Abstract
We present a compilation of more than 45,000 km of multichannel seismic data acquired in the last three decades in the Weddell Sea. In accordance with recent tectonic models and available drillhole information, a consistent stratigraphic model for depositional units W1–W5 is set up. In conjunction with existing aeromagnetic data, a chronostratigraphic timetable is compiled and units W1.5, W2 and W3 are tentatively dated to have ages of between 136 Ma and 114 Ma. The age of W3 is not well constrained, but might be younger than 114 Ma. The data indicate that the thickest sediments are present in the western and southern Weddell Sea. These areas formed the earliest basins in the Weddell Sea and so the distribution of Mesozoic sediments is in accordance with the tectonic development of the ocean basin. In terms of Cenozoic glacial sediments, the largest depocenters are situated in front of the Filchner–Ronne Shelf, i.e. at the Crary Fan, with a thickness of up to 3 km.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
P. Barker J. Kennett (1988) Proc. Ocean Drill. Prog. Init. Reps. Ocean Drilling Program College Station, Texas
S.C. Cande D.V. Kent (1995) ArticleTitleRevised calibration of the geomagnetic polarity timescale for the Late Cretaceous and Cenozoic J. Geophys. Res. 100 IssueIDB4 6093–6095 Occurrence Handle10.1029/94JB03098
D.K. Fütterer G. Kuhn H.W. Schenke (1990) Wegener Canyon bathymetry and results from rock dredging near ODP 691–693, Eastern Weddell Sea, Antarctica P. Barker J. Kennett (Eds) Proc. Ocean Drill. Prog. Sci. Results 113 Ocean Drilling Program College Station, Texas 39–47
M. Ghidella J.L. LaBrecque (1997) The Jurassic conjugate margins of the Weddell Sea: Considerations based on magnetic, gravimetry and paleobathymetry data CA Ricci (Eds) The Antarctic region: Geological Evolution and Processes Terra Antarctica Publication Siena 441–451
M. Ghidella G. Yanez J.L. LaBrecque (2001) ArticleTitleRevised tectonic implications for the magnetic anomalies of the western Weddell Sea Tectonophysics 347 65–86 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0040-1951(01)00238-4
Haugland, K., (1982) Seismic reconnaissance in the Weddell Sea. In: Craddock C (ed) Antarctic Geoscience, pp 405–413. Univ. of Wisconsin Press.
K. Haugland Y. Kristoffersen A. Velde (1985) ArticleTitleSeismic investigations in the Weddell Sea Embayment Tectonophysics 114 293–313 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0040-1951(85)90018-6
K. Hinz (1981) ArticleTitleA Hypothesis on terrestrial catastrophes, wedges of very thick oceanward dipping layers beneath passive margins - Their origin and paleoenvironmental significance Geologisches Jahrbuch E 22 3–28
K. Hinz W. Krause (1982) ArticleTitleThe continental margin of Queen Maud Land/Antarctica: Seismic sequences, structural elements and geological development Geologisches Jahrbuch E23 17–41
K. Hinz Y. Kristoffersen (1987) ArticleTitleAntarctica, Recent advances in the understanding of the continental shelf Geologisches Jahrbuch E37 3–54
C. Hübscher (1994) Krustenstrukturen und Verlauf des Kontinentalrandes im Weddellmeer/Antarktis Alfred-Wegener-Institut für Polar und Meeresforschung Bremerhaven
Jokat, W., Hübscher, C., Meyer, U., Oszko, L., Schöne, T., Versteeg, W. and Miller, H., (1996) The continental margin off East Antarctica between 10°W and 30°W. In: Storey B, King EC and Livermore RA (eds) Weddell Sea Tectonics and Gondwana Break-up, pp 129–141. Geological Society Special Publication No. 108, London.
W. Jokat H Oerter (Eds) (1997) The Expedition ANTARKTIS-XII of RV “Polarstern” in 1995 Alfred-Wegener-Institut für Polar und Meeresforschung Bremerhaven
W. Jokat H. Oerter (Eds) (1998) The Expedition ANTARKTIS-XIV of RV “Polarstern” in 1997 Alfred-Wegener-Institut für Polar und Meeresforschung Bremerhaven
W. Jokat T. Boebel M. König U. Meyer (2003) ArticleTitleTiming and geometry of early Gondwana breakup J. Geophys. Res. 108 IssueIDB9 2428 Occurrence Handle10.1029/2002JB001802
Jokat, W., Helm, V. and Krocker, R., (2003b) Evidence for a giant Plio/Pleistocene submarine slide at the Larsen Shelf, Antarctica. Submitted to Geophys. Res. Lett.
B. Kuvaas Y. Kristoffersen (1991) ArticleTitleThe Crary Fan: A Trough-mouth Fan on the Weddell Sea Continental Margin. Antarctica Mar. Geol. 97 345–362 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0025-3227(91)90125-N
Livermore, R.A. and Hunter, R.J., (1996) Mesozoic seafloor spreading in the southern Weddell Sea, In: Storey, B., King, E.C. and Livermore, R.A., (eds) Weddell Sea Tectonics and Gondwana Break-up, pp 227–241. Geological Society Special Publication No. 108, London.
K.H. Michels J. Rogenhagen G. Kuhn (2002) ArticleTitleRecognition of contour-current influence in mixed contourite-turbidite sequences of the western Weddell Sea Antarctica. Mar. Geophys. Res. 22 465–485 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1016303817273
Miller, H., Henriet, J.P., Kaul, N. and Moons, A., (1990) A fine-scale stratigraphy of the eastern margin of the Weddell Sea. In: Bleil U. and Thiede J. (eds.) Geological history of the Polar Oceans: Arctic versus Antarctic, pp 131–161. Kluwer Academic Publishers.
Moons, A., DeBatist M., Henriet, J.P. and Miller, H., (1992) Sequence Stratigraphy of the Cary Fan, Southeastern Weddell Sea. In: Yoshida Y., Kaminuma K. and Shiraishi, K. (eds) Recent progress in Antarctic Earth Science, pp 613–618. Tokyo.
L. Oszko (1997) Tectonic structures and glaciomarine sedimentation in the South-Eastern Weddell Sea from seismic reflection data Alfred-Wegener-Institut für Polar und Meeresforschung Bremerhaven
Ritzmann, O., (2000) Refraktionsseismische Untersuchungen am Kontinentalrand der Ostantarktis. Diploma thesis (unpublished), Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms Universität, Bonn.
J. Rogenhagen (2000) Interpretation seismischer und gravimetrische Daten des Weddellmeeres, Antarktis Alfred-Wegener-Institut für Polar und Meeresforschung Bremerhaven
J. Rogenhagen W. Jokat (2000) ArticleTitleThe sedimentary structure in the western Weddell Sea Mar. Geol. 168 45–60 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0025-3227(00)00048-7
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Rogenhagen, J., Jokat, W., Hinz, K. et al. Improved Seismic Stratigraphy of the Mesozoic Weddell Sea. Mar Geophys Res 25, 265–282 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11001-005-1335-y
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11001-005-1335-y