An attempt based on an interpretation of multichannel reflection seismic data to delineate sedimentary sequences, structures and evolution in the part of the Western Barents Sea 72° - 74°N and 10° - 17°E

Abstract: This thesis is an attempt to throw further light on the structural development of the passive continental margin of the Western Barents Sea in the area from 72000'N to 74000'N and from 17000'E to 10000'E. It is based mainly on multichannel reflection seismics but available aeromagnetic, shipborne magnetic and free-air gravimetric data have also been analyzed. It seems from the results that the area between what is generally called the Senja fracture zone and the possible southernmost part of the Hornsund fault zone consists of a nonoceanic basement. The transition between the oceanic and the continental basement is placed adjacent to the Senja fracture zone and its northern continuation up to 740 N. The transition zone to the east of the Senja Fracture Zone in the area 720 50'N to 74000'N suggested in earlier works is here correlated with the development of a listric fault complex rooted in a detachment zone. The non-oceanic basement to the east of the Senja Fracture Zone is also examined and it is suggested that this basement is a stretched continental crust. A chronology for the sequences chosen has been established using the wells 711719-1 and 711719-2 located to the south of the area studied. The structural development of the margin has been dated on the basis of seven depth maps and four isopach maps of the sequences representing the time from the onset of the Tertiary to the end of the Oligocene. The main result is that the end of a major rifting phase corresponds to the beginning of the Paleocene while the onset of the sea floor spreading corresponds to the time interval from Early Eocene to Late Eocene. It appears from backstripping studies that the free-air gravity anomaly associated with the Senja Fracture Zone is probably due to the sediments loading an oceanic plate. This would mean that the Senja "Fracture Zone" is not really a fracture zone. It also seems that the seafloor spreading took place in an oblique northwards manner and that the oceanic basement closest to the Senja "Fracture Zone" and its northern continuation up to 740N is of Eocene age. If this interpretation is correct it would call for a modification of the 2-stage opening model of this area proposed in earlier works.