High Resolution Seismic Studies in the Laptev Sea Shelf: First
Results and Future Needs
B. Kim, G. Grikurov and V. Soloviev
All-Russia Research Institute for Geology and Mineral Resources of the World Ocean, 1 Angliisky Ave.,
190121 St. Petersburg, Russia
Received 8 July 1997 and accepted in revised form 20 May 1998
Abstract - High resolution seismic (HRS) data were obtained in the central and eastern
Laptev Sea Shelf (LSS) along several widely spaced regional profiles. Analysis of seismic
records reveals four regional sub bottom reflectors which generally correspond to major
erosional unconformities and related stratigraphic breaks in the uppermost Cenozoic
(Pliocene to Holocene) sequences averaging 100-130 m, locally up to 250 m in total
thickness. The stratification proposed for this depth interval is based on correlation of HRS
data with onshore geological evidence and includes four units of Pliocene, EoPleistocene to
Middle Pleistocene, Upper Pleistocene, and Holocene age. HRS evidence were further
interpreted in terms of permafrost distribution and cryogeothermal history of the LSS.
Additional HRS surveys are critical for LSS paleoenvironmental reconstructions and
selection of Nansen Arctic Drilling Program (NADP) sites.
Introduction
HRS data were first obtained in the LSS in 1986 during offshore geophysical survey conducted
by the Murmansk Marine Geological Expedition (MAGE). The survey included regional
multichannel seismic reflection (MCS) profiling combined with gravity and magnetic
measurements and HRS profiling along some of MCS lines (Figure 1). These data, as well as
MCS evidence obtained in the same area by the Laboratory of Regional Geodynamics
(LARGE), formed the basis for several published interpretations of the Cenozoic stratigraphy
of the LSS (Ivanova et a!., 1989; Kim, 1994; Drachev, 1994; Drachev et a!., 1995). More
recently RIV "Polarstern" acquired PARASOUND records north of 76° but as yet only
geomorphological interpretation of this new data has been published (Niessen and Musatov,
1997).
Interpretation by Drachev et a!. (1995) was mainly based on MCS data and implied
predominantly Pliocene-Quaternary age of the upper seismic sequences recognized in LARGE's
MCS profiles. Consequently, Drachev attributed a very significant thickness (400 m and more)
to the Pleistocene-Holocene deposits. Other authors derived their evidence predominantly from
correlation of MAGE's HRS data with geological observations on the New Siberian Islands
and coastal mainland (including drilling results), and their assessment of thickness of the
youngest Cenozoic strata was considerably lower.
Agreed interpretation of available HRS records becomes increasingly important in view of
development of NADP planning which requires improved understanding of the uppermost
Cenozoic stratigraphy of the LSS (Implementation plan ... , 1997). In this paper we propose a
seismic stratigraphic concept that may, in our opinion, serve as a starting point for future
correlation and help to stimulate additional HRS seismic surveys needed for selection of NADP
drill sites.
In: Kassens, H., H.A. Bauch,!. Dmitrenko, H. Eicken, H.-W. Hubberten, M. Melles, 1. Thiede and L. Timokhov (eds.)
Land-Ocean Systems in the Siberian Arctic: Dynamics and History. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 1999, 683-692.
Results and Future Needs
B. Kim, G. Grikurov and V. Soloviev
All-Russia Research Institute for Geology and Mineral Resources of the World Ocean, 1 Angliisky Ave.,
190121 St. Petersburg, Russia
Received 8 July 1997 and accepted in revised form 20 May 1998
Abstract - High resolution seismic (HRS) data were obtained in the central and eastern
Laptev Sea Shelf (LSS) along several widely spaced regional profiles. Analysis of seismic
records reveals four regional sub bottom reflectors which generally correspond to major
erosional unconformities and related stratigraphic breaks in the uppermost Cenozoic
(Pliocene to Holocene) sequences averaging 100-130 m, locally up to 250 m in total
thickness. The stratification proposed for this depth interval is based on correlation of HRS
data with onshore geological evidence and includes four units of Pliocene, EoPleistocene to
Middle Pleistocene, Upper Pleistocene, and Holocene age. HRS evidence were further
interpreted in terms of permafrost distribution and cryogeothermal history of the LSS.
Additional HRS surveys are critical for LSS paleoenvironmental reconstructions and
selection of Nansen Arctic Drilling Program (NADP) sites.
Introduction
HRS data were first obtained in the LSS in 1986 during offshore geophysical survey conducted
by the Murmansk Marine Geological Expedition (MAGE). The survey included regional
multichannel seismic reflection (MCS) profiling combined with gravity and magnetic
measurements and HRS profiling along some of MCS lines (Figure 1). These data, as well as
MCS evidence obtained in the same area by the Laboratory of Regional Geodynamics
(LARGE), formed the basis for several published interpretations of the Cenozoic stratigraphy
of the LSS (Ivanova et a!., 1989; Kim, 1994; Drachev, 1994; Drachev et a!., 1995). More
recently RIV "Polarstern" acquired PARASOUND records north of 76° but as yet only
geomorphological interpretation of this new data has been published (Niessen and Musatov,
1997).
Interpretation by Drachev et a!. (1995) was mainly based on MCS data and implied
predominantly Pliocene-Quaternary age of the upper seismic sequences recognized in LARGE's
MCS profiles. Consequently, Drachev attributed a very significant thickness (400 m and more)
to the Pleistocene-Holocene deposits. Other authors derived their evidence predominantly from
correlation of MAGE's HRS data with geological observations on the New Siberian Islands
and coastal mainland (including drilling results), and their assessment of thickness of the
youngest Cenozoic strata was considerably lower.
Agreed interpretation of available HRS records becomes increasingly important in view of
development of NADP planning which requires improved understanding of the uppermost
Cenozoic stratigraphy of the LSS (Implementation plan ... , 1997). In this paper we propose a
seismic stratigraphic concept that may, in our opinion, serve as a starting point for future
correlation and help to stimulate additional HRS seismic surveys needed for selection of NADP
drill sites.
In: Kassens, H., H.A. Bauch,!. Dmitrenko, H. Eicken, H.-W. Hubberten, M. Melles, 1. Thiede and L. Timokhov (eds.)
Land-Ocean Systems in the Siberian Arctic: Dynamics and History. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 1999, 683-692.