Paleomagnetic results from the Pindos, Paxos, and Ionian zones of Greece

Abstract

Maastrichtian to Miocene sediments were sampled at 12 sites in central Greece (Meso-Hellenic basin, Pindos zone and Western Thessaly unit) and four sites on Lefkas island (Paxos and Ionian zones). The samples were subjected in the laboratory to thermal and alternating field (AF) cleaning. As a result, characteristic remanent magnetizations (ChRMs) were obtained for 11 sites. In comparing these paleomagnetic directions with others already obtained for the external Hellenides, the following points are noteworthy. 1. (1)|In post-Alpine times a slight clockwise rotation seems to be common to the zones of the external Hellenides in Western Greece; 2. (2)|independent movement of the Pindos flysch and the Ionian Paleogene sediments is plausible as the sampled sites from the former exhibit large counter-clockwise declination rotation with respect to the latter; 3. (3)|the net rotation of the Mesozoic sediments of both Pindos and Ionian zones is similar. These observations may indicate that the two zones rotated independently as ‘blocks’ before the Miocene, for the detachment of the Paleogene from the Mesozoic sediments is opposed on geological grounds. Thus the similar declinations observed for the Mesozoic sediments of the Pindos and Ionian zones must be regarded as coincidence.