Tectonic Evolution and Magmatism of the South Atlantic Ocean and Margin - PROASA project.

The South Atlantic Ocean and Margin (SAOM) serves as a crucial natural laboratory for studying passive continental margin formation, continental breakup, and the interactions between tectonic, magmatic, and sedimentary processes. This project investigates with DAS and short perido seimographs stations the tectonic evolution and magmatism of SAOM, with particular focus on seaward-dipping reflectors (SDRs), volcanic formations, and the continent-ocean transition zones. The primary objective is to generate high-resolution structural models of SAOM through an integrated approach combining advanced techniques including surface wave tomography, anisotropic analysis, receiver functions, reflected phase analysis, and joint inversion. This innovative methodology will enable precise mapping of subsurface architecture, particularly the crucial crustal transition zone. SDRs, which record volcano-magmatic processes during rifting, will be investigated as key markers to reconstruct the region's magmatic history, including its relationship to crustal thinning, oceanic crust formation, and tectonic activity. This project will examine the role of magmatism in SAOM evolution, analyzing its influence on fault development, fluid migration, and resource accumulation. Spatio-temporal analysis of these processes, from initial rifting through oceanic spreading, will provide new insights into passive margin dynamics. We will present how the project will be carried out and the first steps to be implemented.