OD 1209012/4
OD 1212021
4°
0˚
56˚
64˚
60˚
18˚
4°
59°
9°
0˚ 9°
N
4°
Shetland
LEGENDWells where the Molo Formation are dated
Wells where the Molo Formation are not sampled
Wells where the Molo Formation are sampled but are barren of fossils
Upper Miocene - Lower Pliocene part of the Molo Formation
Lower Miocene part of the Molo Formation
Oligocene part of the Molo Formatio
Possible drainage route to Oligocene-Lower Pliocene deposit
Based on onshore morphology and offshore deposition patterns
The Lower Oligocene - Lower Pliocene Molo Formationon the inner Norwegian Sea continental shelf
Shelf bre
ak
Part
ly e
rod
ed
Ero
ded
SWEDEN
DEN
MARK
NORWAY
0 25 50 100 kilometers
P1
P5
P6
P4
P4
P3
P2
P1
P3
6610/2-1 S
6610/7-16610/7-2
6510/2-1
6407/9-2 6407/9-16407/9-5
6607/5-26607/5-1
6610/3-1
34/2-434/4-6
34/10-1729/3-1
30/5-230/6-3
34/4-734/8-1
34/7-R-1 H34/7-12
34/7-1
16/1-216/1-4
24/12-125/10-2
15/9-1315/12-3
35/11-135/11-14 S
34/8-3 A
35/3-135/2-1
25/2-10 S
36/1-2
34/7-2
15/9-A-2315/9-A-11
31/3-1
2/2-2
2/4-C-11
11/10-19/12-1
P8
P9
P7a
P7b
P2
Lone 1Frida 1
Nini 1
R-1X
C-1X
St. VorslundeEG-3
Gadbjerg Jelling-1
Lillebælt
Link to DanishMiocene Sr
isotope agesFjand
Hjøllund
Rødding
25/1-8 S
? ?
SWC460
SWC480
SWC502
SWC525
SWC555
33,6
37,5+36,9
SWC585,5
SWC611
46
04
80
500
520
54
056
058
06
00
60
40
20 100
80
0
OD 1212011
SAM
PLES
(met
ers)
Sr I
SO
TOP
E A
GE
S F
RO
MF
OR
AN
INIF
ER
AL
TES
TS (M
a)
DIN
OF
LA
GE
LLA
TE
ZO
NE
S
BE
NT
HIC
FO
RA
NIN
IFE
RA
LA
SS
EM
BL
AG
ES
PA
LEO
BA
TH
YM
ET
RY
LIT
HO
ST
RA
TIG
RA
PH
ICU
NIT
SM
OL
O F
OR
MA
TIO
NB
RY
GG
EF
OR
MA
TIO
N
LO
WE
R O
LIG
OC
EN
E
GY
RO
IDIN
A S
OL
DA
NII
GIR
AR
DA
NA
AS
SE
MB
LA
GE
?M
IDD
LE
EO
CE
NE
UN
DE
FIN
ED
IN
TE
RV
AL
UN
DE
FIN
ED
INT
ER
VA
L
INN
ER
TO
MID
DL
E N
ER
ITIC
OU
TE
R T
OM
IDD
LE
NE
RIT
IC
NO
TA
NA
LYS
ED
LIT
HO
LOG
Y
SE
RIE
S /
SU
BS
ER
IES
DE
PT
H (
mR
KB
)
0
GAMMA RAYUnit: GAPI
WELL 6610/3-1
100
Sea floor = 332 meters below rig floor (mRKB)gAPI = American Petroleum Institute gamma ray unitsSWC = Side-wall core = Rounded or sub-angular pebbles Unconformity Not sampled
33
Ma
WELL 6610/2-1S
OD 1212013
AR
EO
LIG
ER
AS
EM
ICIR
CU
-LA
TA Z
ON
E
SVA
LBA
RD
ELL
AC
OO
KS
ON
IAE
ZO
NE
GY
RO
IDIN
A S
OL-
DA
NII
MA
MIL
LATA
-R
OTA
LIAT
INA
BLI
MO
IDE
SA
SS
EM
BLA
GE
CYCLAMINAPLACENTA -KARRERULINACONVERSAASSEMBLAGE
RETICULOPHAG-MIUM AMPLECTENSASSEMBLAGE
MIDDLEEOCENE
UNDEFINEDINTERVAL
DC950
DC960
DC970
DC980
DC990
DC1000
DC1010
DC1020
DC1030
DC1040
DC1050
32.2
BR
YG
GE
FO
RM
ATIO
N
LOW
ER
OLI
GO
CE
NE
OU
TE
R N
ER
ITIC
TURRILINAASATICAASSEM-BLAGE
UP
PE
RB
ATH
YAL
MOLOFORM.
