Antalya Nappes Research Articles

Ortaköy-Barcın Yaylası (Orta Toroslar, Antalya Napları, Gündoğmuş) Kretase istifinin stratigrafisi, bentik foraminiferleri ve paleo-ortamsal yorumu

The Ortaköy-Barcın Plateau Cretaceous sequence is located in the Antalya nappes outcropping throughout the Akseki-Güzelsu-Köprülü which is in northern of the Gündoğmuş (Antalya). The sequence begins with Albian limestones containing mainly Pseudonummoloculina aurigerica, Praechrysalidina infracretacea, Nezzazata isabellae, Trochamminoides coronus, Glomospira urgoniana, Vercorsella arenata, Cuneolina parva and they are conformably overlain by the Cenomanian limestones including Sellialveolina viallii, Ovalveolina maccagnoae, Biplanata peneropliformis, Pseudorhapydionina dubia, Pseudolituonella sp., Biconcava bentori, Merlingina cretacea, Chrysalidina gradata, Cuneolina pavonia, Coxites zubairensis. The Albian-Cenomanian limestones that contain frequently breccia levels represent peritidal environments of restricted inner platform exposed to short-term subaerially. They are composed of dominantly fenestral/birdseye mudstone, fenestral/laminated peloidal packstone to grainstone, and foraminiferal wackestone. The Albian-Cenomanian inner platform sequence is disconformably overlain by the Maastrichtian limestones deposited in slope to basin, mainly containing Orbitoides media-megaloformis, Lepidorbitoides sp., Siderolites cf. S. calcitrapoides, Omphalocyclus sp. The Maastrichtian sequence is composed of bioclastic limestone and alternation of chert-bearing micritic limestone and calciturbidite. The bioclastic limestone and calciturbidite have the feature of bioclastic packstone to grainstone microfacies containing larger benthic foraminifera and the chert-bearing micritic limestones have the feature of pelagic wackestone microfacies including planktonic foraminifera. The data obtained reveal that the Maastrichtian slope to basin facies overlying the unconformity developed after a rapid subsidence of the platform due to tectonism.

Paleobathymetric evolution of the Miocene deposits of the Gömbe sector of the Lycian Foreland and Aksu basins in Antalya, Turkey

The evolution of the Lycian Foreland and Aksu basins are associated with the Africa-Eurasia convergence and collision of intervening continental blocks. Both basins developed around the Beydağları, a Mesozoic carbonate platform, which constitutes the main component and western limb of the Isparta Angle. The Gömbe Basin is an integral part of the Lycian Foreland Basin that comprises mainly Eocene to Late Miocene turbidites, onto which the allochthonous Lycian and Antalya nappes thrust over. The Aksu Basin, however, developed in the inner part of the Isparta Angle and is bounded by the Aksu Thrust in the east. During their evolution, these basins experienced significant bathymetric changes, possibly due to vertical motions and variations in the sediment supply. This study provides a detailed analysis of the paleobathymetric evolution of these basins. This conducted paleobathymetric study was based on the determination of the depositional depth by the abundance ratio of planktonic versus benthic foraminifera, which is the function of the water depth. The percentage of planktonic foraminifera relative to the total foraminifer population (%P) increases from shallow to deep water. However, some benthic foraminifera species are directly affected by the oxygen level of the bottom water, rather than by paleobathymetry, i.e. stress markers, and were discarded in the calculation. Additionally, the dissolution of the foraminifera has the potential for miscalculations, since planktonic foraminifera are more prone to dissolution than benthic ones. Nevertheless, the obtained quantitative results were verified and validated qualitatively by specific benthic depth markers that lived at specific depth ranges. Aksu Basin had a shallowing trend, and the sedimentation rate exceeded the subsidence in the middle of the section. Calculated depths for the Gömbe Basin indicated depths around 1000 m, which was contrary to the high sedimentation rates indicated by the turbiditic facies of the basin infills.

