The facies properties and depositional environments of nodular limestones and red marly limestones (Ammonitico Rosso) in the Ankara Jurassic sequence, central Turkey

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe nodular limestones and red marls of the Ankara region, deposited during the early to middle Jurassic, show similar palaeontological and sedimentological characteristics to those of the red nodular limestones form the Northern Alps (Adnet limestones) and from the Southern Alps (Ammonitico Rosso).The nodular limestones appear to be hardground breccias drowned into the red marly limestones due to the instability of the bottom. The association of sponge spicules, crinoid fragments, small ostracods, benthic foraminifers, shell debris and common micrite matrix suggests a subtidal environment. The subsequent formation of red marly limestones consists of the partial dissolution of the shells; this suggests that a low sedimentation rate and/or sedimentological breaks took place during the precipitation of the ammonite‐bearing marls.The nodular limestones (hardground breccias) and the Ammonitico Rosso‐type facies of the Ankara Jurassic succession were formed in a deeper subtidal environment and/or deeper shelf extending into the basin. The hardground layers drowned into the Ammonitico rosso were likely formed on a local carbonate shelf, that deepened increasingly through the early to middle Jurassic. Development of a local submarine clastic fan within the carbonate succession of the Ankara Jurassic basin indicates an irregular bottom topography induced by the syn‐sedimentary faults.