scholarly journals The Geological Setting of the West Greenland Basin in the Baffin Bay Region

1973 ◽  
Author(s):  
G Henderson
Keyword(s):  
The West ◽  
Baffin Bay ◽  
West Greenland ◽  
Geological Setting ◽  
Greenland Basin

scholarly journals A pilot seismo-stratigraphic study on the West Greenland continental shelf

1989 ◽  
Vol 142 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
J.A Chalmers
Keyword(s):  
Petroleum Industry ◽  
Source Rocks ◽  
Tectonic Activity ◽  
The West ◽  
West Greenland ◽  
Main Site ◽  
Half Graben ◽  
Greenland Basin ◽  
Seismic Sections ◽  
Structural Closure

Seismo-stratigraphic interpretation of seismic sections dating from the mid-1970s has disclosed the existence of four megasequences of sediments, the oldest of which has not previously been reported from West Greenland. The basins containing these sediments developed as a series of coalescing half graben, in which the main site of tectonic activity changed with time. A structural closure of sufficient size to contain interesting quantities of hydrocarbons, given suitable source rocks, reservoir and seal, is identified. The study has shown that the evaluation of the West Greenland Basin during the 1970s was inadequate, and that abandonment of exploration by the petroleum industry may have been premature.

scholarly journals Application of seismo-stratigraphic interpretation techniques to offshore West Greenland

1988 ◽  
Vol 140 ◽  
pp. 64-66
Author(s):  
J.A Chalmers
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Seismic Data ◽  
Seismic Interpretation ◽  
Shelf Break ◽  
The West ◽  
Regional Geology ◽  
West Greenland ◽  
Oil Companies ◽  
Greenland Basin ◽  
Basement Ridge

A pilot study is being conducted to determine if the use of seismo-stratigraphic interpretation techniques can increase the understanding af the geology of offshore West Greenland in order to reassess the prospectivity of the area. During the period 1975 to 1979, a number of concessions offshore West Greenland were licensed to various consortia of oil companies to search for petroleum. Some 40 000 km of seismic data were acquired, all of which is now released. Five wells were drilled, all of them dry, and all concessions were relinquished by the industry by 1979. The regional geology of offshore West Greenland has been summarised by Manderscheid (1980) and Henderson et al. (1981). They show the West Greenland Basin to consist of fairly uniformly westward dipping sediments bordered near the shelf break by a basement ridge. These authors used what may be termed 'conventional' techniques of seismic interpretation. However, since that time the techniques of seismo-stratigraphy (Vail et al., 1977; Hubbard et al., 1985) have become established. They are now being applied to study seismic data acquired during the mid-1970s.

scholarly journals Biostratigraphical zonation and correlation of five Late Cretaceous-Tertiary wells, offshore central West Greenland

1986 ◽  
Vol 130 ◽  
pp. 36-43
Author(s):  
B.B Toxwenius
Keyword(s):  
Late Cretaceous ◽  
The Other ◽  
Geological Survey ◽  
The West ◽  
West Greenland ◽  
Greenland Basin ◽  
Exploratory Wells

During 1976 and 1977, five exploratory wells were drilled offshore central West Greenland, between 65° and 68°N (figs 1 and 2) (Henderson et al., 1981). The Geological Survey of Greenland (GGU) received samples from all the wells, comprising 2228 composite cutting samples (10 m interval), 456 sidewall cores, 30 m conventional core and 3276 samples of varied provenance. From this material, two independent biostratigraphical analyses on 1000 ditch cutting samples and 65 sidewall cores were perforrned within GGU. One survey was based on palynomorphs (Croxton, 1981 and internal reports), the other, by the author, was based on foraminifera and larger diatoms. In addition to GGU's investgations, 14 reports concerning the micropalaeontology and biostratigraphy of the five wells were prepared by exploration companies and consultants on the basis of foraminifera, palynomorphs (identifications by, inter alia J. M. Hansen and L. I. Costa), diatoms, radiolarians and ca1careous/siliceous nannoplankton (identifications by, inter alia K. Perch-Nielsen). This constitutes the total amount of accessibie biostratigraphical data from the offshore part of the West Greenland Basin; it comprises more than 8000 analysed samples. Compilation of the biostratigraphical data from these sources, allows a fairly detailed stratigraphical correlation and understanding of the five wells (Toxwenius, 1986). In this paper a summary of the stratigraphy and successive correlation of the five wells is presented. The lithostratigraphy and sedimentology of the wells have been reported by Rolle (1985).

scholarly journals Investigations of Tertiary volcanic rocks along the south coast of Nûgssuaq and in eastern Disko, 1987

