Objective
The evolution of foredeeps is strongly controlled by tectonic evolution of the nearby orogenic belts. The analysis of sedimentary cover deformation and their relationship to deformation of crystalline basement and lower parts of the lithosphere is an excellent way for a better understanding of the tectonic processes leading to the formation of foredeeps and orogenic belts as well. During recent years much geological and geophysical data were obtained on the upper part of the sedimentary cover of the Caucasus foredeep basin. These data include among others seismic profiles, boreholes, gravity and magnetic fields, distribution and magnitude of seismic events, and the rate of vertical neotectonic movements.
New instrumental data from high technology space geodesy on the vertical and horizontal instantaneous movements can be obtained from the WEGENER project. Nevertheless, there is a lack of information on composition and structure of the deepest part of the foredeep basin, on the structure and evolution of the crust and also on deep structure of the lithosphere.
Considerable progress in the study of the Caucasus foredeep can be achieved by: the collection and reinterpretation of existing geological and geophysical data using modern methods of computer analyses; the collection of relatively small but principally important new field data such as data of WEGENER, on borehole breakouts and on stress field evolution based on structural analyses of fault slips; the linkage of dynamical models of basin evolution based on tectonic history recorded by sediments with present state of stress obtained by seismological, neotectonic and geodetic data; the comparative study of the Caucasus foredeep with more evolved Alpine foredeeps using detailed geological and geophysical data collected in western Europe.
The following results are expected: a new concept of the deep structure and evolution of the Caucasus foredeep constructed by complex analysis of geological and geophysical data (existing data as well as new data obtained by reinterpretation and field work) and by comparison with other Alpine foredeeps; modern plate and mantle dynamics and its influence on structure, evolution and state of stress of the transition from orogenic belts to the stable platform; and spatial and temporal distribution of volcanism and its correlation with regional and global events.
Call for proposal
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10123 Torino
Italy