The Merluza Graben: How a Failed Spreading Center Influenced Margin Structure, and Salt Deposition and Tectonics in the Santos Basin, Brazil

The relative timing between crustal extension and salt deposition can vary spatially along passive margin basins as continents unzip, or the locus of shifts toward embryonic ocean spreading center. Determining deposition, rifting, seafloor is often problematic due to diachronous nature ability fill pre-existing topography, subsequent flow deformation that salt. We here use 2D PSDM seismic data structural restorations investigate Merluza Graben, a large rift-related depocentre located in southern, most proximal part Santos Basin, Brazil, along-strike failed center, Abimael Ridge. graben defined by up 3.5 km base-salt relief its basinward-bounding fault internal horsts are 1 high. This compartmentalizes deformation, producing intra-graben extensional contraction structures, ramp-syncline basins, expulsion rollovers, resulting remarkably different salt-tectonic style seen adjacent areas. also conduct analyze spatial temporal evolution styles relationship this has potential prolonged Graben. approach further constrains local variations rifting impact on tectonics margin. results our study be applied better understand tectono-stratigraphic development other salt-bearing rifted margins.