Conditions for the Formation of Clinoforms in the Middle and South Caspian Megabasin

Abstract

The paper considers sedimentation process and objects of lateral development in deep-water uncompensated and shallow-water – epicontinental paleobasins developed at various evolution stages of South- Caspian and Middle-Caspian basins. The South Caspian megabasin is a great tectonic crustal element and a highly prospective sedimentary basin in the central segment of the Alpine-Himalayan mobile belt. The role of boundary structures of Scythian-Turan platform in the Middle Caspian (such as South-Caspian land and Karaboghaz arc) and avalanche sedimentation on the continental shelf in development of sedimentation units and specific shape objects of lateral development in many kilometers long sedimentary cover of South-Caspian basin has been shown. According to interpretation of seismo-stratigraphic data the inflow of paleodeltaic, avandelatic and turbidite objects of lateral development for infill of the Early Pliocene basin has been proved. Seismo-stratigraphic analysis, using other analyses (e.g. study of morphostructure of palaeorelief and thicknesses of the units and formations) and GSW, enabled the genesis of deposits in the underlying PS formations to be clarified from a new perspective and the favou- rable zones of formation of large lithological and stratigraphic traps for oil and gas accumulations to be identified.