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Understanding the offshore flood basalt sequence using onshore volcanic

facies analogues: An example from the Faroe-Shetland basin

Article in Geological Magazine · May 2009

DOI: 10.1017/S0016756809005974 · Source: OAI

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Jerram, Dougal A. and Single, Richard T. and Hobbs, Richard W. and Nelson, Catherine E (2009)
’Understanding the offshore flood basalt sequence using onshore volcanic facies analogues : an example from
the Faroe-Shetland basin.’, Geological magazine., 146 (3). pp. 353-367.

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Geol. Mag. 146 (3 ), 2009, pp. 353–367. 
c 2009 Cambridge University Press 353
doi:10.1017/S0016756809005974 Printed in the United Kingdom

Understanding the offshore flood basalt sequence using

onshore volcanic facies analogues: an example from the
Faroe–Shetland basin
DOUGAL A. JERRAM ∗ †, RICHARD T. SINGLE ∗ ‡, RICHARD W. HOBBS ∗ &
CATHERINE E. NELSON ∗
∗ Department of Earth Sciences, The University of Durham, South Rd, Durham DH1 3LE, UK

(Received 21 April 2008; accepted 27 October 2008; First published online 26 February 2009)

Abstract – Flood basalts in associated volcanic rifted margins, such as the North Atlantic Igneous
Province, have a significant component of lavas which are preserved in the present day in an offshore
setting. A close inspection of the internal facies architecture of flood basalts onshore provides
a framework to interpret the offshore sequences imaged by remote techniques such as reflection
seismology. A geological interpretation of the offshore lava sequences in the Faroe–Shetland Basin,
using constraints from onshore analogues such as the Faroe Islands, allows for the identification of a
series of lava sequences which have characteristic properties so that they can be grouped. These are
tabular simple flows, compound-braided flows, and sub-aqueously deposited hyaloclastite facies. The
succession of volcanic rocks calculated in this study has a maximum thickness in excess of 6800 m.
Down to the top of the sub-volcanic sediments, the offshore volcanic succession has a thickness of
about 2700 m where it can be clearly identified across much of the area, with a further 2700 m or more
of volcanic rock estimated from the combined gravity and seismic modelling to the north and west of
the region. A large palaeo-waterbody is identified on the basis of a hyaloclastite front/apron consisting
of a series of clinoforms prograding towards the eastern part of the basin. This body was > 500 m
deep, must have been present at the onset of volcanism into this region, and parts of the water body
would have been present during the continued stages of volcanism as indicated by the distribution of
the hyaloclastite apron.
Keywords: British Tertiary, LIP, hyaloclastite, lava sequences.

1. Introduction valuable information on how the provinces built up

through time and may also help quantify the extent
Flood basalt sequences are found on volcanic rifted
of hyaloclastites and sedimentary sequences beneath,
margins where the positions of mantle melting an-
which are notoriously difficult to image seismically due
omalies are coincident with the rifted margin (such
as the North Atlantic Igneous Province, Paranã- to their flood basalt cover (Jerram, 2002; Spitzer et al.
Etendeka: e.g. Jerram & Widdowson, 2005). They 2005).
are significant, as the provinces contain enormous In order to understand better the 3D distribution of
volumes of lava; for instance, the North Atlantic the significant lava sequences offshore, flood basalt
Igneous Province (NAIP), is estimated to have a volume facies schemes and 3D mapping have been developed
of 1.8 × 106 km3 covering an area of 1.3 × 106 km2 from seismic studies (e.g. Planke, Alvestad & Skogseid,
(Eldholm & Grue, 1994), with a significant amount of 1999; Planke et al. 2000, 2005; Thomson, 2005) and
the lava sequences being found offshore. Additionally, detailed field studies of onshore successions of flood
the flood basalts may cover pre-existing sedimentary basalts and their associated sediments (e.g. Jerram,
basins, and in many cases these basins have proven Mountney & Stollhofen, 1999; Mountney et al. 1999;
hydrocarbon reserves in areas not covered by basalt Jerram et al. 1999; Jerram, 2002; Single & Jerram,
where conventional geophysical exploration methods 2004). Recent research interest has focused on being
can be used (e.g. Naylor et al. 1999). Interest shown in able to understand the 3D facies distribution of the lavas
such basins has focused on volcanic passive margins, using their geophysical properties (Planke, Alvestad
particularly the Faroe Islands, Rockall and Vøring areas & Skogseid, 1999; Nelson et al. 2009). To improve
and the distribution and characterization of sub-surface sub-basalt imaging, research has focused on studies
volcanic successions (e.g. Fliedner & White, 2003; using long offset data (Fliedner & White, 2003),
White et al. 2003). An understanding of the internal low frequencies (e.g. Ziolkowski et al. 2003), the
facies relationships within the lavas will provide construction of complex 2D and 3D models (e.g.
Martini et al. 2005), the application of additional
imaging techniques such as magnetotelluric inversion
†Author for correspondence: [email protected] (Hautot et al. 2007) and the development of multi-
‡Present address: Senior Geologist, Det norske oljeselskap ASA,
P.O. Box 2070 Vika, NO-0125 Oslo, Norway method schemes such as joint inversion of gravity,
354 D. A. JE R R AM AND OTHERS

