Subsidence analysis and tectonic evolution of the external Carpathian-Moesian Platform region during Neogene times

The Miocene -Pliocene subsidence of the tectonic platforms in the Romanian Carpathians foreland is analysed using standard ID backstripping techniques for individual wells, combined in two regional sections and six contour maps. The subsidence patterns were integrated together with previous paleostress and kinematic studies, in order to derive the Tertiary kinematics of the buried faults in the Carpathians lower plate. The study revealed accelerated subsidence during the Early Miocene in the western part of the Moesian Platform/Getic Depression, in direct relationship with the opening of a WSW-ENE trending extensional basin. The largest subsidence recorded in the front of the Carpathians took place during the Late Miocene, due to final E-ward emplacement of the thrust sheets. The Late Miocene subsidence showed anomalous high values between the Intramoesian and Trotus faults as a result of the orogenic collision with the East-European Platform northward and acceleration of the subduction process in the SE Carpathians corner. Further Pliocene subsidence continued only in the latter region, the depocenter being shifted southward near the junction with the South Carpathians foreland. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.