Deciphering the complex history of the cabo frio high – SE brazilian continental margin

Abstract

Extensive seismic reflection interpretation of the Cabo Frio High allowed better understanding of its proximal and distal structure. Seismic lines helped map the salt base and recognize the primary geological interfaces, unconformities, faults, and volcanic intrusions. The proximal Cabo Frio High is a continental basement uplift extending mainly into the Campos Basin. The Cabo Frio Outer High, which is of volcanic origin, lies between Santos and Campos Basins. This volcanism is concentrated at the crossing of two significant structures: Cruzeiro do Sul Lineament and Rio de Janeiro Fracture Zone. The Cabo Frio High fits an NW-SE fold axis, which is well correlated with distension along NW-SE direction generating a regional E-W sinistral plate movement, mainly related to the ENE-WNW sinistral Rio de Janeiro transfer zones. The accumulated uplift is approximately 4 km, achieved by at least four uplifting pulses. The uplifting starts in the Albian-Santonian, characterized by the elevation of the northeast portion of Cabo Frio High, followed by erosion. The sill and dikes intruded in the Upper Cretaceous, and the uplift of the southwest portion of the Cabo Frio High characterizes the second uplift pulse. Subaerial Eocene volcanos characterize the third uplifting pulse. The uplifting of the Blue Marker horizon (Oligocene) characterizes the last pulse.