Testing of Permian – Lower Triassic stratigraphic data in a half-graben/tilt-block system: evidence for the initial rifting phase in Antalya Nappes

Testing of Middle Permian – Lower Triassic stratigraphic data from the Antalya Nappes in a half-graben/tilt-block system has revealed the presence of episodic rifting events separated by periods of tectonic quiescence. Following a period of uplift during the Permian (Late Artinskian to Roadian), the basement rocks have been activated by displacement faults and several depocenters in half-graben-like asymmetrical basins began to be filled with Roadian to Wordian continental clastic deposits intercalated with coal and marine rocks. The Early Capitanian time was a period of tectonic quiescence. The second event occurred in Middle to Late Capitanian times and produced basaltic volcanic rocks intercalated in the shallow marine fossiliferous carbonate successions. Following the Lopingian (Wuchiapingian and Changhsingian) and Permian–Triassic boundary interval representing a long tectonic quiescence, the last rifting episode started with an abrupt facies change in the late Griesbachian. Variegated shales, limestones, volcanics, talus breccia, and debris flow deposits were laid down in a half-graben/tilt-block system. As normal faulting has become active, the deposition continued on the subsiding hanging wall side. The stratigraphic gap increased in magnitude as the erosional truncation has incised deeply the footwall side. This initial rifting phase in the Antalya Nappes is prior to the onset of a stronger and more continuous rifting event that occurred in the Anisian–Carnian interval including a variety of deepwater clastic and carbonate deposits, radiolarites containing sometimes blocks and clasts derived from the basin margins, and volcanic rocks carrying intraoceanic setting character.

The nature and origin of magnetic anomalies over the Gölcük caldera; Isparta; South-Western Turkey

For the first time; ground magnetic survey was performed which data were inverted by means of total horizontal derivative; horizontal gradient analytic signal; and hyperbolic tilt angle techniques to identify subsurface volcanic structures around Isparta city (South-Western Turkey). Here; Golcuk volcanism took place at the apex of the Isparta Angle at the intersection of the Lycian and Antalya nappes. It initiated between 4.0—4.7 my ago mainly as lava extrusions and ended with phreatoplinian eruptions during Quaternary time. The study area is covered by authochtonous and allochthonous units that are intruded by Pliocene and Quaternary Golcuk volcanics and also overlain by pyroclastic fall and flow deposits. The boundaries were revealed for the buried volcanic structure from the edge detection methods. The geometry of the trachytic dome southwestern of the Golcuk Lake and its downward continuation were studied by 2D modelling with the control of the power spectrum depth results applied to the focused anomaly. The azimuthally-averaged logarithmic power spectra plot indicates that the downward continuation of source depth of the trachytic dome reaches up to 850 m. The forward inversion results indicate that the horizontal size of the model for this trachytic dome is 1250 m beneath the surface while it’s surface extension is only about 400 m.

NEW EARLY TUVALIAN (CARNIAN, TRIASSIC) RADIOLARIANS FROM THE HUǦLU-PINDOS SUCCESSION IN THE SORGUN OPHIOLITIC MÉLANGE, SOUTHERN TURKEY

Three new radiolarian genera ( Paramonocapnuchosphaera , Monocoronella and Minicrampus ) and 8 new species are described herein from one of the most diverse and best preserved Carnian (Late Triassic) radiolarian faunas of the world, from the early Tuvalian sequence of the Sorgun Ophiolitic Melange, southern Turkey. The radiolarian fauna belongs to the Spongotortilispinus moixi Zone (equivalent to Paragondolella postinclinata - Paragondolella noah conodont Zone). The very similar late Julian-early Tuvalian radiolarian faunas from the Northern Calcareous, Alps through the Lagonegro Basin, Sicily, Rhodes Island, Greece and farther east in the Antalya nappes, in the Mersin Melange and in Elbistan, Turkey may confirm that the Pindos-type succession found in different units of early Mesozoic oceanic basins formed in a single oceanic basin.

