Central Taurides Research Articles

Stratigraphy and microfacies analysis of the Lower–Middle Jurassic platform carbonate succession in the Yeşilovacık (Mersin) area (Central Taurides, S Turkiye)

This study covers the detailed analyses of stratigraphy, microfacies and depositional environments of the Lower-Middle Jurassic carbonate succession in the southern part of Anatolide-Tauride Carbonate Platform in southern Türkiye (south of Central Taurides, around Yeşilovacık). The carbonate succession is composed of the Dibekli and Tokmar formations, and the Işıklıkızıtepe Member which forms the base of the Tokmar Formation. The Dibekli Formation (Upper Sinemurian-Lower Bajocian) is composed of limestones intercalated with intraformational conglomerates in the lower parts, with dolostones in the lower to middle parts and with oncoidal limestones in middle to upper parts. The Işıklıkızıtepe Member (Upper Bajocian) starts with basal conglomerates containing brown-red- iron nodules and consists of sandstone and sandy-clayey limestone alternations. These are overlain by thin limestone layers passing upward to thick-bedded dolostones of the Tokmar Formation (Upper Bajocian–Bathonian). The middle to upper parts of the formation are composed of sandy, oncoidal limestones rich in bivalve shells and end with dolostones-limestone alternations in the upper part. According to microfacies analyzes and litho-bio content; Late Sinemurian-Plesbachian is a period that low-to moderate-energy, restricted inner platform conditions dominated the depositional environments. The presence of comman intraformational conglomerates shows tectonic activity from time to time in this period. The Toarcian to the earliest Bajocian, low-energy intertidal and shallow lagoon conditions dominated the depositional environments, and in the Early Bajocian, the depositional environment changed to a high-energy sand shoal and above wave base environment. The basal conglomerate consisting of brown-red, iron-noduler and bauxite grains at the base of the earliest Late Bajocian indicates a short-term emersion and continued under low energy shallow lagoonal conditions during the Late Bajocian–Bathonian. Environmental changes during the Toarcian to Early Bajocian, and the earliest Late Bajocian short-term emersion, and the environmental changes during the Late Bajocian-Bathonian are interpreted to short-term sea level changes. Yeşilovacık Lower-Middle Jurassic carbonate sequences are correlated with those in peri-Mediterranean platforms. They show close similarities to the other Tauride carbonate sequences in terms of stratigraphy and facies. Paleontological and sedimentological analyses enable us to reconstruct a detailed dating and paleoenvironmental evolution for the Yeşilovacık carbonate deposits during the Lower-Middle Jurassic period.

Reakcje foraminiferałów na zmiany poziomu morza na granicy środkowego karbonu w środkowych Taurydach (Turcja)

The response of benthic foraminiferal assemblages to relative sea-level changes during the mid-Carboniferous succession of the Yarıcak Formation in the Central Taurides is assessed with respect to sedimentary cyclicity and sequence stratigraphy by quantitative analysis. The data derived from the relative abundances of foraminifera have critical significance in the understanding of cyclic patterns and sea level changes in carbonate deposits. Calcareous foraminiferal groups including archaediscids, eostaffellids, irregularly coiled bilocular forms, unilocular forms, paleotextularids, biseriamminids, endothyrids, and pseudoendothyrids have been counted and analysed in this study. The mid-Carboniferous boundary succession predominantly covering uniform lithology of carbonates alternated with sandstone layers involves shallowing upward cycles used for the revealing of sea-level fluctuations. The relative abundances of these foraminiferal groups reveal a striking response to cyclicity with the reductions in the abundances towards the upper part of the cycles. Conversely, the abundances of pseudoendothyrids and endothyrids do not exhibit any considerable variations within the studied interval.