magnetotelluric and seismic data (e.g. Jegen-Kulcsar however, the dating is poorly constrained above the
& Hobbs, 2005). Beinisvør› Formation. The Beinisvør› Formation is
In this contribution, we have used known onshore overlain by the Prestfjall Formation (previously termed
volcanic facies from flood basalt sequences to interpret the coal-bearing sequence), which consists of coal-
the offshore flood basalt sequence in a case study from bearing sedimentary units and was originally dated at
the Faroe–Shetland Basin (the GFA 99 seismic data- around 57.5 Ma (Ellis et al. 2002). The most recent
set). Firstly, we briefly introduce the onshore geology review of the dates for the onset and cessation of the
of the Faroe Islands Basalt Group with examples of the Faroe Islands lava field, however, places the Prestfjall
types of volcanic facies preserved. The interpretation of Formation at about 55 Ma (see Jolley, 2009) with errors
the offshore sequence is then presented concentrating of ± 0.5 Ma, and suggests an onset of volcanism more
on the key volcanic sequences. These sequences are likely around 57 Ma based on correlations across the
constrained using a combination of seismic facies and NAIP.
gravity modelling. The final model highlights the facies
distribution of the key volcanic horizons and sheds light
2.a. The onshore succession
upon their evolution through time, with a significant
portion of the sequences represented by hyaloclastites The onshore succession of the Faroe Islands Basalt
erupted into a deep water body which must have been Group is exposed throughout the archipelago (Fig. 2)
present during the onset of flood volcanism. and has been sampled to considerable depth through the
Lopra 1/1A borehole. Based on the detailed borehole
data through the Faroe Islands Basalt Group from
the water-borne volcaniclastics observed deep in the
2. The geology of the Faroe Islands Basalt Group
Lopra-1/1A borehole to the Enni Formation observed
The location of the Faroe Islands and the significant onshore on Streymoy and Eysturoy, the two largest
offshore distribution of the lava cover in the Faroe– islands of the Faroe Islands chain, it is possible to
Shetland Basin are given in Figure 1. The sub-volcanic construct a schematic facies section through the whole
plays here are considered to be prospective and worthy Faroes lava sequence (Fig. 3). This succession is
of exploration (e.g. Waagstein, 1988; Laier, Jørgensen highlighted below:
& Isaksen, 1997; Ziska & Andersen, 2005), and hence The Beinisvør› Formation and Lopra Formation
have attracted seismic acquisition over the offshore represent the oldest volcanic rocks in the sequence. The
parts of the lava cover, and drilling in the onshore lava Beinisvør› Formation has a thickness of over 900 m
sequence (e.g. Boldreel, 2006). onshore and occurs on the islands of Mykines, Su›uroy
The igneous succession in the Faroe Islands was and Vágar (see Fig. 1). On Su›uroy the Lopra-1/1A
erupted during Palaeogene times prior to the opening borehole failed to reach the base of the lava succession
of the NE Atlantic (e.g. Jolley, 2009 and references at a drilling depth of 3565 m (Hald & Waagstein,
therein). The lavas are all geochemically tholeiitic, 1984). On the Faroe Islands, the top of the Beinisvør›
which suggests that their eruption was coincident with a Formation is marked by a sedimentary sequence: the
high degree of partial melting of the mantle (Waagstein, Prestfjall Formation. This hiatus in the eruptive activity
1988). The group consists of seven formations (see is represented by the deposition of lacustrine sediments
Passey & Bell, 2007), of which four formations and the development of a thick coal sequence which
are composed of significant thicknesses of volcanic has been mined. This zone is approximately 10 m
rocks (Fig. 1): (1) Enni Formation, (2) Malinstindur in thickness, but has been noted to be locally up
Formation, (3) Beinisvør› Formation and (4) Lopra to 15 m (Rasmussen & Noe-Nygaard, 1970). The
Formation. formation has been geochronologically constrained by
The additional formations are related to relatively the use of combined palynological and isotopic dating
thin sedimentary and volcaniclastic interbeds (Passey to the age range c. 60.56–57.5 Ma by Jolley, Clarke &
& Bell, 2007), which unusually occur high up in the Kelley (2002), and some of the deepest lavas drilled
lava sequence in the Faroe Islands (Fig. 1), whereas in Lopra-1/1A have been constrained by Waagstein,
elsewhere, sedimentary interlayers are often restricted Guise & Rex (2002) at c. 58.8 ± 0.5 Ma (1σ ) by
to the basal part of flood basalt sequences observed Ar/Ar whole rock dating. These dates may be slightly
in many onshore examples (e.g. Jerram & Stollhofen, younger when regional correlations are used (Jolley,
2002; Petry et al. 2007), where the active sedimentary 2009).
environment gets invaded and overtaken by the volcanic The Malinstindur Formation volcanic rocks have a
system (Jerram et al. 2000). thickness of about 1350 m estimated from onshore
The gross thickness of the volcanic succession in outcrop on the Faroe Islands (Passey & Bell, 2007).
the Faroe Islands is thought to be 6500–7000 m, of The complete succession may be seen from its base
which 3000 m are observed above sea-level (Ellis et al. on the island of Vágar in the west, to Eysturoy
2002; Passey & Bell, 2007). The onshore distribution and other islands in the east. It starts with olivine–
of the formations is shown in Figure 1b. The Faroe phyric compound lava flows and passes upwards to
Islands Basalt Group is considered to have erupted plagioclase–phyric compound flows (e.g. Figs 2b, 3).
between c. 60.56 and 57.5 Ma (Ellis et al. 2002), Additionally, within the olivine flows, two different
Offshore flood basalt sequences 355

