Opening of the North Atlantic Ocean and the rise of Scandinavian mountains

Anna Makushkina*, Benoit Tauzin, Meghan S. Miller, Hrvoje Tkalčić, Hans Thybo*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Large-scale topography is usually associated with tectonic plate boundaries, but the Scandinavian mountains (Scandes) are located far from any active tectonic setting, and their origin is unknown. We demonstrate that the Precambrian lithospheric structure of Fennoscandia controlled both the Cenozoic ocean opening and mountain rise in the North Atlantic region. Our new seismic receiver function analysis reveals a block of thick continental crust formed by Proterozoic crustal stacking. We propose that this block created a wide continental shelf bounded by two transform fault systems during continental breakup. This geometry resulted in the formation of lithospheric steps at the continental margin on both sides of the stacked crustal structure, coinciding with the highest Southern and Northern Scandes. We propose that edge-driven convection at these steps caused the mountain rise. This study presents a general model for the formation of high elevation behind passive margins.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)8-12
Number of pages5
JournalGeology
Volume53
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2025

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 Geological Society of America. For permission to copy, contact [email protected].

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