Organic Facies Characteristics of the Triassic Ispartaçay Formation, Antalya Nappes, Western Taurus, Turkey

In the Antalya Nappes (SW Turkey), the Triassic Ispartaçay Formation consists of radioaria, chert, turbiditic limestone and sandstone. Detailed data from thick Triassic sediments (Ispartaçay Formation) made it possible to construct an organic facies framework using different zonation. Organic matter is composed predominantly of woody material, with a minor contribution of planty and woody material. Kerogen in the deposits is type III, as indicated by organic petrographic observations and Rock-Eval data. Total organic carbon (TOC) values are generally between 0.16 and 1.36%, but reach 5.24% in the formation. Tmax values vary between 331 and 602°C, confirming the increase in maturation trends indicated by vitrinite reflectance data. Organic facies type D was identified in the investigated units. Organic facies D is related to sandstone and limestone litofacies. This facies is characterized by average values of HI around 18 (equivalent to type III kerogen), TOC around 0.85%, and an average of S2 of 0.19mg HC/g of rock. The organic matter is highly oxidized, decomposed and reworked. Organic facies D is no generative.

Latest Tournaisian–late Viséan foraminiferal biozonation (MFZ8–MFZ14) of the Valiabad area, northwestern Alborz (Iran): geological implications

The Mobarak Formation in the Valiabad area (northwestern Alborz, Iran) is composed of bioclastic, oolitic and sandy limestone interbedded with black shale, and is disconformably underlain and overlain by the Cambrian Lalun and Permian Dorud formations, respectively. In this study, 104 foraminiferal species belonging to 12 families and 33 genera were determined. Among them, six genera and nine species are reported for the first time in Iran. Analysis of the foraminiferal assemblages has identified eight local biozones, which can be correlated with the MFZ8 to MFZ14 zones of the Viséan stratotypes in Belgium. The Valiabad equivalents of these biozones are essentially characterized by (1) Eoparastaffella ex gr. rotunda‐‘florigena’–Lysella cf. gadukensis; (2) Eoparastaffella simplex–Lapparentidiscus bokanensis; (3) Ammarchaediscus; (4) Uralodiscus–Glomodiscus; (5) Glomodiscus–Archaediscus; (6) Pojarkovella–Mstinia fallax; (7) Mstinia bulloides–Pseudoendothyra; and (8) Howchinia gibba–Howchinia bradyana–Tubispirodiscus attenuatus. Consequently, the Valiabad section appears to be one of the most complete Viséan sections in Iran. Some taxonomic precisions are provided about the principal taxa. Biogeographically, (1) the MFZ8–MFZ11 biozones are extended to all the shelves of the Palaeotethys (from Ireland to South China) and Urals oceans; nevertheless, due to the complete evolution of archaediscoids, they seem more related to the Perigondwanan assemblages from Sinai and Taurus (including the Antalya Nappes); (2) the MFZ12 assemblage appears relatively endemic; and (3) the impoverished assemblages of the biozones MFZ13‐14 have marked affinities with the Kazakhstan Block. It is currently impossible to indicate precisely if these variations are related with a drift of the Alborz region to the north, or to a change of oceanic currents. Moreover, the double affinity highlights the narrowness of the Palaeotethys in Iran during the Viséan. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Heterochronic growth of ostracods (Crustacea) from microbial deposits in the aftermath of the end-Permian extinction

The Kokarkuyu Formation (Early Triassic) from the Çürük Dağ section, Western Taurus, Antalya Nappes, Turkey was carefully sampled for a taxonomic study of the ostracods. A total of 57 species belonging to 15 genera are recognized. Three species are newly described: Monoceratina hussonae sp. nov., Reviya sylvieae sp. nov. and Eukloedenella adcapitisdolorella sp. nov. The present data are the first Neo-Tethyan illustration of ostracod survival in the aftermath of the end-Permian extinction in a refuge of microbial origin. Ostracods are abundant within the microbialites at the base of the formation and allow the reconstruction of ontogenetic series for nine species. Shape variations through ontogeny are described for seven species: Bairdia? kemerensis, Praezabythocypris? ottomanensis, Liuzhinia antalyaensis, Paracypris gaetanii, Reviya curukensis, R. sylvieae and Eukloedenella adcapitisdolorella. Paedomorphosis through deceleration and peramorphosis through acceleration are identified as secondary survival strategies following the end-Permian extinction.http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:6849AB0D-B085-47BE-950A-BC98CC50C4E3

