New data on the structure of the central part of the White Sea paleorift system

Complex geological and geophysical data obtained during recent research by the Marine Arctic Geological Survey Expedition OJSC (MAGSE) indicate that the Riphean Chapoma graben located on the southeastern shore of the Kola Peninsula has its extension under the Gorlo Strait of the White Sea water area and joins the Leshukonsk riftogenous graben as an extended narrow trench in the crystal foundation of the platform. From this it follows that the Chapoma graben is the central segment of the White Sea paleorift system. Only the northwestern edge and probably the upper part of the graben section outcrop on the Kola Peninsula, which represents a highly elevated block of the platform foundation. To emphasize the unity of this paleorift zone, it makes sense to call it the Chapomo-Leshukonsk Paleorift in contrast to the traditional name Kerets-Leshukonsk . The echelon position of the riftogenous troughs of the Chapomo-Leshukonsk paleorift, the form itself of the Leshukonsk and Azopolsk troughs being close to pull-apart assumes their occurrence and development under transtension conditions with elements of the right-side shear along the steep northeastern edges of the grabens.