Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

East Avalonia, the third partner in the Caledonian collisions: evidence from deep seismic reflection data

  • Published:
Geologische Rundschau Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Further evidence for the existence of the terrane East Avalonia (Cadomia) in north-west Europe, its boundaries and its role in the Caledonian collisional processes comes from studies of deep seismic reflection data at sea and on land. Various sutures are found in the north-east and the north-west, and a generally poor reflectivity dominates in the major part. Further details of reflectivity patterns support the idea that a huge terrane which split from the northern rim of Gondwana moved northward and collided with the merging plates Laurentia-Baltica. Its docking features are analysed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • BABEL Working Group (1991) Deep seismic survey images crustal structure of Tornquist Zone beneath Southern Baltic Sea. Geophys Res Lett 18: 1091–1094

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • BABEL Working Group (1993) Deep seismic reflection/refraction interpretation of crustal structure along BABEL profiles A & B in the southern Baltic Sea. Geophys J Int 112: 325–343

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barton PJ (1986) The relationship between seismic velocity and density in the continental crust — a useful constraint? Geophys JR Astron Soc 87: 195–208

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Berthelsen A (1984) The early (800-300 Ma) crustal evolution of the off-shield regions of Europe. In: Galson DA, Mueller St (eds) First EGT Workshop: The Northern Segment. European Science Foundation, pp 125–140

  • Berthelsen A (1992) From Precambrian to Variscan Europe. In: Blundell DJ, Freeman R, Mueller St (eds) A Continent Revealed: The European Geotraverse. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp 153–163

    Google Scholar 

  • BIRPS and ECORS (1986) Deep seismic reflection profiling between England, Ireland and France. J Geol Soc London 143: 45–52

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blundell DJ, Hobbs RW Klemperer SL, Scott-Robinson R, Long RE, West TE, Duin E (1991) Crustal structure of the central and southern North Sea from BIRPS deep seismic reflection profiling. J Geol Soc London 148: 445–457

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bois C, Cazes M, Damotte B, Galdeano A, Hirn A, Mascle A, Matte P, Raoult JF, Torreilles G (1986) Deep seismic profiling of the crust in northern France: the ECORS Project. In: Barazangi M, Brown L (eds) Reflection Seismology: A Global Perspective. Geodyn Ser No 13. American Geophysical Union, Washington, pp 21–30

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Bouckaert J, Fock W, Vandenberghe N (1988) First results of the Belgian Geotraverse (BELCORP). Ann Soc Geol Belg 111: 279–290

    Google Scholar 

  • Brewer JA, Matthews DH, Warner MR, Hall J, Smythe DK, Whittington RJ (1983) BIRPS deep seismic reflection studies of the British Caledonides. Nature 305: 206–210

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cazes M, Mascle A, Torreilles G, Bois C, Damotte B, Matte P, Raoult JF, Pham NV, Him A, Galdeano A (1986) Large Variscan overthrusts beneath the Paris basin. Nature 323: 144–147

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chadwick RA, Pharao TC, Smith NJP (1989) Lower crustal heterogeneity beneath Britain from deep seismic reflection data. J Geol Soc London 146: 617–630

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cogne J, Wright AE (1980 L'Orogene cadomien. In: Cogne J, Slansky W(Coordinators) Geologie de l'Europe. Mem BRGM, Orleans, 108 pp

  • Cook FA (1986) Continental evolution by lithospheric shingling. In: Barazangi M, Brown L (eds) Reflection Seismology: The Continental Crust. Geodyn Ser No 14. American Geophysical Union, Washington, pp 13–19

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • DEKORP Research Group (1990) Crustal structure of the Rhenish Massif: results of deep seismic reflection lines DEKORP 2-North and 2-North-Q. Geol Rundsch 79: 523–566

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DEKORP Research Group (1991) Results of the DEKORP I (BELCORP-DEKORP) deep seismic reflection studies in the western part of the Rhenish Massif. Geophys J Int 106: 203–227

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dewey JF (1969) Evolution of the Caledonian/Appalachian orogen. Nature 222: 124–129

