Abstract
The problem of correlating Lake Pannon sediments across its basin has been the occupation of many geologists. At first, it was hampered by the prevalence of biostratigraphic, rather than lithostratigraphic correlation. The task became accomplishable when, thanks to seismic survey data, the strongly progradational character of Lake Pannon sedimentation had been understood. Thus, this paper aims to describe the formations from all parts of Lake Pannon and compare them to the ones described in Serbia. Material used includes published and unpublished data from all countries with Pannonian Basin System upper Miocene and lower Pliocene deposits, in the form of seismic, borehole and outcrop data. Even though the system is strongly asymmetric, both spatially and temporally, the formation synthesis framework should help better understanding among geologists operating within the basin. For the first time the informal formations are proposed for all Lake Pannon sediments in Serbia. The formations are linked to a progradational deltaic system within the following succession: basinal plain?turbidite?slope?delta front?delta plain?lacustrine and alluvial environments. The lithostratigraphic correlation has a huge potential in the context of industry. The main potential surely lies in petroleum geology, but it could be also very useful for exploration of geothermal energy, hydrogeology and construction materials.
Highlights
The problems related to late Miocene chronostratigraphy of Central Paratethys have been subject of numerous studies in the last couple of decades (e.g. SACChi et al, 1997; MAgyAR et al 1999; SACChi & hoRváTh, 2002; SACChi & MüLLER, 2004; MAgyAR et al 2007)
Some early biostratigraphic studies focused on the chronological meaning of different fossil species. This practice was, proved to be wrong. in a geological setting of a Lake Pannon-style basin, various fossil species are indicative of a depositional environment, rather than age. in a certain point in time, several species could coexist in different depositional systems
The underlying principle of strata correlation in the early works on Pannonian upper Miocene was that biozones were interpreted horizontally, without understanding of the progradational system that existed in the basin. nowadays, it is known that the biozones have both vertical and horizontal extent, leading to the different age of the same biozones in different parts of the basin (MAgyAR & gEARy, 2010)
Summary
The problems related to late Miocene chronostratigraphy of Central Paratethys have been subject of numerous studies in the last couple of decades (e.g. SACChi et al, 1997; MAgyAR et al 1999; SACChi & hoRváTh, 2002; SACChi & MüLLER, 2004; MAgyAR et al 2007). The study of standard outcrops does not provide enough chronological data (only 104 to 105 years) for the determining of the biostratigraphic turnover. Some early biostratigraphic studies focused on the chronological meaning of different fossil species. This practice was, proved to be wrong. In a geological setting of a Lake Pannon-style basin, various fossil species are indicative of a depositional environment, rather than age. In a certain point in time, several species could coexist in different depositional systems (e.g. delta plain, delta front, shelf, deep basin). The underlying principle of strata correlation in the early works on Pannonian upper Miocene was that biozones were interpreted horizontally, without understanding of the progradational system that existed in the basin. When methods of exploration switched from solely logging outcrops to examining subsurface data (borehole material, well logging, regional seismic surveys), a full picture of a progradational system became clear
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