Role of hypogenesis in the evolution of karst in the Taurus Mountains Range, Turkey

Field observations and laboratory data collected from the Taurus Mountains Range, Turkey during the last two decades provided evidence for the link between the evolution of hypogene karst and the geodynamic history. Major evidence includes; carbonate-hosted secondary ore deposits that are converted from primarily hypogene minerals by epigene, oxygen-rich groundwater circulating at local to intermediate depths. Another piece of evidence of hypogene karst in the Tauride is the Kırkgöz springs’ huge submerged cave/conduit system, which formed the Antalya Travertine Plateau, which is the world’s largest deposit precipitated by cool karst groundwater. The obruks in central Tauride are giant collapse dolines formed by ascending hypogene fluids in the upper continental crust, rich in volcanogenic carbondioxide. The groundwater’s noble gas and carbon isotope data are helpful in determining the existing but asymptomatic hypogene activity in the upper crust. Hypogene karst development seems common in parts of the world with current or past geodynamic activity. However, a hydrogeological overview of the geodynamic history is essential to assess the hypogene processes and their reflections on the land surface.

Tectonic transport direction of allochthonous units in the northwest of the Central Taurides (Türkiye)

This study aimed to determine the tectonic transport direction in the southeastern Sultandağları Massif based on tectonic structures observed in deformed rocks. The study area, which contains many allochthonous units, is located in the eastern parts of the Isparta Angle and includes part of the Central Taurides. The basement rocks in the study area consist of Permo-Carboniferous metacarbonate and metaclastic alternations. These Paleozoic units are overlain by Mesozoic phyllites, metaconglomerates and metacarbonates above an angular unconformity. These units are tectonically overlain by Late Cretaceous sedimentary and ophiolitic complexes, while these are unconformably overlain by Miocene-Quaternary sedimentary and volcanic rocks. The study area, which presents a giant anticlinorium geometry with NW- SE trend and inverted to the SW on map scale between the settlements of Çay (Afyon) - Yenidoğan (Konya), was deformed at least three times by orogenic movements before the Miocene and gained fold, cleavage, and nappe-thrust structures. With the Alpine orogenic events, the region acquired Type-2 and Type-3 refolded interference patterns and outcrop-scale sheath folds, which are unique to shear zones. The fold axes in the region present a wide range of orientations but dominantly plunge NW and SE. Structural analyses using the Hansen slip method revealed that the allochthonous units were transported from NE to SW along a plane oriented N 10°–40° W and dipping 20°–40° NE in its current location. Other structures also confirm this top to SW tectonic transport direction.

Latest Carboniferous–Early Permian Rifting of the Northern Gondwanan Margin and the Opening of the Northern Neotethys: New Evidence from the Carboniferous and Permian Foraminiferal Assemblages from the Beysehir-Hoyran Nappes, Central Taurides (Southern Turkey)

Latest Carboniferous–Early Permian Rifting of the Northern Gondwanan Margin and the Opening of the Northern Neotethys: New Evidence from the Carboniferous and Permian Foraminiferal Assemblages from the Beysehir-Hoyran Nappes, Central Taurides (Southern Turkey)

Stratigraphy and Depositional History of the Middle–Upper Jurassic Platform Carbonate Succession in Kıraç Mountain (Western Central Taurides, S Turkey)

Stratigraphy and Depositional History of the Middle–Upper Jurassic Platform Carbonate Succession in Kıraç Mountain (Western Central Taurides, S Turkey)

Controls on long-term denudation rate of carbonate terrains in the Eastern Mediterranean

