Sedimentation and subsidence in the South Caspian Basin, Azerbaijan

• DOI: 10.1144/sp312.12
• Publication Date: 2009-04-03T16:26:14Z
• Authors: Tim Green; Nazim Abdullayev; Jake Hossack; Greg Riley; Alan M. Roberts
• Keywords: Sedimentation

Abstract The South Caspian Basin is believed to contain more than 20 km of Mesozoic and Tertiary sediments deposited on oceanic or thinned continental crust. Mesozoic, Palaeogene Oligo-Miocene have not been penetrated within the itself but are exposed onshore in basin margins. Pliocene–Recent sequence has mapped a regionally extensive grid two-dimensional (2D) seismic data by recently drilled exploration wells, over 7 thick. Most this (6 km) formed fluvial–lacustrine deltaic Pliocene Productive Series that unconformably above marine Miocene shale form principal hydrocarbon reservoirs basin. overlain about 1 Late thickness sedimentary implies relatively rapid, late subsidence occurred Basin; however, there no geological evidence tectonic event capable generating major thermal at time. Modelling presented paper suggests it possible account for observed pattern sedimentation process sediment loading compaction thermally subsiding, crust without need additional mechanisms. Crucially, model interprets topographic depression, isolated from global system, which base level was controlled local factors rather sea level.