Structure and Evolution of the Central Kerguelen Plateau Deduced from Seismic Stratigraphic Studies and Drilling at Site 747

• Main Authors: Munschy, M, Fritsch, B, Schlich, R, Fezga, F, Rotstein, Y, Coffin, MF
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Texas A & M University, Ocean Drilling Program 1992
• Subjects: Earth Sciences; Geology; Marine Geoscience; Broken Ridge; Kerguelen; Antarc*; Antarctica
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.2973/odp.proc.sr.120.125.1992; http://ecite.utas.edu.au/73897

The structure and evolution of the Central Kerguelen Plateau (CKP), located between 54-57S and 61-84E,is derived from the seismic stratigraphic interpretation of multichannel seismic data and from Ocean DrillingProgram results at Site 747. The CKP formed 120-110 m.y. ago by excessive volcanic activity at the axis of thespreading ridge that separated India from Antarctica. At 72 Ma, a major pre-rift tectonic episode stretched thebasement of the CKP in an east-west direction; the 77E Graben consists of several rift units, somewhat similar tothe structure observed in the East African continental rift system. At 42 Ma, the breakup between the KerguelenPlateau and Broken Ridge was accompanied by a period of nonsedimentation of about 15-m.y. duration. After thebreakup, the sedimentation was generally continuous but evolved during the Pliocene-Pleistocene in response toclimate changes.