Basement and Basin Structures of the Northwest Paraná Basin, Brazil: Illuminated by Matched-Filter Analysis and 2D Modeling of Gravity and Magnetic Data

Abstract:

The South American Platform includes two major geological components with common structural roots: the Transbrasiliano Lineament (LTB) and the Paraná Basin. Important relationships between the two components occur within the northwest Paraná Basin and concealed beneath sedimentary cover. We integrated all available airborne magnetic and gravity surveys and ground-based gravity data to produce consistent, digital magnetic and Bouguer anomaly maps. Data-processing and modeling techniques then were used in order to reveal principal crustal compartments and basin-basement structures at various depths. Three large magnetic discontinuities delineate crustal compartments in the area with N30°E, N60°E, and N70°E strike, from east to west, respectively. These magnetic lineaments bound regions with distinct gravity anomaly character. Robust matched-filter analysis applied to magnetic and gravity data yielded important depth estimates: (i) 2.5 km to the top of the Paraná Basin Neoproterozoic basement; (ii) 4-6 km to the top of a second group of basement units; (iii) 20 km, possibly associated with the upper-lower crust interface; and (iv) 33-39 and 43 km related to crustal thicknesses west and southeast of a major N30°E trending lineament, respectively. The 2D joint modeling of gravity and magnetic data sheds light on the asymmetric geometry of the basement beneath the Paraná basin, with at least three half-grabens formed by LTB reactivated structures. The central region of the study area is characterized by thinner crust and higher crustal weakness, where important structures have developed in the Mesozoic, including NW trending reactivations, linked to crustal uplift and evolution of small NE-aligned Cretaceous basins. Important depocenters occur to the north and east of the study area, with N70ºE and N30°E – NS strike, respectively.