West Greenland Rifted Margin Composite Tectono-Sedimentary Element

AbstractThe West Greenland Rifted Margin Composite Tectono-Sedimentary Element is composed of two distinct sedimentary accumulations: (1) pre-rift (pre-Cretaceous) and (2) synrift (Early Cretaceous–Danian), which represent individual tectono-sedimentary elements. The pre-rift tectono-sedimentary element includes the oldest and most poorly known offshore sedimentary basins, which mainly evolved in a cratonic platform setting with initial rifting. In contrast, Cretaceous–lower Paleocene sedimentary basins of the synrift tectono-sedimentary element are known from several wells, outcrops and seabed samples, and basins are mapped in most parts of the margin. This element is the most prospective part of the margin, where hydrocarbon shows occur in some wells and seeps are known from outcrops in central West Greenland.