Deep crustal structure of the Northeast German basin: New DEKORP-BASIN '96deep-profiling results

An integrated reflection and refraction seismic survey across the Permian-C enozoic Northeast German basin yields new insights on the evolution of intr acontinental basins. No precursor rift basin was observed, but there is evi dence of lower-crustal thinning and an initial magmatic stage. Minor Triass ic rifting and Late Cretaceous compressional tectonics indicate that intrap late deformation was strongly influenced by older structures. Intraplate th inning and contraction were strongly decoupled vertically and accommodated at distances longer than profile length (similar to 500 km). Thermal destab ilization of a stressed, inhomogeneous lithosphere, rather than plate-bound ary forces, controlled the evolution of the Northeast German basin.