MIDDLE -INNER
NERITIC
SA
MP
LES
(m
eter
s)
PALE
OB
ATH
YM
ET
RY
BE
NT
HIC
FO
RA
MIN
IFE
RA
LA
SS
EM
BLA
GE
S
ST
RO
NT
IUM
ISO
TOP
E A
GE
FR
OM
FO
RA
MIN
IFE
RA
L T
ES
TS
(M
a)
DIN
OF
LAG
ELL
ATE
CY
ST
SZ
ON
ES
LIT
HO
ST
RAT
IGR
AP
HIC
AL
UN
ITS
SE
RIE
S/S
UB
SE
RIE
S
LIT
HO
LOG
Y
Sea floor = 430 meters below rig floor (mRKB)gAPI = American Petroleum Institute gamma ray unitsDC = Ditch cuttings
0 40 80 120
160
200
GAMMA RAY
0
950
m97
5 m
1000
m10
25 m
200Unit:gAPI
DE
PT
H (
mR
KB
)
OD 1209022
Ma
10
?
?
?
5
0
15
OLI
GO
CEN
E
SLEIPNER FIELD SNORRE FIELD DRAUGEN FIELD
Lith
ost
rati
-gr
aphi
c un
its
Lith
ost
rati
-gr
aphi
c un
its
Lith
ost
rati
-gr
aphi
c un
its
Lith
ost
rati
-gr
aphi
c un
its
Lith
ost
rati
-gr
aphi
c un
its
Lith
ost
rati
-gr
aphi
c un
its
Lith
ost
rati
-gr
aphi
c un
its
Lith
ost
rati
-gr
aphi
c un
its
Lith
ost
rati
-gr
aphi
c un
its
Lith
ost
rati
-gr
aphi
c un
its
Lith
ost
rati
-gr
aphi
c un
its
Lith
ost
rati
-gr
aphi
c un
its
Lith
ost
rati
-gr
aphi
c un
its
Lith
ost
rati
-gr
aphi
c un
its
Lith
ost
rati
-gr
aphi
c un
its
Lith
ost
rati
-gr
aphi
c un
its
Lith
ost
rati
-gr
aphi
c un
its
2/2-2
11/10-1
9/12-1Li
tho
stra
ti-
grap
hic
units
HJØL-LUNDBORE.Li
tho
stra
ti-
grap
hic
units
RØD-DINGBORE.
2/4-C11
15/12-3
15/9-A-23
15/9-13
16/1-4
16/1-2
24/12-1
25/10-2
25/2-10 S
25/1-8 S
31/3-1
30/5-2
30/6-3
35/11-1
34/10-17
29/3-1
34/8-1
34/7-2
34/8-3A
34/7-1
34/4-7
34/4-6
34/2-4
35/3-1
36/1-2
6407/9-5
6407/9-1
6407/9-2
6507/12-1
6609/11-1
6508/5-1
6609/5-1
6610/2-1 S
6607/5-1
6305/5-1
6305/4-1
6404/11-1
49-23 6403/5-GB1
6704/12-GB1
7316/5-1
FORL.-SUNDET
GJALLARRIDGE
UTGARDHIGH
TRØNDELAGPLATFORM
TRØNDELAGPLATFORM
MÅLØYTERRACE
SOGNGRABEN
ODP-987
EASTGREENLANDSVALBARDWESTERN
BARENTS SEA
MØRE BASINTAMPEN AREA NORDLAND RIDGE
NORTH-WESTERNNORWEGIAN-DANISH BASIN
SE NORWEG.-DANISH BASIN
RINGKØB.-FYN HIGH
NORTHERNCENTRALGRABEN
Ch
ron
o-
stra
tig
rap
hy
(Ber
gg
ren
et
al. 1
995
)
HOLOCENEAND PLEI-STOCENE
NORWEGIAN SEANORWEGIAN SEA CONTINENTAL SHELFNORTHERN NORTH SEASOUTHERN VIKING GRABEN
TROLLFIELD
FRAMFIELD
35/11-14S
VEGASOUTH
RIMFAKSFIELD
N. VIKINGGRABEN
VISUNDFIELD
3532 AGATDISCOVERY
ORMEN LANGEFIELD
TRØND.PLATF.
