On position of the Black Sea region in general scheme of Cenozoic tectonic movement in Eastern Europe and the Middle East

Abstract

Purpose. To clarify a structural position of Cenozoic Black Sea basin in the overall scheme of geodynamics of Ukraine, Eastern Europe and the Middle East.Methodology. Within these regions structural relations between geological complexes (stratified and unstratified) and the analysis of change were identified. Modern geodynamic models and data of present-day seismology tectonic movements in the region were additionally used. The results are presented in the form of paleotectonic schemes.Findings. Cenozoic movement in Eastern Europe and the Middle East reflects the global tectonic processes. The closure of the paleo-ocean Tethys occurred in these regions by collision between the southern passive margin of the East European and microcontinents Tisia and Anatolia, approaching their northern active margins in a north-western direction. This is evidenced by the spatial distribution of paleoarc volcanics, melange zones and the degree of pre-Eocene sedimentary formation folding in Europe. As a result of collisional processes in the Paleocene there formed a vast area of Laramy folding in Europe. The northern border of this folding area on the territory of Ukraine and Poland has been established. Its shape shows the progress of fold deformations from south to north from the two microcontinents-indentors.Due to separation of Tisia from Anatolia a large marine gulf (future Carpathians) was formed between them on the southern edge of Eastern Europe, devoid of Laramy deformations and filled by Paleogene flysch from the north-east and south-west sides. In the Miocene general direction of tectonic movement in Europe has changed to the north-east, associated with opening of the Atlantic. It formed the attic orogenic structure of the Carpathians and complicated structure in other regions of Ukraine. At the same time closure of the Eastern Mediterranean basin continued with the subduction of the heavy oceanic plate under the Cretan-Hellenic continental edge. This led to Anatolia rifting from the southern margin of Eurasia in opposite southwest direction. As result, the Black Sea basin opened as a back-arc spreading sea between the oppositely moving plates.Implications. Good agreement between the structural and geological observations with seismic data, regional geological material and global models are shown.