Joumal of Petroleum Geology, Vol.1, No.1, pp. 103-110, 1978

©Copyright 2000 Scientific Press, Ltd.

TECTONIC CONTROL OF OFFSHORE SEDIMENTARY BASINS TO THE NORTH AND WEST OF IRELAND

M. D. Max*

*Geological Survey of Ireland, 14 Hume Slreet, Dublin 2.

Abstract

A newly compiled tectonic map of Ireland and part of the offshore area can be used to show that a pattern of rejuvenated Caledonian structures was superseded by newly imposed structures at about the time of the opening of the northern North Atlantic Ocean. There are three distinct patterns of structural control: 1. Older Caledonian structures, 2. Younger Caledonian structures and 3. 'Oceanic' structures. Younger structural patterns are each superimposed on older, so that locally interference patterns are developed. Each of the structural regimes has controlled sedimentation in particular zones, and where superimposition has occurred, mixed shelf-continental and 'oceanic' sedimentation can be expected at different structural levels.