Kinematics of the Central Taurides during Neotethys closure and collision, the nappes in the Sultan Mountains, Turkey

In the Central Taurides, the Sultan Mountains comprise in ascending order the Cimendere unit and the Aksehir, Doganhisar, Cay nappes composed of metasedimentary sequences deposited from Cambrian to Tertiary. The overthrust of the Cay nappe on the Lutetian Celeptas formation representing the uppermost stratigraphic position in the Cimendere unit indicates that the latest nappe emplacement occurred during the Middle Eocene. The Oligocene and Miocene rocks are in post-tectonic facies in the west Central Taurides. The kinematic data from these nappes related to closure of the Neotethys reveal a top-NE shear sense in the northwest part and a top-SE shear sense in the southeast part of the Sultan Mountains. The Sultan Mountains are located in the north part of the Isparta Angle which was tectonically assembled by the Lycian, Hoyran–Beysehir–Hadim and Antalya allochthons on the Bey Daglari and Anamas–Akseki autochthons from the Latest Cretaceous to the Late Pliocene. The previous paleomagnetic data showed that the west and east subsections of the Isparta Angle were subjected to post-Eocene 30°–40° anticlockwise and clockwise rotations, respectively. In consideration of these paleomagnetic data, the kinematic data measured in the Sultan Mountains might be restored into approximately E–W-trending linear fabric associated with a top-E shear sense. These new kinematic data from the nappes in the Sultan Mountains disagree with the existing tectonic models that suggest N–S nappe translation over the Central Taurides during the latest Cretaceous–Middle Eocene. The alternative tectonic model for the Antalya nappes in the core of the Isparta Angle related to east–west compression suggests westward and eastward nappe emplacements on the surrounding autochthons. However, the new kinematic data presented here point consistently to a top-E shear sense in all tectonostratigraphic units in the Sultan Mountains currently located in the north part of the Anamas–Akseki autochthon.

Discovery of Middle Permian volcanism in the Antalya Nappes, southern Turkey: tectonic significance and global meaning

Detailed stratigraphic studies on the Middle-Upper Permian rocks of the Tahtalıdağ nappe (Antalya Nappes), largely exposed along the Güzelsu Corridor in central Taurides, have revealed the presence of basaltic volcanic rocks intercalated within the shallow-marine fossiliferous carbonate successions. Vitrophyric basaltic extrusions producing distinct pillows in the Kızılbağ Formation severely dolomitized the associated carbonate rocks.The coeval Çukurköy Formation, devoid of volcanic layers, is also exposed in the same corridor and was probably representing a part of the carbonate platform bordering this volcanic activity. The Middle-Upper Permian successions of the Kızılbağ and Çukurköy Formations have been calibrated based on a foraminiferal zonation and a Capitanian age has been assigned to the basaltic interval. Basalts are also chronostratigraphically located just below a horizon interpreted as the mid-Capitanian mass extinction event. Based on these data, two fundamental conclusions can be driven from this study. The discovery of basaltic volcanism brings a strong evidence for a much longer history about the rift-associated volcanic events in the Antalya Nappes. The Capitanian volcanic rocks are contemporaneous with the Emeishan Large Igneous Province in South China which is linked to the mid-Capitanian mass extinction event.

