Fold belts and sedimentary basins of the Eurasian Arctic

Abstract

The vast Eurasian Arctic epicontinental shelf and adjoining mainland has a very complex structure and tectonic history as a result of a series of continent–continent collisions, accretion of terranes and crustal extension phases during Neoproterozoic and Phanerozoic times. Significant parts of major Eurasian fold belts extend far north into the Arctic below thick infill of post-orogenic sedimentary basins, where their architecture remains highly disputed. Large Eurasian Arctic sedimentary basins formed as a result of orogenic collapse, back-arc extension, or intracontinental extension associated with the breakup of the Laurussia, Laurasia, Pangea and Eurasia supercontinents. There are over 40 sedimentary basins of variable age and genesis which are thought to bear significant undiscovered hydrocarbon resources in the region. This article reviews the current state-of-knowledge of Eurasian Arctic tectonics and highlights questions that remain to be addressed. The overall focus is on the Russian sector of the Arctic being less known to a broad geoscience community.