What kinds of rocks and sediments lie beneath the Black Sea?

The geology beneath the Black Sea is characterized by a diverse regional structure. The northwest region features ancient Precambrian rocks associated with the Russian Platform, while other areas are covered by deep layers of sedimentary rocks.1

The deepwater depression itself is a significant structural downwarp consisting of a sedimentary layer and a basaltic crustal layer, with a granite layer thrust between them at the periphery. Regarding seafloor deposits, the composition generally transitions from coarse pebbles and gravel found at the basin's periphery to fine silts located at the center. Additionally, the basin has been shaped by the accumulation of outwashed sediments from surrounding mountain ranges, including the Carpathians, which rose during the Miocene Epoch.1