Late Paleozoic – Early Mesozoic Tectonic Activity within the Donbass (Russian Platform)

Abstract

The Donbass is a large structural domain in the south of the Russian Platform, whose origin and tectonic evolution is still debated. Our new model suggests the Late Paleozoic and Early Mesozoic tectonic activity within the Donbass was controlled by the dynamics of the Northern Palaeotethyan Shear Zone. The Late Paleozoic dextral movements along the latter led to the detachment of the Ukrainian Massif and extension of the Donbass. The change to sinistral strike-slip in the Late Triassic resulted in regional contraction and folding.