Cenozoic evolution of the eastern Black Sea: a test of depth-dependent stretching models

Shillington, D. J. and White, N. J. and Minshull, T. A. and Edwards, R. and Edwards, G. and Jones, S. M. (2008) Cenozoic evolution of the eastern Black Sea: a test of depth-dependent stretching models. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 265 (3-4). pp. 360-378. ISSN 0012-821X DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2007.10.033

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Abstract

Subsidence analysis of the eastern Black Sea basin suggests that the stratigraphy of this deep, extensional basin can be explained by a predominantly pure-shear stretching history. A strain-rate inversion method that assumes pure-shear extension obtains good fits between observed and predicted stratigraphy. A relatively pure-shear strain distribution is also obtained when a strain-rate inversion algorithm is applied that allows extension to vary with depth without assuming its existence or form. The timing of opening of the eastern Black Sea, which occupied a back-arc position during the closure of the Tethys Ocean, has also been a subject of intense debate; competing theories called for basin opening during the Jurassic, Cretaceous or Paleocene/Eocene. Our work suggests that extension likely continued into the early Cenozoic, in agreement with stratigraphic relationships onshore and with estimates for the timing of arc magmatism. Further basin deepening also appears to have occurred in the last not, vert, similar 20 myr. This anomalous subsidence event is focused in the northern part of the basin and reaches its peak at not, vert, similar 15–10 Ma. We suggest that this comparatively localized shortening is associated with the northward movement of the Arabian plate. We also explore the effects of paleowater depth and elastic thickness on the results. These parameters are controversial, particularly for deep-water basins and margins, but their estimation is a necessary step in any analysis of the tectonic subsidence record stored in stratigraphy.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	08AREP IA55
Subjects:	02 - Geodynamics, Geophysics and Tectonics
Divisions:	02 - Geodynamics, Geophysics and Tectonics
Journal or Publication Title:	Earth and Planetary Science Letters
Volume:	265
Page Range:	pp. 360-378
Identification Number:	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2007.10.033
Depositing User:	Sarah Humbert
Date Deposited:	16 Feb 2009 13:03
Last Modified:	23 Jul 2013 10:08
URI:	http://eprints.esc.cam.ac.uk/id/eprint/685

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