During the period from 1996 to 2007 five cruises operated by BGR acquired seismic lines from the German EEZ. The aim of these expeditions was a detailed survey of the geological structure of the seabed from the North Sea and Baltic Sea. The five GML files (for each cruise one) together with a Readme.txt file are provided in ZIP format (MSSP-EEZ-INSPIRE.zip). The Readme.text file (German/English) contains detailed information on the GML files content. Data transformation was proceeded by using the INSPIRE Solution Pack for FME according to the INSPIRE requirements.
Regarding the use of renewable energy and the reduction of greenhouse-gas emissions, the geological storage of fluids is of particular interest. Therefore, reservoir and barrier formations in the German North Sea come into focus. Due to the widespread distribution of storage and barrier rocks at suitable depths and in combination with a relatively low tectonic overprint, the West Schleswig Block region in the German North Sea shows a high prospectivity for CO2 storage. By means of this high-resolution 2D reflection seismic survey, we want to investigate the potential impairment of geological barriers at the top of geological storage formations (i.e. claystones/mudstones and salt of the Upper Buntsandstein, mudstone dominated formations of the Lower Cretaceous and of the Tertiary). The seismic acquisition setup with a 2400 m active streamer cable with 384 channels will allow a precise image of near-surface structures, such as Quaternary channels, seismic pipe structures, chimneys, polygonal fault systems and crestal faults. In the time period between Nov. 13th and Nov. 24th we acquired 32 lines 2D seismic reflection data (about 1500 km in total) in combination with gravity data, multibeam data and sediment echosounder data. The seismic data resolve the sediments from the seafloor down to the base of the Zechstein. With the acquired data, the sediments of the Mesozoic and Cenozoic up to the seafloor (2-3 seconds of twoway-traveltime) will be imaged in high-resolution for the first time. The imaged fault systems will be investigated regarding their ability to build seal bypass systems. In addition, we acquired seismic data across the Figge Maar blowout crater and we intend to compare these data with the seismic data from the West Schleswig Block.
The major pre-alpine tectonic lineaments as the Glückstadt Graben and the Avalonia-Baltica suture zone run across the southern Baltic. The BalTec expedition aimed at the gapless imaging of these fault systems from the seafloor down to the Paleozoic basement. Scientifically the expedition was motivated by two hypotheses. We postulated that advances and retreats of icesheets during the glacials initiated and reactivated faulting of the Post-Permian succession, thereby generating several kilometers long near-vertical faults and anticlines. We further postulated that – in contrast to the generally accepted text book models – deformation of the initially up to 1800 m thick Zechstein salt started already during salt deposition as the consequence of salt load induced basin subsidence and resulting salt creep. The profile network was further designed to allow for linking the stratigraphy between previously generated local underground models in the frame of the TUNB project. Altogether we collected during cruise MSM52 onboard of R/V Maria S. Merian 62 reflection seismic profiles of an entire length of 3500 km. This data set contains all seismic lines located in the German EEZ (lines BGR16-212 to BGR16-264) as time-migrated version.
During the period from 1974 to 2023 various cruises from BGR acquired seismic lines worldwide. The aim of these marine expeditions were a detailed survey of the geological structure of seabed.
During the period from 1974 to 2018 various cruises from BGR acquired seismic lines worldwide. The aim of these marine expeditions was a detailed survey of the geological structure.
