Marine geophysical study of southern Nares Strait

Abstract

Bathymetry and gravity contour maps of southern Nares Strait (herein termed North Water Bay) based mainly on previously unpublished data, together with seismic reflection and magnetic data, indicate the preservation of two major sedimentary basins. These basins are elongate approximately parallel to major onshore faults. Both are filled with disturbed strata.

Kane Basin to the north is probably filled with five to ten km of gently northeast-dipping sediments, disturbed by minor northeast-trending faults.

Gravity modelling indicates a possible, fault-bounded, basalt-filled 'fracture' off southeastern Ellesmere Island. This structure may continue north eastward into Nares Strait as a sediment-filled trough. This indicates only that Nares Strait is a fault-bounded feature, and not necessarily that there has been any horizontal motion, major or otherwise, along it.