Glaciotectonics of West Siberia as related to petroleum prospecting problems

Abstract

The reconstruction of the neotectonic pattern is ascribed to the Pleistocene sheet glaciations. The main geomorphic features of the West Siberian north are considered as created by Pleistocene ice sheets or by glacioisostasy. The adjacent mountains are supposed to be compensation uplifts that developed around the central isostatic depression of the coastal lowlands. The glacial loading apparently caused the spatial separation of oil and gas reserves. Possible influenses of glaciotectonics on reconnaissance of structural traps are discussed.