Figure 1. (a) The pre-Palaeogene structural framework of the area of the GFA-99 seismic dataset. The postulated extent of the Faroe
Islands Basalt Group in the Faroe–Shetland Basin is also shown (modified after Ellis et al. 2002). Location of the Amerada Hess
Flare-10 line is also displayed across the GFA-99 area. (b) Distribution of the Faroe Islands Basalt Group on the Faroe Islands and the
stratigraphy compiled from onshore data and the Lopra-1/1A (1981 & 1996) borehole drilled on the island of Su›uroy. The wells of
Vesmanna-1 (1980) and Glyvursnes-1 (2003) are also located (after Ellis et al. 2002). (c) Schematic log and approximate thickness of
the stratigraphy on the Faroe Islands, including the Lopra-1/1A information.

olivine–phyric suites can be identified geochemically absorption of the seismic energy by the heterogeneous
(low-TiO2 and high-TiO2 ) (see Waagstein, 1988; basalts. Figure 4a highlights an example of the well-
Rasmussen & Noe-Nygaard, 1970). log data available through lava sequences and the
The Enni Formation consists of a mixture of simple information that we can gain in terms of rock properties
and compound lava flows, with a remnant thickness (Fig. 4b) for the different volcanic facies that occur
of 900 m with a few hundred metres removed due to in flood basalts (Nelson et al. 2009). The velocity
erosion (Ellis et al. 2002; Passey & Bell, 2007) (Figs 2e, range of different internal facies within flood basalt lava
3). The Enni Formation is considered to have erupted sequences is given in Figure 4b, and this has been used
during magnetic chron C24R (Waagstein, 1988), which to guide the velocity models used in this contribution;
places this activity into a cycle of eruptive activity for the lava flows (tabular and compound) we use a
which occurred prior to the opening of the NE Atlantic velocity of 4000 m s−1 , and for hyaloclastites we use
Ocean. 3500 m s−1 .
In this study we will use the following terminology
to describe the major lava sequences that we can
3. Seismic interpretation of offshore
identify in the GFA 99 data from the Faroe–Shetland
volcanic sequence
basin: (1) Lava sequence 1 – the uppermost lavas as
In this study, the offshore succession was interpreted identified by characteristic seismic signatures; (2) Lava
using the character and geometry of the seismic sequence 2 – the middle section of lavas as identified by
reflections, combined with the understanding of facies characteristic seismic signatures; (3) Lava sequence 3 –
architectures of flood volcanic rocks developed from lowermost volcanic rocks identified using seismic and
studies of onshore exposures from key flood basalt gravity, and (4) Hyaloclastite apron – representing a
sequences, such as the NAIP and the Etendeka large palaeo-waterbody found in the eastern side of the
province of Namibia (Planke, Alvestad & Skogseid, offshore data identified using pro-grading foresets on
1999; Jerram, 2002; Single & Jerram, 2004; Jerram seismic data. The interpretation and modelling of the
& Widdowson, 2005; Nelson et al. 2009). Precise facies of the Faroe Islands Basalt Group offshore in this
identification of boundaries is difficult on seismic study is concentrated across the area of the commercial
reflection data because of the complex scattering and GFA-99 seismic data which lies approximately 60 km
356 D. A. JE R R AM AND OTHERS

Figure 2. Field examples of the Faroe Islands Basalt Group. (a) Thick tabular lavas of the Beinisvør› Formation, at Beinisvør›,
southern Su›uroy. (b) The entablature-jointed top surface of a Beinisvør› Formation tabular-type flow near Akranessker, on the north
shore of Sørvágsfjødur, western Vágar. (c) Looking south from Saksun towards Malinstindur Formation compound lava flows forming
the mountain of Nóni› in the NW of Streymoy. (d) The contrasting lava facies of compound and tabular facies in the Enni Formation
seen from Sy›radalur, west of Tórshavn on the SW coast of Streymoy. (e) Looking south towards Stallur summit on Streymoy. (f) Soil
horizon between two tabular flow units on Su›uroy. See http://journals.cambridge.org/geo for a colour version of this figure.

