Structural–Geodynamic Systems of the Eastern Arctic Region

Abstract

The research considered in the paper was aimed at studying the structure and evolution of the Eastern Arctic structural–geodynamic systems. The tectonic model of the base of the Eastern Arctic plate section determines their vertical zonality in terms of structure and tectonics based on the interpretation of seismic and other geophysical survey data correlated at a varying reliability degree with the studied sections in the adjacent or remote areas. Accordingly, the vertical structure and formation composition models built on this basis are largely hypothetical and tend to change (even fundamentally) as geological and geophysical information accumulates. The geodynamic analysis of formation of the Eastern Arctic structural–geodynamic systems was based on tectonic–geodynamic paleoreconstructions recorded the interaction between blocks of the consolidated crust. The results we obtained made it possible to considerably update, expand and, in some cases, refine understanding of a structure of the basement and individual reference horizons of the sedimentary cover in this part of the water area. It is concluded that the East Arctic waters are of great interest in terms of hydrocarbon exploration. However, the assessment of their hydrocarbon potential is difficult due to the poor geophysical knowledge and lack of wells.