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dohr G (1983) Ergebnisse geophysikalischer Untersuchungen über den Bau des Nordwestdeutschen Beckens. Erdoel-Erdgas 99: 252–267

    Google Scholar 

  • Dohr G (1990) Ergebnisse geophysikalischer Arbeiten zur Untersuchung des tieferen Untergrundes in Norddeutschland. Nds Akad Geowiss Veröff 2: 4–22

    Google Scholar 

  • EUGENO-S Working Group (1988) Crustal structure and tectonic evolution of the transition between the Baltic Shield and the North German Caledonides. Tectonophysics 150: 253–348

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Franke W (1989) Variscan plate tectonics in Central Europe - current ideas and open questions. Tectonophysics 169: 221–228

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Franke W, Bortfeld RK, Brix M, Drozdzewski G, Dürbaum HJ, Giese P, Janoth W, Jödicke H, Reichert C, Sclerp A, Schmoll J, Thomas R, Thünker M, Weber K, Wiesner MG, Wong HK (1990) Crustal structure of the Renish Massif: results of deep seismic reflection lines DEKORP 2-N and 2-N-Q. Geol Rundsch 79: 523–566

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Franke D (1990a) Der präpermische Untergrund der Mitteleuropäi-schen Senke - Fakten und Hypothesen. Nds Akad Geowiss Veröff 4: 19–71

    Google Scholar 

  • Franke D (1990b) The north-west part of the Tornquist-Teisseyre Zone - platform margin or intraplate structure? Z Angew Geol 36: 45–48

    Google Scholar 

  • Freeman B, Klemperer SL, Hobbs RW (1988) The deep structure of northern England and the Iapetus Suture zone from BIRPS deep seismic reflection profiles. J Geol Soc London 145: 727–740

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Frei W, Heitzmann P, Lehner P, Müfer St, Olivier R, Pfiffner A, Steck A, Valasek P (1989) Geotraverses across the Swiss Alps. Nature 340: 544–548

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gibbons W (1984) The Precambrian basement of England and Wales. Geol Assoc London Proc 95: 387–388

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guterch A, Grad M, Materzok R, Perchuc E (1986) Deep structure of the Earth's crust in the contact zone of the Paleozoic and Precambrian platforms in Poland. Tectonophysics 128: 251–279

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hoffmann H, Bölsche J, Horst W, Lange W, Palesch F, Pomeranceva IV, Wruck K (1988) Tiefenseismische Untersuchungen in der DDR durch den VEB Kombinat Geophysik — Stand und Ergebnisse. Z Angew. Geol 35: 308–314

    Google Scholar 

  • Howell DG (1989) Terranes. Sci Am 253: 116–125

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Klemperer SL (1988) Crustal thinning and nature of extension in the northern North Sea from deep seismic reflection profiling. Tectonics 7: 803–821

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Klemperer SL (1989) Seismic reflection evidence for the location of the Iapetus suture west of Ireland. J Geol Soc London 146: 409–412

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Klemperer S, Matthews DH (1987) Iapetus suture located beneath the North Sea by BIRPS deep seismic reflection profiling. Geology 15: 195–198

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Larsson FR, Husebye ES (1991) Crustal reflectivity in the Skagerrak area. Tectonophysics 189: 135–148

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lueschen E, Fuchs K, Menges D, Rühl Th, Sandmeier K-J, Schnell H-P, Wenzel F, Wälde W, Wilhelm H, Janoth W, Keller F, Söllner W, Stiller M, Schalfeld J, Thomas R, Krohe A, Eisbacher G, Stenger R, Reichert Ch, Schmoll J (1987) Seismic reconnaissance studies of the deep drilling location KTB-Black Forest, SW Germany. J Geophys 62: 1–30

    Google Scholar 

  • Mason R (1988) Did the Iapetus really exist? Geology 16: 823–826

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Matthews DH, Cheadle MJ (1986) Deep reflections from the Caledonides and Variscides west of Britain and comparison with the Himalayas. In: Barazangi M, Brown L (eds) Reflection Seismology: A Global Perspective. Geodyn Ser No 13. American Geophysical Union, Washington, pp 5–20