1988 ◽  
Vol 140 ◽  
pp. 28-32
Author(s):  
L.M Larsen ◽  
A.K Pedersen
Keyword(s):  
Volcanic Rocks ◽  
Field Work ◽  
South Coast ◽  
The West ◽  
West Greenland ◽  
Early Tertiary ◽  
Composite Section ◽  
Greenland Basin ◽  
Volcanic Facies ◽  
Integrated Study

As a continuation of an integrated study of sedimentary and volcanic facies in the Cretaceous to Tertiary West Greenland basin (G. K.Pedersen, 1987; A. K. Pedersen & Larsen, 1987) early Tertiary volcanic rocks were studied in 1987 along a NW-SE trending composite section, about 120 km in length; on Niigssuaq and Disko. The study attempts to establish and describe lithostratigraphic volcanic units in the Tertiary volcanic formations, and through a combination of field mapping, photogrammetry and geochemistry to establish chronostratigraphic horizons through the early Tertiary deposits of the region. In this respect it is essential to identify the same eruptive units as subaeriallava facies and as subaqueous lava or hyaloclastite facies, and to trace subaerial tufts throughout the area. In the first part of the season localities along the Vaigat coast of Nûgssuaq from Kugssinerssuaq in the east to Nûssap qâqarssua in the west were investigated. In the second part of the season very poorly known areas in the western and southem part ofthe Kvandalen region on east Disko were investigated. The field work was supported by the Arctie Station in Godhavn and its cutter Porsild as well as by GGU's cutter J. F. Johnstrup.

Bio- and aminostratigraphy of some Quaternary marine deposits in West Greenland

1984 ◽  
Vol 21 (7) ◽  
pp. 843-852 ◽  
Author(s):  
Svend Funder ◽  
Leifur A. Simonarson
Keyword(s):  
Mytilus Edulis ◽  
Baffin Bay ◽  
West Greenland ◽  
Marine Deposits ◽  
Faunal Assemblages ◽  
Geological Setting ◽  
Chlamys Islandica ◽  
Biological Evidence ◽  
Age Estimates

14C dates and the geological setting of Quaternary marine deposits from three sites in West Greenland indicate a pre-Holocene age. The mollusc faunas at the sites are distinctly different, although all reflect influx of some subarctic water into Baffin Bay. The fauna from Patorfík is the most diverse subfossil Quaternary fauna known from Baffin Bay. Such species as Panopea norvegica and Balanus hameri indicate conditions warmer than the present, although no identical faunal assemblages are known. The fauna at Laksebugt is similar to modern faunas, but the dominating Portlandia arctica and Macoma moësta indicate a climate somewhat colder than the present, and Mytilus edulis suggests the presence of subarctic water. The fauna from Mudderbugt is reworked, but the presence of Chlamys islandica indicates that conditions were not entirely different from the present.Amino-acid analyses on shells from the three sites place them in three distinct aminozones, with Patorfík as the oldest and Laksebugt the youngest. Age estimates using this and geological and biological evidence suggest that the Laksebugt aminozone dates from the isotopic stage 5–6 transition (130 ka). The Patorfík aminozone is probably of mid- or early Quaternary age (235–1800 ka).Correlation with the few previously known pre-Holocene marine deposits of western Greenland implies that only one period of extensive glaciation can be recognized during the Weichsel (Wisconsin) glaciation.

An Index of the Relative Abundance of Wintering Belugas, Delphinapterus leucas, and Narwhals, Monodon monoceros, off West Greenland

1993 ◽  
Vol 50 (11) ◽  
pp. 2323-2335 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. P. Heide-Jørgensen ◽  
H. Lassen ◽  
J. Teilmann ◽  
R. A. Davis
Keyword(s):  
Relative Abundance ◽  
Delphinapterus Leucas ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
The West ◽  
Baffin Bay ◽  
West Greenland ◽  
Abundance Estimate ◽  
Monodon Monoceros ◽  
Pack Ice ◽  
Ice Conditions

Systematic aerial surveys of the wintering grounds of belugas, Delphinapterus leucas, and narwhals, Monodon monoceros, in southern Baffin Bay and northern Davis Strait were conducted in late winter of 1981, 1982, 1990, and 1991. Most belugas were found between 67°N and 69°N and none were seen more than 80 km off the coast of West Greenland. Compared with the surveys in 1981 and 1982, a decline in relative abundance of belugas along West Greenland was evident in 1991. This decline was significant at a probability level of 0.13 of the bootstrapped distribution of the combined abundance estimate. Pod sizes declined significantly between the 1981–82 and 1990–91 surveys. The variations in ice conditions between years did not seem to affect the distribution, clumping, or pod sizes of the belugas. Narwhals were widely distributed in the close pack ice offshore between 65°N and 72°N. Along the West Greenland coast, narwhals were primarily seen at the mouth of Disko Bay. No change in relative abundance or pod sizes could be detected for narwhals.

