TITLE:
The Formation and Structure Evolution of Zechstein (Upper Permian) Salt in Northeast German Basin: A Review
AUTHORS:
Yanqiu Zhang, Michael Krause, Maria Mutti
KEYWORDS:
Zechstein Salt; Salt Formation; Salt Movement; Salt Structure; Salt Dissolution
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Geology,
Vol.3 No.8,
December
10,
2013
ABSTRACT: The Zechstein (Upper Permian) salts are extensively distributed in
the Northeast German Basin (NEGB). Their formation and movements have attracted
great attention to discovering the accumulation and exploration of
hydrocarbon sources, as well as the salt production. But the previous studies
are validated in cases and a general view on these studies is scarce. By
analyzing and integrating previous studies, the history and structure evolution
of Zechstein salts were reviewed in this paper. Seven cycles of Zechstein salt
(Na1, Na2, Na3, Na4, Na5, Na6, Na7) with distinct composition and thickness
were deposited after a series of marine transgressions and regressions during
the Upper Permian. The Na1 (300 m) locally developed in a
lagoon environment. The thick Na2 (over 500 m)
was widely deposited in the whole basin. The Na3, Na4, Na5, Na6 and Na7
decreased progressively in thickness and distribution. These salts should have
been moved as a result of regional tectonics taking place from Triassic to
Early Cenozoic, which changes the original distribution of salts, resulting
in the formation of different salt structures (pillows and diapirs). Salt
movement was more intensive in central and southern parts of the basin forming narrow
and widely-distributed salt diapirs, while it was less intensive in the
northern parts where salt pillows are the major structure. The salt meadow and
saline springs are also present, which are attributed to
the salinization of the groundwater. By this study, we review the history
and structure development of the Zechstein salt in the NEGB by associating each
individual study and figure out the common and regional characters of the salt
in this region.