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • McKerrow WS, Dewey JF, Scotese CR (1991) The Ordovician and Silurian Development of the Iapetus Ocean. Spec Pap Palaeontol No 44, pp 165–178

  • Meissner R (1986) The Continental Crust: A Geophysical Approach. Int. Geophys Ser No 34. Academic Press, New York, 426 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Meissner R (1989) Rupture, creep, lamellae and crocodiles: happenings in the continental crust. Terra Nova 1: 17–28

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meissner R, Brown LD (1991) Seismic reflections from the Earth's crust: comparative studies of tectonic pattern. Geophys J Int 105: 1–2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meissner R, DEKORP Research Group (1991) The DEKORP surveys: major results in tectonic and reflective styles. In: Meissner R, Brown L, Dürbaum H-J, Franke W Fuchs K, Seifert F (eds) Continental Lithosphere: Deep Seismic Reflections. Geodyn Ser No 22. American Geophysical Union, Washington, pp 69–76

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Meissner R, Wever T, Flüh E (1987) The Moho in Europe — implications for crustal development. Ann Geophys 5B: 357–364

    Google Scholar 

  • Meissner R, Wever T, Sadowiak P (1991) Continental collisions and seismic signature. Geophys J Int 105: 15–23

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Neumann RB (1984) Geology and paleobiology of islands in the ordovician Iapetus Ocean; review and implications. Geol Soc Am Bull 95: 1188–1201.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nur A (1983) Accreted terranes. Rev Geophys Space Phys 21: 1779–1785

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Page RA, Plafger G, Fluis GS, Nokleburg WJ, Ambos EL, Mooney WD, Campbell DL (1986) Accretion and subduction tectonics in the Chugach Mountains and Copper River Basin, Alaska: initial results of the Trans-Alaska Crustal Transect. Geology 6: 501–505

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pegrum RM, Rees G, Naylor D (1975) Geology of the North-West European Continental Shelf. Vol II. The North Sea. Graham Trotman Dudley, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Perroud H, Van der Voo R, Bonhommet N (1984) Paleozoic evolution of the Armorica plate on the basis of paleomagnetic data. Geology 12: 579–582

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Potter CJ (1989) The deep structure of North American accreted terranes from deep seismic reflection data. In: Hillhouse JW (ed) Deep Structure and Past Kinematics of Accreted Terranes. Geophys Monogr No 50. American Geophysical Union, Washington, pp 203–208

    Google Scholar 

  • Potter CJ, Sanford WE, Yoos TR, Prussen El, Keach RW II, Oliver JE, Kaufman S, Brown LD (1986) COCORP deep seismic reflection traverse of the interior of the North American Cordillera, Washington and Idaho. Tectonics 5: 1007–1025

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pozaryski W (1991) The strike-slip terrane model for the North German-Polish Caledonides. Publ Inst Geophys Pol Acad Sci A-19 236: 14pp

  • Rast N (1989) The evolution of the Appalachian chain. In: Bally AW, Palmer AR (eds) The Geology of North America — An Overview. Vol A. Geological Society of America, Boulder, pp 323–348

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Remmelts G, Duin EJTh (1990) Results of a regional deep seismic survey in the Netherlands. In: Pinet B, Bois C (eds) The Potential of Deep Seismic Profiling for Hydrocarbon Exploration. Editions Technip, Paris, pp 335–343

    Google Scholar 

  • Sadowiak P, Wever T (1990) Reflection-diffraction seismic pattern at crustal suture zones. Tectonics 9: 1495–1513

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sadowiak P, Voss J, Meissner R (1989) 3-D modelling of diffractions observed on deep reflection line DEKORP 2-S. Geophys Prospect 37: 623–637

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sadowiak P, Wever T, Meissner R (1991) Deep seismic reflectivity paterns in specific tectonic units of western and Central Europe. Geophys J Int 105: 45–54