Quantifying denudation rates under different climatic and tectonic settings is fundamental to understanding landscape evolution. Carbonate rocks may respond differently to climatic and tectonic forcings than other rock types because of their tendency to dissolve congruently. Yet, there is little information on the long-term denudation rate of carbonates and their controlling factors in different settings. Here, we present the first long-term denudation rates for carbonates in the south of the Central Anatolian Plateau. We quantified the outcrop denudation rates using in-situ cosmogenic 36Cl measured in 13 rock samples to evaluate spatial variations and potential controls on the style and rate of denudation. 36Cl-derived denudation rates range from 1.92 ± 0.31 to 45.77 ± 3.91 mm/ka. On the plateau, denudation rates are strongly correlated with precipitation and are lower than the theoretical maximum dissolution rates predicted assuming zero evaporation, implying that climate exerts the major control on carbonate denudation. These results indicate that chemical weathering is the prevalent denudation style. The denudation pattern shows spatial variability with a decreasing trend from SW to NE consistent with climate zones. High-to-moderate denudation rates occur in the continental climate, while the lowest denudation rates occur in the arid plateau interior. In the Mediterranean coastal region, measured denudation rates are higher than the predicted maximum dissolution rates, reflecting the mechanical removal of overlying rock or soil. The low denudation rates in the plateau interior indicate a slowly evolving landscape with an arid climate. The physical properties of rocks showed the weakest control on carbonate denudation.In the Central Taurides, significant infiltration of surface runoff resulted in strong subsurface karstification at the expense of surface drainage. This process caused disequilibrium between uplift and denudation and resulted in the preservation of high-elevation topography. Therefore, in the actively uplifting plateau margin, the influence of tectonics on carbonate denudation has been interfered with the impact of precipitation and subsurface karstification.

Mineralogy, fluid inclusion and stable isotope characteristics of the Inlice (Konya, Turkey) high sulfidation epithermal gold deposit: Implications for hydrothermal evolution and ore genesis

The Inlice high sulfidation epithermal gold deposit with 262,300 oz of gold ore is located in the Erenlerdağ-Alacadağ Volcanic Complex (EAVC) at the northern part of central Taurides. The volcanic succession of the study area is stratigraphically represented by andesite, block and ash flow, basaltic andesite lava flow and andesite lava flow. The deposit consists of seven neighboring mineralized veins termed Ana East, Ana West, West, Discovery, Güllü, Merkez and North Zone and is associated with an andesite (ca 8–9 Ma). Hydrothermal alteration from the innermost to the outermost parts of the deposit includes silicification, advanced argillic, intermediate argillic and propylitic. At the surface, quartz veins related to silicification are exposed as linear topographic relief trending mainly northwest-southeast and secondarily northeast-southwest and east-west. Deep drill core samples, including magnetite, quartz, biotite and anhydrite, imply the presence of potassic alteration in depth (50 to 970 m) possibly related to a porphyry Cu system. Ore assemblages are described as hypogene and supergene. The hypogene ore mainly includes pyrite (Py-I and Py-II) and enargite, and to a lesser extent chalcopyrite, sphalerite and marcasite. The supergene ore incorporates hematite and goethite, and minor covellite, chalcocite, malachite and native copper. Hypogene gold precipitation is associated with the mineral association of Py-II, chalcopyrite and enargite, while enargite mineral is a major host for gold (up to 600 ppm). Supergene oxidation resulted in the development of a secondary enrichment zone for gold (up to 14 g/t) extending to a depth of about 45 m.Microthermometric measurements show that the silicification associated with the mineralization was formed at homogenization temperatures ranging between 147 and 360 °C and salinities up to 6.5 wt% NaCl. This suggests that the fluid mixing and/or fluid dilution processes were important factors controlling the precipitation of gold. δ34S isotope compositions are between −0.9 and − 9 ‰, and further indicate a significant involvement of magmatic components into the hydrothermal fluids. Thus, it is concluded that at Inlice the hydrothermal fluids responsible for the alteration and mineralization processes were derived by relatively dilute fluids formed by the mixing of magmatic fluids with meteoric waters.