SE of the Faroe Islands in the Faroe–Shetland Basin 3.a. Lava sequence 1

(Fig. 1).
Geological interpretation of the GFA-99 2D seismic The top of the lava sequence 1 is recognized by a
dataset has covered several iterations through map- laterally extensive reflection. This reflection starts at
ping observed structure then checking the candidate about 1580 ms TWT in the west of seismic line 105
interpretation with gravity anomaly data. The main and at a similar time in each of the other W–E seismic
focuses of the study are the volcanic sequences in the lines of 107 and 109. The reflection is characterized by
data. The sedimentary overburden has been grouped being the strongest amplitude reflection below that of
into the upper sediments, equivalent to post-Oligocene the sea bed, and by the rugose nature of its top surface.
overburden, and the lower sediments, equivalent to an The top lava sequence 1 pick is heavily affected by the
Eocene–Oligocene package (e.g. Davies et al. 2004); Eocene to Miocene compressional phases associated
this is indicated on the figures and aids in the gravity with changes in the spreading dynamics of the NE
modelling. The following section studies the offshore Atlantic (Boldreel & Andersen 1993), and the surface
interpretation of the volcanic rocks through the GFA-99 is faulted in much of the GFA-99 area. A characteristic
dataset: how the sequence is recognized in the seismic feature of the top lava sequence 1 is the presence of
data, the facies interpretations and the estimated thrust faults that pierce the surface and the presence of
thicknesses present within this part of the NAIP associated thrust-tip folds (e.g. see Fig. 5a).
flood basalts. To aid the description of the volcanic The gently dipping lava sequence 1 volcanic rocks
rocks, three interpreted sections through lines 105, 107, cover over 9.4 × 103 km2 of the dataset area and follow
109 are presented in Figure 5. the general structural dip towards the SE into the
Offshore flood basalt sequences 357

Figure 3. Schematic diagram of the facies in the onshore

Faroe Islands succession constructed using existing studies (e.g.
Passey & Bell, 2007), as well as field observations by the authors,
and information/interpretation from the Lopra-1/1A borehole
(e.g. Waagestein, Guise & Rex, 2002).

Corona Basin where they pinch out. The Faroe Islands

Basalt Group is at its shallowest in the north of the
GFA-99 area where the lava sequence 1 is interpreted
to be close to the sea floor.

3.a.1. Thickness
Figure 4. Flood basalt rock properties. (a) Example of wireline
The lava sequence 1 succession maintains a reasonably log information from offshore sequences of lava flows exhibiting
constant thickness of about 1000 m (500 ms TWT) different facies types (data from ODP Hole 642E; Eldholm et al.
1987). (b) Ranges of velocities for different internal lava flow
across most of the study area, apart from where the
facies, used to guide velocity estimates (adapted from Nelson
formation feathers out towards the south and east. et al. 2009). Units: ZDEN is bulk density (g cm−3 ); Vp is P-wave
The interval is mainly composed of parallel, laterally velocity in km s−1 ; GR is natural gamma ray; API is American
persistent reflections, except for in the southwest, where Petroleum Units (standard for use in wireline logs).
a divergent reflection sequence is observed to dip down
into the region of the Corona Basin. In the north
and west of the lines, the entire thickness of the lava Mapping the various reflections from the volcanic
sequence 1 succession consists of parallel, laterally sequence generates the TWT thickness maps shown
continuous reflections. Towards the SE, many of these in Figure 6. Using the interval velocity of 4000 m s−1
reflections pinch out and appear to downlap shallowly it is then possible to calculate the thickness of these
as the lavas thin above dipping, divergent sequences. sequences and their variations across GFA-99 (Fig. 7).
This thinning provides an indication of the maximum The formation is at its thickest (about 1900 m) in the
extent of the lava sequence 1 distal to the Faroe Islands. north and the west, which is more proximal to the
The character of the sequence suggests that the lavas source region for the volcanic sequences, however,
pinch out close to the east end of GFA-99. This notion about 1400 m is calculated to be present where the
is supported by the observations of Ellis et al. (2002). interpretation of the GFA-99 data is reliable and
358 D. A. JE R R AM AND OTHERS

Figure 5. Geological interpretations of GFA-99 lines: (a) 105, (b) 107, (c) 109. Line locations are given on inset maps (see also Fig. 1).
Offshore flood basalt sequences 359

Figure 6. (a) Depth maps to volcanic horizon picks interpolated and represented as 2D surfaces in Two-Way-Time (TWT). GFA-99
grid is shown for location purposes. Note that the depth to the top of all of the interpolated reflectors increases towards the SE as
the succession dips into the Corona Basin, east of the East Faroes High. Artefacts of interpolation are apparent in the diamonding
effects observed between the 20 km spaced 2D seismic lines. (b) Two-way-time (TWT) thicknesses of the volcanic horizons of the
Faroe–Shetland succession in the GFA-99 data.

erosion. If the lava sequence 1 units were equivalent to

the onshore units it would suggest that up to about
500 m of lavas may be missing from the onshore
exposures on the Faroe Islands. This is in close
agreement with previous estimates of erosion of the
onshore sequence of a few hundred metres (e.g. Ellis
et al. 2002).

