6533b821fe1ef96bd127b770

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Structure, evolution, and dynamics of the Norwegian-Greenland Sea in the Blue Road Geotraverse area

subject

description

The orogeny of the Scandinavian and Greenland Caledonides is shortly reviewed, and a structural sketch map of the Scandinavian Caledonide part of the Geotraverse is presented. Post-Caledonian rifting episodes prior to the formation of the North Atlantic Ocean are briefly discussed, as well as the opening of the northern North Atlantic Ocean and its spreading rates. Computations of density models carried out on the basis of the Simplex-Algorithm which allows a least-squares solution under certain constraints show clearly a Moho-depression beneath the Caledonides and a comparatively thick oceanic crust in the Norwegian Sea. The transition zone oceanic continental crust has a complex structure, but a continuation of the Lofoten Islands and a part of the Voring Plateau escarpment can be detected. The residuals of former measurements of tidal gravity in Fennoscandia are explained by oceanic loading tides, and a chart for the M2-loading effect is given. The influence of crustal structure on the residuals is shortly discussed. A finite element model is used to calculate the loading effect for a laterally inhomogeneous structure.