Jan Mayen Microcontinent

The Jan Mayen Microcontinent is a fragment of continental crust within the oceanic part of the western Eurasian Plate lying northeast of Iceland.

The island of Jan Mayen is a much younger feature, formed of volcanic rock, built up at the northernmost tip of the microcontinent.

Investigations using seismic reflection and refraction data have identified two passive margin sequences on the two sides of the microcontinent.

An alternative but challenged model[6] involves no rotation but the development of several short-lived fracture zones cutting through the microcontinent.

The northern end of the microcontinent was affected by renewed displacement on the Jan Mayen Fracture Zone.