Canada Basin Tectono-Sedimentary Element, Arctic Ocean

Abstract

Abstract The Canada Basin (CB) formed during a short period of seafloor spreading inferred to be Early Cretaceous in age. Brookian strata of inferred Early Cretaceous–Holocene age comprise the sedimentary fill of the Canada Basin Tectono-Sedimentary Element (CB TSE). Although the CB has remained tectonically quiet since seafloor spreading ceased, both proximal and distal tectonism (Alpha Ridge magmatism, and the Cordilleran, Brooks Range and Eurekan orogenies) have influenced sediment source areas, dispersal paths and thicknesses in the basin. In the Neogene, the dominant source of sediments was the Mackenzie River, which drains northern portions of the Cordilleran orogen. The CB TSE is one of the most remote and challenging places on Earth to explore. Although regional seismic reflection and refraction data exist, there are no boreholes to constrain interpretations. Existing published estimates of hydrocarbon potential range from limited to moderate to significant.