Abstract. In Europe, formation of the Palaeozoic Variscan orogenic
belt, and the Mesozoic–Cenozoic Alpine–Carpathian orogenic belt led to a
widespread inversion events within forelands of both orogenic domains. We
used legacy 2-D seismic data together with the newly acquired 3-D seismic data
that, for the first time, precisely imaged sub-Zechstein (i.e.
sub-evaporitic) upper Palaeozoic successions in NW Poland in order to
develop a quantitative, balanced 2-D model of the late Palaeozoic–recent
evolution of this area, characterised by a complex pattern of repeated
extension and inversion. Four main tectonic phases have been determined: (1) Late Devonian–early Carboniferous extension and subsidence possibly
related to extensional reactivation of Caledonian thrusts, (2) late
Carboniferous inversion caused by the Variscan orogeny, (3) Permo-Mesozoic
subsidence related to the development of the Polish Basin and (4) its Late
Cretaceous–Paleogene inversion. Variscan and Alpine structures form a
superimposed multilayer inversion system, mechanically decoupled by the
Zechstein evaporites.