New evidence for the record of the Cenomanian–Turonian oceanic anoxic event (OAE2) in the Pamphylian basin (Akdoğan Section, Antalya Nappes, SW Turkey): Comparison with surrounding basinal settings

The organic-rich black shales in the Akdoğan section (Antalya Nappes, SW Turkey) are the first reported evidence of the global Cenomanian-Turonian Oceanic Anoxic Event (OAE2) in the "Isparta Angle" region. Their age and organic geochemical characteristics are similar to those of other OAE2 intervals in the Pamphylian basin and neighbouring basins of the Tethyan realm. A short description of the whole Akdoğan sequence allows us to compare it with other similar sequences in the surrounding areas and to discuss the local versus global controlling factors on the record of OAE in the Pamphylian basin.

The Late Cenozoic evolution of the Aksu basin (Isparta Angle; SW Turkey). New insights

Abstract The Mio-Pliocene basins around the Antalya gulf in SW Turkey developed above the Tauric Mesozoic platforms on which the Antalya nappes had been thrusted (in Late Cretaceous-Paleocene times). The closure of the initial Isparta Angle during these events (E-W compression) initiated the N-S orientation of the main structural lines, which persisted later and explains the orientation of the Aksu basin in contrast with the E-W orientation of the eastern Neo-gene Mediterranean basins. The area, and all southwestern Turkey, became emergent at the end of the Oligocene and were the site of shallow-marine carbonate deposits in the Chattian-Aquitanian, giving way to the wide Lycian basin in Burdigalian-Langhian times. The progressive emplacement of the Lycian nappes from the north over this basin provoked first its subsidence and then its emersion when the nappes attained their final position over the Bey Daglari platform in Langhian times. Coinciding, or in response to the Lycian nappes emplacement, the Aksu basin was initiated as an elongated N-S graben which was filled by thick accumulations of terrestrial and marine deposits(including coral reefs), which derived from the erosion of the Lycian allochton and its basement (Langhian?, Serravallian and Tortonian times). The syn-sedimentary tectonics : reactivation of the normal faults along the west margin of the basin, the continuous uplift of the neighbouring continental areas (beginning of the Aksu thrust), governed the geometry of the basin. As a result and due to the uplift of its northern margin, the Aksu basin migrated towards the south and in Messinian times it was reduced to a narrow gulf along the eastern margin of which the Gebiz limestones were deposited as fringing coral reefs. The age of these limestones has been debated. Our new data allow us to attribute them to the Messinian. The drastic retreat of the sea at the end of this period, provoked the erosion of large parts of the Messinian deposits and the formation of deep canyons on land and under the sea down to the Antalya abyssal plain, in which evaporites were deposited. During the Zanclean transgression, the Eskiköy-Kargi canyon was filled by coarse clastics of a Gilbert delta derived from the northern continental area following a model well known elsewhere in the Mediterranean basins. Southward, shallow-marine sands and marls unconformably cover the remnants of the Messinian deposits and the emergent areas of the southern Antalya gulf. After Zanclean times (end of Pliocene?), the Aksu basin was deformed, due to the west-directed Aksu compressional event (end of the Aksu thrust). Quaternary terraces of the Aksu river at various altitudes, as well as the terraces of the Antalya tufa can be related to sea level fluctuations.

Pervasive Palaeogene remagnetization of the central Taurides fold-and-thrust belt (southern Turkey) and implications for rotations in the Isparta Angle

