Miocene tectonic activity at the boundary between NE Pannonian and NW Transylvanian basins (Romania): Insight from new seismic data

Abstract

Situated at the junction between the Eastern Carpathians Mountains, the Pannonian and the Transylvanian basins, the Baia Mare region (Romania) has a complex geological history that witnessed the interaction among the three main tectonic provinces. Here, we report results from new seismic reflection measurements that provide modern information about the subsurface geological structure. The integrated analysis of the newly acquired and vintage seismic reflection data from the study area reveals details about the architecture of the Palaeogene and the Neogene deposits at the contact between the northeastern Pannonian and northwestern Transylvanian basins. In particular, it unveils a fault zone that most probably controlled the tectonic evolution of the eastern Pannonian and Transylvanian basins. A better understanding of the crustal structure and tectonic features in the study area is a first step into evaluating the geothermal potential of the region.