Cretaceous (post-Valanginian) sedimentation and rift events in the NE Greenland (71°-77°N)

A tectono-sedimentary model is proposed for the Cretaceous (post-Valanginian) succession of NE Greenland which provides insights into the evolution of adjacent margins. Subsequent to a major reorganization of fault blocks during rifting in the Volgian–Valanginian a seafloor topography controlled by block faulting was created and was maintained by faulting until the end of rifting in the Middle Albian. This topography was infilled after the Middle Albian and a shelf break margin was created and maintained until at least the Campanian. After this time there is no onshore sedimentary record in NE Greenland to constrain interpretations. Post-Valanginian sedimentation was dominated by the accumulation of fine sediments. However, significant thicknesses of coarse clastics are recorded at several stratigraphic levels in East Greenland. The primary controls on sandstone occurrence are steps in the basin bounding fault. The greatest accumulation of sandstones is associated with the largest of these steps. Sandstone supply to basinal areas was controlled by periods of lowstand. These have been identified in the Barremian, Late Aptian and Coniacian. Sandstone deposition occurred in fiuvio–deltaic, tidally influenced shallow marine and deep marine environments. The degradation of sandy footwall slopes did not lead to the formation of sandy sequences in the adjacent hanging wall successions.