NORDL.RIDGE O
FFSK
OR
ESB
YSU
ND
VAD
E FO
RM
ATI
ON
HO
RD
ALA
ND
GR
OU
P
HO
RD
ALA
ND
GR
OU
P
HO
RD
AL
AN
D G
RO
UP
HO
RD
AL
AN
D G
RO
UP
UT
SIR
A F
OR
MA
TIO
N
NO
RD
LA
ND
GR
OU
P
NO
RD
LA
ND
GR
OU
P
NO
RD
LA
ND
GR
OU
P
NO
RD
LAN
DG
RO
UP
HO
RD
AL
AN
D G
RO
UP
HO
RD
AL
AN
D G
RO
UP
HO
RD
AL
AN
D G
RO
UP
HO
RD
AL
AN
D G
RO
UP
UT
SIR
A F
OR
MA
TIO
N
UT
SIR
A F
OR
MA
TIO
N
HO
RD
AL
AN
D G
RO
UP
UT
SIR
A F
OR
MA
TIO
N
BR
YG
GE
FO
RM
AT
ION
BR
YG
GE
FO
RM
AT
ION
BR
YG
GE
FO
RM
AT
ION
KA
I F
OR
MA
TIO
N
HIA
TUS
DO
WN
TO
LO
WER
- M
IDD
LE E
OC
ENE
SO
TB
AK
KE
N G
RO
UP
KA
I F
OR
MA
TIO
N
MO
LO
FO
RM
AT
ION
NAUSTFORM.
NORD.GR.
NORD.GR. NORDL.
GROUPNO
RD
LAN
DG
RO
UP
NO
RD
LAN
DG
RO
UP
SAR
SBU
KTA
FOR
MA
TIO
N
NA
US
TFO
RM
AT
ION
NA
US
TFO
RM
AT
ION
NO
RD
LAN
DG
RO
UP
SKA
DE
FOR
M.
MO
LOFO
RM
.
NO
RD
L.G
RO
UP
NO
RD
L.G
RO
UP
UT
SIR
AFO
RM
.
SKA
DE
FOR
MA
TIO
N
SKA
DE
FOR
MA
TIO
N
HO
RD
AL
AN
D G
RO
UP
UT
SIR
A F
OR
MA
TIO
NN
OR
DLA
ND
GR
OU
P
HO
RD
A-
LAN
DG
RO
UP
BRAN-DENCLAY
BILLUNDFORMAT.
BREJ-NING
FORMAT.
ØRN-HØJ
FORMAT.
VEJLEFJ.
BREJ
NIN
GFO
RM
AT.
AR
NU
M F
OR
MA
TIO
NO
DD
ERU
PFO
RM
AT
ION
HO
DD
EFO
RM
AT
ION
GR
AM
FOR
M.
VEJ
LEFJ
.FO
RM
.BA
STRU
PFO
RM
ATI
ON
KLIN
TIN
G-
HO
VED
FOR
M.
MIO
CEN
EPL
IOC
ENE
LATE
EARL
YLA
TEM
IDD
LEEA
RLY
LATE
EAR
LY
20
25
30
33
Sediment present
Molo Formation
Not sampled or analysed Cored sections/outcrops
Sections with a large number ofsidewall cores
HiatusColour key:
V -
III
A
HIA
TUS
DO
WN
TO
LO
WER
-M
IDD
LE E
OC
ENE
H
IATU
S D
OW
N
T
OPA
LEO
C. -
EO
C. H
IATU
S D
OW
N T
O L
OW
ER -
MID
DLE
EO
CEN
E
HIA
TUS
DO
WN
TO
?LO
WER
OLI
GO
CEN
E
6610/3-1
6510/2-1
HIA
TUS
DO
WN
TO
MID
DLE
EO
CEN
E
HIATUS DOWN TO MIDDLE EOCENE
MOLOFM
Geochronology of studied wells, boreholes and outcrops(The Molo Formation in dark red)
Fig. X: Geochronology of studied wells, boreholes and outcrops. Vertical axis is in Ma.
