Structure and history of Hellenides

Abstract

This study is based on some new field observations made on the group of the Eastern Hellenic regions. Our observations have led us to adopt a simplified view of the paleogeography of the Greek mainland before the Alpine orogenesis. The subsequent varied tectonic units originate mainly from the following paleogeographic areas: • A carbonate Arabo-African shelf margin which displays several lateral transitions, ridges and basins. On the Greek mainland this margin is represented by the Preapulian, Ionian, Gavrovo-Tripolis, Parnassos zones, the Olympus platform and probably the Kavala and Thassos marble. • A transition zone from the shelf units to the Tethys ophiolites (Pindos Zone, Styra, Argolis and Hydra, Eretrias new unit). • Tethys ophiolites, which might represent either an “ocean” fault zone or subduction of the lithosphere along a weak area. • A Hercynian continental mass (Serbomacedonian). This group is currently completed by the presence of a large tectonic mélange connected to the ophiolite overthrust.