This geoseismic profile comprises high-resolution, single channel seismic data that covers the entire length of the Faroe-Shetland Channel from the Wyville-Thomson Ridge in the SW to the North Sea Fan complex in the NE. The line follows the present-day axis of the channel and illustrates the distribution, geometry, thickness and seismic facies of the Neogene sediments.
FSN-2 sediments are absent from almost half the length of this profile, only occurring in the north–central and northern Faroe-Shetland Channel. A maximum thickness of approximately 500ms TWTT is achieved to the SW of a basalt high that represents the edge of the Faroe-Shetland Escarpment. The division of this megasequence into the upper and lower FSN-2a and FSN-2b units is not entirely clear due to poor data quality, but a tentative interpretation is shown. Influence by bottom currents is seen in the northern Faroe-Shetland Channel, where FSN-2 sediments display a seismic reflection pattern dominated by waveforms and inter-channelling. Generally, the internal pattern is that of parallel to sub-parallel reflections which downlap the TPU, although in many areas this pattern is broken and disrupted by the effects of sediment de-watering.
FSN-1 deposits attain a thickness of over 1800ms TWTT in the NE of the profile, within the North Sea Fan complex, whereas elsewhere the average thickness rarely exceeds 250ms TWTT. The North Sea Fan comprises stacked units of mass-flow deposits, with intervening hemipelagics, but it is not possible to differentiate individual flows and events on the seismic profiles shown here. On the Wyville-Thomson Ridge, Neogene sediments are largely absent, with Palaeogene basalt commonly at surface. Sediments of FSN-1 megasequence are dominated by glacigenic debris-flow and slump deposits, such as those of the Miller Slide at the NE end of the profile. Internally, these packages are chaotic and structureless. Contouritic drift deposits and sheeted fan sands are present at the base of the Wyville-Thomson Ridge and to the NE of the Munkagrunnur Falls (Judd Deeps) area.