OD 1212022
P4
P2
P1
P3
6610/2-1 S
6610/7-16610/7-2
6510/2-1
6407/9-2 6407/9-16407/9-5
6607/5-26607/5-1
6610/3-1
? ?
N
WEST
Scematic and generalised cross-section of the Norwegian Sea shelf including the mainresults of the strontium isotope analyses
EAST
Naust Fm
Cretaceous
URU = Upper Regional Unconformity, Naust Fm =Upper Pliocene - Pleistocene, Kai Fm = Middle Miocene - Lower Pliocene, Molo Fm = Lower Oligocene - Lower Pliocene,Brygge Fm = Eocene - Lower Miocene, Tang and Tare fms = Paleocene
OD 1212004
URU
Molo Fm
Brygge Fm
Brygge FmKai Fm Tang and Tare fms
11,6-10,0 Ma10,6 Ma
23,1 Ma29,4-23,8 Ma
27,9 Ma28,1 Ma
11,0 Ma6,9-5,1 Ma
10,9-10,0 Ma 6,4-6,0 Ma 9,6 Ma
30,3 Ma
17,1 Ma5,8-5,2 Ma
32,4 Ma
33,6 Ma32,2 Ma
650
700
750
80
08
50D
EP
TH
(m
RK
B)
20 40 60 80 100
120
GAMMA RAY
20 120Unit:gAPI
DC630
DC640
DC650
DC660
DC670
DC680
DC690
DC700
DC710
5,7
5,8
5,2
5,8
30,3
DC720
DC730
DC740
DC750
DC760
DC770
DC780
DC790
DC800
DC810
DC820
DC830
DC840
DC850
DC860
OD 1212008
G
G G
G GG
G G G
GGG G
G GG
GG
NAU
STFO
RM
ATIO
N
UN
DEF
INED
UNDE-FINED
UNDE-FINED
INN
ER
-M
IDD
LEN
ER
ITIC
RE
TIC
ULA
TOS
-P
HA
ER
A A
CTI
NO
-C
OR
ON
ATA
ZO
NE
AR
EO
LIG
ER
AS
EM
ICIR
KU
LATA
ZON
E
AC
HO
MO
S-
PH
AE
RA
SP.
1A
SS
EM
BLA
GE
ZON
E
CO
RD
O-
SP
HA
ER
I-D
IUM
CA
N-
THA
RE
LL-
UM
ZO
NE
SVARBARDELLACOOKSONIAEZONE
UPP
ERPL
IOC
ENE
NEO
GLO
BO
QU
AD
RIN
A A
TLA
NTI
CA
(SIN
ISTR
AL)
AS
SEM
BLA
GE
LOW
ER
PLI
OC
EN
E
MID
DLE
- IN
NE
R N
ER
ITIC
UP
PE
R B
ATH
YAL
MO
LO F
OR
MAT
ION
BR
YGG
E F
OR
MAT
ION
UPP
ERM
IOC
ENE
LOW
ER
OLI
GO
CE
NE
LOW
ERM
IOCE
NE
ELPH
IDIE
LLA
HA
NN
AI
ASSE
MBL
AGE
EP
ON
IDES
PYG
MEU
SAS
SEM
BLAG
E
GLO
BO
CAS
SID
U-
LIN
A S
UB
GLO
-B
OS
AA
SS
EM
BLA
GE
OUTERNERITIC -UPPERBATHYAL
BOLB
OFOR
MA
MET
ZMAC
HERI
ASSE
MBL
AGE
DIAT
OMSP
. 4AS
SEM.
