Recent reactivation of the Siberian craton suture zone under Southern Baikal: from Cretaceous-Paleogene orogen to Neogene-Quaternary rift

Abstract

From the analysis of spatial-temporal distribution of sediments in the south of East Siberia, we present evidence on two stages in the evolution of neotectonic structure: Cretaceous-Paleogene and Neogene-Quaternary. The former was exhibited by formation of the South Baikal orogen accompanied by flank development of the Predbaikal and Selenga-Vitim foredeeps, the latter by the subsidence of the South Baikal basin, its filling of sediments and water simultaneously with the development of the whole Baikal Rift System.