We study the tectonic setting and lithospheric structure of the greater
Barents Sea region by investigating its isostatic state and its gravity
field. 3-D forward density modelling utilizing available information
from seismic data and boreholes shows an apparent shift between the
level of observed and modelled gravity anomalies. This difference
cannot be solely explained by changes in crustal density. Furthermore,
isostatic calculations show that the present crustal thickness of
35-37 km in the Eastern Barents Sea is greater than required to isostatically
balance the deep basins of the area (>19 km). To isostatically compensate
the missing masses from the thick crust and deep basins and to adequately
explain the gravity field, high-density material (3300-3350 kg/m3)
in the lithospheric mantle below the Eastern Barents Sea is needed.
The distribution of mantle densities shows a regional division between
the Western and Eastern Barents and Kara Seas. In addition, a band
of high-densities is observed in the lower crust along the transition
zone from the Eastern to Western Barents Sea. The distribution of
high-density material in the crust and mantle suggests a connection
to the Neoproterozoic Timanide orogen and argues against the presence
of a Caledonian suture in the Eastern Barents Sea. Furthermore, the
results indicate that the basins of the Western Barents Sea are mainly
affected by rifting, while the Eastern Barents Sea basins are located
on a stable continental platform.
%0 Journal Article
%1 ebbing_etal:2007
%A Ebbing, J.
%A Braitenberg, C.
%A Wienecke, S.
%C Geological Survey of Norway (NGU), 7491 Trondheim, Norway. E-mail:
Joerg.Ebbing@ngu.no; 7491; 34100
%D 2007
%I Blackwell Publishing Ltd
%J Geophysical Journal International
%K geophysics seismics seismology
%N 3
%P 1390--1403
%R 10.1111/j.1365-246X.2007.03602.x
%T Insights into the lithospheric structure and tectonic setting of
the Barents Sea region from isostatic considerations
%U http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-246X.2007.03602.x
%V 171
%X We study the tectonic setting and lithospheric structure of the greater
Barents Sea region by investigating its isostatic state and its gravity
field. 3-D forward density modelling utilizing available information
from seismic data and boreholes shows an apparent shift between the
level of observed and modelled gravity anomalies. This difference
cannot be solely explained by changes in crustal density. Furthermore,
isostatic calculations show that the present crustal thickness of
35-37 km in the Eastern Barents Sea is greater than required to isostatically
balance the deep basins of the area (>19 km). To isostatically compensate
the missing masses from the thick crust and deep basins and to adequately
explain the gravity field, high-density material (3300-3350 kg/m3)
in the lithospheric mantle below the Eastern Barents Sea is needed.
The distribution of mantle densities shows a regional division between
the Western and Eastern Barents and Kara Seas. In addition, a band
of high-densities is observed in the lower crust along the transition
zone from the Eastern to Western Barents Sea. The distribution of
high-density material in the crust and mantle suggests a connection
to the Neoproterozoic Timanide orogen and argues against the presence
of a Caledonian suture in the Eastern Barents Sea. Furthermore, the
results indicate that the basins of the Western Barents Sea are mainly
affected by rifting, while the Eastern Barents Sea basins are located
on a stable continental platform.
@article{ebbing_etal:2007,
abstract = {We study the tectonic setting and lithospheric structure of the greater
Barents Sea region by investigating its isostatic state and its gravity
field. 3-D forward density modelling utilizing available information
from seismic data and boreholes shows an apparent shift between the
level of observed and modelled gravity anomalies. This difference
cannot be solely explained by changes in crustal density. Furthermore,
isostatic calculations show that the present crustal thickness of
35-37 km in the Eastern Barents Sea is greater than required to isostatically
balance the deep basins of the area (>19 km). To isostatically compensate
the missing masses from the thick crust and deep basins and to adequately
explain the gravity field, high-density material (3300-3350 kg/m3)
in the lithospheric mantle below the Eastern Barents Sea is needed.
The distribution of mantle densities shows a regional division between
the Western and Eastern Barents and Kara Seas. In addition, a band
of high-densities is observed in the lower crust along the transition
zone from the Eastern to Western Barents Sea. The distribution of
high-density material in the crust and mantle suggests a connection
to the Neoproterozoic Timanide orogen and argues against the presence
of a Caledonian suture in the Eastern Barents Sea. Furthermore, the
results indicate that the basins of the Western Barents Sea are mainly
affected by rifting, while the Eastern Barents Sea basins are located
on a stable continental platform.},
added-at = {2012-09-01T13:08:21.000+0200},
address = {Geological Survey of Norway (NGU), 7491 Trondheim, Norway. E-mail:
Joerg.Ebbing@ngu.no; 7491; 34100},
author = {Ebbing, J. and Braitenberg, C. and Wienecke, S.},
biburl = {https://www.bibsonomy.org/bibtex/293490a71d84d5e7f807562b8c7e8bea9/nilsma},
doi = {10.1111/j.1365-246X.2007.03602.x},
interhash = {443fabe3689f76d5fbf8c3d983ee3957},
intrahash = {93490a71d84d5e7f807562b8c7e8bea9},
issn = {1365-246X},
journal = {Geophysical Journal International},
keywords = {geophysics seismics seismology},
month = dec,
number = 3,
pages = {1390--1403},
publisher = {Blackwell Publishing Ltd},
timestamp = {2021-02-09T13:27:55.000+0100},
title = {Insights into the lithospheric structure and tectonic setting of
the Barents Sea region from isostatic considerations},
url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-246X.2007.03602.x},
volume = 171,
year = 2007
}