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Current research into the structural evolution of the East Shetland Basin, northern North Sea, indicates that a significant phase of structural inversion occurred during the Latest Jurassic-Early Cretaceous.Structural effects of this tectonic phase include the pronounced uplift of pre-and syn-rift sequences along the western margin of the basin and the partial inversion of Mesozoic half-graben along intra-basinal NE-SW controlling faults. In addition, the localized occurrence of flower geometries and pop-ups along NE-SW trending faults suggests a component of strike-slip during the reactivation of these pre-existing structures.Work presented stresses the importance in the role of pre-existing lineaments and the effects of superimposing subsequent non-coaxial extensional events upon them. Lineaments may be prominent reactivated basement shear zones or fault systems from earlier extensional phases.Inversion will be analysed in detail with respect to two areas within the northern East Shetland Basin, the Tern sub-basin and the northern Penguin ridge. A regional tectonic model of northern North Sea rift evolution is presented and its implications to observed Latest Jurassic-Early Cretaceous structure discussed.

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