Quantitative approach to coupled structural and thermal restoration of salt-bearing sedimentary basins: Application to the Pricaspian salt basin (south-eastern East European platform): Phase II

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The proposed activity addresses most important processes occurring in salt-bearing sedimentary basins (SBSBs): thermal and structural evolutions of the basins. We intend to study thermo-mechanical (coupled thermal and structural) restoration models by the examples of the Northeast German Basin (Central European basin system) and Pricaspian Basin (East European basin system). These two major SBSBs in Europe play an important role in hydrocarbon explorations and exploitations. Moreover, a huge amount of observations on regional deformations due to salt have been acquired in both basins. The goal of the proposed research is to understand the interplay between geodynamic, geothermic, and tectonic processes involved in the evolution of these basins by means of three-dimensional (3D) numerical modelling. The specific objectives of the proposal are as follows: (i) to develop 3D numerical approaches to structural and thermo-mechanical restorations of SBSBs; (ii) to study the present-day thermal structures of the basins specified: (iii) to analyse the thermo-mechanical evolution of these basins; and (iv) to combine seismic, heat-flow, and gravity observations with our model predications in order to improve the knowledge of the evolution of these SBSBs. We expect to obtain the following results: (1) 3D numerical algorithms and software for modelling of structural and thermo-mechanical restorations of SBSBs; (2) models of present-day thermal structures of the basins; (3) thermo-mechanical restoration models for the basins; and (4) improved knowledge on the history of deformations and temperature field in both basins. The methodology developed will be applicable to other sedimentary basins as well.