Geology & Geophysics Group
Rifted margins and extension
Contact: Dr Lisa McNeill
Our research on rifted margins and continental rifts involves understanding how they develop and evolve, from the initial extension of continents through to breakup and the formation of ocean basins, mid-ocean ridges and continental margins. We employ marine geophysical methods, such as reflection and wide-angle reflection/refraction seismology to investigate crustal and lithospheric structure and magmatic processes during the rifting process. For much of our work, we integrate both marine and terrestrial geophysical and geological techniques to analyse the entire rift system. Research in this area is important for oil and gas exploration and our work receives significant industry support.
Left: Bathymetry of the western Corinth rift, central Greece, showing active canyon and channel systems transporting sediment into the central basin and active fault systems influencing topography.
Fence diagram showing velocity structure of part of the Eastern Black Sea
Key areas include:
- Magmatic and tectonic processes in the final stages of continental breakup including the exhumation of mantle rocks
- Lithospheric and crustal structure of conjugate rifted margins and implications for the rifting process
- Style of continental breakup and links to seafloor spreading rate - Variability of stretching factor with depth during rifting
- Developing and testing models of melting during continental rifting and seafloor spreading
- Geometry and evolution of continental rift systems
Recent projects include:
- Crustal structure and break-up history of the Iberia-Newfoundland conjugate non-volcanic margins from marine seismology and deep-sea drilling
- Wide-angle seismic study of the Black Sea to assess crustal and lithospheric stretching during continental breakup
- The Laxmi Ridge-Seychelles rifted margins, Indian Ocean and the influence of the Deccan plume
- Estimates of extension at Chagos Bank in the Indian Ocean to constrain large-scale deformation between the Indian and Capricorn plates
- Rift development, strain distribution and active fault geometry within the Gulf of Corinth continental rift, central Greece
- Magmatic and Tectonic History of Iceland’s Western Rift Zone at Lake Thingvallavatn
G&G personnel involved in this research:
- Christian Berndt
- Jon Bull
- Simon Dean
- Rose Edwards
- Gavin Elliott
- Tim Henstock
- Lisa McNeill
- Tim Minshull
- Dave Sanderson
- Donna Shillington
- John Armitage (PhD student)
- Rebecca Bell (PhD student)
- Caroline Scott (PhD student)
