Abstract
Abstract Recent literature on the tectonic evolution of the Alpine chain in eastern Europe and Asia Minor is reviewed. Two major periods are recognized in describing the tectonic history of the region. The first embraces all the Paleozoic, ending with the Hercynian orogeny, and probably represents an early period of geosynclinal evolution. The second period is represented by a geosynclinal stage, including the Mesozoic and part of the Paleogene up to the end of the Oligocene, and a terminal stage of orogenesis embracing the Neogene and Quaternary. The geosynclinal stage of the second period can be divided into three phases--an early phase embracing the Triassic, lower and middle and perhaps the upper Jurassic and Cretaceous, and characterized by formation of the first Triassic basins on the peneplaned Paleozoic landscape; a second phase, Cretaceous-middle Eocene, characterized by enlargement of the geosynclines and deposition of flysch; and a third phase which began after the end of the middle Eocene, characterized by closing of the geosynclines. Oceanic trenches which developed in the Black Sea and the southern Caspian, Marmara, Aegean, Ionian and eastern Mediterranean seas are recent structures not connected with the geosynclinal evolution and are superimposed on the continental surface of the geosynclinal structures. The arrangement of the depressions and the uplift during the geosynclinal stage were determined by abyssal faults imposed during the Paleozoic. Magmatic intrusions and volcanism developed in the late geosynclinal phases.
Published Version
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