- Passive margin
A
passive margin is the transition between oceanic andcontinental crust which is not an active plate margin. It is constructed bysedimentation above an ancientrift , now marked by transitional crust. Continental rifting creates new ocean basins. Eventually the continental rift forms a mid-oceanic ridge and the locus ofextension moves away from thecontinent-ocean boundary . The transition between the continental and oceanic crust that was originally created by rifting is known as a passive margin.Global distribution
also contains some passive margins.
Key Components
Active vs. Passive Margins
This refers to whether a crustal boundary between tracts oceanic and continental crusts are boundaries of plates or not. Active margins are found on the leading edge of a continent where subduction occurs. These are often marked by uplift and volcanic mountain belts on the continental plate, and by island-arc chains on the oceanic plate. Less often there is a strike-slip fault, as is defining the southern coastline of W.
Africa . Most of the easternIndian Ocean and nearly all of thePacific Ocean margin are examples of active margins. While a weld between oceanic and continental crusts are called a passive margin, it is not an inactive margin. Active subsidence, sedimentation, growth faulting, pore fluid formation and migration are all very active processes on passive margins. Passive margins are only passive in that they are not active plate boundaries.Morphology
s, which mark the offshore continuation of rivers.At high latitudes and during glaciations, the nearshore morphology of passive margins may reflect glacial processes, such as the
fjords ofNorway andGreenland .Cross-section
The main features of passive margins lie underneath the external characters. Beneath passive margins the transition between the continental and oceanic crust is a broad transition known as transitional crust. The subsided continental crust is marked by
normal fault s that dip seaward. The faulted crust transitions into oceanic crust and may be deeply buried due to thermal subsidence and the mass of sediment that collects above it. Thelithosphere beneath passive margins is known as transitional lithosphere. The lithosphere thins seaward as it transitions seaward to oceanic crust. Different kinds of transitional crust form, depending on how fast rifting occurs and how hot the underlying mantle was at the time of rifting. Volcanic passive margins represent one endmember transitional crust type, the other endmember (amagmatic) type is the rifted passive margin. Volcanic passive margins they also are marked by numerous dykes and igneous intrusions within the subsided continental crust. There are typically a lot of dykes formed perpendicular to the seaward-dipping lava flows and sills. Igneous intrusions within the crust cause lava flows along the top the subsided continental crust and form seaward-dipping reflectors.ubsidence mechanisms
Passive margins are characterized by thick accumulations of sediments. Space for these sediments is called
accommodation space and is due to subsidence of especially the transitional crust. Subsidence is ultimately caused by gravitational equilibrium that is established between the crustal tracts, known asisostasy . Isostasy controls the uplift of the rift flank and the subsequent subsidence of the evolving passive margin and is mostly reflected by changes inheat flow . Heat flow at passive margins changes significantly over its lifespan, high at the beginning and decreasing with age. In the initial stage, the continental crust and lithosphere is stretched and thinned due to plate movement (plate tectonics ) and associated igneous activity. The very thin lithosphere beneath the rift allows the upwelling mantle to melt by decompression. Lithospheric thinning also allows theasthenosphere to rise closer to the surface, heating the overlying lithosphere by conduction andadvection of heat by intrusive dikes. Heating reduces the density of the lithosphere and elevates the lower crust and lithosphere. In addition,mantle plumes may heat the lithosphere and cause prodigious igneous activity. Once that a mid-oceanic ridge ridge forms and seafoor spreading begins, the original site of rifting is separated into conjugate passive margins (for example, the eastern US and NW African margins were parts of the same rift in earlyMesozoic time and are now conjugate margins) and migrates away from the zone of mantle upwelling and heating and cooling begins. The mantle lithosphere below the thinned and faulted continental oceanic transition cools, thickens, increases in density and thus begins to subside. The accumulation of sediments above the subsiding transitional crust and lithosphere further depresses the transitional crust.Classification of passive margins
There are four different perspectives needed to classify passive margins:
# map-view formation geometry (rifted, sheared, and transtensional),
# nature of transitional crust (volcanic and non-volcanic),
# whether the transitional crust represents a continuous change from normal continental to normal oceanic crust or this includes isolated rifts and stranded continental blocks (simple and complex), and
# sedimentation (carbonate-dominated, clastic-dominated, or sediment starved).The first describes the relationship between rift orientation and plate motion, the second describes the nature of transitional crust, and the third describes post-rift sedimentation. All three perspectives need to be considered in describing a passive margin. In fact, passive margins are extremely long, and vary along their length in rift geometry, nature of transitional crust, and sediment supply; it is more appropriate to subdivide individual passive margins into segments on this basis and apply the threefold classification to each segment.
