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Salt Tectonics of the Chernyshev Swell, Timan-Pechora Basin: Structure and Georesource Potential

https://doi.org/10.18599/grs.2026.2.10

Abstract

The structure of the Chernyshev Swell is one of the main mysteries of the structural geology of the Timan-Pechora Basin. This fold-thrust zone is characterized by a set of features, including the significant remoteness of the Ural orogen, a high degree of deformation of its constituent rocks, the divergence of thrusts on its flanks, lateral segmentation, and disproportionately widespread development of upper Ordovician-lower Silurian sediments on the surface. An interpretation of the structure of the Chernyshev Swell is proposed, the main element of which is the presence of longterm salt diapirs that were squeezed during collisional shortening. Compression led to the formation of large thrust overlaps due to the transformation of salt walls into mushroom-shaped diapirs and  salt-detached thrust sheets. The largest salt-detached thrusts are found in the transition zone between the Chernyshev Swell and the Kosyu-Rogov Trough, where the horizontal overlap is 15 km or more. Various traps in the Upper Ordovician-Permian sediments are predicted under allochthonous salts. The proposed interpretation can be used as an a priori geological model for processing seismic data. This will provide additional geologically significant information that will reduce the uncertainty of geological structures and allow definition of new hydrocarbon leads.

About the Authors

K. O. Sobornov
North Uralian Petroleum Company
Russian Federation

Konstantin Sobornov – Doctor of Geological and Mineralogical Sciences, Chief Geologist

Moscow



I. P. Korotkov
Lomonosov Moscow State University
Russian Federation

Ilya Korotkov – Candidate of Technical Sciences, Senior Engineer of the Department of Seismometry and Geoacoustics, Faculty of Geology

Moscow



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Review

For citations:


Sobornov K.O., Korotkov I.P. Salt Tectonics of the Chernyshev Swell, Timan-Pechora Basin: Structure and Georesource Potential. Georesursy = Georesources. 2026;28(2):44-58. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.18599/grs.2026.2.10

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