Contribution a l'etude geologique de la chaine calcaire des monts Peloritains (zone de Militello-Tortorici), Sicile nord-orientale

Abstract

Abstract The limestone chain of the Peloritani mountains in northeastern Sicily is made up of several tectonic units differing stratigraphically, and complexly thrust-faulted into various anomalous positions. The Longi (or lower) unit and its eastern extension, the dolomitic unit, comprise 250-300 m of red quartz conglomerate of pre-Liassic age; 500 m of Jurassic limestone and dolomite concordant on the conglomerate; and about 300 m of upper Jurassic-Cretaceous-Eocene marl and limestone. In the Longi unit, a thick molasse of early Tertiary age also occurs. The Galati unit consists of phyllite overlain unconformably by various facies of Mesozoic limestone, dolomitic limestone, marl, and conglomerate. The red limestone unit comprises upper Cretaceous marl overlain by lower Jurassic limestones, Eocene beds transgressive over both, and Oligocene-Miocene molasse at the top. The tectonic relationships of these units are highly complicated. Much thrusting probably occurred prior to deposition of the molasse. Jurassic-lower Cretaceous flysch on the south has been overridden by the chain, but the age of this thrusting is problematic. The molasse seems to have been deposited transgressively over all other formations and tectonic units, but some important tectonic deformation certainly is post-molasse and part is Quaternary.