Sedimentary Cyclicity in the Upper Paleocene- Eocene Successions of the Haymana Basin (Ankara, Turkey): Responses of Fossils to Cyclicity

Abstract

<p>The Haymana Basin in central Anatolia (Turkey) formed during the closure of the Neo-Tethys on Late Cretaceous to Middle Eocene as a forearc accretionary wedge. Late Paleocene to Middle Eocene aged units in this basin are exposed near Çayraz Village, Haymana. The Çayraz Formation is the youngest unit of the Haymana Basin, and it is represented by packages of nummulitic banks, and the intercalation of calcareous mudstones. The aim of this study is to investigate the sedimentary cyclicity and depositional sequences in the Upper Paleocene- Eocene successions of the Haymana Basin. To be able to achieve this objective, a stratigraphic section has been measured through this succession. In this study, detailed microfacies analyses of the shallow-water carbonate successions indicate a ramp type depositional model of the carbonate rocks. The facies composed of Alveolina sp., Orbitolites sp., and  Miliolids that indicate low energy depositional environment . After that depositional environment to  the shoal; the facies composed of Nummulites spp., Assilina spp. occur and increase their abundance towards high-energy environments. Absence of the Alveolina sp., Orbitolites sp., and Miliolids. occur in accordance with that. The facies composed of Nummulites spp., Assilina spp. become associated with Discocyclina sp. towards to open sea on the ramp, and the shallow open marine part is represented by the shale with the association of planktonic foraminifera. Lateral relationships of the facies from proximal (inner ramp) to the distal (mid ramp) part of the ramp are investigated by using the knowledge of paleoecology preferences of the fossils, lithologic data of the rocks and biological aspects of the fossils.  The fossil associations and their indicator environments can be used in vertical changes of the facies as in the lateral relationships of the facies. It has potential to derive cyclic relationships of the stratigraphic sequence. Therefore, based on the detailed microfacies analysis and change in the distribution of the fossil associations in the stacking pattern of the sequence, a composite depositional model has been suggested. At this part of the research newly acquired question is that the driven factor of these cyclic relationships of the sequence, whether it occurred by the control of the eustatic sea- level or the interplay between tectonics and the eustacy as the dominating factor in the sequence formation.</p><p> </p><p>Keywords: Large Benthic Foraminifera, Nummulites spp., Assilina spp., Haymana Basin, Çayraz Formation</p>