Zechstein reefs of the Main Dolomite in Poland and their seismic recognition

Abstract

Seismic techniques provide facilities for tracing reflections from high-velocity anhydritic-carbonate sets sandwiched by low-velocity salts within Zechstein deposits of Poland. Especially important for Zechstein deposits and most of all for Main Dolomite (Ca2) is slope of Werra platform extending along basin margin. During Main Dolomite (Ca2) sedimentation, slope of platform had separated lagoon from interior being then starved basin. The barrier reef was coincident with slope, and with rapid thickening of overlying Stassfurt Salts. The carbonate buildups referred to as the pinnacle reefs and the atoll reefs were deposited in this very starved basin. The best hydrocarbon prospects are believed to be pinnacle and atoll zones extending around entire basin.