New data on neotectonic structures and morphotectonics of the western and central Pannonian Basin

摘要

We carried out a complex neotectonic-geomorphologic research in several selected areas of the western and central Pannonian Basin, in order to understand the connection between upper crustal neotectonic deformation and landscape evolution. The methods incorporate surface geology, geomorphology, digital terrain models, and subsurface data sets, like boreholes and seismic reflection profiles. Observations suggest that most of the neotectonic structures are related to inverse reactivation of earlier faults formed mainly in the Miocene syn-rift and post-rift phases. The typical structures are folds, mainly blind reverse faults and tr anspressional strike-slip faults, although normal or oblique-normal faults can also be present. These structures exerted considerable control on landforms and drainage pattern while inducing surface upwarpings and the development of drainage divide or river deflections. On the other hand, our analysis disproves major neotectonic origin of some landforms, particularly the fan-shaped 'meridional' valley system of the western Pannonian Basin, The major neotectonic strike-slip faults are trending east-northeast, and have dextral to sinistral kinematics in the south-western and central-eastern part of the studied area, respectively. This along-strike changing kinematics within the same zone is in agreement with fan-shaped stress trajectories, and recent motion of crustal blocks suggested by GPS data.