Neogene evolution of the NW European Atlantic margin : results from the STRATAGEM Project

Since the early 20th century, hypothesis-driven research has dominated scientific methodology (Anderson, 2004). From a geological perspective, this is well exemplified by the concept of ‘passive continental margins’, so-called due to their presumed relative tectonic quiescence subsequent to a phase of syn-rift faulting and magmatic activity during continental break-up. The Atlantic continental margins have long been considered as the archetype of ‘passive continental margins’. The formulation of 1D ‘stretching and cooling’ models has, for some time, determined the generalised way in which we think that such margins should behave (McKenzie, 1978), based on an assumption that the only significant post-rift tectonic process is lithospheric cooling (e.g. White, 2003). However, seismic and well data are beginning to reveal that Atlantic-type margins are ‘anything but passive’ in their development. Stratigraphic and structural observations of Cenozoic successions, both Palaeogene and Neogene, are beginning to reveal stepwise patterns of subsidence together with km-scale tectonic uplift, which cannot be accounted for by simple cooling of the lithosphere (cf. Praeg et al., 2005, and references therein).