Evolution of the Source Mineralogy and Lithospheric Controls on Magmatism During the Northeast Atlantic Continental Breakup

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Authors: Emily H. Cunningham, Sarah Lambart, Pengyuan Guo, Sayantani Chatterjee, Christian Tegner, Autumn Hartley, Ashley Mae Morris, Sverre Planke, Christian Berndt, C. A. Alvarez Zarikian, Peter Betlem, Henk Brinkhuis
+13 more Marialena Christopoulou, Eric Ferre, Irina Y. Filina, Joost Frieling, Dustin T. Harper, Morgan T. Jones, Jack Longman, John Millett, Geoffroy T. F. Mohn, Reed P. Scherer, Natalia Varela, Weimu Xu, Stacy L. Yager
Cited by: 1
References: 148

Abstract

Abstract The mid‐Norwegian Margin, part of the North Atlantic Igneous Province (NAIP), is a well‐studied volcanic rifted margin formed during the breakup between Greenland and Eurasia ∼56 Ma, with the largest accumulation of magmatic material hosted by the Vøring Margin section. Despite extensive study in the area, the main controls on magmatic productivity during continental breakup remain debated. To constrain the drivers of breakup magmatism, we developed an inverse Monte Carlo statistical melting model that infers source mineralogy from basalt chemistry. When applied to basalts recently recovered on the Vøring Margin, our results reveal a clear shift in source mineralogy during rifting, with peak magmatism coinciding with clinopyroxene enrichment, despite mantle potential temperatures likely being capped below 1500°C. We also establish that, while the proto‐Iceland mantle plume played a role during the emplacement of the NAIP, the main driver for the continental breakup magmatism is lithospheric thinning as a consequence of continent breakup. This study provides new insights into the magmatic and geodynamic evolution of the mid‐Norwegian Margin, emphasizing the role of lithospheric refertilization in driving breakup magmatism.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Geological and Geochemical Analysis Geological Studies and Exploration Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism Studies

Publication details

Journal / source
Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems
Publisher
American Geophysical Union (AGU)
Volume
27
Issue
2
Publication date
1 February 2026
Language
EN