High-resolution sediment mass-budget of the Shetland Platform during the Paleocene–Early Eocene; constraints on external forcing by uplift and climate

• Published in: Journal of the Geological Society Vol. 182; no. 1
• Main Authors: Valore, Lucas A., Sømme, Tor O., Eide, Christian H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 06-01-2025
• ISSN: 0016-7649; 2041-479X
• DOI: 10.1144/jgs2024-058

In the Paleocene–Early Eocene, distinct surface and stratigraphic signals recorded around Shetland have been correlated to hinterland uplift associated with the Icelandic Plume, the effects of the Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum and the opening of the NE Atlantic Ocean. In this paper, we use a large dataset combining >230 000 km 2 of 3D and 2D seismic data and >1700 wells to perform a high-resolution analysis of the sediment fluxes and palaeogeographical evolution around Shetland, comparing these results with an empirical–statistical model of sediment generation (BQART equation) to obtain a sediment mass-budget. In the Faroe–Shetland and Northern North Sea basins, two peaks in sediment fluxes are observed: one during the deposition of the Vaila and Lista formations (Selandian–Early Thanetian) and one associated with the Flett and Dornoch formations (close to the Paleocene–Eocene transition). Comparing these peaks with a set of independent observations suggests that both are probably controlled by uplift, with an exceptional match with various constraints on vertical motions during the Paleocene–Eocene transition. Each peak in sediment supply has distinct implications for models of geodynamic evolution. Additionally, both long-term and sharp warming during the Paleocene–Eocene transition appear not to be required to produce the observed sediment supply rates.