The nonmarine Cretaceous of the West Greenland Basin, onshore West Greenland

1992 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 263-272 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gunver K. Pedersen ◽  
T.C.R. Pulvertaft
Keyword(s):  
The West ◽  
West Greenland ◽  
Greenland Basin

scholarly journals Oceanic Boundary Conditions for Jakobshavn Glacier. Part II: Provenance and Sources of Variability of Disko Bay and Ilulissat Icefjord Waters, 1990–2011

2015 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carl V. Gladish ◽  
David M. Holland ◽  
Craig M. Lee
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Water ◽  
Temperature Cycle ◽  
Freshwater Flux ◽  
The West ◽  
Baffin Bay ◽  
West Greenland ◽  
Water Fraction ◽  
West Greenland Current ◽  
Current Water ◽  
Polar Water

AbstractJakobshavn Glacier, west Greenland, has responded to temperature changes in Ilulissat Icefjord, into which it terminates. Basin waters in this fjord exchange with neighboring Disko Bay waters of a particular density at least once per year. This study determined the provenance of this isopycnic layer for 1990–2011 using hydrographic data from Cape Farewell to Baffin Bay. The warm Atlantic-origin core of the West Greenland Current never filled deep Disko Bay or entered the fjord basin because of bathymetric impediments on the west Greenland shelf. Instead, equal parts of Atlantic water and less-saline polar water filled the fjord basin and bathed Jakobshavn Glacier. The polar water fraction was often traceable to the East/West Greenland Current but sometimes to the colder Baffin Current. The huge annual temperature cycle on West Greenland Current isopycnals did not propagate into deep Disko Bay or the fjord basin because isopycnals over the west Greenland shelf were depressed during the warm autumn/winter phase of the cycle.Ilulissat Icefjord basin waters were anomalously cool in summer 2010. This was not because of the record low NAO index winter of 2009/10 or atmospheric anomalies over Baffin Bay but, possibly, because of high freshwater flux through the Canadian Arctic and a weak West Greenland Current in early 2010. Together, this caused cold Baffin Current water to flood the west Greenland shelf. Subpolar gyre warming associated with the NAO anomaly in winter 2009/10 was more likely responsible for the record warm Disko Bay and Ilulissat Icefjord basin waters of 2011/12.

scholarly journals Tectonostratigraphy and evolution of the West Greenland continental margin

2020 ◽  
Vol 67 ◽  
pp. 1-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ulrik Gregersen ◽  
Paul C. Knutz ◽  
Henrik Nøhr-Hansen ◽  
Emma Sheldon ◽  
John R. Hopper
Keyword(s):  
Oceanic Crust ◽  
Continental Margin ◽  
Volcanic Rocks ◽  
Sedimentary Basins ◽  
Magnetic Data ◽  
The West ◽  
Seismic Reflection Data ◽  
Baffin Bay ◽  
West Greenland ◽  
North East

Large structural highs and sedimentary basins are identified from mapping of the West Greenland continental margin from the Labrador Sea to the Baffin Bay. We present a new tectonic elements map and a map of thickness from the seabed to the basement of the entire West Greenland margin. In addition, a new stratigraphic scheme of the main lithologies and tectonostratigraphy based on ties to all offshore exploration wells is presented together with seven interpreted seismic sections. The work is based on interpretation of more than 135 000 km of 2D seismic reflection data supported by other geophysical data, including gravity- and magnetic data and selected 3D seismic data, and is constrained by correlation to wells and seabed samples. Eight seismic mega-units (A–H) from the seabed to the basement, related to distinct tectonostratigraphic phases, were mapped. The oldest units include pre-rift basins that contain Proterozoic and Palaeozoic successions. Cretaceous syn-rift phases are characterised by development of large extensional fault blocks and basins with wedge-shaped units. The basin strata include Cretaceous and Palaeogene claystones, sandstones and conglomerates. During the latest Cretaceous, Paleocene and Eocene, crustal extension followed by oceanic crust formation took place, causing separation of the continental margins of Greenland and Canada with north-east to northward movement of Greenland. From Paleocene to Eocene, volcanic rocks dominated the central West Greenland continental margin and covered the Cretaceous basins. Development of the oceanic crust is associated with compressional tectonics and the development of strike-slip and thrust faults, pull-apart basins and inversion structures, most pronounced in the Davis Strait and Baffin Bay regions. During the late Cenozoic, tectonism diminished, though some intra-plate vertical adjustments occurred. The latest basin development was characterised by formation of thick Neogene to Quaternary marine successions including contourite drifts and glacial related shelf progradation towards the west and south-west.

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