The Turkish Anatolide-Tauride block rifted away from the northern margin of Gondwana in the Triassic, which gave way to the opening of the southern Neo-Tethys. By the late Palaeocene to Eocene, it collided with the southern Eurasian margin, leading to the closure of the northern Neo-Tethys ocean. To determine the position of the Anatolide-Tauride block with respect to the African and Eurasian margin we carried out a palaeomagnetic study in the central Taurides belt, which constitutes the eastern limb of the Isparta Angle. The sampled sections comprise Carboniferous to Palaeocene rocks (mainly limestones). Our data suggest that all sampled rocks are remagnetized during the late Palaeocene to Eocene phase of folding and thrusting event, related to the collision of the Anatolide-Tauride block with Eurasia. To further test the possibility of remagnetization, we use a novel end-member modelling approach on 174 acquired isothermal remanent magnetization (IRM) curves. We argue that the preferred three end-member model confirms the proposed remagnetization of the rocks. Comparing our data to the post-Eocene declination pattern in the central Tauride belt, we conclude that our clockwise rotations are in agreement with data from other studies. After combining our results with previously published data from the Isparta Angle (that includes our study area), we have reasons to cast doubt on the spatial and temporal extent of an earlier reported early to middle Miocene remagnetization event. We argue that the earlier reported remagnetized directions from Triassic rocks--in tilt corrected coordinates--from the southwestern Antalya Nappes (western Taurides), are in good agreement with other studies from the area that show a primary origin of their characteristic remanent magnetization. This implies that we document a clockwise rotation for the southwestern Antalya Nappes since the Triassic that is remarkably similar to the post-Eocene (∼40°) rotation of the central Taurides. For the previously published results that are clearly remagnetized, we argue that their remagnetization has occurred in the Palaeocene to Eocene.

GEOCHEMICAL AND PETROLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF LATE TRIASSIC BASIC VOLCANIC ROCKS FROM THE KOCALI COMPLEX; SE TURKEY: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE TRIASSIC EVOLUTION OF SOUTHERN TETHYS

The Kocali Complex in SE Anatolia is mainly composed of tectonically imbricated slices of pelagic rock suits (pelagic limestones; cherts; etc); platform carbonates; clastics; serpentinites and basic volcanics. It can be subdivided into four main parts as the Tarasa Unit; the Konak Unit; the Cilo Limestones and the Kale Ophiolite. In this paper; geochemical characteristics of basic volcanic rocks associated with pelagic sediments (radiolarian cherts; pelagic limestones; etc) have been studied along four stratigraphical sections (the Tarasa; the Bulam-2; the Korun-1 and the Korun-2) in the Konak and the Tarasa Units. The age of the volcanic sequences have been assigned to Late Triassic (middle Carnian to Rhaetian) based on the radiolarian data from the associated pelagic rock units. Geochemical data indicates the presence of two different types of Late Triassic volcanic rock groups characterized by E-MORB-type (Group-1 volcanites from the Tarasa Unit formed by mixing of OIB and MORB-type melts) and OIB-type (Group-2 volcanites from the Konak Unit) mantle sources. None of the samples from the Kocali Complex has characteristics of N-MORB type mantle source and was affected by crustal contamination. Based on these data; it can be suggested that all these volcanic rocks formed in a marginal oceanic basin away from the ocean ridge. The presence of Radiolaria and Bivalvia-bearing pelagic limestones and cherts associated to the basic volcanic rocks in the Kocali Complex also emphasize that they all formed in deep marine basin. Geochemical characteristics of Late Triassic volcanics in the Kocali Complex have great similarities and well-correlative to the coeval volcanics previously studied in the Southern Tethyan Belt (e.g. the Baer-Bassit region in NW Syria; the Mamonia Complex in SW Cyprus and the Antalya Nappes in SW Turkey). Taking into the consideration of the geochemical data obtained from Late Triassic basic volcanics in the Kocali Complex and geochemical characteristics of the coeval volcanics in the adjacent units in the Southern Tethyan Belt; it can be suggested that rifting age of the Southern Tethyan Oceanic Basin in SE Anatolia is probably earlier than early Late Triassic (middle Carnian time).