Active Deformation Pattern in the Western Flank of the Central Taurides, Southern Margin of the Central Anatolian Plateau: Inferences From Geomorphic Markers and Kinematic Indicators

AbstractThe southwestern margin of the Central Anatolian Plateau corresponds to the upper crust of the subduction between African and Anatolian plates, with a high relief of up to 2 km. This mountainous region has distinctive geomorphological features and presents a unique setting to investigate the mechanism of orogenic plateau margin development related to subduction and topographic evolution around the Eastern Mediterranean. We present new kinematic data from exposed fault planes and tectonic landforms from high‐resolution digital elevation models to elucidate the deformation pattern and its relation with the crustal deformation. We evaluate the deformation pattern based on the spatial distribution of kinematic analyses and geomorphic markers like low relief upland surfaces, disrupted karst basins, knickpoints, and deep bedrock incisions from watershed to shoreline. Our geomorphic analysis reveals a post‐orogenic transient actively deforming topography. The geomorphic markers constrain long‐term surface uplift pattern with a mean cumulative surface uplift of 1,710 ± 50 m and shows an increasing trend from west to east, from 1,600 ± 50 to 1,800 ± 50 m. Our results suggest a dome‐like uplift pattern in the west‐east direction across the southern margin that reaches up to maximum cumulative uplift values in the quadrangle of Alanya‐Başyayla‐Ermenek‐Gazipaşa. Our kinematic measurements along the youngest generation of faults revealed an active NE‐SW extensional deformation across a broad 200 km zone in the north of the subduction. Our findings have significant implications for understanding the morphotectonic evolution and post‐orogenic deformation in the plateau margins and geodynamic evolution of the Eastern Mediterranean.

Aptian–Albian shallow-marine carbonate successions of the Geyik Dağı and the Anamas Dağ areas (Central Taurides, Turkey): Benthic foraminiferal assemblages and “Palaeocornuloculina” taurica nov. sp. (Foraminifera)

The Lower Cretaceous carbonate successions of the Tauride Carbonate Platform(s) (TCP) are characterized by mostly restricted inner platform facies. The record of these stages is limited owing to frequent exposure of the platform to subaerial and supratidal settings during the Early Cretaceous. This study focuses on the Lower Cretaceous (Aptian–Albian) successions outcropping at two localities in the Geyik Dağı and Anamas Dağ areas, Central Taurides. These successions exhibit a peritidal shallowing upward trend evidenced by the dominance of mud-rich microfacies, lamination, fenestrae, oncoids, and changes in fossil content (benthic foraminifera, dasycladalean algae, rudists, etc.). The stratigraphic subdivisions of the studied successions utilize index taxa in the benthic foraminiferal assemblages which are documented and illustrated. Assemblage I (lower Aptian) is mainly characterized by Voloshinoides murgensis and Debarina hahounerensis; Assemblage II (upper Aptian) by Mesorbitolina parva, Carseyella tunesiana and “Arenobulimina” geyikensis; and Assemblage III (Albian) by Mesorbitolina gr. texana, Protochrysalidina elongata and Pseudonummoloculina heimi. Ranges and stratigraphic significance of some species through the Lower Cretaceous are discussed. Due to less favorable environmental conditions, the strata in the Anamas Dağ area have a low-diversity benthic foraminifera fauna and sparse macrofossils. In contrast, the strata in the Geyik Dağı area host rich and diverse larger benthic foraminifera as well as rudist bivalves and gastropods. A new species, “Palaeocornuloculina” taurica belonging to the family Ophthalmidiidae is described from these foraminifera-rich upper Aptian–Albian strata in the Geyik Dağı area.

Microfacies and Biofacies Properties of the Lower-Middle Visean Succession of Hadim Nappe (Central Taurides, Southern TÜRKİYE)

