Tectonophysical aspects of the development of geological structure of the western closure of the Horlivka anticline of the Donbаs

Volkova, T. P.; Nikitenko, O. V.; Chernysh, O. G.

Purpose. The present study focuses on the analysis of the geological structure, stress and strain fields of the western closure of the Horlivka anticline to present a general development mechanism with regard to tectonophysical features, and to determine whether the structural complexity of the study area is consistent with a single regional stress field or not. Methodology. The kinematic and structural data available for the study zone have been studied. Further, fault data, including both the fault plane and slickenline orientations, and the sense of movement have been studied by the kinematic analysis method of O. Gushchenko to estimate characteristics of the mesoregional stress field and the total strain field. Local stress data have been processed by the method for determination of general stress fields to provide for reconstruction of principal normal stresses which are arbitrarily considered as regional stresses. Relative age chronology and staging of tectonic stresses have been processed by the stress monitoring method. Findings. NW-trending dextral and NE and N - S-trending sinistral strike-slip faults prevail among other faults. Mesoregional stress field characterized by subhorizontal NW - SE maximum and NE - SW minimum principal axes, and apparently originated in Laramide time of Alpine orogeny is strike-slip faulting type and the youngest for the Donets Basin. Extension axis of the strain ellipsoid is NW and N - S oriented, and shortening axis is NE oriented nearly orthogonal to the anticline axis. Strike-slip faulting type of total strain field was determined for the most part of the western closure of the Horlivka anticline area, and according to the Lode - Nadai coefficient, deformations on the study area had been going mainly under shear conditions. The pattern of a single structural paragenesis of deformation elements of the study area, including a conjugate strikeslip fault system, dome-shaped fold and longitudinal thrusts in its limbs, was developed due to the right-lateral displacements along the longitudinal strike-slip fault system within the Main anticline paraxial part. Originality. Strike-slip faults and large shear zone are revealed in the geological structure of the study area, and their morphology, development, and interaction of structural elements are characterized. The primary characteristics of the stress fields of local and mesoregional level, including its relative age chronology and staging, and of the total strain field are reconstructed. Practical value. Taking importance of the results obtained by the kinematic method into account, applying of new forecasting methods based on reconstruction of primary tectonophysical characteristics and reconstruction of deformation mechanisms appears to be needed.


	Наукова періодика України		Naukovyi visnyk Natsionalnoho Hirnychoho Universytetu