Murovska H. Deep structure and alpine geodynamics of the Carpathian and Crimean-Black Sea regions of Ukraine

Thesis is carried out with the purpose of researching the alpine geodynamics of the Carpathian and Crimean – Black Sea regions of Ukraine on the basis of synthesis of new data of the lithosphere structure and the stressed-strain state of the crust of the study regions by tectonophysical, seismic, and seismological data. According to the presented tectonic model of the lithosphere along the WARR seismic PANCAKE profile crossing the Ukrainian Carpathians, the pre-alpine base of the Carpathian allochthon reaches depth of ~ 14-15 km. The crust of Pannonian Basin is layered at the depth of 15 km, making possible relatively independent kinematics of its upper layer. The thick (11 km) Moho discontinuity at depth of 25 km and the uplifted the thermal asthenosphere (55-60 km) beneath Pannonian Basin reflect the crucial role of mantle upwelling in the geodynamics of the region. The recent seismotectonic process occurs in the upper crust of the Transcarpathian trough under condition of compression and left transpression. The Earth crust of the Southern Crimea is of continental type with inherited N–S – trending heterogeneity. The inhomogeneous crust of Mountain Crimea is stratified at depths of 6-15 and 23-33 km and saturated with magmatic bodies, which are now subjected to compression deformation. Collision and thrusting of the East Black Sea microplate under the Scythian Plate is occurring in the Crimean seismic zone. Evidences of Early Cretaceous continental rifting in the Mountain Crimea and its relation to the Black Sea Basin opening is presented. Key words: Ukrainian Carpathians, Black Sea, Mountain Crimea, lithosphere deep structure, slicken–sides, stress fields, deformation regimes, earthquake mechanisms, collision processes, Black Sea opening