Unification of integrated geophysical modelling results in central-eastern Europe with emphasis on the Carpathian-Pannonian region: new LAB map

We present the analysis and summary of the results obtained by the application of 2-D integrated lithospheric modelling, assuming local isostasy, along 11 profiles that pass across the Carpathian-Pannonian region and their surrounding units. The results are illustrated on a new map of the lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary depth. The Carpathians are characterized by significant changes in the lithospheric thickness both across and along this mountain chain. The internal parts of the Carpathian arc are represented by moderately thickened lithosphere (∼140 km on average), whereas in their external parts LAB depth reaches up to 240 km. Along the Carpathians, the lithospheric thickness increases from the Western Carpathians (140–200) via the Eastern Carpathians (240 km) up to the Vrancea zone, where the largest LAB depth of 300 km is modelled. No lithosphere thickening was found in the westernmost part of the Western Carpathians. Here, the average thickness of the lithosphere is only ∼100 km. The thinnest lithosphere was modelled in the Pannonian Basin (60–100 km). In the Transylvanian Basin, it thickens from about 120 to 170 km. The other modelled areas are the East European Craton (100–180 km), the West European Palaeozoic platform (90–160 km), the Trans-European Suture Zone (150–240 km), the Apuseni Mts. (100–180 km), the Moesian Platform (160–200 km), the Balkanides (160–180 km) and the Srednogorie and Rhodopes area (140 km on average). The results clearly show that the variations of the LAB depth are modified not only by the age of the tectonic units but also by ongoing geodynamic processes.