Paleocene initiation of Cenozoic uplift in-Norway

Abstract: The timing of Cenozoic surface uplift in NW Europe relies on the assumption that the sedimentary response inbasins is synchronous with tectonic processes in the source areas. However, many of the phenomena commonly used to infer recent uplift may as well be a consequence of climate change and sea-level fall. The timing of surface uplift therefore remains unconstrained from the sedimentary ecord alone, and it becomes necessary to consider the constraints imposed by physically and geologically plausible tectonic mechanisms, which have a causal relation to an initiating agent. The gradual reversal of the regional stress field following the break-up roduced minor perturbations to the thermal subsidence on the Norwegian Shelf and in the North Sea. Pulses of increased compression cannot be the cause of Cenozoic land surface uplift and accelerated Neogene basin subsidence.Virtually deformation-free gional vertical movements could have been caused by changes in the density column of the lithosphere and asthenosphere following the emplacement of he Iceland plume. A transient uplift component was produced as the plume displaced enser asthenosphere at the base of the lithosphere. This component decayed as the plume material cooled. Permanent uplift as a result of igneous underplating occurred i