Depositional Environments in the Eastern Paratethys during the Final Middle Miocene Transgression (Kura Basin, Eastern Georgia)

Abstract

The mineral composition and depositional environments of the Konkian in eastern Georgia (Kura trough, eastern Paratethys) corresponding to the Kosovian (13.65–12.829 Ma) in the Central Paratethys and the final Middle Miocene marine transgression in Paratethys are considered. Jurassic and Cretaceous volcanic rocks of the Lesser Caucasus (Adzhar–Trialet and Artvin–Bolnisi zones) were identified as the main provenances for the terrigenous material. Eight lithofacies types distinguished for the studied rocks characterize depositional environments with significant wave or submarine-fluvial influence. The change of depositional environment was controlled by the phases of transgression, as well as by the progradation and lateral migration of the prodelta. The development of depositional environment corresponds to the Konkian stratigraphic beds and reflects the main stages of the final Middle Miocene transgression in the Eastern Paratethys.