Abstract
The latest field investigation of the Vrdnik Coal Basin as well as new data from numerous boreholes enabled the finding of an unconformity between the undivided continental-lacustrine Lower Miocene and the marine Middle Miocene Badenian. The different terrestrial-lacustrine sediments indicate a very mobile and dynamic environment (according to known drilling data, the total thickness of these deposits reaches up to 300 m). All these rocks belong to the Vrdnik series (Vrdnik Formation). The evolution of the Vrdnik series is distinguished by several stages (e.g. pre-lacustrine, lacustrine, peat-swamp, etc.). Each of these phases was proved by their sedimentologic and structural characteristics. On the other hand, among the fossils, only the swamp flora remains (Sequoia, Laurus, Taxodium, Glyptostrobus, etc.) and poor and fragmented ostracode valves (Candona sp.) were documented. Presently, the exact stratigraphic position of the Vrdnik series is unknown. Discordantly over the mentioned rocks, real marine sediments of the Paratethys Sea occur. To date, it was a completely unknown subsurface distribution of these sediments. Among a few types of rocks that have a small distribution, the so-called the Leitha limestones (Middle Miocene, Badenian) have great significance (up to 98% of CaCO3). The total thickness of the limestones reaches up to 70 meters (borehole B-11). The findings of key foraminifer species (Orbulina - Globigerinoides Zone) indicate an early Badenian (Moravian) transgressive event (ca. 15 Ma). Lithologically, it is represented by gray, sandy marls and sandy clays, coarse-grained sands and microconglomerates in the base of the mentioned limestones (boreholes B-11, B-15, B-19, and B-21) with a total thickness of up to 15 meters.
Highlights
During the Upper Oligocene and early Lower Miocene, young Alpine tectonics created conditions for the development of continental–lacustrine sediments in a large area along the southern margin of the Pannonian Basin and within the Dinaride Lake System (KRSTIĆ et al 2003, 2012; MANDIC et al 2012; DE LEEUW et al 2012)
This paper presents new stratigraphic and paleontological data from the Vrdnik Coal Basin, the largest Lower Miocene area on the southern slope of the Fruška Gora Mt. (Fig. 1)
These sediments represent a part of the well-known carbonate ramp, which was formed during the Middle Miocene (Langhian/Badenian) Climatic Optimum (SCHMID et al 2001; BÖHME, M. 2003; HARZHAUSER & PILLER 2007; RÖGL et al 2008)
Summary
During the Upper Oligocene and early Lower Miocene, young Alpine tectonics (so-called the Sava phase) created conditions for the development of continental–lacustrine sediments in a large area along the southern margin of the Pannonian Basin and within the Dinaride Lake System (KRSTIĆ et al 2003, 2012; MANDIC et al 2012; DE LEEUW et al 2012). This more or less similar sedimentation regime lasted more than eight million years in the southern Pannonian domain For the first time, a significant subsurface distribution of the Middle Miocene rocks is shown
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