RO
TALI
ATIN
AB
ULI
MO
IDE
SA
SS
EM
BLA
GE
UN
DE
FIN
ED
MO
NS
PE
LIE
N-
SIN
A P
SE
UD
O-
TEP
IDA
AS
SE
M-
BLA
GE
G. BULLO-IDES ASS.
LITH
OST
RAT
IGR
APH
ICFO
RM
ATIO
NS
LITH
OLO
GY
SER
IES
/ S
UB
SER
IES
DIN
OFL
AGEL
LATE
ZO
NES
PALE
OB
ATH
YM
ETR
Y
BEN
THIC
FOR
AM
INIF
ERA
LA
SS
EMB
LAG
ESPL
AN
KTO
NIC
FOS
SIL
AS
SEM
BLA
GES
Sr I
SO
TOPE
AG
ES F
RO
MFO
RA
MIN
IFER
AL
TEST
S (M
a)
SA
MPL
ES (m
etre
s)
WELL 6407/9−5
Log
Sea floor = 319 meters below rig floor (mRKB)DC = Ditch cuttingsgAPI = American Petroleum Institute gamma ray unitsG = Abundant glauconite = Ice rafted pebbles Unconformity
10
5
Ma
G GG
GG
G
G
OD 1212012
750
800
850
90
095
0
40 60 80 100
120
140
40 140Unit:gAPI
DC710
DC720
DC730
DC740
DC750
DC760
DC770
DC780
DC790
DC820
DC830
DC840
DC850
DC860
DC870
DC880
DC890
DC900
DC910
DC920
DC940
DC950
DC970
DC990
32,4
6,0
DE
PT
H (
mR
KB
)
GAMMA RAY
Sea floor = 263 meters below rig floor (mRKB)DC = Ditch cuttingsgAPI = American Petroleum Institute gamma ray unitsG = Abundant glauconite = Ice rafted pebbles Unconformity
LITH
OST
RAT
IGR
APH
ICFO
RM
ATIO
NS
MOLO
FORM
ATIO
N LOWERPLIO-CENE
EPONIDESPYGMEUS - S. BULLOIDES ASS.
UPPE
RM
IOCE
NE -
LOW
ERPL
IOCE
NE
N. ATLAN.(SIN.) ASS.
LITH
OLO
GY
NAU
STFO
RMAT
ION
BR
YGG
E F
OR
MAT
ION
SER
IES
/ SU
BSER
IES
UPP
ERPL
IOC
ENE
ELPH
IDIE
LLA
HA
NN
AI
ASS
EMB
L.
RO
TALI
ATIN
AB
ULI
MO
IDES
ASS
EMB
LAG
EU
ND
EFIN
ED
UN
DEF
INED
UN
DE-
FIN
EDM
IDD
LE -
INN
ER
NE
RIT
IC
INN
ER
-M
IDD
LEN
ER
ITIC
NO
T IN
VES
TIG
ATED
UPP
ER B
ATH
YAL
NOT
INVE
-ST
IGAT
ED
LOW
ER O
LIG
OC
ENE
BEN
THIC
FOR
AM
INIF
ERA
LAS
SEM
BLA
GES
PLA
NK
TON
ICFO
SSI
LAS
SEM
BLA
GES
GLO
BIG
ERIN
AB
ULL
OID
ESAS
SEM
BLA
GE
GYRO
IDIN
ASO
LDAN
IIGI
RARD
ANA
ASSE
MBL.
TURR
ILINA
ALSA
TICA
ASSE
MBL.
G. SOLD.MAMILLATA
Sr IS
OTO
PE A
GES
FR
OM
FOR
AM
INIF
ERA
L TE
STS
(Ma)
SAM
PLES
(met
ers)
WELL 6407/9−1
Log
ACH
OM
OS
-P
HA
ER
AS
P. 1
AS
SE
M-
BLA
GE
ZO
NE
AREOLIGERASEMICIRC.
RETICULA-TOSPHAERAACTINOCORO-NATA ZONE
UNDEFINED
DIN
OFL
AGEL
LATE
ZO
NES
PALE
OBA
THY
ME
TRY
5
Ma
80
60
40
200
550
500
450
SAM
PLES
(met
ers)
Sr I
SO
TOP
E A
GE
S F
RO
MF
OR
AN
INIF
ER
AL
TES
TS (M
a)
DIN
OF
LA
GE
LLA
TE
ZO
NE
S
BE
NT
HIC
FO
RA
NIN
IFE
RA
LA
SS
EM
BL
AG
ES
PA
LEO
BA
TH
YM
ET
RY
LIT
HO
ST
RA
TIG
RA
PH
ICU
NIT
SM
OLO
FO
RM
AT
ION
BR
YG
GE
FO
RM
AT
ION
UP
PE
RM
OS
T L
OW
ER
TO
MID
DL
E E
OC
EN
E
EA
TO
NIC
YS
TA
UR
SU
LA
ZO
NE
LIT
HO
LOG
Y
SE
RIE
S /
SU
BS
ER
IES
LOW
ER
MIO
CE
NE
MID
DLE
-IN
NE
R N
ER
ITIC
OU
TE
RN
ER
ITIC
UP
PE
RB
AT
HY
AL
UN
DE
FIN
ED
INT
ER
VA
L
AS
TIG
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DE
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)
0
GAMMA RAYUnit: GAPI
WELL 6510/2−1
100
SWC441
SWC455
SWC48017,1
SWC502
SWC511
SWC519
SWC567
SWC575
SWC582
SWC587
SWC591SWC593
Sea floor = 348 meters below rig floor (mRKB)gAPI = American Petroleum Institute gamma ray unitsSWC = Side-wall coreG = Common glauconite Unconformity Not sampled
? LOWEROLIGOCENE
AREOLIGERASEMICIRCULATA
ZONE
HETERAULA-CACYSTA POROSA
ZONE
UNDEFINEDINTERVAL
OD 1212010
UPPER-MIDDLEEOCENE
? LOWEREOCENE
15Ma
Late Paleogene and Neogene lithostratgraphy
0° 2° 4° 6° 8° 10° Temperature (°C)
OD 1212007
Gram
Pliocene
Age Denmark SouthernNorth Sea
NorthernNorth Sea
Møre/Vøringbasins
SørvestsnagBasin
VestbakkenVolcanicProvince