3.a.2. Facies interpretation

The seismic reflections in the NW and upper parts of the
lava sequence 1 interpretation have strong amplitudes
and are laterally persistent. Individual high amplitude
reflections may be picked over tens of kilometres
(Fig. 8a). This simple character and the lateral extent
of the reflections suggest that the volcanic rocks in
these parts of the lava sequence 1 may be of tabular-
type facies (e.g. Jerram, 2002). From onshore studies,
the Enni Formation volcanic rocks have been shown to
be composed of simple type flows of about 10 m mean
thickness (Ellis et al. 2002), intercalated with zones
of thin compound flows (Passey & Bell, 2007) (e.g.
Fig. 8b). Between many of the flows, sedimentary in-
Figure 7. Isopach maps of the calculated thicknesses of the tervals are developed similar in character and thickness
volcanic horizons of the Faroe–Shetland succession in the GFA-
to those seen in the Skye Lava Field successions on the
99 data in metres.
Isle of Skye. The lava sequence 1 rocks are dominated
by plagioclase–phyric flows in the central Faroes (e.g.
multiples are at a minimum. As stated, the preserved Ellis et al. 2002 and references therein), and have
onshore thickness of the Enni Formation is about been interpreted to represent volcanism similar to the
900 m, with the top of the formation missing due to plains volcanism (Snake River Plain) of Greeley (1982)
360 D. A. JE R R AM AND OTHERS

due to a loss in seismic resolution. This is caused by the

greater depth of the lava sequence 2, the dispersive and
high acoustic impedance properties of the overlying
lava sequence 1 volcanic rocks, and also the different
internal facies architecture of the lava sequence 2,
probably due to more compound-braided flow units
such as those noted for the Malinstindur Formation in
the onshore exposures on the Faroe Islands.

3.b.1. Horizon interpretation and distribution

Whereas the top of the lava sequence 1 is a distinct,
high amplitude reflection beneath the lower sediments
(due to the high acoustic impedance contrast over the
sediment/lava interface), the intra-volcanic contrasts
are minor, unless seismically significant facies changes
occur within the succession. In much of the lava
sequence 1/lava sequence 2 interface offshore, there is
no obvious seismic boundary, and arbitrary boundaries
are inferred. The two formations are usually referred
to together in most of the literature due to the arbitrary
nature of the boundary interpreted in seismic studies.
In this interpretation, the top of the lava sequence 2
is taken as the highest amplitude TWT pick which
sits approximately 600–1000 ms beneath the top lava
sequence 1 pick, which is thought to represent the
lowest continuous simple flow reflection before a thick
Figure 8. An onshore analogue from the Faroe Islands for sequence of predominantly compound flows of the lava
the transition from lava sequence 1 tabular flows to the lava sequence 2. It should be noted that if the boundary
sequence 2 compound-braided flows. The tabular lavas form between lava sequence 1 and lava sequence 2 was the
laterally extensive thick flows (∼ 10 m thick average) that may same as that between the Malinstindur Formation and
be correlated over hundreds of metres to several kilometres.
the Enni Formation, onshore, then this horizon would
(a) A section of GFA-99 line 207 showing the characteristics
of this architectural facies transition. (b) Cliff section looking be separated by a thin sequence of volcanic sandstones
NE down Kollafjør›ur on the east coast of Streymoy at about and breccias as in the Sneis Formation (Passey & Bell,
300 m thickness of Enni Formation tabular-type lava flows 2007). Given the lack of a clear reflection, if such a
(intercalated with poorly exposed compound units). Six obvious transition existed offshore, then the interval must be
tubular lava flow basal contacts have been indicated on this too thin and/or not of significant velocity contrast to be
particular mountainside section. Note the poor exposure of the imaged.
Malinstindur Formation in comparison.
In the SE of the GFA-99 area, the base of the
lava sequence 2 is interpreted to be the series of
(Passey & Bell, 2007). Studies on other sequences high amplitude broken reflections deep in the volcanic
in the NAIP such as Skye have shown that more succession. These are interpreted to be sill complexes
evolved lava types such as the hawaiites and mugearites at the base of the volcanic succession and form zones of
(basaltic–andesites) which are often found in the upper over 1000 ms TWT of strong, lozenge-like reflections.
parts of NAIP lava sequences, tend to develop more The convergence of downlapping reflections is also
simplistic internal and external morphologies due to taken as a base-succession marker in this part of the
their increased erupted viscosities and inflated modal data. The lava sequence 2 is present across the entire
silica contents (Single & Jerram, 2004). Given the very GFA-99 area, but thins to a minimum in the eastern
clear reflectors, much of the lava sequence 1 may be extremity of the dataset, as in the case of the lava
considered to be akin to these typical trap-like tabular sequence 1, which could be due to the distance from
lava sequences. The south and eastern areas of GFA- the eruptive source for these units.
99 show the tabular lava sequences are linked with a
prograding sequence of reflections interpreted to be
3.b.2. Thickness
hyaloclastites. We will discuss the detail of this facies
in the hyaloclastite apron section below. Thickness of the lava sequence 2 varies considerably
through the 2D seismic grid studied. The maximum
thickness of the formation is about 1900 m (∼ 950 ms)
3.b. Lava sequence 2
and the lavas pinch out entirely to the southeast. Errors
The interpretation in this part of the Faroe Islands associated with these values may be mainly attributed
Basalt Group is more difficult than the lava sequence 1 to the difficulties of interpretation of the lava sequence
Offshore flood basalt sequences 361

2 base, and to a lesser extent the lava sequence 2 top,

as discussed above. The thickest part of the volcanic
rocks lies through the centre of the dataset where a
N–S swath of volcanic rocks has a mean thickness of
about 1300 m (corresponding TWT maps are shown in
Fig. 6b).