The cruise SO267 ARCHIMEDES I started on December 11th, 2018 in Suva (Fidji) and ended in Suva on January 26th, 2019. Over half of the world´s presently exploited metal deposits were formed during major episodes of crustal growth related to subduction and microplate tectonics. These processes are observed today along the entire margin of the Western Pacific, where complex microplate mosaics offer unique opportunities to study accretion and the emergence of new continental crust. The focus of SO267 was a series of crustal cross-sections at the outer edge of the Indo- Australian Plate, in the largely uncharted waters of the Kingdom of Tonga. The project, entitled “Arc Rifting, Metallogeny and Microplate Evolution – An Integrated Geodynamic, Magmatic and Hydrothermal Study of the Fonualei Rift System”, was designed to document the geological evolution of an emerging microplate mosaic in the NE Lau Basin, a region with some of the fastest growing crust on Earth, and to better understand the sequence of events that cause arc rifting and related magmatic-hydrothermal activity. Using a coordinated approach of high-resolution 2D seismics, electromagnetics and sampling, ARCHIMEDES I imaged the deep structure of the Fonualei Rift system and adjoining back-arc crust of the Niuafo’ou microplate. The goal was to address a major unsolved question concerning crustal growth in complex arc-backarc systems: at what stage in the structural and thermal evolution of the crust does arc rifting occur and seafloor spreading initiate? Planned operations included large-scale reflection and refraction seismic surveys, and a dense program of gravity, magnetics, heat flow, bathymetric mapping and sidescan imaging using the AUV ABYSS and ship-based multibeam systems. This ambitious program was made possible by a close collaboration between GEOMAR and BGR scientists, bringing together diverse expertise and state-of-the-art technologies. To understand the large-scale tectonic processes, we studied 6 different locations within an area of 300 km x 300 km: i) the southern Fonualei Rift Spreading Center (S-FRSC), ii) the region between the S-FRSC and the Eastern Lau Spreading Center (FRSC-ELSC Transfer Zone), iii) the northern tip of the Eastern Lau Spreading Center (ELSC), iv) the northern tip of the Fonualei Rift system (N-FRSC), v) the Mangatolu Triple Junction (MTJ), and vi) the southward propagating Northeast Lau Spreading centre (NELSC). The combined data represent one of the most comprehensive records of microplate formation from the modern oceans.
The expedition PS155/1 started on August 5th, 2018 in Tromsø (Norway) and ended in Longyearbyen (Spitsbergen) on September 3rd, 2018. In the course of BGR’s GREENMATE project the geological development of the European North Atlantic and the northern and north eastern Greenland shelf was analyzed using various marine geophysical methods (seismics, magnetics, gravity, heatflow measurements) and geological sampling (gravity corer, box corer, multi-corer, dredge). Sampling of marine Shelf sediments was undertaken in close correspondence with co-users from Geomar (add-on project ECHONEG), aiming to reconstruct Holocene paleo environmental and climatic evolution. Using the ship’s helicopters, marine sampling was complemented by onshore sampling operations to extract geological material at selected near coastal locations. Other scientific project groups used the cruise PS115.1 as an opportunity to quantify marine mammals and sea birds and their statistical distribution in our research area as part of the long-term project (add-on project Birds& Mammals) and to gather additional meteorological data via radiosondes (add-on Project YOPP). Against all expectations, outstanding ice conditions along the northern coast of Greenland enabled us to carry out reflection seismic surveys north of 84°N at the southern tip of Morris Jesup Rise with a 3 km long streamer. Structural data of this particular region of North Greenland is of special importance for BGR’s project GREENMATE for reconstructing the continental margin evolution. A 100 km long refraction seismic profile was measured to complement the reflection seismic data. After completing this, scientific work was concentrated on the northeastern Greenland shelf area between 76°N and 82.5°N. Over the time of the cruise a total of 2500 km of reflection seismic profiles (2250 km measured with 3km streamer length) and 100 km of refraction seismic profile (using nine ocean bottom seismometers) were measured, accompanied by gravity and magnetic surveys and seven heat flow measurement stations. Along the shelf and deep-sea area 21 geological sampling sites were chosen, with all together one dredge (around 200 kg of sample), 16 gravity cores (total core length 65 m), 12 box corers and 6 multi-corer stations. Onshore sediment sampling was done at 11 sampling sites. Beside sediment sampling hard rock from near coastal outcrops was collected in a total amount of 250 kg that will be used for age dating. The entire science program was carried out under consideration of the highest ecological standards to protect marine mammals and to meet all environmental requirements of the permitting authorities. In addition to external marine mammal observers (MMO) various acoustic monitoring systems and AWI’s on board infrared detection system AIMMS monitored any activity of marine mammals in the ships perimeter, especially during seismic operations.
