Google Earth view of Eurasian montane belts. Nowhere on earth has more reworked passive margins.
Image: Google Earth using data from Landsat, SIO, NOAA, U.S. Navy, NGA, GEBCO.
Image: Google Earth using data from Landsat, SIO, NOAA, U.S. Navy, NGA, GEBCO.
When passive margins are recycled into mountain belts
From the Balkans to the Altai, from the Zagros to the Tien Shan, the fold and thrust belts of Eurasia and their associated forelands, have long seen the recycling of organically productive Palaeozoic and Mesozoic passive margins into Cenozoic mountain belts. These are areas where all the ingredients for hydrocarbon generation and entrapment are present, but resolution of the subsurface is difficult. As for Greece and Albania, this means we have to bring the full suite of structural understanding and non-seismic exploration techniques to bear on the problem, as well as the best seismic we can achieve.
While these areas are commercially challenging, they are surrounded by some of the world's fastest growing and most populous economies. Should prices climb to more stable plateaus, these will be some of the most intriguing areas to see a resurgence of activity. PAETORO is undertaking regional review work and examining innovative exploration techniques of relevance, to help make the most of that resurgence when it comes.
While these areas are commercially challenging, they are surrounded by some of the world's fastest growing and most populous economies. Should prices climb to more stable plateaus, these will be some of the most intriguing areas to see a resurgence of activity. PAETORO is undertaking regional review work and examining innovative exploration techniques of relevance, to help make the most of that resurgence when it comes.
Title image: Detachment folding in limestne beds near Neriada, Epirus, NW Greece.