3.b.3. Facies interpretation

Much of the western part of the dataset contains broken,

dispersed reflections that cannot be correlated over the
large distances (kilometres) possible in the tabular-type
lavas interpreted to be present in the lava sequence 1.
This is attributed to the lavas being formed of mainly
compounded lava flow sequences similar to other
examples in the NAIP, such as onshore Faroes (e.g.
Passey & Bell, 2007) and those seen towards the base
of the succession studied in the Skye Talisker Bay study
area (Single & Jerram, 2004). The stacking patterns
are complex in the vertical section, but also laterally
as the eruptive style of these flows form compound-
braided systems in 3D (Jerram, 2002). Both the lava Figure 9. Hyaloclastite facies. (a) The east section of GFA-99
sequence 2 and lava sequence 1 change laterally into line 109 where thick hyaloclastites are developed prograding
large prograding reflections of the hyaloclastite apron towards the east of the section. (b) Onshore analogue hyalo-
discussed below. clastite breccia deposited in the Naajat lake, west Greenland
(from Pedersen et al. 1998).

3.c. Hyaloclastite apron (lava sequences 1 and 2)

In the south and east of the GFA-99 area, beyond N–S somewhere in the west. A more distinct boundary
line 201, the tabular-type lavas of the western parts of between the lava sequence 1 and the lava sequence
the lava sequence 1 are noted to spill into a series of 2 is observed in the north and west of the data area,
basinward-dipping reflections (e.g. Fig. 5a, b). These where the interpreted hyaloclastites are not deemed to
are interpreted to form a prograding hyaloclastite fan or be present. Figure 5a displays a basic interpretation
apron in the Corona Basin region and dip down towards of the GFA-99 line 105, showing some of the more
the ESE. Such prograding hyaloclastites that formed prominent tabular-type picks in the data, and also some
from lava flows into the sea were originally described of the downlapping features present in the hyaloclastite
by Moore et al. (1973) and have been previously deltaic succession.
described in the Faroe–Shetland region (e.g. Kjorboe, Hyaloclastites are also interpreted to form a large
1999). Good examples are also known from onshore thickness of the lava sequence 2. The dipping reflec-
Greenland in the NAIP (e.g. Pedersen et al. 1998). The tions are observed to dip steeply towards the ESE
reflection sequences in this part of the lava sequence 1 and form a body which runs NNE–SSW through the
are clearest on the lines 105 and 107. Although study area. The spacing of the seismic lines is too
the divergent nature of the reflections is clear, the great (20 km) to understand whether the hyaloclastites
boundaries of any particular sequence are less clearly form individual deltas, but their widespread occurrence
defined. The hyaloclastites show complex internal in the lava sequence 2 in lines 105, 107, 109 and
morphology in comparison to the more simple lava 201 suggest the body to be more like an apron than
types interpreted in the bulk of the lava sequence 1. The individual deltas. The thickness of the hyaloclastites
complexity of the internal morphologies of the lavas in the lava sequence 2 indicates the presence of a
means that the distinction between the lava sequence 1 deep water body proximal to the subaerially erupted
and the underlying lava sequence 2 is difficult to lavas; the hyaloclastites prograde basinward towards
interpret, especially through the hyaloclastite zones. the Corona area and appear to be on a similar scale
The interpretation of the presence of a lava sequence 1 to hyaloclastite dipping successions in west Greenland
hyaloclastite apron has been made by detailed picking (Fig. 9). Significantly, this accommodation space was
of the volcanic internal reflections, paying particular present and being filled by both the lava sequence 2
attention to onlap, downlaps and pinch-out relation- and lava sequence 1, and provides important additional
ships seen within the formations. The presence of a constraints on models used to look at the spatial and
hyaloclastite apron in the lava sequence 1 indicates that aerial extent of uplift prior to the onset of volcanism
the Faroe Islands Basalt Group was filling a water-filled (e.g. Jones et al. 2002; Maclennan & Jones, 2006).
basin in the east of the GFA-99 area, lavas moving into Figure 7 shows a thickness map for the interpreted
this accommodation space from their eruptive source hyaloclastite volcanic rocks that are considered to
362 D. A. JE R R AM AND OTHERS