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith NIP (1987) The deep geology of central England: the prospectivity of the Paleozoic rocks. In: Brooks J, Glennie K (eds) Petroleum Geology of Northwest Europe. Graham and Trotman, London, pp 217–224

    Google Scholar 

  • Soper NJ, Hutton DHW (1984) Late Caledonian sinistral displacements in Britain: Implications for a three-plate collision model. Tectonics 3: 781–794

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Soper NJ, Strachnan RA, Holdsworth RE, Gayer RA, Greiling RO (1992a) Sinistral transpression and the Silurian closure of Iapetus. J Geol Soc London 149: 871–880

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Soper NJ, England RW, Snyder DB, Ryan PD (1992b) The Iapetus suture zone in England, Scotland and eastern Ireland: a reconciliation of geological and deep seismic data. J Geol See London 149: 697–700

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thomas SA, Sivhed U, Erlström M, Seifert M (1993) Seismostratigraphy and structural framework of the SW Baltic Sea. Terra Nova 5: 364–374

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thomas SA, Deeks NR (1994) Seismic evidences for inversion tectonics in the strike-slip regime of the Baltic Tornquist zone. Z Geol Wiss 22: in press

  • Thorpe RS, Beckinsale RD, Patchett PJ, Piper JDA, Davies GR, Evans JA (1984) Crustal growth and late Precambrian-early Paleozoic plate tectonic evolution of England and Wales. J Geol Soc London 141: 521–526

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thybo H, Kiorboe LL, Moller C, Schönharting G, Berthelsen A (1990) Geophysical and tectonic modelling of EUGENO-S profiles. In: Freman R, Mueller St (eds) Proceedings of the 6th Workshop on the EGT Project. European Science Foundation. pp 93–104

  • Torsvik TH, Smethurst MA, van der Voo R, Trench A, Abrahamsen N, Halvorsen E (1992) Baltica. A synopsis of Vendian-Permian paleomagnetic data and their paleotectonic implications. Earth Sci Rev 33: 133–152

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Torsvik, TH, Trench A, Svensson I, Walderhaug HJ (1993) Palaeogeographic significance of mid-Silurian palaeomagnetic results from southern Britain — major revision of the apparent polar wander path for eastern Avalonia. Geophys J Int 113: 651–668

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Trappe H (1989) Deep seismic profiling in the North German Basin. First Break 7: 173–184

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Trench A, Torsvik TH (1991) A revised Paleozoic apparent polar wander path for Southern Britain (Eastern Avalonia). Geophys J Int 104: 227–233

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wever T, Meissner R (1987) About the nature of reflections from the lower crust. Ann Geophys 5B: 349–352

    Google Scholar 

  • Wever Th, Sadowiak P (1989) A relationship between crustal thickness and mean crustal velocity. Tectonophysics 170: 159–163

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wever Th, Trappe H, Meissner R (1987) Possible relations between crustal reflectivity, crustal age, heat flow, and viscosity of the continents. Ann Geophys 5B: 255–266

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson JT (1966) Did the Atlantic close and then re-open? Nature211: 676–681

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ziegler PA (1984) Caledonian and Hercynian crustal consolidation of Western and Central Europe — a working hypothesis. Geol Mijn 63: 93–108

    Google Scholar 

  • Ziegler PA (1990) Geological Atlas of Western and Central Europe. 2nd ed. Shell International Petroleum, The Hague, 239p

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. P. Sadowiakl

    Present address: Niedersächsisches Landesamt für Bodenforschung, Stilleweg 2, D-30665, Hannover 51, Germany

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Geophysik, Universität Kiel, Olshausenstrasse 40, D-24098, Kiel, Germany

    R. Meissner, P. Sadowiakl & S. A. Thomas

Authors
  1. R. Meissner
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. P. Sadowiakl
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. S. A. Thomas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Meissner, R., Sadowiakl, P. & Thomas, S.A. East Avalonia, the third partner in the Caledonian collisions: evidence from deep seismic reflection data. Geol Rundsch 83, 186–196 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00211902

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00211902

Key words

Search

Navigation