Crustal architecture and tectonic evolution of the Sergipe-Alagoas and Jacuipe basins, offshore northeastern Brazil

摘要

The Sergipe-Alagoas and the Jacuipe basins are divergent margin basins located in the South Atlantic Ocean, at the northeastern Brazilian margin. High-quality 18 s (two-way travel time) seismic reflection profiles, which extend from the coastline towards the boundary with the oceanic crust, were integrated with potential field data and calibrated with the results of several exploratory boreholes. When combined, these data provide evidence that the deep seismic reflectors in the deep-water region are related to the crustal architecture of the basin, rather than to sedimentary features. Arrays of high-impedance reflectors, previously interpreted as top of basement, probably correspond to detachment planes near the base of the crust, or to underplated igneous rocks above the Moho. The-extensional processes that were active during rifting resulted in normal crustal faults that apparently detach near the seismic Moho in the deep-water region. These crustal faults control and rotate syn-rift sedimentary units along the margin. The seaward portion of the rift seems to have been uplifted and highly eroded during a post-break-up tectonic event. The deep seismic reflection profiles also indicate that the deep-water province is characterized by wedges of reflectors that dip seawards. These features probably correspond to seaward-dipping reflectors (SDR), which are composed of volcanic rocks marking the transition to oceanic crust. The SDR wedges are locally associated with volcanic intrusions. ever volcanic plugs in deep-water region are aligned with oceanic fracture zones that apparently penetrate through the whole crust and reach the upper mantle. On the other hand, there are some diapiric structures located near the boundary between continental and oceanic crust that bear evidence for deep-water salt tectonics. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. [References: 61]