Impact of Late Cretaceous inversion and Cenozoic extension on salt structure growth in the Baltic sector of the North German Basin

The Late Cretaceous to Cenozoic is known for its multiple inversion events, which affected Central Europe's intracontinental sedimentary basins. Based on a 2D seismic profile network imaging the basin fill without gaps from base Zechstein seafloor, we investigate nature and impact of these events salt structures in Baltic sector North German Basin. These insights improve understanding structure evolution region are interest any type subsurface usage. We link stratigraphic interpretation previous studies nearby wells present key depth sections thickness maps with new subdivision Upper covering eastern Glückstadt Graben Bays Kiel Mecklenburg. Time-depth conversion based velocity information derived refraction travel-time tomography. Our results show that minor movement Bay Mecklenburg started contemporaneous Coniacian-Santonian. Minor continued until end Cretaceous. Overlying upper Paleocene lower Eocene deposits constant indications suggesting phase tectonic quiescence late middle Eocene. In Oligocene, major recommenced Graben. Mecklenburg, Neogene uplift removed much Eocene-Miocene succession. Preserved indicate post-middle movement, likely occurred coeval revived activity growth critically exceeded flow during inversion. could have been triggered by Alpine/Pyrenean-controlled thin-skinned compression, but more controlled extension, possibly related beginning development European Rift System.