Aspects of tectonics of Kamchatka

The tectonics of Kamchatka are reviewed in some detail and in several cases reinterpreted in light of recent geological and geophysical studies. Maps present major structural features and magnetic data, obtained by aerial survey. Recent work has confirmed four young phases of tectogenesis, accompanied by intrusions: 1) Late Cretaceous to early Paleogene (Laramian or Kamchatka phase), 2) early Miocene (Kuril phase), 3) late Miocene (Aleutian phase), and 4) late Pliocene (Sakhalin phase). These account for the young folded region that covers most of the Kamchatka Peninsula and the Koryak uplands to the northeast. Three structural-stratigraphic zones are recognized. The west zone is a marginal trough filled with coal- and oil-bearing strata, moderately folded. The central zone is an inner volcanic arc made up of volcanic rocks cut by granitoid rocks. The east zone consists of thick flysch with basic and ultrabasic igneous rocks characteristic of external folded arcs. In general, major synclinoria and anticlinoria have northeast strikes, and magnetic values in general correlate with the strike and composition of these belts. The meridionally oriented Central Massif of ancient rocks controlled the development of structures in nearby Tertiary and Cretaceous rocks. Deep faults also trend northeast and determined the position of volcanic and metallogenic zones, the ophiolite belts, and the chain of intrusive massifs. Geophysical work shows that the northern part of the Sea of Okhotsk is of platform type; it has recently been postulated that the Okhotsk massif is part of the Siberian platform.—W.D. Lowry