Geological history of Western Caucasus and adjacent foredeeps based on analysis of the regional balanced section

A balanced geological section of the Tuapse foredeep-Western Caucasus-Western Kuban foredeep system reveals that the Western Caucasian basin existed as a rift from the Callovian to Eocene periods, with its principal inversion occurring during the Oligocene-Miocene. The region transitioned into an orogeny phase by the Pliocene-Quaternary, indicating significant tectonic activity. The study suggests that Caucasus compression extended over 30 km within this area. Using seismic evidence and other geological data, researchers reconstructed the region's history to provide insights into its long-term geological evolution.

Nikishin, A. M., Ershov, A. V., & Nikishin, V. A. (2010). Geological history of Western Caucasus and adjacent foredeeps based on analysis of the regional balanced section. Doklady Earth Sciences, 430(2), 155–157. https://doi.org/10.1134/s1028334x10020017