New insights into tectonics and evolution of the Amerasia Basin

Large sinistral strike-slip, i.e. the Alpha-Chukchi and Alpha-Mendeleev fracture zones, as well as an inferred dextral Podvodnikov-Mendeleev fracture zone, were developed during the Arctida breakup process. The formation of the fracture zones contributed to the opening of the Nautilus, Makarov and Podvodnikov basins in the Valanginian (?)/Barremian - Campanian. Presumably, there were different geodynamic drivers for the processes at the two stage formation of the Amerasia Basin: subduction of an ancient oceanic lithosphere outside of the study area at the early stage, and an Arctic mantle plume at the late stage.