be present in both the lava sequence 2 and the lava 3.d.3. Gravity based interpretation
sequence 1. This body has a maximum thickness of
The facies interpretation is based on observations
about 1200 m (∼ 700 m s−1 ), with most data points
of the geometries present within the possible lava
in the body clustering around the 400–600 m thick
sequence 3 succession, and by creating gravity models
range (Fig. 7). This represents a massive thickness of
along the seismic W–E lines. An initial interpretation
fragmental volcaniclastic matrial that are interpreted
of line 107 is shown in Figure 10a. This gravity
to have been erupting into a substantial water body.
model is constructed over depth-converted seismic
The calculations of Ellis et al. (2002) suggest the
data and horizon interpretations (depth converted at
hyaloclastites form foresets between 150 and 500 m
ARK Geophysics), and it includes the hyaloclastite
in thickness. The present study confirms a similar
piles of the lava sequence 2, but the lava sequence 3
calculated-scale of hyaloclastite foresets.
is missing entirely, and there is no sub-volcanic
sedimentary succession. The densities assigned within
particular stratigraphic packages are implemented from
the ARK Field software database in combination with
3.d. Lava sequence 3 a volcanic rock property database developed as part
The depth at which the top lava sequence 3 volcanic of the SIMBA project (e.g. Fig. 4b; see Nelson et al.
rocks exist in the seismic data is difficult to interpret, 2009). This provides an unsatisfactory interpretation of
because deeper structure is masked due to earth filtering the regional gravity data.
of the seismic signal by the complex overburden An improved gravity model of line 107 is shown
succession. Its presence and structure is therefore in Figure 10b. The reduction in density of the central
ratified by the use of gravity data. An interpretation is portion has improved the calculated gravity response
now presented based on a combination of the seismic by adding sediment to the sub-volcanic part of the
reflection characteristics and gravity models. Gravity succession. This will be discussed in the next section.
models were built at ARK Geophysics Ltd prior to If we assume that the sediments do not extend to the
both the collection of Faroe Islands fieldwork data and western edge of the model, we need some additional
before the seismic interpretations were finalized. mass loss to fit the observed gravity anomaly. In par-
ticular, line 107 shows dipping reflections that can be
interpreted as part of a lava sequence 3 succession. This
suggests that the lava sequence 3 may be represented
3.d.1. Horizon interpretation and distribution by hyaloclastites and volcaniclastics similar to those
seen more distal and basinward in the lava sequence 2
It is not possible to interpret accurately the boundaries and lava sequence 1. By reducing the density of the
of the succession, or if the lava sequence 3 exists at all interpretation of the lava sequence 3 in this model of
in more than just the three W–E lines of 105, 107 and line 107 to that of a hyaloclastite, a good fit between
109. The lava sequence 3 must be also present in N–S the observed and calculated gravity is achieved. The
line 207, but its interpretation is difficult to justify to lava sequence 3 is known to form thick tabular-
the east of this particular line. The easterly extent of the type lavas in the Lopra-1/1A section, but beneath
formation is interpreted to be coincident with the East these, the drilling was terminated in a thick pile of
Faroe High. Base lava sequence 3 picks are represented subaqueously deposited volcaniclastics/hyaloclastites
in Figure 5, by a pick based on the interpretation of sills (Ellis et al. 2002; Waagstein, 2006). In the area of GFA-
at the base of the succession as strong, bright seismic 99, these are considered to be represented by the basinal
reflections, and the downlap of dipping reflections. progradational lava delta hyaloclastites suggested by
gravity interpretation.

3.d.2. Thickness 3.e. The sub-volcanic section

The Lopra-1/1A borehole indicates the succession to The sub-volcanic zone is the part of the dataset which
be extremely thick beneath the Faroe Islands. The has interested the petroleum industry enough to acquire
interpretation of the seismic data predicts a thickness seismic datasets such as GFA-99. The sub-volcanic
of at least 3000 m (∼ 1630 ms) (Fig. 6). The most section is considered to be a potential petroleum play
reasonable estimate of lava sequence 3 thickness is (e.g. Ziska & Andersen, 2005). The top part of the sub-
made by combining the seismic interpretation with volcanic rocks is marked by interpreted sill complexes.
gravity data into a model. Along the profile of line 107
this modelling required a base-case model thickness
3.e.1. Sills
in excess of 2700 m (Fig. 10). This is consistent with
the observation from seismic studies and highlights the Sill complexes are observed at the base of the lava
need for a multi-disciplinary approach to help solve sequences of Skye, in great thicknesses on the northern
basalt cover and sub-basalt imaging problems (Jegen- Trotternish Peninsula in particular, where over 50 m
Kulcsar & Hobbs, 2005; Hautot et al. 2007). of sills sit beneath the base of the lava succession.
Offshore flood basalt sequences 363

Figure 10. (a) Gravity model of GFA-99 line 107 (see Fig. 1 for location) built from seismic interpretation picks only. The above
model is inaccurate in several areas, particularly in the centre of the line where mass-loss is required both within and beneath the
volcanic succession. (b) Geological interpretation and model of the GFA-99 line 107 incorporating Bouguer gravity data. The observed
gravity anomaly along line 107 requires a significant volume of low-density material to be present in the central portion of the line
at a sub-volcanic level. The observed gravity profile strengthens the argument for a significant succession of LS3 hyaloclastite at the
west end of the section where the density of the LS3 geological interpretation needs to be reduced at that level in the stratigraphy. The
gravity profile interpretation is filtered to 45 km low-pass wavelength; at this wavelength, the gravity calculated from the model has a
maximum deviation of 0.7 mgal from the observed Bouguer data.
364 D. A. JE R R AM AND OTHERS

