Seafloor data and mapping of the Jan Mayen MicroContinent area, tools applied for sub-surface
structural and facies analysis, and identification of
offshore geo-hazards
Anett Blischke, Iceland GeoSurvey
Ögmundur Erlendsson, Iceland GeoSurvey
Þórarinn S. Arnarsson, Orkustofnun
Guðrún Helgadóttir, Marine Research Institute
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A composite data interpretation approach for the
Jan Mayen Micro-Continent area
How does bathymetry data support a deep structure analysis?
 Importance of understanding the underlying lithology and structures and its
related seafloor features.
 Utilize bathymetry data in combination with reflection seismic data, gravity and
magnetic data to better define the oceanic basement morphology and crust type.
 Amplitude anomaly comparison of reflection seismic data vs. seafloor settings,
what is igneous vs. stratigraphic, diagenetic or hydrocarbon related?
 Utilize bathymetry and reflection seismic data to target position seafloor samples.
 Considering offshore environmental considerations and geo-hazards.
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Bathymetry (Etopo1,
IBCAO & EMODNET,
HAFRO 2008)

DSDP & ODP Boreholes

2D MC reflection seismic data
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Refraction seismic data

Sea floor sampling by NPD (2011)
& Richter et al. (2002) North Iceland

Coring by VBPR and TGS (2011)