Pyritized mudstone and associated facies in the Permian–Triassic boundary of the Çürük Dağ section, Southern Turkey

This paper is the first study of pyritized mudstones (PM) in the Permian–Triassic (P–T) boundary section of the Çürük Dağ (Taurus, Antalya Nappes, Turkey). The mudstones were generally formed as lensoidal-shaped layers or infill materials within nodular platform limestones (hardground). Normal marine fauna is diminished in the pyritized limestones, whereas tube-like microorganisms are apparently increased with the association of pyrite crystals consisting of both framboidal and cubic crystals. The total rock volumes are up to 50–60% clay minerals and are mainly made up of in situ kaolinite and subordinate mixed layer clays (illite–vermiculite). Kaolinite preferentially developed on feldspar crystals, sometimes covering ostracoda bivalves together with gypsum micronodules composed of fan-shaped gypsum crystals. The origin of the kaolinite is, in situ, directly related to feldspar dissolution via heterotrophic bacteria. Thus, kaolinite is found along with bacterial structures. Other mineralogical compositions include established quartz (mostly β-quartz), gypsum crystals (100–200 μm) glauconite and magnetite. Magnetite grains comprise a minor amount (1–2%) and show some bacterial-induced crystal orientations. Glauconite is formed as an accessory mineral that occurs as infill material in biogenic grains. On the other hand, some microspheres represented by a silica-dominated composition are only observed in scanning electron microscopes (SEM) studies under high magnification. Isotope values (d34S) obtained from the pyritized mudstones show an isotopic heterogeneity that suggests that the pyritized mudstone consists of at least two components, with different sulphur-concentrations and d34S values.

Discovery of the Late Triassic (Middle Carnian–Rhaetian) radiolarians in the volcano-sedimentary sequences of the Kocali Complex, SE Turkey: Correlation with the other Tauride units

The Kocali Complex in SE Turkey includes pelagic sediments (pelagic limestones, cherts, etc.), basic volcanic rocks of oceanic crust origin together with platform-derived sediments. Its depositional age was previously assigned as Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous. In order to study the radiolarian contents of volcano-sedimentary sequences in this complex, six stratigraphic sections have been measured mainly at the NE and NW Adiyaman city. Radiolarian faunas from these stratigraphic sections reveal that the age of these sequences ranges from middle Carnian to Rhaetian. Based on these data, the depositional age of the complex is older than the previously assigned. Lithological characteristics (widespread Triassic basic volcanic rocks associated with pelagic sediments) and radiolarian contents of these sequences have close similarities with the sequences of the Alakircay Nappe of the Antalya Nappes in western and central Taurides. Based on taxonomic studies, 99 taxa have been determined of which one genus ( Adiyamanium) and four species ( Monocapnuchosphaera kocaliensis, Paronaella speciosa, Ferresium okuyucui and Adiyamanium crassum) are described as new.

First evidence of Campanian radiolarians in Turkey and implications for the tectonic setting of the Upper Antalya Nappes

The definition and inventory of the upper units of the Antalya Nappes or “Calcareous Antalya Nappes” (CAN) are still a matter of controversies and often conflicting interpretations. In the Gedeller type locality, we logged a new succession that sheds light on the detailed stratigraphy of the Upper Antalya Nappes. The lower part of the series corresponds to the uppermost part of the Kemer Gorge Nappe and is overthrust by the Ordovician Seydişehir Formation of the Tahtalı Dağ Nappe. The newly described Gedeller Formation belongs to the Kemer Gorge Nappe and is represented by Campanian (Upper Cretaceous) Scaglia-type pelagic limestones, which yielded radiolarians of the Amphipyndax pseudoconulus Zone. It is demonstrated that the “Calcareous Antalya Nappes” are composed of three different nappes, the Kemer Gorge, Bakırlı and the Tahtalı Dağ nappes, all of them belonging to the Upper Antalya Nappes system.

