching values calculated from the tectonic subsidence curves can account for the reflection seismic controlled crustal configuration of the Roer Valley Graben area. Results demonstrate a close relationship between the Roer Valley Graben and the basins in the North Sea during the Mesozoic. In contrast, the Cenozoic evolution of the Roer Valley Graben is independent from that of the North Sea and is related to the development of the Rhine Graben.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)159-171
Number of pages13
JournalTectonophysics
Volume208
Issue number1-3
Publication statusPublished - 30 Jul 1992

Keywords

  • STRUCTURAL EVOLUTION
  • CONTINENTAL-MARGIN
  • BASIN
  • QUATERNARY
  • TERTIARY
  • HISTORY
  • CURVES

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'SUBSIDENCE ANALYSIS AND MODELING OF THE ROER VALLEY GRABEN (SE NETHERLANDS)'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this