JMMC outline
Jan Mayen Micro-continent (JMMC) project
Data made available for this study
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Tectonic History of the JMMC
Collage based on results of recent research publications and observations at the JMMC & Iceland
Data Source Reference List:
Dinkelman M.G. et al (2010): The NE Greenland Continental Margin. GeoExpro, No. 6. Gaina, C. et al (2009): Palaeocene-Recent plate boundaries in the NE Atlantic and the formation of the Jan Mayen microcontinent. Journal of the Geological Society, London,
Vol. 166, pp. 1-16. Gernigon L. et al (2009): Geophysical insights and early spreading history in the vicinity of the Jan Mayen Fracture Zone, Norwegian-Greenland Sea. Journal of Tectonophysics, Vol. 468, pp. 185-205. Roberts, A.M. et al (2009): Mapping
palaeostructure and palaeobathymetry along the Norwegian Atlantic continental margin: Møre and Vøring basins. Petroleum Geoscience, Vol. 15, pp. 27-43. Brekke H. et al (2008): The Geology of the Norwegian Sea Continental Margin and Probable Similarities
with the Jan Mayen Ridge. 1st Petroleum Exploration Conference in Iceland. Henriksen, N. et al (2008): Geological History of Greenland - Four billion years of Earth evolution. Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS), Ministry of Climate and Energy,
Copenhagen. Mjelde, R. et al (2008): Crustal transect across the North Atlanti., Marine Geophysical Researches, Vo. 29, pp. 73-87. Mueller, R.D. et al (2008): Palaeo-age, depth-to-basement and bathymetry grids of the world's ocean basins from 140-1 Ma.
Science, 319, 1357 (data used in GPlates 1.0 http://www.gplates.org/index.html). Mosar, J. et al (2002): North Atlanti sea-floor spreading rates: implications for the Tertiary development of inversion structures of the Norwegian-Greenland Sea, Journal of the
Geological Society, London, Vol. 159, pp. 503-515. Gunnarsson, K. (1990): Olíuleit á Jan Mayen-Hrygg, Erindi á ársfundi Orkustofnunar. Gunnarsson, K. et al (1989): Geology and hydrocarbon potential of the Jan Mayen Ridge. Oljedirektoratet, OD-89-91 and
Orkustofnun OS-89036/JHD-07, report, pp. 143.Talwani et al (1976) : Series publications of the DSDP Leg 38 project … http://www.deepseadrilling.org/38/dsdp_toc.htm ; specifically the paper: http://www.deepseadrilling.org/38/volume/dsdp38_34.pdf. Scott, R.A.,
Lucy A. Ramsey, Steve M. Jones, Stewart Sinclair, Caroline S. Pickles (2005): Development of the Jan Mayen microcontinent by linked propagation and retreat of spreading ridges Original Research Article Norwegian Petroleum Society Special Publications,
Volume 12, 2005, Pages 69-82.
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Hydrothemal activity at the Arctic MidOceanic Ridge.
Rolf B. Pedersen & Ingunn H. Thorseth 2010
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Jan Mayen Micro-Continent – Main Ridge
West-East geo-seismic section
Reaching across the micro-continent, the Iceland Plateau to the West, and to
the Norway Basin and its Møre Basin as the conjugate margin to the East.
Sub-Paleocene strata & the Jan Mayen basin fills and structures are inferred.
The Jan Mayen Basin is possibly a sub-basalt basin containing pre- and postPaleocene with thinning sequences due west and deepening. Probably also
intersected by volcanic intrusions during the second break up.
Norway Basin
Jan Mayen Basin
C6c C7
C24
Blischke et al. (2011) & Peron-Pinvidic
(2012)
A. Blischkeetetal.
al.,
2012
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Transition area JMMC – Iceland Plateau
2D multi-channel reflection seismic & free air gravity data
DTU 2010
RC2114 - 207
SDR – Seaward Dipping Reflectors
RC2114 - 209
KRISE2000 Line 7
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Transition area
JMMC – Iceland
Plateau
Bryndís Brandsdóttir
University of Iceland
2D MCS data
LDEO-RC2114 – 1978
(Talwani et al. 1981)
KRISE 2000 Line 7
(Bryndís Bandsdóttir)
JMMC area
extent to the north
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IPR – Iceland Plateau Rift
Guðrún Helgadóttir
IEC 2008.
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Fluid vent example – Southeastern JMR
SSW
NNE
900m
Seabed
▬
Pleistocene - Pliocene
▬
UC Late Oligocene - Miocene
▬
UC Base Late Oligocene
▬
Top Eocene
▬
UC Middle Eocene
▬
UC Top Paleocene
▬
Eocene – Oligocene Intrusive
Data by courtesy of
TWT
(ms)
▬
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Elevation Dip
50°
Minding Topography
Multi-beam Survey 2008
Marine Research Institute & NEA
5°
Possibly polygonal fault pattern related to dewatering of clay rich soft sediments.
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Shallow burial dewatering of fine-grained unconsolidated
sediments by volumetric compaction.
Dimitri Laurent et al. 2012
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Possible Environmental and Geo-Hazards to consider
Steve Wardlaw and Richard Salisbury, Fugro GeoConsulting, Geophyics and Geohazards – Defining Subsea
Engineering Risk, March 2010
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Minding Topography
Multi-beam Survey 2008
Marine Research Institute & NEA
Sediment slide example
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Elevation Dip
50°
Minding Topography
Identifying steep slope
areas
5°
Modified Multi-beam Survey 2008
Marine Research Institute & NEA
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Hydrocarbon exploration in deep water, offshore environmental
considerations and geo-hazards
 Environmental parameters
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•
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Reservoir depth (drilling depth, drill path & position)
Water depth
Sea currents, weather & wave heights
Sea & surface temperature
Sea ice
Distance to shore
Wild life
 Deep water geo-hazards
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Complex & unstable sea beds
Active & changing foundations
Shallow geo-pressure
Drilling hazards
Deep sea environmental issues
 Known hazards in O&G drilling and production operations process
 Knowing preventive measures beforehand – contingency planning
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Define possible environmental, geo- or technical hazards
Risk assessment and mitigation is essential
Detailed contingency planning
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Future work necessary
 Detailed bathymetry and seafloor study necessary to aid structural and
shallow stratigraphic interpretations.
 Apply further oceanic morphology mapping in a composite data interpretation
approach at present to better understand the processes of forming the
seafloor in the past.
 Mapping of polynomial fault patterns at sea floor as they give clues to
sediment types, which would require a complete high resolution bathymetry
data set over the entire area.
 Use detailed bathymetry data to aid future sea floor sampling campaigns for
target definition.
 Generate a risk map in regards to environmental impacts and hazard areas
over the Jan Mayen area.
 Detailed flow pattern analysis of sea currents close to the seafloor in
relationship with existing seafloor features.
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