Multiple rifting and suturing events through Phanerozoic time amalgamated Europe as we know it today. Our detailed analysis of the crustal blocks of Europe during the Caledonian, Hercynian, and Alpine orogenies allowed us to understand the influence of these events on the hydrocarbon systems of Europe. To summarize this, we present a series of eleven paleogeographic maps from Carboniferous to Pliocene time. These maps were produced as part of a project to develop basin-wide models for regional play element distribution in the major hydrocarbon-producing basins of Europe.

Description of the tectonic evolution of Europe can be divided into four main phases related to motion between Baltica, North America/Greenland, and Gondwana. The first was the formation of Laurentia (Europe and North America/Greenland) during the Early Paleozoic Caledonian orogeny, followed by Carboniferous assembly of Pangea (Laurentia and Gondwana) in the Hercynian orogeny. The third phase, subsequent rifting and separation of these blocks, started in Permian the. The fourth and final phase, that continues today, is the Alpine orogeny which results from convergence between Africa and Europe.

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