Late Neogene contourites in NE Baffin Bay - West Greenland margin: the signature of a proto-Irminger Current?

• Paul C. Knutz ^[1] ; John R. Hopper ^[1] ; Ulrik Gregersen ^[1] ; Tove Nielsen ^[1]
  1. [1] Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS)
• Localización: Geotemas (Madrid), ISSN 1576-5172, Nº. 11, 2010 (Ejemplar dedicado a: Deep-Water Circulation: Processes & Products. International Congress. Baitona, Pontevedra, Spain. 16 & 17 June 2010), págs. 91-92
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • Remarkable mounded drifts and contourites characterise the late Neogene succession of the West Greenland continental margin in NE Baffin Bay. These ocean current deposits are observed over two stratigraphic levels: above a middle Miocene horizon and above an incised conformity of probable early Pliocene - late Miocene age. The upper Miocene unit displays a 500-1200 m thick mounded sediment prism, covering an area of 100 x150 km across the central shelf. The significant presence of fossil contourites in the late Neogene sediment record suggests that pervasive geostrophic currents invaded the West Greenland shelf margin prior to onset of glaciations, possibly forming a vigorous equivalent to the present day Irminger Current.