The Permian and Triassic in the Albanian Alps

Maurizio Gaetani,Accursio Tulone,Roberto Rettori,Charles M Henderson,Selam Meço

doi:10.1515/agp-2015-0012

Maurizio Gaetani, Accursio Tulone + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.1515/agp-2015-0012

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Abstract

AbstractThe sedimentary succession of the Permian to Middle Triassic of the Albanian Alps is described, as part of the eastern Adria passive margin towards the Tethys. A carbonate ramp deepening towards NE in present day coordinates developed during the Middle Permian and was affected by block faulting with the deposition of carbonate breccia. The Early Triassic was characterized by intense terrigenous deposition with several cobble conglomerate units up to 80 m-thick, and by oolitic carbonate shoals. The fine clastic deposition ended gradually during the earliest Anisian and a wide calcarenitic ramp occupied the area, with small local carbonate mounds. Basinward, the red nodular limestone of the Han Bulog Formation was interbedded with calcarenitic material exported from the ramp. Drowning to more open conditions occurred towards the end of the Pelsonian. Subsequently, cherty limestone and tuffitic layers spread over the entire area. Towards the end of the Ladinian, with the end of the volcanic activity, red pelagic limestone was deposited locally for a short period. By the latest Ladinian most of the area returned to shallow-water conditions, with a peritidal carbonate platform. In the Theth area, in contrast, a basin with black organic-rich dolostone and limestone developed which seems to be unique in that part of the Adria passive margin. The occurrence of cobble conglomerate units in the Lower Triassic testifies to very active block faulting and high accommodation, not yet described for the area.

Highlights

The aim of this paper is to describe the main features of the stratigraphy of the Permian to Middle Triassic succession in the Albanian Alps and to discuss their palaeogeographic evolution
The Lower and Middle Triassic rocks will be described in detail, whereas understanding of the local Permian strata is still at a preliminary stage and only part of the succession will be described here
Search for pollen in the shales proved unsuccessful, with only inertinite fragments detected. This layer is heavily disrupted with internal cataclastic horizons and separates the Permian rocks of Pog from the Permian rocks cropping out to the north of the Kir Pass (Text-fig. 2)

Summary

Introduction

AND PREVIOUS WORKThe aim of this paper is to describe the main features of the stratigraphy of the Permian to Middle Triassic succession in the Albanian Alps (the valleys of Kir and Shala) and to discuss their palaeogeographic evolution (Text-fig. 1). The aim of this paper is to describe the main features of the stratigraphy of the Permian to Middle Triassic succession in the Albanian Alps (the valleys of Kir and Shala) and to discuss their palaeogeographic evolution The Lower and Middle Triassic rocks will be described in detail, whereas understanding of the local Permian strata is still at a preliminary stage and only part of the succession will be described here. The fieldwork was carried out over several years, from 1995 to 2002, by M. Further field checking took place in May 2012 and September 2014.

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