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Possible mechanism of continental breakup in the North Atlantic

Abstract

NEW observations from the Skaergård area have provided evidence relating to the mechanism of continental breakup in the North Atlantic. The East Greenland coastal flexure and its associated dyke swarm1 has become a classic of this type of structure and has been frequently compared with similar structures around the world, notably the Lebombo monocline of sooth-east Africa2,3. No new data have appeared in print, however, since the original description by Wager and Deer1. I have had (the opportunity to examine the structures in the Skaegård area (68 °N, 32 °W), and report here my observations on the mechanism of flexuring and dyke intrusion, which is believed to be very similar to structures described from areas of present spreading, such as Afar4.

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References

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NIELSEN, T. Possible mechanism of continental breakup in the North Atlantic. Nature 253, 182–184 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1038/253182a0

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