Syn-tectonic sedimentary evolution of the Miocene Çatallar Basin, southwestern Turkey

The Çatallar Basin is one of the Miocene basins located in the southern part of the Bey Dağları Massif (SW Turkey). This basin has been reinvestigated and new stratigraphic and sedimentological data are now presented. The Çatallar Basin lies in paraconformity on the Bey Dağları carbonate platform of Late Cretaceous to Palaeogene age. It consists of an impersistent, shallow-marine carbonate base (Karabayır formation, Late Oligocene to Early Burdigalian) followed by an onlapping detrital sequence including the Akçay and Bağbeleni formations (Langhian to Serravallian). The Akçay formation mainly contains turbidites in which several debris-flows and olistostromes are intercalated. The lowest debris flows derive from the local carbonate platforms of Cretaceous and Palaeogene age. Higher, the debris flows and olistostromes contain large carbonate blocks deriving from nearby sources (Bey Dağları platform carbonates), whereas the accompanying pebbles originate from the allochthonous ophiolitic units located farther to the north (Lycian Nappes) or to the east (Antalya Nappes). The origin of these ophiolitic detritus is a matter of debate. The new data obtained in this study favour a northern origin.

The alkaline intraplate volcanism of the Antalya nappes (Turkey): a Late Triassic remnant of the Neotethys

AbstractLate Triassic submarine alkali basalts and hawaiites were collected from two superimposed tectonic slices belonging to the Kara Dere – Sayrun unit of the Middle Antalya nappes, southwestern Turkey. New determinations on conodont faunas allow to date this sequence to the Lower Carnian (Julian). The volcanic rocks show rather homogeneous compositions, with high TiO2 and relatively low MgO and Ni contents which suggest olivine fractionation. Their primitive mantle-normalised multi-elements plots show Nb and Ta enrichments relative to La, Pb negative anomalies and heavy rare earth element and Y depletions typical of intraplate ocean island basalts. These characteristics are consistent with the major and trace element compositions of their primary clinopyroxene phenocrysts, which do not show any feature ascribable to crustal contamination. The studied lavas display a restricted range of εNd (+4.6 to +5.2) which falls within the range of ocean island basalts. Their initial (143Nd/144Nd)i ratios are too low to be explained by a simple mixing line between depleted MORB mantle (DMM) and HIMU components. Their Pb and Nd isotopic compositions plot along a mixing line between HIMU component and an enriched mantle, the composition of which could be the result of the addition of about 5 to 8% of an EM2 component (recycled marine sediments) to DMM. The lack of evidence for any continental crustal component in their genesis could be consistent with their emplacement in an intra-oceanic setting.

Oil and Gas Occurrences in Southwest Turkey

In SW Turkey, on both sides of the Antalya basin, two continental micro-plates can be distinguished: the Anatolian micro-plate to the NE and Bey Dağlari micro-plate to the W. These micro-plates are composed of a Paleozoic basement of Gondwana type, surrounded by Mesozoic carbonate platforms. From south to north the Bey Dağlari platforms are made of shallow marine carbonates from Triassic time up to Cenomanian. The southern part of this carbonate platform remained under shallow marine conditions up to the Eocene. On the contrary, the northern part subsided during Late Cretaceous time. In the Bey Dağlari platform, occurrences of organic materials are known in the Triassic and in the Early Cretaceous-Cenomanian carbonates. Rock-eval analysis indicate 0.25 to 1.46% total organic carbon (TOC). These facies could have represented a source rock for oil and gas. In the same area the uncomformable Early Miocene carbonates are made of bioclastic calcarenites. In some areas these calcarenites are dark colored and contain oil. These carbonates represent a reservoir rock The Anatolian micro- plate is also composed of shallow marine carbonates from Triassic time up to Eocene. Organic materials are known in the Akkuyu formation, Late Jurassic in age. According to organic geochemical characteristics, this unit is a good source rock. The total organic carbon (TOC) content of this unit is up to 12%. In the same area, other occurrences of oil and gas are known in two locations, Çirali to the SW of Antalya Bay and the Kizildag to the NE of Antalya. The Çirali location is known since the ancient civilizations as Chimera. Gas of this area is pouring out from a complex tectonic imbricate structure including ultrabasic rocks. The source rock and the reservoir are poorly known. The Kizildag is a large klippen of peridotites in the Antalya nappes complex. Liquid petroleum seepage is observed in this ophiolitic unit.