The aims of cruise SO197 RISE (Rift Processes in the South China Sea) with RV SONNE from Manila, 28th March 2008 to Singapore, 2nd May 2008 are (1) To gain a better understanding of the processes leading to continental breakup and subsequently formation of oceanic crust. (2) To study the evolution of the South China Sea oceanic basin. The South China Sea is particularly well suited for studying rift processes at the transition from extension of continental lithosphere to the formation of oceanic crust. This relatively young marginal basin is currently in a stadium which is characterised by still preserved differences in subsidence and thermal history resulting from rifting. The initial, complex and hardly quantifiable rift processes, however are long enough ago. The area under study comprises the eastern subbasin of the South China Sea, the West Luzon Basin and the transition area from oceanic crust to extended continental crust between the continental blocks of Reed Bank and the islands of Palawan/Calamian Group. By including existing data of earlier cruises (SO-23, -27, -49) a comparison of conjugated margin transects is intended later within the project. A major goal of the project is to study structures at the transition from continental rifting to oceanic spreading and processes resulting from extension of continental lithosphere to the formation of oceanic crust in time and space. The sequence stratigraphy of the synrift and drift sediments will give insights into the formation and evolution of the individual rift basins. The distribution and thickness of the postrift sediments on the continental fragment of the NW Palawan area define the subsidence history. The depth and topography of the Moho show the location of the stretched and thinned crust. By a joint interpretation of the structural setting, the position, distribution and architecture of the basin bounding faults a reasonable rift model will be derived. In addition, we will investigate the transition of a passive rifted margin (off Palawan) to a convergent margin (off Luzon). The timing of the evolution of the South China Sea basin will be more exactly determined by comparing the magnetic anomalies from the eastern subbasin of the South China Sea with existing data from the central/western basin. Particularly the question of a symmetric/asymmetric opening of the oceanic basin and the timing and location of the individual rift/drift episodes will be investigated. Therefore, we investigated rift structures at the southeastern margin of the South China Sea by means of reflection seismology, gravity, magnetics, bathymetry and sediment echosounder and we performed magnetic measurements to identify seafloor spreading anomalies in the eastern subbasin of the South China Sea.
The MSM67 SEGMENT research cruise was carried out between August 31st and October 4th 2017 aboard the research vessel MARIA S. MERIAN. Survey MSM67 SEGMENT it is intended to study the architecture of the rifted continental margin off East Greenland around the Jan Mayen fracture zone. Key issues to be addressed are margin segmentation and the location of the continent-ocean transition (COT). Both subjects are highly debated. Symmetric segmentation of conjugate margins has significant implications on our general understanding of continental rifting processes, and a margin-parallel COT off East Greenland would indicate an N-S opening in the Norwegian/Greenland Sea. The latter challenging most publications on the early evolution of the North Atlantic. A major open question is also the timing, duration and distribution of magmatism that resulted in the formation of the North Atlantic large igneous province. Previous suggestions of very short (~3 Myr) periods of intense magmatism have been challenged and a much longer duration and/or a post-breakup origin are under discussion. Here, we want to establish the amount of post-breakup magmatism as evident in high-velocity lower crust and test the dependence of magmatism with distance from the proposed hot-spot under Iceland and the influence of major fracture zones on volcanism.
