Abstract

The article examines the regional patterns of rifting in the Arctic and assesses the impact of large (supra-regional) rift systems on the geological evolution of the region. Against the background of the description of main Arctic structures, the Atlantic–Arctic rift system (AARS) is described as a tectonotype of a large planetary geophorm that has evolved from continental rifting to spreading proper with the development of a full-fledged ocean. The main properties of this system are its development towards the North Pole, the longitudinal orientation of the rifts, their separation by latitudinal faults, and predominantly sinistral shear displacement of individual segments. We believe that such a structure reflects the influence of the rotational factor on distribution of lithospheric masses of the Earth. Their tendency to the equilibrium position relative to the rotation axis is implemented by movements towards the equator and along it. The outflow of masses to low latitudes makes possible the growth of the rift system, but does not contribute to its further development after reaching the Pole. This phenomenon is of general nature and determines the development of all longitudinal rift systems, which leads to their spatial convergence and attenuation of dynamics in the circumpolar space. Within the Arctic region, in addition to the Atlantic–Arctic system, areas of possible termination of the West Siberian, Okhotsk–Verkhoyansk, and East Pacific rift systems are considered. It is assumed that their evolution initiated the destruction of the continental lithosphere of the Arctic region and determined the subsequent transformations of its structure. Special attention is paid to the problems of the possible influence of rifting on the hydrocarbon generation due to serpentinization of hyperbasites, when the lithosphere is penetrated by faults to the upper mantle depths, as well as on the remobilization of gases as a result of the disturbance of both gas hydrate reservoirs and permafrost. It is shown that the greatest generation of methane is generally associated with the development of faults in the cold lithosphere and serpentinization of mantle rocks.

中文翻译：

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北极裂谷：过程、演化趋势和碳氢化合物生成

摘要

本文研究了北极裂谷的区域模式，并评估了大型（跨区域）裂谷系统对该地区地质演化的影响。在描述北极主要结构的背景下，大西洋-北极裂谷系统（AARS）被描述为一个大型行星地貌的构造型，随着成熟海洋的发展，它已经从大陆裂谷演变为适当扩展。该系统的主要特性是其向北极的发展、裂谷的纵向方向、它们被纬向断层分开，以及单个节段的主要左行剪切位移。我们认为这样的结构反映了旋转因素对地球岩石圈质量分布的影响。它们相对于旋转轴的平衡位置趋势是通过朝向赤道和沿赤道的运动来实现的。质量向低纬度的流出使裂谷系统的发展成为可能，但无助于其到达极地后的进一步发展。这种现象具有普遍性，决定了所有纵向裂谷系统的发展，导致它们在极地空间的空间收敛和动力学衰减。在北极地区，除了大西洋-北极系统外，还考虑了西西伯利亚、鄂霍次克-上维尔霍扬斯克和东太平洋裂谷系统可能终止的区域。据推测，它们的演化引发了北极地区大陆岩石圈的破坏，并决定了其随后的结构转变。特别关注裂谷可能影响因双玄武岩蛇纹石化而产生的烃，当岩石圈被断层穿透至上地幔深处时，以及扰动导致的气体再活化问题。天然气水合物储层和永久冻土层。结果表明，甲烷的最大生成通常与冷岩石圈断层的发育和地幔岩石的蛇纹石化有关。