TheDnieper-Donets Rift orPripyat-Dnieper-Donets Rift (also referred as a "paleorift" and "aulacogen") is an east-west runningrift in theSarmatian Craton that developed and was most active in thePaleozoic. The rift extends from theCaspian Depression inRussia to northernUkraine passing by theDonbas region. The rift separates theVoronezh Massif in the north from theUkrainian Shield in south.[1]
The Dniepr-Donets Paleorift was the site ofDevonianmagmatic activity that begun inLate Frasnian and peaked in theFamennian caused by amantle plume.Extensional tectonics were also most active during the Famennian.[2]
There have been suggestions that the Dniepr-Donets Paleorift is related to the coevalKola Alkaline Province.[3]
