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.     

Ophiolitic melange and flyschoidal sediments of the Tithonian–Lower Cretaceous in Albania

Ophiolitic melange and flyschoidal sediments of the Tithonian-Lower Cretaceous age are widespread in the Eastern Albanides. They lie transgressively or normally on top of the ophiolitic sequence through radiolarian cherts of the Kimmeridgian-Tithonian age, or on top of the carbonate sequence of the periphery of the ophiolites through Middle Liassic-Dogger-Malm pelagic limestones with manganese nodules and radiolarian cherts. They are overlain by conglomerates or neritic limestones of the Lower Cretaceous age. Ophiolitic melange consists of ophiolitic conglobreccias, often of homogenous composition: serpentinite melange with a ‘sedimentary’serpentinite matrix, or basaltic ‘sedimentary’tuffagglomerate. Less commonly they have a heterogeneous composition with small amounts of fine-grained matrix and marls with calpionellids. In other examples, the ophiolitic melange contains heterogeneous exotic blocks including all the members of the ophiolite suite: serpentinite, ophicalcite, gabbro, plagiogranite, diabase, basalts, dacites, amphibolite, sulphide and chromite ores as well as blocks of radiolarites, limestones etc. in the argillic matrix. They are overlain by conglomerate-sandstone-marly flyschoidal deposits with abundant ophiolitic detritus and calpionellids. These deposits are linked with Tithonian-Lower Cretaceous tectogenesis, which led to the fragmentary uplift of ophiolites and partly of their sedimentary periphery, and to the formation of the faulted topography. The presence of the ophiolitic melange and flyschoidal sediments both over the ophiolites and the associated sedimentary rocks of their periphery indicate that the latter were not the basement of an ophiolite nappe during the Late Jurassic time.     

渭北奥陶系的放射虫燧石岩

渭北奥陶系的放射虫燧石岩是在稳定的华北地台上形成的远洋沉积.它们产在赵老峪组深水碳酸盐地层的下部,并以层位稳定、纹层发育、富含放射虫骨骼、成岩交代组构清楚,以及在剖面上与薄层的硅质页岩呈韵律互层等为等征,表明是深水的放射虫软泥在成岩作用早期由生物蛋白石经溶解-再沉淀反应快速转变而成.这种产在地台上的远洋沉积虽不多见,却是海平面大规模上升及其伴生的重大地质事件的反映.渭北放射虫燧石岩的时代相当于中奥陶世卡拉道克期.当时正值全球性海平面上升,秦岭古海盆也在发生强烈扩张与俯冲,因此,华北地台南缘下沉,使渭北地区变成了弧后深水盆地的北部边缘.当时研究区的古地理位置也恰好处于低纬度的赤道附近.这些都为放射虫燧石岩的堆积提供了有利的条件.由于当时钙质浮游生物尚未大量兴起,所以其沉积作用不受CCD的控制,水深较之现代的类似物可能要浅得多.     

Undications of current action in late Jurassic limestones,radiolarian limestones,saccocoma limestones and associated rocks from the subbetic of SE Spain

In the Vélez Blanco region (province of Almeia), filament limestones occur associated with pellet limestones, crinoidal limestones, radiolarian limestones, Saccocoma limestones and tintinnid limestones. These predominantly Late Jurassic rocks are underlain by Middle Jurassic oolitic limestones and overlain by Cretaceous pelagic limestones and marls.A distinction can be made between long and short filaments. The former are interpreted as undamaged valves, the latter as shell fragments of the pelagic pelecypod Bositra buchi. Bositra valves and fragments have been sorted by weak current (and/or wave) action.In the Saccocoma limestones, evidence for similar sorting of Saccocoma debris has been found.The radiolarian limestones represent a low-energy basin environment, but are not comparable with recent deep-sea radiolarian oozes.Nodular limestone intercalations and hiatuses represent a current- (and/or wave-) swept environment.The occurrence of filament-rich and Radiolaria-bearing, but benthos-poor, intervals within the oolitic limestone indicates that the deposition of such rocks can take place at moderate sea depths.     

Middle Jurassic—early Cretaceous radiolarian assemblages of the western Yarlung Zangbo Suture Zone: Implications for the evolution of the Neo-Tethys

Cherts in the Zhongba mélange of the western Yarlung Zangbo Suture Zone (YZSZ) contain well preserved radiolarian assemblages. These radiolarian assemblages indicate that the Zhongba mélange has middle Jurassic–early Cretaceous remnant, are coeval with those from the central and eastern parts of the YZSZ. Cherts from the Najiu area yield Aalenian to Aptian radiolarians, while cherts interbedded with siliceous mudstones from the Bielongjiala area yield Aptian radiolarians, indicating that terrigenous-derived sediments were deposited during early Aptian. The above observations indicate that the entire YZSZ have a similar geochronological framework and thus they underwent similar geological evolution: (1) during the Jurassic, the Neo-Tethys was a wide ocean with pelagic sediments distal from continents; (2) during the Cretaceous (around 130–120 Ma), the Neo-Tethys started to subduct along the southern margin of the Lhasa block, and terrigenous-derived siliceous mudstone began deposition.     

