Continental drift has shaped our planet for billions of years, orchestrating major geological events. Among contemporary phenomena, the emergence of a submerged microcontinent off the coast of Greenland particularly intrigues scientists.
Between Canada and Greenland, the Davis Strait forms a major tectonic boundary. The formation of this strait dates back approximately 33 to 61 million years, during the Paleogene. A remarkable feature of this period is the discovery of an unusually thick fragment of continental crust submerged in the ocean.
This fragment, now identified as the Davis Strait proto-microcontinent, raises many questions about the mechanisms behind its formation. A team of researchers has studied this anomaly to better understand its origin.
The researchers used maps derived from gravimetric and seismic reflection data to reconstruct tectonic movements over roughly 30 million years. They highlighted the complexity of the formation of this proto-microcontinent.
According to their research, the rifting process between Canada and Greenland began around 118 million years ago (Myr), with seafloor spreading in the Labrador Sea and Baffin Bay around 61 Myr. A key period between 49 to 58 Myr was crucial for the formation of this proto-microcontinent.
Model of tectonic evolution between Canada and Greenland, identifying the position of the Davis Strait proto-microcontinent (DSPM), as well as the location of transform faults along the mid-Atlantic ridge and continental crust thicknesses.
Credit: Longley et al. 2024. Understanding the formation of microcontinents is crucial, not only for geology but also for anticipating future tectonic phenomena. Similar studies could shed light on the formation of other microcontinents, such as Jan Mayen northeast of Iceland or Gulden Draak Knoll off the coast of Australia.
The implications of this research are vast, ranging from forecasting tectonic hazards to discovering new natural resources.