Diverse tectonic mechanisms emplace continental crust in the ‘oceanic’ realm

From classic microcontinents to Rifted Oceanic Magmatic Plateau (ROMP) - the spectrum of continental crust found within the ‘oceanic’ realm is diverse. The tectonic mechanisms responsible for emplacing continental fragments in the ocean also generate a wealth of sedimentary and structural geology, which we show can be prospective for geothermal, carbon capture and storage, and hydrocarbon exploitation. The emplacement mechanisms and examples of continental crust in the oceanic realm therefore merit further investigation. In this presentation, three mechanisms of emplacing continental crust into the oceanic realm will be explored, with specific reference to the geothermally rich Afar and Iceland ROMPs, Jan Mayen microcontinent and Davis Straight proto-microcontinent, as well as the newly recognised Davie Ridge strike-slip continental allochthon, which hosts one of the largest natural gas reserves on Earth. During the emplacement of continental material into the oceanic realm, we identify particular roles for lithospheric rheology during rifting, offsets along a rift system and strike-slip tectonics (in particular transpressional tectonics), and changes in plate motion. This talk also diversifies on the traditional viewpoint that continental crust is often emplaced in the oceanic realm due to hotspot activity.