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Journal of the Geological Society; 1992; v. 149; issue.3; p. 413-417;
DOI: 10.1144/gsjgs.149.3.0413
© 1992 Geological Society of London

Article

Variscan structure and its influence on post-Carboniferous basin development, Western Approaches Basin, SW UK Continental Shelf

R. R. HILLIS1 & T. J. CHAPMAN2

1 British Geological Survey, Murchison House, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3LA, UK and University of Edinburgh, Grant Institute of Geology, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JW, UK
2 GECO-PRAKLA, GECO House, Boundary Road, Woking, Surrey GU21 5BX, UK

Reflection seismic records from the Western Approaches Basin (SW UK Continental Shelf) reveal SSE-dipping reflection packages within the Variscan basement. These have been mapped and are believed to originate from Variscan thrusts. Orthogonal transfer faults are apparent as NNW-trending zones of discontinuity. Structural trends in the Permian-Mesozoic Western Approaches Basin parallel those of the underlying basement. An end-Variscan structural high in the northern part of the basin was progressively onlapped from the south during Permian times. This high may have been formed by thrust-driven tectonic thickening of the crust. During Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous times Variscan thrusts were reactivated in the western part of the basin (Melville Basin) to form a half-graben. However, in the east (St Mary's Basin), the basin is more symmetrical, and Mesozoic reactivation of Variscan thrusts cannot be unequivocally demonstrated.





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