The SUMATRA cruise SO189 Leg 1, aboard the RV SONNE, was carried out off Sumatra between 3rd August and 3rd September 2006, with mobilisation in Penang, Malaysia and demobilisation in Jakarta, Indonesia, respectively. The survey was dedicated to marine geophysical measurements and acquired multichannel seismic data (MCS) using a 240 channel streamer, and a tuned airgun array comprising 16 airguns with a total capacity of 50.8 litres. Bathymetry data, using the 12 kHz Simrad swath system, sub-seabed data using the hull mounted high resolution PARASOUND profiler together with gravity (G) and magnetic (M) data were also acquired. Along two lines with a total length of ~ 390 km refraction/wide-angle seismic experiments were carried out. During the survey a total of 4,375 line kilometres of MCS, M and G data were acquired and an additional 990 km with M and G alone. The 41 MCS lines cover as close grid three fore-arc basins. Five lines extend nearly orthogonal to the subduction front and, thus, cover the whole subduction system from the adjacent oceanic plate, the trench and accretionary prism over the Outer Arc High to the forearm basins offshore Sumatra. The survey was planned using the bathymetry from the HMS SCOTT, RV NATSUSHIMA, RV MARION DUFRESNE and RV SONNE cruises carried out in 2004, 2005 and 2006. The main scientific objective of the project SUMATRA is to determine or estimate the hydrocarbon (HC) system (source rocks, HC generation, HC migration and reservoir rocks) of the Sumatra fore-arc region (mainly the fore-arc basins). Cruise SO189 Leg 1 was designed to investigate the architecture, sedimentary thickness, sedimentary evolution and subsidence history of the fore-arc basins Siberut, Nias and Simeulue off Sumatra. In the Simeulue Basin it was possible to connect the seismic lines to three industry wells and to correlate the seismic horizons to the results from the wells. The Simeulue Basin is divided into a northern and southern sub-basin. Carbonate build-ups were found in the northern sub-basin only on the very shallow shelf in the north-east. The maximum thickness was determined to be ~ 3 s TWT. In the southern sub-basin carbonate build-ups (which were already identified on some lines of the SEACAUSE project), bright spots and Bottom Simulating Reflectors (BSRs) are wide spread. The narrowest basin surveyed was the Nias Basin. As the Simeulue Basin the Nias Basin is divided into two sub-basins which are separated by a structural high. Although the basin has a maximum width of only 55 km the maximum sediment thickness exceeds 5 s TWT. The largest fore-arc basin is the Siberut Basin. It extends from the equator to ~ 5°S over 550 km and has a maximum width of 140 km between the island of Siberut and Sumatra. The maximum sediment thickness in this basin is 4.8 s TWT. The basin geometry is uniform along its axis. At the basins termination on the western side to the Outer Arc High the Mentawai Fault Zone could be traced. The geometry of this major fault changes significantly along strike. In some areas it is traceable as one single fold whereas in other areas it spreads in up to three different branches indicating splay faults originating from a main fault. In the Siberut Basin BSRs are very wide spread and very good recognizable over the Mentawai Fault Zone. Along the Mentawai Fault and along the eastern rim of the basin the seismic data show strong indications for active venting. The morphology of the Sunda Trench and its sedimentary cover varies from north to south. In the north the trench is poorly defined with shallow seabed dip but with sediment thickness of ~ 3.5 s TWT. The seafloor dips increase southwards, but sediment thickness decreases to ~ 2.5 s TWT off Nias. Both the ocean basin and trench sediments are dissected by numerous normal faults with a maximum displacement of 0.6 s TWT. Along strike the deformation front between Nias and Siberut displays several incipient folds. As offshore northern Sumatra, both landward (BGR06-228) and seaward verging folds (BGR06-227) are developed at the deformation front. For the first time landward verging folds have now been imaged in this domain of the Sunda subduction zone. In contrary to first thoughts during the expedition SO186-2 SEACAUSE, landward verging folds are not limited to the area off Aceh. Two refraction lines were acquired parallel to the subduction front at 2°30'N and 1°30'S approximately 40 - 50 km seaward of Simeulue and Siberut Island, respectively. The lines were designed to identify the segment boundaries in the subduction system as well as to detect and decipher the subducted aseismic Investigator Ridge. The gravity data set consists now of over 38,000 line km (combining the GINCO, SEACAUSE I and II and the SUMATRA data). With this it was possible to compile a map of the free-air gravity from the northern tip of Sumatra (~ 6°30'N/95°E) to Mid Java( ~8°30'S/110°E). Gravity modelling in parallel with refraction seismic data interpretation was carried along two lines during the cruise. The preliminary results show that the incoming oceanic plate is unusual thin both in the north off Simeulue (6 km) and in the south off Nias (5 km).