Geological evidence against major displacement in the Nares Strait

Abstract

Early continental drift^1–3 and later plate tectonic reconstructions^4–14 indicate left lateral (sinistrai) movement along Nares Strait of between 150 and 400 km during the Cretaceous–Tertiary. A basic concept in such reconstructions is the substantial part played by seafloor spreading in the origin of Labrador Sea–Baffin Bay. Until recently, geological knowledge of the area adjacent to Nares Strait was insufficient to put tight constraints on displacement along Nares Strait (Fig. 1). Of seven independent lines of evidence from bedrock geology, termed markers, all are consistent with sinistrai net displacement of Greenland along Nares Strait of 0–25 km. The three most imprecise markers can be reconciled with maximum movement of 100 km. This refutes conventional plate tectonic reconstructions which suggest movement of 150 km or more. New mechanisms should now be considered to explain the broad area of oceanic crust in Baffin Bay.