Structural-tectonic conditions of Karvina Subbasin with regard to its position in the apical zone of Variscan accretion wedge

Abstract

The contribution deals with the structural-tectonic conditions of the Karviná Subbasin especially in relation to the genesis, spatial distribution and prediction of the continuation of thrust structures on lower structural and stratigraphical levels. Significant thrust zones – the Central and Eastern Thrusts are defined newly. They are part of the apical zone of Variscan accretion wedge the typical representative of which the Upper Silesian Basin as foreland basin is. Discussion is based not only on quite a number of processed special-purpose maps, sections, collected primary documentation, including mine photodocumentation, but also on confrontation with the results from analog and numerical models published by various authors. Moreover, effects of tectonic structures on mining activity in the Karviná Subbasin with emphasis on thrust structures are evaluated as well. With reference to the long-term outlook for production, when under present-day technical and economic conditions, twenty years’ coal exploitation is expected, attention is paid to a connection between thrust structures and technologies for present and future coal mining in the case of company OKD.