On the nature of the Talysh-Vandam Mesozoic uplift and the West Caspian tectonic fault (in the order of discussion)

Abstract

On the basis of seismostratigraphic studies, the nature of the Talysh-Vendam gravity maximum and the West Caspian deep fault has been revised, and a number of interesting results have been obtained. Thus, in the interval from the end of the Cretaceous to the end of the Sabunchu Formation of the Lower Pliocene, a sharp discrepancy between the geological sections of the basins of the Lower and Middle Kura, when (from the end of the Miocene) the level of erosion of the former decreased to 1800 m, in the latter remained above sea level until the end of the Surakhan (lower Pliocene) formations. Based on the results of seismostratigraphic studies, it was proposed to use the term Mingachevir-Saatly-Talysh Mesozoic uplift zone as tectonic elements instead of the Talysh-Vendam gravity maximum, Kurdamir-Saatly and Mingachevir-Goychay Mesozoic uplifts. Although in the basin of the Lower Kura there was a deepening up to 1800 m, corresponding in age to the Messinian eustatic drop in sea level, the subsidence of the bottom of a basin of this magnitude was associated with bending processes. The results of seismostratigraphic studies state that the Mingachevir-Saatly-Talysh zone of the Mesozoic uplift divides the Kura sedimentary basin into two blocks, such as the Lower and Middle Kura depressions, and not the West Caspian deep fault. The results of seismic studies on a regional scale once again confirmed that the West Caspian Fault does not occur in the geological section of the territory of Azerbaijan, at least in its Cenozoic interval.