Application of integrated geophysical modeling for determination of the continental lithospheric thermal structure in the eastern Carpathians

Abstract

We applied integrated lithospheric modeling combining the interpretation of surface heat flow, geoid, gravity, and topography data for the determination of the lithospheric thermal structure along four transects crossing the eastern Carpathians from the European Platform to the Pannonian Basin and propose a new map of lithospheric thicknesses. Important differences in lithospheric thickness across the chain as well as along strike of the Carpathian arc exist. Lithosphere thickness varies from 240 km in the foreland to 75–110 km, under the Pannonian Basin and it increases from the western to the eastern Carpathians. Under the western segment of the western Carpathians (in the transition zone to the eastern Alps), no thickening is observed, which may be explained by a mainly strike‐slip movement between the European and Carpatho‐Pannonian plates. Thickened lithosphere is found NE of thickened crust under the Carpathians. This observation is in agreement with slab roll‐back and possible subsequent break‐off.

Late Miocene and Pliocene history of the Danube Basin: inferred from development of depositional systems and timing of sedimentary facies changes

“…This fact documents the change of lithosphere elastic properties towards a more brittle condition (Lankreijer et al 1995(Lankreijer et al , 1999Lankreijer 1998;Bada 1999;Dérerová et al 2006). A northward advance of crustal deformations from southern regions began at the end of the Late Miocene and during the Early Pliocene.…”

Structure and tectonic evolution of the NE segment of the Polish-Ukrainian Carpathians during the Late Cenozoic: subsurface cross-sections and palinspastic models

“…The influence of deep-seated faults in the basement, which terminate upward beneath the sole thrusts (e.g., Kuśmierek & Baran 2008), manifests itself by changes in strike and modifications of the tectonics of the allochthonous cover, and particularly by their discrepancy in the Przemyśl Sigmoid zone, associated with the NW margin of the Transcarpathian Depression in the basement. The western part of the Eastern Outer Carpathians, which overlies that depression, is characterized by an increasing thickness of the nappes and of the whole lithosphere (Dérerová et al 2006) and a thorough reorganization of the frontal zone of the orogen. This includes the system of imbricate thrusts that separate structural elements of the "skyba" type (Fig.…”

Refraction of heat flow on subsurface contrast structures - the influence both on geothermal measurements and interpretation approaches

“…The mentioned relations together with utilization of other geological and geophysical data by starting model (i.e. Majcin, 1993;Bielik et al, 2002;Dérerová et al, 2006), along with application of integrated modelling approaches (i.e. Bielik et al, 2002;Zeyen et al, 2002), which provide further check parameters of models, can finally improve the robustness of geothermal modelling approaches.…”