Features of the deep geotectonic structure of the Donbas with consideration of anomalous gas manifestations and methods for their geophysical investigation

The article investigates the relationship between the deep tectonic structure of the Donets Basin and the migration of hydrocarbon gases, including methane of abiogenic origin. Based on the analysis of deep seismic sounding, gravimetry, thermometry, and passive microseismic sounding data obtained from the 1960s to the present, a hierarchy of deep faults penetrating into the upper mantle and potentially serving as channels for anomalous gas manifestations has been established. It is shown that the intersection nodes of sublatitudinal and submeridional faults (Mushketov, Donetsk‑Kadievka, Krasnoretsky, etc.) are characterized by increased permeability of the sedimentary cover and correlate with zones of intense gas manifestations and outburst hazards in the mines of the Donetsk‑Makiivka district. The effectiveness of the integrated application of seismic reflection, seismic refraction, electrical prospecting, and neural network analysis of deformation fields for mapping methane migration channels is demonstrated. The results of the study have practical significance for predicting geodynamic risks, ensuring the safety of mining operations, and searching for promising methane‑bearing zones under conditions of flooded and mothballed mines in the Donbas.

Anciferov A. V., Tumanov V. V., Novgorodceva L. A., Borodin D. S., Shalovanov O. L. Features of the deep geotectonic structure of the Donbas with consideration of anomalous gas manifestations and methods for their geophysical investigation. MIAB. Mining Inf. Anal. Bull. 2026;(11):5-18. [In Russ]. DOI: 10.25018/0236_1493_2026_11_0_5.

The work was supported by the research topic No. FRSR 2026‑0006 «Investigation of the geodynamics of deep faults in geophysical fields of the Donbas structures and adjacent territories».

A.V. Anciferov¹, Dr. Sci. (Eng.), Professor, Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Scientific Director of the Institute, e-mail: ranimi@ranimi.ru, ORCID ID: 0009-0005-6660-2332, 
V.V. Tumanov¹, Head of Department, e-mail: tum.v@yandex.ru, ORCID ID: 0009-0004-1521-4818, 
L.A. Novgorodceva¹, Cand. Sci. (Geol. Mineral.), Senior Researcher, e-mail: ranimi@ranimi.ru, ORCID ID: 0009-0007-4489-4981,
D.S. Borodin¹, Junior Researcher, e-mail: bordym@yandex.ru, ORCID ID: 0009-0007-6401-1429,
O.L. Shalovanov¹, аcting Junior Researcher, e-mail: shalovanovoleg@yandex.ru, ORCID ID: 0009-0001-4757-0399,
¹ Republican Academic Scientific, Research and Design Institute for Mining Geology, Geomechanics, Geophysics and Mine Surveying (RANIMI, FSBSI), 283004, Donetsk, DPR, Russia.

D.S. Borodin, e-mail: bordym@yandex.ru.

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