Origin of the allochthons in the Lycien belt, Southwest Turkey

Abstract

The Lycien belt of Southwest Turkey lies between the Menderes metamorphic massif to the northwest and the Bey Daǧlari carbonate platform to the southeast. The belt is characterized by thrust faults, melanges and peridotites. Stratigraphic and structural relationships suggest that the allochthons of the Lycien belt were derived from two distinct tectonic terrains. The Köyceǧiz and Elmali thrust slices were from south of the massif; the Tefenni nappe originated far north of the Menderes massif. The latter incorporates platform sediments; melanges and ophiolites represent the edge of a continental platform opening into the Tethys oceanic realm. Correlation of the Elmali and Köyceǧiz thrust slices and autochthonous tectonic elements shows that the Lycien belt between the Menderes massif and the Bey Daǧlari was a tectonically active zone of weakness. The belt, which may be at the extension of the Ionian zone, was subjected to repeated cycles of deep basin subsidence and intense deformation in Triassic, Jurassic-Early Cretaceous and Tertiary times. The Tefenni nappe passed over the Menderes massif and emplaced onto the Lycien terrain in the Late Eocene. The Lycien terrain was subsequently fragmented and overthrusted southeastward onto the Bey Daǧlari shelf sediments in Late Miocene time.