SpitsbergenCentralBasin
ClimateEvents012345
Miocene
Oligocene
Eocene
Sand
Pal
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neN
eoge
ne
Nor
dlan
dH
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land
Nor
dlan
dS
olba
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Gro
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Ce
no
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SøvindHorda
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FrejaVade
Grid
Unnamed
Skade
Utsira KaiMolo
Molo
Molo
?
?
BryggeTorsk
SarsbuktaFormation
?
?
LarkBastrup
Odderup
Vejle Fjord Billund
Clay and hemipelagicPartial or ephemeralice sheetsFull scale and permanentice sheetsNew IRD data from ODP Site 913(off East Greenland)
δ18O (‰)
Nor. - G
reenl. Sea
Glauconitic Utsira MbS N
800
850
90
0
0 20 40 60 80 100
0 100
Unit:gAPI
DC760
DC770
DC780
DC790
DC800
DC810
DC820
DC830
DC840
DC850
DC860
DC870
DC880
DC890
DC900
DE
PT
H (
mR
KB
)
GAMMA RAY
OD 1212009
G G
G GGG
G
G
LITH
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APH
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(met
ers)
WELL 6407/9−2
Log
ACHO
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-PH
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SP.
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SEMB
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AREOLIGERASEMICIRCU-LATA ZONESVALBAR-DELLACOOK-SONIAEZONE
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UPP
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THYA
LPA
LEO
BATH
YM
ETR
Y
Sea floor = 272 meters below rig floor (mRKB)DC = Ditch cuttingsgAPI = American Petroleum Institute gamma ray unitsG = Abundant glauconite = Ice rafted pebbles Unconformity
5
Ma
Naust T
OD 1212005
Naust ANaust N
Kai Fm
Brygge Fm
Molo Fm
Tang & Tare fms (Paleocene)
Shetland Gp (Cretaceous)
0
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5S TWT
10 20 30 40 km
W EUpper Miocene -Lower Pliocene
Lower Miocene
Profile 4: Geoseismic section showing that the Molo and Kai formations are proximal and distal equivalents with respect to each other. The mid Miocene unconformity separates the Kai and Molo formations from the underlying Brygge Formation (see also Map 1for location, modified after Eidvin et al. 2007). The boundery between the Lower Miocene and Upper Miocene-Lower Pliocene parts of the Moloformation are tentative and after F. Riis (work in progress).
Fig. 5: Oligocene to Lower Pliocene Molo Formation with investigated wells and seismic profiles. The extent and thickness of the Molo Formation are according to Bullimore et al. (2005).
References:If not stated otherwise all figures and text are according to:
Eidvin, T., Riis, F. & Rasmussen, E. S., work in progress. Oligocene to Lower Pliocene deposits of the Norwegian continental shelf, with correlation to the Norwegian Sea, Greenland, Svalbard, Denmark and their relation to the uplift of Fennoscandia.
Other references:Bullimore, S., Henriksen, S., Liestøl, F. M. & Helland-Hansen, W., 2005: Clinform stacking patterns, shelf-edge trajectories and facies associations in Tertiary coastal deltas, offshore Norway: Implications for the prediction of lithology in prograding systems. Norwegian Journal of Geology 85, 169-187.
