The 208 km long profile 3B/MVE (West) was recorded in 1990 as part of the joint seismic reflection venture DEKORP 1990-3/MVE (Muenchberg-Vogtland-Erzgebirge) between the two former German Republics shortly before their unification. The aim of DEKORP 1990-3/MVE was to explore the structure of the crust from the Rhenish Shield through the Bohemian Massif to the Ore Mountains. The entire profile consists of DEKORP 3A, DEKORP 3B/MVE (West) and its prolongation to the east DEKORP 3B/MVE (East). Its total length amounts to about 600 km. 24 short seismic cross lines and associated 3D blocks with single fold coverage were also recorded.
The seismic survey of 3B/MVE (West) was performed to investigate the deep crustal structure and the transition zone between the Rhenohercynian and Saxothuringian units with high-fold near-vertical incidence vibroseis acquisition. The results were compared with the results from the surveys DEKORP 1 and DEKORP 2, running nearly parallel to the line 3B/MVE (West). Details of the 3B/MVE (West) experiment, its preliminary results and interpretations may be obtained from DEKORP Research Group (A) et al. (1994) and DEKORP Research Group (C) et al. (1994). The Technical Report of line 3B/MVE (West) gives complete information about acquisition and processing parameters.
The European Variscides, extending from the French Central Massif to the East European Platform, originated during the collision between Gondwana and Baltica in the Late Palaeozoic. Due to involvement of various crustal blocks in the orogenesis, the mountain belt is subdivided into distinct zones. The external fold-and-thrust belts of the Rhenohercynian and Saxothuringian as well as the predominantly crystalline body of the Moldanubian dominate the central European segment of the Variscides. Polyphase tectonic deformation, magmatism and metamorphic processes led to a complex interlinking between the units.
The mainly NW-SE running DEKORP 3B/MVE (West) runs perpendicular to the Variscan strike direction and traverses the southern part of the Rhenohercynian unit with the Northern Phyllite Zone and the northern part of the Saxothuringian unit including the Mid-German Crystalline High. Starting in the Kellerwald the profile crosses the Hessian Depression, the Tertiary volcanic Rhoen Mountains and the Mesozoic of the Franconian Basin (DEKORP Research Group (C) et al., 1994). East of Staffelstein the profile turns to the east and ends on the Franconian Line, the southwestern boundary fault zone of the Bohemian Massif. The line 3B/MVE (West) is intersected by ten cross lines along the profile and by DEKORP 3A at its northwestern end. To the east the profile is extended by DEKORP 3B/MVE (East).
DEKORP 2S was the first profile carried out in 1984 as part of the DEKORP project, the German deep seismic reflection program. The seismic line has a length of 250 km and was the first and only DEKORP line to be acquired using explosives as source energy. The objectives of the experiment were to explore the deep crustal structure of the Saxothuringian Zone and of its transitions into the adjacent Moldanubian and Rhenohercynian Zones of the Variscan Belt, to obtain evidence about vertical tectonic processes during the Variscan orogenesis, to understand the causes of observed gravity and magnetic anomalies and to recognize and define the Variscan front to the north. In addition, the survey contributed to the International Lithosphere Program (ILP) and the former European Geotraverse (EGT). Details of the experiment, preliminary results and interpretations may be obtained from DEKORP Research Group (1985) or Meissner et al. (1987). The Technical Report of line 2S gives complete information about acquisition and processing parameters.
The European Variscides, extending from the French Central Massif to the East European Platform, originated during the collision between Gondwana and Baltica in the Late Palaeozoic. Due to involvement of various crustal blocks in the orogenesis, the mountain belt is subdivided into distinct zones. The external fold-and-thrust belts of the Rhenohercynian and Saxothuringian as well as the predominantly crystalline body of the Moldanubian dominate the central European segment of the Variscides. Polyphase tectonic deformation, magmatism and metamorphic processes led to a complex interlinking between the units.
The SE-NW striking DEKORP 2S line runs perpendicular to the Variscan strike direction and crosses the tectonic boundaries between the Moldanubian, Saxothuringian and Rhenohercynian units, which are predominantly covered by Permian and younger sediments (DEKORP Research Group, 1985). Extending from the Danube river to the Taunus Mountains line 2S crosses the Franconian Platform passing through the Noerdlinger Ries, where the impact excavated crystalline basement slivers of the Moldanubian zone, the Spessart Mountains, a part of the Mid German Crystalline High and the NE trending Hessian Through (DEKORP Research Group, 1985). Ending beyond the northeast branch of the Rhine Graben within the Taunus Mountains the profile is extended by line 2N to the northwest.