Geometry of passive margins
Rifted margin
This is the typical way that passive margins form, as separated continental tracts move perpendicular to the coastline. This is how the Central
Atlantic opened, beginning inJurassic time. Faulting tends to belistric :normal fault s that flatten with depth.Sheared margin
Sheared margins form where continental breakup was associated with
strike-slip fault ing. A good example of this type of margin is found on the south-facing coast of west Africa. Sheared margins are highly complex and tend to be rather narrow. They also differ from rifted passive margins in structural style and thermal evolution during continental breakup. As theseafloor spreading axis moves along the margin, thermal uplift produces a ridge. This ridge traps sediments, thus allowing for thick sequences to accumulate. These types of passive margins are less volcanic.Transtensional margin
This type of passive margin develops where rifting is oblique to the coastline, as is now occurring in the
Gulf of California .Nature of transitional crust
Transitional crust, separating true oceanic and continental crusts, is the foundation of any passive margin. This forms during the rifting stage and consists of two endmembers: Volcanic and Non-Volcanic. This classification scheme only applies to rifted and transtensional margin; transitional crust of sheared margins is very poorly known.
Non-volcanic rifted margin
Non-volcanic margins are formed when extension is accompanied by little
mantle (geology) melting and volcanism. Non-volcanic transitional crust consists of stretched and thinned continental crust. Non-volcanic margins are typically characterized by continentward-dipping seismic reflectors (rotated crustal blocks and associted sediments) and low P-wave velocities (<7.0 km/sec) in the lower part of the transitional crust.Volcanic rifted margin
Volcanic margins form part of large igneous provinces, which are characterised by massive emplacements of mafic extrusives and intrusive rocks over very short time periods. Volcanic margins form when rifting is accompanied by significant mantle melting, with volcanism occurring before and/or during continental breakup. The transitional crust of volcanic margins is composed of
basalt icigneous rock s, includinglava flows,sills ,dyke s, andgabbro .Volcanic margins are usually distinguished from non-volcanic (or magma-poor) margins (e.g. the Iberian margin, Newfoundland margin) which do not contain large amounts of extrusive and/or intrusive rocks and may exhibit crustal features such as unroofed, serpentinized mantle . Volcanic margins are known to differ from magma-poor margins in a number of ways:
* a transitional crust composed ofbasalt icigneous rock s, includinglava flows,sills ,dyke s, andgabbro s.
* a huge volume of basalt flows typically expressed as seaward-dipping reflector sequences(SDRS)rotated during the early stages of crustal accretion(breakup stage),
* The presence of numerous sill/dike and vent complexes intruding adjacent basin,
* the lack of significant passive-margin subsidence during and after breakup, and
* the presence of a lower crust with anomalously high seismic P-wave velocities (7.1-7.8 km/s) – so-called lower crustal bodies LCBs in the litterature.The high velocities (Vp > 7 km) and large thicknesses of the LCBs are often used to support the theory of mantle plume leading to the emplacement mafic underplated bodies in the deep part of the crust during the breakup stage. LCBs are located along the continent-ocean transition but can sometimes extend beneath the continental part of the rifted margin (as observed in the mid-Norwegian margin for example). In the continental domain, there are still open discussion on their real nature, chronology, geodynamic and petroleum implications. [ [http://www.mantleplumes.org/VM_Norway.html Norwegian volcanic margin ] ]
Example of volcanic margins:
*The Yemen margin
*The East Australian margin
*The West Indian margin
*The Hatton-Rockal margin
*The U.S East Coast
*The mid-Norwegian margin
*The Brazilian margins
*The Namibian marginHeterogeneity of transitional crust
Simple transitional crust
Passive margins of this type show a simple progression through the transitional crust, from normal continental to normal oceanic crusts. The passive margin offshore
Texas is a good example.Complex transitional crust
This type of transitional crust is characterized by abandoned
rift s and continental blocks, such as theBlake Plateau ,Grand Banks , orBahama Islands offshore eastern Florida.Sedimentation
A fourth way to classify passive margins is according to the nature of
sedimentation of the mature passive margin. Sedimentation continues throughout the life of a passive margin. Sedimentation changes rapidly and progressively during the initial stages of passive margin formation because rifting begins on land, becoming marine as the rift opens and a true passive margin is established. Consequently, the sedimentation history of a passive margin begins with fluvial, lacustrine, or other subaerial deposits, evolving with time to Depending on how the rifting occurred, when, how and what type of sediment varies.Constructional
Constructional margins are the “classic” mode of passive margin sedimentation. Normal sedimentation results from the transport and deposition of sand, silt, and clay by
river s viadelta s and redistribution of these sediments bylongshore current s. The nature of sediments can change remarkably along a passive margin, due to interactions between carbonate sediment production, clastic input from rivers, and alongshore transport. Whereclastic sediment inputs are small,biogenic sediment ation can dominate especially nearshore sedimentation. TheGulf of Mexico passive margin along the southern United States is an excellent example of this, with muddy and sandy coastal environments down current (west) from theMississippi Delta and beaches ofcarbonate sand to the east. The thick layers of sediment gradually thin with increasing distance offshore, depending on subsidence of the passive margin and the efficacy of offshore transport mechansims such asturbidity current s andsubmarine channel s.Development of the shelf edge and its migration through time is critical to the development of a passive margin. The location of the shelf edge break reflects complex interaction between sedimentation, sealevel, and the presence of sediment dams. Coral reefs serve as bulwarks that allow sediment to accumulate between them and the shore, cutting off sediment supply to deeper water. Another type of sediment dam results from the presence of
salt diapir s, as are common along theTexas andLouisiana passive margin.Starved
Sediment-starved margins produce narrow continental shelves and passive margins. This is especially common in arid regions, where there is little transport of sediment by rivers or redistribution by longshore currents. The Red Sea is a good example of a sediment-starved passive margin.