Eidvin, T., Brekke, H., Riis, F. & Renshaw, D. K., 1998a: Cenozoic Stratigraphy of the Norwegian Sea continental shelf, 64° N - 68° N. Norsk Geologisk Tidskrift, 78, 125-151. Avail-able from the internet: http://www.npd.no/Global/Norsk/3-Publikasjoner/Forskningsartikler/Eidvin-et-al.,-1998a.pdf
Eidvin, T., Bugge, T. & Smelror, M., 2007: The Molo Formation, deposited by coastal progradation on the inner Mid-Norwegian continental shelf, coeval with the Kai Formation to the west and the Utsira Formation in the North Sea. Norwegian Journal of Geology 87, 75-142. Available from the internet: http://www.geologi.no/data/f/0/11/48/3_22301_0/Eidvin_et_al.pdf
Eidvin, T., Jansen, E., Rundberg, Y., Brekke, H. & Grogan, P., 2000: The upper Cainozoic of the Norwegian continental shelf correlated with the deep sea record of the Norwe-gian Sea and North Atlantic. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 17, 579-600.
Eldrett, J. S, Harding, I. C., Wilson, P. A., Butler, E. and Roberts, A. P., 2007. Continental ice in Greenland during the Eocene and Oligocene. Nature 446, 176-179.Rasmussen, E. S., Heilmann-Clausen, Waagstein, R. & Eidvin, T., 2008; The Tertiary of Norden. Episones, Vol. 21, No. 1, 66-72. Available from the internet: http://www.npd.no/Global/Norsk/3%20-%20Publikasjoner/Forskningsartikler/Rasmussen_et_al_2007.pdf
Henriksen, S., Ficher, C., Grønlie, A., Henningsen, T., Laursen, I., Løseth, H., Ottesen, D. and Prince, I., 2005: The Norwegian Sea during the Cenozoic, in: B.T.G. Wandaas et al. (eds.): Onshore-Offshore Relationships on the North Atlantic Margin. NPF Special Publication 12, 111-133.
Rundberg, Y. & Eidvin, T., 2005: Controls on depositional history and architecture of the Oligocene-Miocene succession, northern North Sea Basin. In B.T.G. Wandaas et al. (eds.): Onshore-Offshore Relationships on the North Atlantic Margin. NPF Special Publication 12, 207-239.
Zachos, J., Pagani, M, Sloan, L., Thomas, E. & Billups, K., 2001: Trends, Rhythms, and Aberrations in Global Climate 65 Ma to Present. Science 292, 686-693.
OD 1212006
6610/7-2Tie from 6610/3-1
1,0
2,0
3,0
4,0
5,0
0km 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 220 240 2600
1,0
2,0
3,0
N3-86-314N3-86-314ASG-8374-413NRGS-84-470GMNR-94-106-1
SG
8374
-203
N3
-86
-314
C
6607/5-16607/5-2
TW
T, s
ec
Upper Miocene - Lower Pliocene
Lower Miocene Oligocene
Top PaleoceneBaseTertiary
Base Cretaceous Pleistocene
Base Upper Pliocene
U. Miocene -L. Pliocene
Kai Fm
Intra
Cam
pani
an
4,0
5,0
N3-86-314B
Naust Fm
Naust Fm
Brygge FmMolo Fm
Profile 2: Regional geoseismic line across the Utgaard High and along the Nordland Ridge through well 6607/5-1 (see also Map 1 for location, modified after Eidvin et al. 2000). The boundaries between the Oligocene, Lower Miocene and Upper Miocene-Lower Pliocene parts of the Molo Formation are tentative and after F. Riis (work in progress).
The Lower Oligocene-Lower Pliocene Molo Formation on the inner Norwegian Sea continental shelf
(Extent and thickness, age from fossil and Sr isotope correlations, lithology, paleobathymetry and regional correlation)
Tor Eidvin & Fridtjof RiisNorwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD), Stavanger, Norway
Professor Olav Hanssens vei 10, P. O. Box 600, N-4003 Stavanger, www.npd.no,[email protected], [email protected]
Drawing: Rune Goa, ©Norwegian Petroleum Directorate
The Molo Formation is a sand-dominated unit on the middle/inner part of the shelf extending from the coast off Møre (63°15’N) to Lofoten (67°50’N). It has a unique seismic signature, and represents a prograding system comprising fairly steep clinoforms (Fig. 5, Profiles 1 - 4). Eidvin et al. (1998a) investigated sidewall cores of the Molo Formation in well 6610/3-1 (in its northern part) and gave an Early Oligocene age for the unit based on benthic foraminiferal and dinoflagellate cysts correlations and strontium isotope analy-ses. At a later date T. Eidvin and M. Smelror investigated sidewall cores of the same formation in well 6510/2-1 (in the middle part of the formation). Based on the same kind of analyses they suggested an Early Miocene age for the formation in that well. Eidvin et al. (2007) investigated ditch cutting samples of the Molo Formation in well 6407/9-5, 6407/9-2 and 6407/9-1 (in its southern part) and based on the same kind of analyses they suggested a Late Miocene to Early Pliocene age for the unit in those wells.
