Application of density modeling for solving the problem on the nature of the Bransfield Strait
© Kozlenko Yu.V., Kozlenko M.V.
In order to study deep structure of north-western borderland of the Antarctic Peninsula, taking into account
two existing contradictory notions as to the reasons of appearance of rifto-genesis in the Bransfield Strait,
according to seismic data, multi-variant two-dimensional density simulation has been conducted along
the profile involving the structures from the oceanic block of the Drake Strait up to the continent. The results
did not confirm the spreading-subduction nature of the West Antarctica. Therefore, the continental margin of
the Antarctic Peninsula belongs the most probably to the passive type, and the Bransfield Strait is not a back from
arch basin. It has been shown that typically oceanic crust of the Drake Strait is interchanged by two-layered
sub-continental crust of the South Shetland islands. In the Bransfield Strait the rootage of the mantle matter
into lower and medium part of the basement has been confirmed that together with subsidence of the bottom
is typical for rift structures. Suggestion has been made as to existence of one more rifting center in the coastal
part of the Bransfield platform. The depth of the mantle surface within the Antarctic Peninsula obtained according
to calculations, testifies its continental structure.
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