Toroslar’daki allokton tektono-stratigrafik birimlerden biri olan Hadim Napı Orta(?)-Üst Devoniyen-Üst Kretase sığ platform karbonatları ve kırıntılı kayaçlardan oluşan kesintisiz bir istife sahiptir. Hadim Napı’nın iyi yüzeylendiği Bademli stratigrafik kesiti alt-orta Vizeyen istifinin mikrofasiyes incelemeleri sonucunda İç Platform Kıyı, Sınırlı ve/veya Açık Deniz depolanma ortamlarını yansıtan yedi mikrofasiyes tanımlanmıştır. Bunlar; Biyoklastik Tanetaşı, Biyoklastik Tanetaşı-İstiftaşı, Kumlu Biyoklastik Tanetaşı, Kumlu Biyoklastik Tanetaşı-İstiftaşı, Biyoklastik Pelloidal Tanetaşı, Biyoklastik Vaketaşı ve Kumtaşı mikrofasiyesleridir. Tanımlanan mikrofasiyeslerin yapılan biyofasiyes incelemelerine göre genel olarak zengin bir çeşitlilik ve bolluk sunan foraminifer faunasına sahip olduğu görülmektedir. Genel olarak stabil bir depolanma ortamını işaret eden alt-orta Vizeyen karbonatlarındaki foraminifer faunasının depolanma ortamındaki ufak değişimlerden olumsuz olarak etkilendiği görülmektedir.

A multi-proxy record of palaeoenvironmental and palaeoclimatic conditions during Plio-Pleistocene peat accumulation in the eastern flank of the Isparta Angle: A case study from the Şarkikaraağaç coalfield (Isparta, SW Central Anatolia)

The Şarkikaraağaç coalfield is located in the north-western part of the Lake Beyşehir Basin, which is the most significant graben area in the eastern flank of Isparta Angle, and hosts a 300-Mt coal resource. This study focuses on the first palaeoenvironmental and palaeoclimatic reconstruction of Pliocene and early Pleistocene coal-bearing sequences cored in the two coal exploration wells (SK-1 and SK-2) using coal petrography, mineralogy, faunal (ostracod and mollusk), and floral (palynology and diatom) data from four coal seams (from bottom to top: B, A, X-1, and X-0) with the variable total thickness (1 to 7 m). According to the palynological data, warm and humid climate conditions prevailed during the early Pliocene, and the precursor peats of seams A and B were mainly accumulated under limno-telmatic conditions, with high contributions of herbaceous peat-forming plants. Nevertheless, the co-occurrence of syngenetic carbonate minerals and framboidal pyrites along with calcareous fossil and diatom remains implies neutral to weakly alkaline conditions within palaeomires of these seams. Furthermore, ostracod and gastropod fauna from these seams might imply nutrient-rich shallow water conditions and spring support (e.g., karstic aquifer) into palaeomires. Thus, algal activity within the palaeomires was presumably high, and freshwater algae and diatoms were commonly identified in these seams.With the development of increased uplift ratio of central Taurides and climatic changes towards to late stages of Pliocene and particularly early Pleistocene, the common peat-forming plants within palaeomires and vegetation in the surrounding areas were changed. The increased precipitation caused an elevation of water levels in the study area; hence, the precursor peats of the seam X-1 were accumulated under wet forest mire conditions. This increase also explains the existence of ostracod and mollusk fauna related to river and spring support underlying sequences of the seam X-1. With the ceasing of accumulation of peat of the seam X-1, the climate became drier, and very shallow water conditions have been common. The development of spring support and relatively high precipitation in a short period of time allowed for final peat accumulation (seam X-0) during the early Pleistocene. Nevertheless, this period was followed by the development of relatively colder conditions in the study area, and cold small water conditions were developed during the end of the early Pleistocene. Furthermore, microthermic vegetation was common in the vicinity of the palaeomires during the early Pleistocene. Overall, the peat accumulation and water level of lakes in the study area seem to be controlled by climatic oscillations and uplift of margins of the Lake Beyşehir Basin during the Pliocene to early Pleistocene.

