Thrust sequences in the central part of the External Hellenides

Abstract

The model of a foreland propagating sequence already presented for the External Hellenides is significantly modified in this paper. New data are used, including structural maps, cross-sections, stratigraphic determinations and seismic profiles. In general, thrusts formed a foreland propagating sequence but they acted simultaneously for a long period of time. Thus, during the Middle Eocene the Pindos thrust resulted in the formation of the Ionian-Gavrovo foreland and acted in tandem with the newly formed Gavrovo thrust within the basin until the Late Oligocene. The Gavrovo thrust consists of segments, showing that out-of-sequence thrusting was important. Thrust nucleation and propagation history is strongly influenced by normal faults formed in the forebulge region of the Ionian-Gavrovo foreland basin. Shortening rates within the Gavrovo-Ionian foreland are low, about 1 mm/year. Although thrust load played an important role in the formation of this basin, the additional load of 3500 m thick clastics in the basin enhanced subsidence and underthrusting.

Kinematic reconstructions and magmatic evolution illuminating crustal and mantle dynamics of the eastern Mediterranean region since the late Cretaceous

“…Further west, the Gavrovo-Tripolitza and Ionian platforms started to subduct at the same time after the closure of the Pindos basin (figure 9) [Sotiropoulos et al, 2003;van Hinsbergen et al, 2005b]. The external parts of these carbonate platforms were accreted to the Hellenides, remaining at low pressure while their buried internal parts, comprising their basements, recorded HP-LT metamorphism forming the Phyllite-Quartzite and the Plattenkalk units in Crete and the Peloponnese [Bonneau and Kienast, 1982;Seidel et al, 1982;Theye et al, 1992;Trotet et al, 2006;Jolivet et al, 2010b].…”

“…In the Oligocene, the Pindos nappe overthrusted the Gavrovo-Tripolitza nappe consisting of an ~150 km wide carbonate platform (figure 5) [Aubouin, 1959;Sotiropoulos et al, 2003;van Hinsbergen et al, 2005b]. At the same time, the Gavrovo-Tripolitza nappe overthrusted the Ionian platform whose original width is also estimated at ~150 km (figure 5) [van Hinsbergen et al, 2005b].…”

Detection and Monitoring of Active Faults in Urban Environments: Time Series Interferometry on the Cities of Patras and Pyrgos (Peloponnese, Greece)

“…During the Eocene, the Peloponnese was characterized by an Alpine collisional history, which led to assemblage of intra-Tethyan continental fragments (e.g., Apulia and Pelagonian microcontinents) and the formation of the Hellenic mountain range [23]. Within this context, Mesozoic early Cenozoic carbonate rocks, originally deposited on a series of platforms (Pre-Apulian and Gavrovo isopic zones) and basins (Ionian and Pindos isopic zones), were telescoped by a system of N-S striking and east-dipping thrust faults that propagated upward and westward into overlying flysch deposits [24][25][26]. From the late Miocene and onwards thrust processes progressively shifted westward from the Peloponnese area to the Ionian Sea [15,27].…”

Calcareous Nannofossil Biostratigraphy of Langhian Deposits in Lefkas (Ionian Islands)

“…The latter one consists of the Vigla limestones and overlying Alpine formations and is defined by an Early Berriasian breakup at the base. The postrift sequence contin- ued till the end of the Eocene, followed by the deposition of flysch sediments (Karakitsios, 1992(Karakitsios, , 1995Sotiropoulos et al, 2003). The depositional sequence of the Paxos unit in Lefkas Island begins with Lower Jurassic dolomites and Middle Jurassic cherts and bituminous shales (Bornovas, 1964;BP, 1971).…”