Evolution of the southern margin of the Donbas (Ukraine) from Devonian to Early Carboniferous times

Abstract

Abstract A Devonian-Early Carboniferous succession comprising thick clastic and carbonate sediments with interbedded volcanics was examined along the southern margin of the Donbas fold belt, Ukraine. Following initial rifting and subsidence, a continental (fluvial, lacustrine) succession was established. This first phase of synrift activity (Eifelian) was accompanied by the extrusion of basalts. In Late Givetian-early Famennian times, half-graben development was pronounced and a series of E-W-trending half-grabens were formed, along with coeval volcanic activity. Subsequent basin subsidence led to the establishment of a broad marine carbonate platform across the region (Late Famennian-Tournaisian-early Viséan). Renewed uplift led to partial exposure and karstification of the platform. This was accompanied by trachyte intrusion and extrusion. The overlying chert-rich unit was probably deposited under lacustrine conditions, although a shelf environment has also been suggested. Renewed tectonic activity along the main basin-bounding fault resulted in the synsedimentary deformation of this unit.