Fusulinid Biostratigraphy of the Moscovian-Lower Kasimovian of Hadim Nappe, Central Taurides, southern Turkey

Biostratigraphie des fusulinidés du Moscovien-Kasimovien inférieur de la nappe de Hadim, Taurides centrales, sud de la Turquie. La nappe de Hadim, qui est l'une des unités tectoniques allochtones de la ceinture des Taurides, comprend des successions stratigraphiques continues du Dévonien moyen(?)-supérieur au Crétacé supérieur. Les successions bien exposées du Moscovien au Kasimovien inférieur sont sélectionnées pour la biostratigraphie des fusulinidés le long de trois coupes (Yassıpınar, Gölbelen et Bademli) dans les Taurides centrales. La limite Pennsylvanien inférieur-moyen a été déterminée par la date de première apparition d'Aljutovella aljutovica (Rauzer-Chernousova, 1938) et de Solovievaia ovata ovata (Rauzer-Chernousova, 1938). Dans cette étude, les sous-étages régionaux véréien, kashirien, podolskien et myachkovien de l'étage moscovien ont été déterminés par Aljutovella aljutovica-Solovievaia ovata ovata, Aljutovella priscoidea (Rauzer-Chernousova, 1938), Eofusulina triangula (Rauzer-Chernousova & Belyaev in Rauzer-Chernousova, Belyaev & Reitlinger, 1936), Fusulinella vozhgalensis devexa Rauzer-Chernousova in Rauzer-Chernousova, Gryzlova, Kireeva, Leontovich, Safonova & Chernova, 1951, Beedeina schellwieni (Staff in Schellwien & Staff, 1912) et Fusulinella bocki bocki Möller, 1878 en ordre croissant. La base du Kasimovien inférieur est représentée par l'occurrence des taxons Quasifusulinoides Rauzer-Chernousova & Rozovskaya in Rauzer-Chernousova & Fursenko, 1959, Protriticites Putrya, 1948 et Montiparus Rozovskaya, 1948. Un total de 106 espèces de fusulinidés appartenant à 19 genres a été déterminé. Un genre et dix espèces sont nouveaux: Aljutovella typica Akbaş, n. sp., Beedeina minuta Akbaş, n. sp., Beedeina tauridiana Akbaş, n. sp., Praefusulinella guvenci Akbaş, n. gen., n. sp, Praefusulinella okuyucui Akbaş, n. gen., n. sp., Praefusulinella rhombiforma Akbaş, n. gen., n. sp., Praefusulinella tekini Akbaş, n. gen., n. sp., Fusulinella absoluta Akbaş, n. sp, Fusulinella obtusa minuta Akbaş, n. subsp. et Fusulinella propriaforma Akbaş, n. sp. La position taxonomique de certaines espèces de fusulinidés (par exemple, Neostaffella larionovae polasnensis (Rauzer-Chernousova & Safonova in Rauzer-Chernousova, Gryzlova, Kireeva, Leontovich, Safonova & Chernova, 1951), Depratina chernovi (Rauzer-Chernousova, Gryzlova, Kireeva, Leontovich, Safonova & Chernova, 1951), Solovievaia arta (Leontovich in Rauzer-Chernousova, Gryzlova, Kireeva, Leontovich, Safonova & Chernova, 1951) et Beedeina paradistenta (Safonova in Rauzer-Chernousova, Gryzlova, Kireeva, Leontovich, Safonova & Chernova, 1951) a été révisée. Les assemblages de fusulinidés retrouvés dans cette étude sont bien corrélés avec la Plate-forme Russe, les Montagnes Cantabriques, l'Iran Central, le sud de l'Oural, le bassin de Donets et quelques autres régions de la Téthys.

Fusulinid biozonation of the Bashkirian–Moscovian successions from the Hadim Nappe, central Taurides, southern Turkey

Fusulinid biozonation of the Bashkirian–Moscovian successions from the Hadim Nappe, central Taurides, southern Turkey

Arenobulimina geyikensis n. sp. (Foraminifera) from the Aptian platform limestones of the Central Taurides, Turkey

A new representative of the genus Arenobulimina is described as Arenobulimina geyikensis n. sp. from the Aptian shallow-marine limestones of the Geyik Dagi area and Anamas Dag (Central Taurides, Turkey). Arenobulimina geyikensis n. sp. is characterized by a trochospiral evolute test with mostly three whorls, with generally five to six chambers per whorl, up to seven chambers in the last whorl, and a calcareous microgranular (without visible agglutinating grains), pseudokeriothecal (or canaliculate) wall. It differs from all species attributed to the genus Arenobulimina in the Lower Cretaceous in having a larger test with a relatively thick and pseudokeriothecal wall. It has so far been recorded from the Western Alps, France in open nomenclature and Arenobulimina geyikensis n. sp. is here considered as a stratigraphically important taxon for the Aptian platform carbonates in the peri-Mediterranean carbonate platforms.

