Scientists Discover a New Microcontinent between Greenland and Canada

Event: A team of geologists from Sweden's Uppsala University and the University of Derby in the UK has discovered a new microcontinent in the Davis Strait, between Greenland and Canada.

Location: The Davis Strait is a body of water located between Canada's Baffin Island and Greenland.

Background:

1. The Davis Strait has long been of interest to scientists due to its complex geological features.
2. The region has a unique combination of tectonic processes, including rifting, seafloor spreading, and plate motion.

The Discovery:

1. Microcontinent Formation: The team has identified an isolated block of thick continental crust in the Davis Strait, measuring 19-24 km thick.
2. Tectonic Processes: This formation is likely the result of east-west extension along Greenland's margin, which led to the detachment of this continental block.
3. Naming: The microcontinent has been named the Davis Strait proto-microcontinent.

Significance:

1. Tectonic History: The discovery sheds light on the tectonic history of the North Atlantic and offers insights into the processes of continental formation.
2. Global Implications: The findings have broader implications for understanding the formation of other microcontinents globally.
3. Practical Applications: The research has the potential to improve our understanding of plate tectonics and mitigate plate tectonic hazards.
4. Protected Area: The Davis Strait is not a protected area, but its unique geological features and fragile ecosystem make it an important region for conservation efforts.
5. Threats: The region is vulnerable to climate change, which could impact the local ecosystem and geological processes.

About the Davis Strait:

1. Geography: The Davis Strait is a large stretch of water located between Canada's Baffin Island and Greenland.
2. Formation: It was formed millions of years ago when the tectonic plates between the two islands shifted, reconfiguring the Earth's crust.
3. Dimensions: The strait is approximately 400 miles (650 km) north to south and 200 to 400 miles wide.
4. Depth: It has a water depth ranging from 1000 to 2000 metres, and is comparatively shallower than the southern Labrador Sea.

Key Facts about the Microcontinent:

1. Thickness: The microcontinent is 19–24 km thick thinned continental crust and is surrounded by two narrow bands of thin (15–17 km) continental crust.
2. Age: It was formed around 58 million years ago, during a pivotal phase of east-west extension along Greenland's margin.

Implications for Tourism:

1. Eco-Tourism: The discovery offers a unique opportunity for eco-tourism and educational expeditions in the region.
2. Local Communities: Travellers can engage with local communities and learn about the rich natural history of the region.

Research Methods:

1. Seismic Data: The team used seismic data to study the Earth's crust and identify the microcontinent.
2. Geological Mapping: The researchers created detailed geological maps of the region to understand the tectonic processes that formed the microcontinent.

Quotes:

1. "The well-defined changes in plate motion that occur in the Labrador Sea and Baffin Bay, which have relatively limited external complications affecting them, make this area an ideal natural laboratory for studying microcontinent formation." - Dr. Jordan Phethean, University of Derby
2. "Better knowledge of how these microcontinents form allows researchers to understand how plate tectonics operates on Earth, with useful implications for the mitigation of plate tectonic hazards and discovering new resources." - Dr. Jordan Phethean, University of Derby

 

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