Similarly, in the Etendeka flood basalts of Namibia,

the substantial Huab Sills complex again fills a large
volume of dense material at the base of the province
lava sequences (Duncan et al. 1989). In the NAIP, sill
complexes have been successfully imaged in some of
the 3D seismic data sets (e.g. Thomson, 2005) and
where limited or no significant lava cover exists (e.g.
Hansen, 2006). In the Faroe–Shetland basin, significant
sill complexes are known from seismic studies on the
feather edge of the lavas (e.g. Smallwood & Maresh,
2002). Therefore, there is significant evidence for
offshore sill complexes in this region, and in many
flood basalt examples exposed onshore there is a
common relationship of sills intruding in and around
the sediment/lava contact at the base of the lava pile.
In the GFA-99 data, high amplitude reflections fill
what is considered to be the basal zone of the lava
field. Although individual reflections are rarely over
5 km long, they are interpreted to represent a series of
sills in the Faroe–Shetland Sill Complex (Smallwood
& Maresh 2002) seated at the base of the succession
across most of the GFA data. The sills are at their most
prominent at the interpreted base of the lava sequence 2
beneath the hyaloclastite zones, and landward, beneath
the interpreted compound lava types (Fig. 5).

3.e.2. Sedimentary rocks and basement

The presence of sub-volcanic sediments and the shape
of the basement surface have been interpreted by the
use of gravity data. Figure 10 presents 2D gravity Figure 11. (a) The development of a hyaloclastite apron pile
models of the GFA line 107. These contain the greatest as the lavas prograde into a substantial water body in the distal
amount of vertical and lateral facies variability in the parts of the lava sequence 1/lava sequence 2 and potentially in
entire dataset. A simple, normally faulted basement the LLS, as interpreted from seismic, Bouguer gravity modelling
and from Lopra 1/1A borehole interpretations. (b) Development
is interpreted from Bouguer gravity data filtered to
of the lava field in the Faroe Islands Basalt Group lava sequence 1
remove wavelengths longer than 350 km. On top of and lava sequence 2.
the basement a large thickness of sediment is modelled
for a gravity data fit ratified to the 45 km high cut filter
level; this filter allows accurate gravity interpretation as
deep in the section as the top of the volcanic rocks. The ∼ 20 m thick, Compound-Braided facies of lava lobes
sediment maximum thickness on top of this basement and flows (component flow lobes < 5 m thick) (e.g.
is estimated to be 6000 m. This is consistent with the Passey & Bell, 2007), and subaqueously deposited
total apparent sediment thickness estimated by Kimbell Hyaloclastite facies (e.g. Fig. 11).
et al. (2005) in this area, predicting localized depo- (2) The succession of volcanic rocks in the GFA-99
centres with up to 10 km of sedimentary succession offshore data area potentially has a maximum thickness
over basement. in excess of 6800 m, which is calculated in this study.
This fits within the estimated ranges of preserved
thickness of 6500–7000 m on the Faroes (Ellis et al.
4. Summary
2002; Passey & Bell, 2007). Generally down to the top
The key volcanic facies that develop and their internal of the sub-volcanic sediments, or top lava sequence 3,
architectures are presented in Figure 11. In the present where present, the succession has a thickness of about
study we have introduced the facies variations that 2700 m across much of the area, again similar to
occur through the observed lava sequences on the estimates of up to ∼ 3000 m (Fliedner & White, 2003).
Faroe Islands and presented a simplistic geological A further 2700 m or more of lava sequence 3 may
interpretation of the offshore lava sequences that are exist beneath this lava sequence 1–lava sequence 2 total
imaged in the GFA-99 dataset with the following thickness, as estimated from the combined gravity and
observations and conclusions: seismic modelling to the north and west of the region.
(1) Common lava facies that are found in the NAIP These thicknesses compare well with the estimates of
and particularly in the Faroe Islands succession include Ellis et al. (2002), who suggest the complete thickness
packages of Tabular Simple flows (individual flows of the extensive volcanic units discussed to be about
Offshore flood basalt sequences 365

5550 m, combining data from the Faroe Islands and BOLDREEL, L. O. & ANDERSEN, M. S. 1993. Late Palaeocene
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to the SE of the islands. During the lava sequence 3, a passive margin and its impact on hydrocarbon
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Acknowledgements. The GFA 99 dataset was acquired by the timing of intrusive events along the NE Atlantic
WesternGeco and made available to this project through margin. Journal of the Geological Society, London 163,
the EU framework 5 project – SIMBA (ENK6-CT-2000– 789–800.
00075). We would like to thank the TOTAL GRC for HAUTOT, S., SINGLE, R. T., WATSON, J., HARROP, N., JERRAM,
funding parts of this work and for co-ordination of the D. A., TARITS, P., WHALER, K. & DAWES, G. 2007.
EU SIMBA project. Specific thanks go to Paul Williamson, 3-D magnetotelluric inversion and model validation with
Claude Lafont of TOTAL, and ARK Geophysics for help gravity data for the investigation of flood basalts and
with gravity modelling. This work was completed while DAJ associated volcanic rifted margins. Geophysical Journal
was the TOTAL Lecturer at Durham University. RWH was International 170, 1418–30.
funded as a NERC Advanced Fellow (NER/J/S/2002/00745). JEGEN-KULCSAR, M. & HOBBS, R. W. 2005. Outline of a Joint
This contribution benefited greatly from reviews by John Inversion of Gravity, MT and Seismic Data. Annales
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