Preparing the ground for plateau growth: Late Neogene Central Anatolian uplift in the context of orogenic and geodynamic evolution since the Cretaceous

Central Anatolia (Turkey) is a small and nascent example of a high orogenic plateau, providing a natural laboratory to study processes driving plateau rise. The 1-km-high plateau interior uplifted since c. 8–5 Ma, with a further phase of kilometre-scale uplift affecting the southern plateau margin since 0.45 Ma. Several causes of plateau rise have been proposed: peeling or dripping delamination of the lithospheric mantle; asthenospheric upwelling through slab gaps created by slab fragmentation or break-off, and; continental underthrusting and crustal shortening below the southern plateau margin. The Neogene history of the plateau has not been diagnostic of the causes of plateau rise. We thus evaluate proposed uplift causes in the context of the Anatolian orogenesis, which formed the plateau lithosphere during subduction since the Cretaceous. We combine this analysis with available constraints on uplift, and geophysical data that illuminate the modern mantle (and crustal) structure. Our analysis suggests that lithospheric dripping, which followed arc magmatism and shortening in the Kirsehir Block (eastern Central Anatolia), is the most likely cause of plateau interior uplift. Lithospheric dripping is, however, an unlikely sole driver of multi-phase uplift along the southern plateau margin. There, underthrusting of the African continental margin, recorded by c. 11–7 Ma thrusting on Cyprus, is a viable cause of uplift since 0.45 Ma, but cannot account for earlier uplift since c. 8–5 Ma. Instead, slab break-off below the southern plateau margin is likely in light of geophysical data. On the SW plateau margin, small-scale peeling delamination of the Central Taurides by the Antalya slab since early Miocene times accounts for >150 km slab retreat with no corresponding upper-plate deformation. A southwest-travelling wave of subsidence and uplift signalled this retreat and may have contributed to coeval oroclinal bending of the western Central Taurides and southeastward thrusting of the Lycian Nappes.

Petrophysical Characteristics of Silurian Mudstones from Central Taurides in Southern Turkey

Petrophysical Characteristics of Silurian Mudstones from Central Taurides in Southern Turkey

Geological, mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of Mississippian K-bentonites from southern Turkey: A correlation with coeval tephras from Gondwana-derived terranes

Five thin (5–15 cm) and yellowish green tephra (K-bentonite) layers are exposed along two sections in the south of Akşehir (Konya, southern Turkey) within the Early Carboniferous (Mississippian) red dolomite-dolomitic limestone succession of the Sultandağ Unit in the central Tauride Belt. K-bentonites exhibit typical porphyritic texture with euhedral plagioclase phenocrysts replaced by fine-grained white K-micas and sparry dolomite crystals. The intensively sericitized volcanic matrix has vitrophyric texture and contains hydroxidized euhedral pyrite crystals. Illite is the only clay mineral in all K-bentonite samples. Non-clay minerals are dolomite, calcite, quartz, pyrite, rutile and zircon. Illites have sheet-like flakes (1–4 μm sizes) showing well-developed orientations and partly slaty cleavage. Illite Kübler index values (KI, Δ°2θ) of K-bentonites reflect high-grade diagenetic to anchizonal conditions indicating temperatures that reached up to 200 °C. Illite d060 values (1.4990–1.5007 Å) corresponding to dioctahedral composition display differences in coexisting slates and shales of the same age. Illite polytypes are characterized by the association of 2M1, 1M and 1Md. The presence of 1M illites is indicative of a volcanic (tephra) origin. Immobile element compositions suggest that tephras have been derived from trachyandesitic volcanism. K-bentonites exhibit some differences from the coeval pelitic occurrences in the Hadim-Bozkır areas, S Turkey, and the Late Devonian-Early Carboniferous K-bentonites in Bartın and Zonguldak areas of the Istanbul-Zonguldak Terrane, NW Turkey. A geochemical evolution of the studied K-bentonites suggests that they were possibly originated from the Early Carboniferous (Mississippian) intra-continental back-arc magmatism at the northern margin of Gondwana-derived Tauride-Anatolide microplate.

