Decoupling as an alternate model for transpression during the initial opening of the Norwegian-Greenland Sea

Abstract

Transpressive plate motions during the opening of the Norwegian-Greenland Sea were in some manner responsible for the development of Spitsbergen's Tertiary fold-and-thrust belt. A flower model has been proposed for the large-scale structural architecture of Tertiary deformation (Lowell 1972). An alternate model of decoupling, where convergent and transcurrent motions were accommodated in totally or partially separated, subparallel belts is suggested.