Age and Origin of the Kerch Strait and the Sea of Azov

摘要

Study of the southern seas of the former Soviet Union is crucial for the prospecting and exploration of new oil, gas, and solid mineral deposits on their continental shelves. The origin of the Kerch Strait is attributed to either erosional or tectonic processes. Geophysical studies confirmed the tectonic nature of the strait. The main role in its formation belongs to the Kerch-Zhdanov fault, which was most typical of the Creta-ceous-Paleogene. Study of Neogene and Quaternary sediments from many piston and drill cores taken in the strait has revealed the significant contribution of neotectonic and erosional processes in its development.