Provenance of Pindos Foreland Submarine Fans, Western Greece

Abstract

The detrital grains and lithic fragments in sandstones from two cross-sections in the Pindos foreland reveal that the most probable sources are the Pindos, Koziakas (and probably and Vourinos) ophiolite complexes, as well as metamorphic sequences of the Pelagonian Zone. Abundant serpentinites and basaltic fragments, as well as detrital spinel grains and calcic plagioclases introduce supply from ophiolitic sources. Spinels show the Pindos ophiolite complex, and some of them are also related to the Vourinos ophiolitic complex. Epidote chemistry from Sardinia–Inachos samples show supply from the Koziakas ophiolite. Abundant petrographic evidence is strongly suggestive for a granitic source, as well as for a volcanic source of intermediate composition. Paleocurrent study of that area revealed that the most probable candidate plutonic body that also supplied the studied areas is the Varnountas plutonic body for the Mazia–Votonosi cross-section and the Pieria or the Verdikousa pluton for the Sardinia–Inahos cross-section. The analysed detrital muscovites are rather rich in the phengitic molecule, thus indicating a probable derivation from the Pelagonian Zone, where phengitic crystals commonly exist. Tourmaline, although not related to relevant crystals found in-situ, are most probably derived from the same geological area. Supply from the Pelagonian Zone is also suggested from paleocurrent data.