MORPHOSTRUCTURE OF INTRACONTINENTAL SEDIMENTARY BASINS AND FRACTAL GEOMETRY

Abstract

Introduction: Since the 90s of the XX century, the principles of fractal geometry began to penetrate into geology, and this aspect of research is attracting more and more attention. At the same time, basin analysis was developed, but ideas about fractal geometry were not used to describe the structure of sedimentary basins. This article is an attempt to link the observed patterns of the structure of sedimentary basins with the principles of fractal geometry. Objects of research: A number of negative structures of the earth›s crust have been studied: Proterozoic Onega and Orsha mulds, Paleozoic Michigan basin, Mesozoic and Cenozoic Tien Shan depressions, Pre-Caucasian trough, the Sunda shelf, the El Rif. Research methods: The paper uses a comparative structural and tectonic analysis of geological objects. To explain the revealed regularities of the structure of sedimentary basins the concepts of fractal geometry in its descriptive aspect are involved. 
Results of the study. The fundamental property of sedimentary basins has been established - the differentiation of primary sedimentary baths into a system of secondary anticlinal (elevation) and synclinal (deflections) linear morphostructures. The spatial ordering of intra-basin uplifts and depressions, expressed in the arrangement of the axial planes of structures with a step from 15–25 to 30–50 km, as well as the hierarchical dimension (from mega- to micromasshtba) of structures in the rocks of the foundation of the basins, have been established. Discussion of the material: Multi-order basin structures have a similar structure, orderliness of spatial arrangement and geometric pattern, and, therefore, are to a certain extent hierarchically constructed self-similar objects, which indicates their fractal nature. This position is confirmed by the emergence of structures such as viscous fingers(viscous fingers), which have a fractal nature. Conclusions: These data make it legitimate to apply the principles of fractal geometry to the description of sedimentary basins and allow the consideration of «solid» crystalline rocks of the foundation of sedimentary basins within the framework of the laws of hydrodynamics.