An integrated approach combining the available geological-geophysical
information was employed to construct a series of paleogeographic maps
of the northwestern part of the Dnieper Donets Basin (DDB) during the
Late Visean-Serpukhovian (Early Carboniferous). The major source of
information consists of well-log data. The basin fill shows a pattern of
stacked transgressive-regressive units of different order. Correlations
on the scale of the basin are based on biostratigraphy, seismics,
cyclostratigraphic subdivisions and correlations of the successions
throughout the basin.
The cyclicity has a multifold character. `Short' shallowing-upward
transgressive-regressive (T-R) cycles, characterized by the presence of
hydrocarbons ('productive horizons') cover a time span of the order of
500 ka. `Long' cycles include 4 to 6 short T-R cycles. They seem to be
correlatable to Western Europe and probably to North America. The long
cycles form part of higher-order stacking patterns indicative of still
longer cycles. Considering the variable thickness of the cycles
throughout the basin, tectonics must have influenced the character of
the series in addition to (glacio-)eustatic sea-level fluctuations.
The paleogeographical development of the basin shows axial deposition
during the late Visean, likely related to late-stage rifting-related
subsidence of a central graben, followed by basin-wide subsidence
related to thermal subsidence during the Serpukhovian.