Petrology and zircon U-Pb geochronology of mafic - intermediate dykes in the West-Central Taurides: Implications for magma source during the Late Precambrian – Early Palaeozoic

ABSTRACT Cadomian magmatic activity is represented by a mafic – intermediate dyke suits in the Karacahisar dome (West – Central Taurides) formed by the southward subduction of the Proto-Tethyan ocean beneath North Gondwana. These dyke suites are classified as diabase, andesite and dacite. They display calc-alkali, high-K calc-alkali and shoshonitic character, and intruded into the siliciclastic rocks deposited in a back-arc rift setting. In this study, we present new zircon U-Pb ages, Sr-Nd isotopic and geochemical data to better understand the petrological evolution of the Cadomian magmatism. Zircon U-Pb concordia ages of 551.3 ± 3.5 Ma, 557.9 ± 3.7 Ma and 569 ± 7.2 Ma were obtained for these dykes. On the N-MORB normalized spider diagrams, mafic – intermediate dykes exhibit enrichment in large ion lithophile elements (LILE: Sr, K, Rb, Ba, Th), relatively less enrichment in light rare earth elements (LREE: La, Ce and Nd) and depletion in high field strength (HFS: Tb, Ti, Y and Yb) elements. Dyke samples have significant depletions of Ta and Nb relative to neighbouring LILE and LREE and display a significant subduction component. On the chondrite normalized REE diagrams, a weak Eu anomalies are observed, and this indicates some plagioclase accumulation. Dyke samples fall into the volcanic arc (island arc and/or continental arc), and back-arc fields on tectonic setting discrimination diagrams. The εNd(i) values of dykes range from −1.47 to 1.76, and Nd depleted-mantle model (TDM) ages vary between 1.32 and 1.81 Ga, and show enriched mantle or metasomatized subcontinental lithospheric mantle source signatures. The primary magmas of the dykes were derived from amphibole- and garnet-bearing mantle, and were affected by fractional crystallization, mixing and assimilation processes during ascent through the upper crust. All available data show that this magmatic activity developed in a back-arc rift setting subsequent to Cadomian arc magmatism in the West-Central Taurides.

Benthic foraminifera from the Albian shallow-marine limestones in the Geyik Dağı area (Central Taurides), southern Turkey

AbstractCretaceous carbonates in the Geyik Dağı area (Central Taurides, southern Turkey) are represented by two successions with different paleoenvironmental settings: open shelf to slope succession of Cenomanian to Danian age and inner platform succession of Albian to Maastrichtian age, which is interrupted by a post-Cenomanian disconformity. Outcropped lowermost part of the platform-type one is composed of rudistid limestones corresponding to the Urgonian-type carbonates and belongs to the Geyik Dağı Unit (=Anamas-Akseki Carbonate Platform). It contains a rich assemblage of larger benthic foraminifera including orbitolinid, chrysalidinid, cuneolinid, nezzazatid, and miliolid taxa, which has been illustrated and documented here for the first time from the upper Albian of the Tauride Carbonate Platform. The occurrence of such a diversified foraminiferal fauna indicates a prominent high diversity that took place in the Tauride Carbonate Platform during the late Albian time, which corresponds to a major emersion period in some parts of the platform.