Jan Mayen Microcontinent Composite Tectono-Sedimentary Element and Jan Mayen Prograded Margin Tectono-Sedimentary Element, Greenland Sea

The Jan Mayen Micro-Continent (JMMC) is the result of two Cainozoic phases of continental breakup, and subsequent seafloor spreading. The first established a spreading ridge system consisting of the Reykjanes, Ægir, and Mohn spreading ridges between Norway and Greenland in early Eocene. The second phase established the Kolbeinsey Ridge in Oligocene/Miocene separating the JMMC form Greenland. Two major stratigraphic elements are established accordingly, the Jan Mayen Micro-Continent Composite Tectono-Sedimentary Element (JMMC CTSE) for the Middle Devonian to Miocene succession, and the Jan Mayen Prograded Margin Tectono-Sedimentary Element (JMPM TSE) for the Miocene to Holocene succession. OBS refraction data show that the JMMC is underlain by a generally thickened crust. Plate reconstructions show that this crust most likely is a remnant of continental crust rifted off East Greenland, and thereby, consist of rocks that correlates with the Late Palaeozoic and Mesozoic strata stratigraphy of the conjugate margins of East Greenland and Norway known to be hydrocarbon. The arrival of the Iceland hot spot and the breakup magmatism greatly influenced the historic and current heat flow. Published maturation models and play analysis, show that there is a potential for oil and gas in the Jan Mayen Ridge within the JMMC.