Formation
There are three main stages in the formation of passive margins:
#In the first stage a continental rift is established due to stretching and thinning of the crust and lithosphere by plate movement. This is the beginning of the continental crust subsidence. Drainage is generally away from the rift at this stage.
#The second stage leads to the formation of an oceanic basin, similar to the modernRed Sea . The subsiding continental crust undergoes normal faulting as transitional marine conditions are established. Areas with restricted sea water circulation coupled with arid climate create evaporite deposits. Salt has low density so this later may migrate upwards as salt domes. Crust and lithosphere stretching and thinning are still taking place in this stage. Volcanic passive margins also have igneous intrusions and dykes during this stage.
#The last stage in formation happens only when crustal stretching ceases and the transitional crust and lithosphere subsides as a result of cooling and thickening (thermal subsidence). Drainage starts flowing towards the passive margin causing sediment to accumulate over it.Economic Significance
Passive margins are important reservoirs of
petroleum , also known as oil and gas, which holds a very important place in our lives.Plastic s,medicine s,synthetic fiber and clothing, and of course fuel for transportation:gasoline ,diesel oil, andkerosene all come increasingly from deposits buried beneath passive margins. A large proportion of oil and gas are found at passive margins. Mann et al. (2001) examined 592 giant oil fields (which contain proved reserves >500 million barrels of oil or >3 trillion cubic feet of natural gas) and are estimated to contain ~65% of oil. Mann et al (2001) classified 592 giant oil fields into six basin and tectonic-setting categories, and noted that continental passive margins account for 31% of giants. Continental rifts (which are likely to evolve into passive margins with time) contain another 30% of the world's giant oil fields. Basins associated with collision zones and subduction zones are where most of the remaining giant oil fields are found.Passive margins are petroleum storehouses because these are associated with favorable conditions for accumulation and maturation of organic matter. Early continental rifting conditions led to the development of
anoxic basins, large sediment and organic flux, and the preservation of organic matter that led to oil and gas deposits. Crude oil will form from these deposits. These are the localities in which petroleum resources are most profitable and productive. Productive fields are found in passive margins around the globe, including theGulf of Mexico , westernScandinavia , and WesternAustralia .Law of the Sea
International discussions about who controls the resources of passive margins are the focus of
Law of the Sea negotiations. Continental shelves are important parts of nationalexclusive economic zone s, important for seafloor mineral deposits (including oil ad gas) and fisheries.References
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*cite journal | last = Bird | first= Dale| title = Shear Margins |journal = The Leading Edge | volume = 20 | issue = 2 | pages = 150–159 | year = 2001 | month = February | publisher= Society of Exploration Geophysicists
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*cite journal | last = Gernigon | first = L.| coauthors = J.C Ringenbach, S. Planke, B. Le Gall | title = Deep structures and breakup along volcanic rifted margins: Insights from integrated studies along the outer Vøring Basin (Norway) |journal = Marine and Petroleum Geology | volume = 21-3 | pages = 363–372 | year = 2004 | doi = 10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2004.01.005 | http://www.mantleplumes.org/VM_Norway.html
*cite book| editor = Continental Margins Committee, Ocean Studies Board, National Research Council| title = Margins: A Research Initiative for Interdisciplinary Studies of the Processes Attending Lithospheric Extension and Convergence| url = http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=1500#toc | format = PDF | accessdate = 2007-12-02 | year = 1989 | publisher = The National Academies Press
*cite web |url= http://www.mantleplumes.org/WebDocuments/GeoffroyCRAS.pdf |title= Volcanic Passive Margins |accessdate=2007-12-02 |last= Geoffroy |first= Laurent | year= 2005 |month= October |format= PDF |work= C. R. Geoscience 337 |publisher= Elsevier SAS | language= French and English
*cite book | editor = R. A. Scrutton | year = 1982 | title = Dynamics of Passive Margins | publisher = American Geophysical Union | location = USA
*R. Mjelde, T. Raum Y. Murai, T. Takanami 2007 Continent-ocean-transitions: Review, and a new tectono-magmatic model of the Vøring Plateau, NE Atlantic. Journal of Geodynamics vol. 43, p. 374-392
ee also
*
Convergent boundary
*Divergent boundary
*Plate tectonics
*Continental shelf
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