Eidvin et al. (2007) interpreted the Oligocene fossils in well 6610/3-1 (Fig. 6) and the Early Miocene fossils in well 6510/2-1 (Fig. 8) to be reworked and suggested a post mid Miocene age for the whole of the Molo Formation. They interpreted the Molo Formation to be the proximal equivalent to the deeper marine Kai Formation. However, interpretation of new seismic data, for the current pres-entation, indicates the northern proximal part of the Molo Formation is as old as Early Oligocene and that the formation contains younger sediments towards west and south (Fig. 5, Profile 1-4). We now believe that the recorded index fossils in well 6610/3-1 (Fig. 6) and 6510/2-1 (Fig. 8) are not reworked, and that the Molo Formation is the proximal equivalent to both the Brygge and Kai forma-tions (Profiles 1-4, Fig. 10). Eidvin et al. (2007) suggested 6610/3-1 from 555 to approximately 349 m (Fig. 6, the top is not sampled and logged) as the well type section and 6407/9-5 from 787 to 670 m as well reference section (Fig. 3). For the current presentation we suggest well 6510/2-1 from 480 to 441 m (Fig. 8, the top is not sampled and logged) also as well reference section.
Fig. 10: General view of the Late Paleogene and Neogene lithostratigraphy in the investigated areas modi-fied after Rasmussen et al. (2008) and Rundberg & Eidvin (2005). On the right hand side of the diagram there is added some paleoclimatic data including a global deep-sea oxygen curve, bottom-water paleo-temper-atures in the world’s oceans and periods with ice-sheets in the Antarctica and northern hemisphere (after Zachos et al. 2001). Periods with deposition of IRD at ODP Site 913 (off East Greenland) are also indicated (Eldrett et al. 2007).
Fig. 2. Geochronology of all studied wells including the 5 wells with the Molo Formation.
Fig. 1
Fig. 3
Fig. 4: Schematic and generalised cross-section of the Norwegian Sea shelf (modified after Henriksen et al., 2005) including main results of the strontium isotope analyses based on fossil tests interpreted to be in situ (after Eidvin et al., work in progress).
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Profile 2: Regional geoseismic line across the Utgaard High and along the Nordland Ridge through well 6607/5-1 and 6607/5-2 (modified after Eidvin et al. 2000). The boundaries between the Oligocene, Lower Miocene and Upper Miocene - Lower Pliocene parts of the Molo Formation are tentative and after F. Riis (work in progress).
Profile 3: Seismic 2D line SH9601-409 showing the devel-opment of the Molo Formation in a profile through exploration well 6510/2-1 on the Vega High. The black rectangle shows the studied interval, dated to Eo-cene in the lower part and Early Miocene in the upper part. The Miocene section consists of a glauconite-rich, quartzose sand deposited in a neritic environ-ment. In this area, only the outer parts of the Molo sand system, believed to be of a Late Miocene and Early Pliocene age, show a distinct prograda-tion.
Profile 1: Seismic 3D line generated from the ST9404 cube, showing the development of the northern part of the Molo Forma-tion in a profile through exploration wells 6610/2-1S and 6610/3-1. The seismic data are consistent with the biostratigraphy indicating that early Oligocene sediments are distal and fine-grained in 6610/2-1 S whereas they belong to a sandy prograda-tional unit in 6610/3-1. In both profiles, the orange horizon marks the base of the Oligocene whereas the blue horizon indicates the boundary between the Molo and the Naust formation. Some undated internal boundaries within the Molo progradation have also been marked. Black rectangles show the studied, Eocene and Early Oligocene intervals.
10 km
10 km
6510/2-1 SENW
NESW