Volcanic basins are sedimentary basins with a significant amount of primary deposited volcanic rocks. The volcanic deposits and processes may have a major influence on the geology and petroleum prospectivity of sedimentary basins, including source rock maturation, fluid migration pathways, trap formation, and structural deformation.

VBER is dedicated to research on volcanic basin processes in collaboration with leading universities. We have been closely involved in Physics of Geological Processes (PGP - a Norwegian Center of Excellence at the University of Oslo, 2003-2013), and we have collaboration with e.g. the National Oceanography Center, Southampton, GEOMAR, and University of Tromsø.

Our main research effort is on magma-sediment interaction, petroleum geology of volcanic rifted margins, and seismic imaging and interpretation of volcanic complexes. Our research interests spans from cold seeps ecology to paleoclimate and magmatic petrology. Research results are also published in international journals and reports. See our comprehensive publication list for references.

Large Igneous Provinces (LIPs)

LIPs are the surface manifestation of mantle melting processes commonly associated with thermal plumes. LIPs are divided into Continental Flood Basalts, Volcanic Rifted Margins, and Oceanic Plateaus and Ridges. Volcanic basins are found along many of the world's prospective rifted margins, in particular in the north and south Atlantic ocean (gray ellipses on the map). VBER have conducted field work and offshore studies of LIPs in the NE Atlantic, W Greenland, Karoo, India, W Australia, Siberia, and South America.

Hawaii as model for the Norwegian Sea   (GEO June 2018 by S. Planke)

Lava flowing like large rivers down the flank of the volcano Kilauea on May 19, 2018 (Picture from USGS) analogue to buried lava flows mapped by VBER on the Vøring Plateau.

VMAPP 1 and 2

The VMAPP project was run by the VBER, DougalEARTH and TGS project group (2013-2016) with the participation of eight oil companies to build new understanding and provide training on volcanic margin deposits and processes for higher exploration success in frontier basins.
As a follow-up to this success, VMAPP2 (2018-2021) was initiated to create an interactive global database of volcanic basins, discoveries, and fields. The regional volcanic basin modules will include basin architecture, igneous petroleum systems analysis, and play concepts.  Primary objectives are (1) Improved volcanic basin exploration and development strategies and (2) Frontier scientific research targeting volcanic basin prospectivity challenges

The Volcanic Margin of Mid-Norway

Of the 180 000 sqkm currently available for oil and gas exploration in the Norwegian Sea, 50% is covered by volcanic rocks and/or influenced by volcanic processes. Of the 196 exploration blocks within this volcanic province, 58 (30%) are currently part of active production licences.

Volcanic eruption of Taal volcano in the Philippines
⇒   Sky News interview with Dougal Jarram


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