The Tectonic Structure and Evolution of the Potiguar‐Ceará Rifted Margin of Brazil

Abstract

The Brazilian Equatorial Margin (BEM) is interpreted as a transform margin, where the last segment opened during Gondwana rifting. However, margin evolution, and break‐up age remain unconstrained. We interpret >10k km of crustal‐scale seismic images extending along ∼600 km of the margin calibrated with drillholes. We determine the style and timing of tectonics across the rift system. We link changes in crustal‐scale structure and age of sediment deposits to interpret variations with the style of extension and intensity of thinning across the BEM. Observations support a rift evolution where deformation is initially distributed forming a shallow basin, subsequently focusses, and later migrates basin‐ward forming the deep‐water domain. We interpret that tectonic activity started ∼140–136 Ma and stopped earlier in the shallow basin causing minor thinning, than in the deep‐water domain with a ∼60 km wide area with 4–8 km thick crust extended in Late Aptian to Early Albian (116–110 Ma). Constraints from seismic and drilling help define an abrupt continent to ocean transition (COT) where continental crust may be abutted by oceanic crust, and breakup occurred at early Albian time. Basin sedimentation from the onset to the Late Aptian is continental, indicating an isolated environment disconnected from Atlantic oceans. During late‐most Aptian to Early Albian basin sedimentation changes and indicates a comparatively rapid marine water infill. Rifting of the BEM is not dominated by transcurrent deformation as previously inferred, with strike‐slip faulting limited to comparatively small sectors, whereas most of the margin extended by normal faulting deformation.