Biostratigraphy of the Çeşmeler and Elmalι Dere formations: First records of upper Cretaceous planktonic foraminifera and radiolarians from the Eastern Pontides (Maçka,Trabzon, Turkey)

Upper Cretaceous pelagic deposits outcropping in the Maçka (Trabzon) region include radiolarians and pelagic foraminifera. The Çatak Group represented by the volcano-sedimentary successions consists of three formations having different properties. Two sections, ÇTK1 and ÇTK2, are selected from the Çe meler and Elmalι Dere formations, respectively, establishing the biostratigraphy of outcropping sedimentary units. A total of 17 species of Whiteinella, Helvetoglobotruncana, Marginotruncana, Dicarinella, Praeglobotruncana, Archaeoglobigerina and Hedbergella demonstrating the early Turonian–Coniacian are established in the ÇTK1 stratigraphic section. The early Turonian radiolarian fauna consisting of Halesium sexangulum Pessagno, 1971, Crucella cachensis Pessagno, 1971, Stichomitra communis Squinabol, 1903 is also defined in the same section. A total of 30 species of Crucella, Halesium, Pessagnobrachia, Patulibracchium, Alievium, Archaeospongoprunum, Dicyomitra, Stichomitra, Diacanthocapsa, Dactiyliodiscus, Amphipydax, Pseudoaulophocus, Acaeniotyle, Archaeodictyomitra, Actinomma, Xitus, Neosciadocapsidae characterizing the early and late Turonian, as well as the Coniacian–early Santonian are recognized from red-coloured pelagic limestones of the ÇTK2 section. Also, planktonic foraminifera species of Marginotruncana, Hedbergella, Heterohelix, Globotruncana, Globotruncanita, Archaeoglobigerina, Dicarinella characterizing the Coniacian–Santonian are described in the thin sections of the same samples. The age of red-coloured limestones is identified as the Coniacian–Santonian benefit from radiolarians and pelagic foraminifera. Consequently, radiolarians and pelagic foraminifera within sedimentary successions of the investigation area are distributed in two intervals that coincide with the early Turonian–Coniacian and Coniacian–Santonian intervals.     

Emplacement of the Jurassic Mirdita ophiolites (southern Albania): evidence from associated clastic and carbonate sediments

Sedimentology can shed light on the emplacement of oceanic lithosphere (i.e. ophiolites) onto continental crust and post-emplacement settings. An example chosen here is the well-exposed Jurassic Mirdita ophiolite in southern Albania. Successions studied in five different ophiolitic massifs (Voskopoja, Luniku, Shpati, Rehove and Morava) document variable depositional processes and palaeoenvironments in the light of evidence from comparable settings elsewhere (e.g. N Albania; N Greece). Ophiolitic extrusive rocks (pillow basalts and lava breccias) locally retain an intact cover of oceanic radiolarian chert (in the Shpati massif). Elsewhere, ophiolite-derived clastics typically overlie basaltic extrusives or ultramafic rocks directly. The oldest dated sediments are calpionellid- and ammonite-bearing pelagic carbonates of latest (?) Jurassic-Berrasian age. Similar calpionellid limestones elsewhere (N Albania; N Greece) post-date the regional ophiolite emplacement. At one locality in S Albania (Voskopoja), calpionellid limestones are gradationally underlain by thick ophiolite-derived breccias (containing both ultramafic and mafic clasts) that were derived by mass wasting of subaqueous fault scarps during or soon after the latest stages of ophiolite emplacement. An intercalation of serpentinite-rich debris flows at this locality is indicative of mobilisation of hydrated oceanic ultramafic rocks. Some of the ophiolite-derived conglomerates (e.g. Shpati massif) include well-rounded serpentinite and basalt clasts suggestive of a high-energy, shallow-water origin. The Berriasian pelagic limestones (at Voskopoja) experienced reworking and slumping probably related to shallowing and a switch to neritic deposition. Mixed ophiolite-derived clastic and neritic carbonate sediments accumulated later, during the Early Cretaceous (mainly Barremian-Aptian) in variable deltaic, lagoonal and shallow-marine settings. These sediments were influenced by local tectonics or eustatic sea-level change. Terrigenous sediment gradually encroached from neighbouring landmasses as the ophiolite was faulted or eroded. An Aptian transgression was followed by regression, creating a local unconformity (e.g. at Boboshtica). A Turonian marine transgression initiated widespread Upper Cretaceous shelf carbonate deposition. In the regional context, the southern Albania ophiolites appear to have been rapidly emplaced onto a continental margin in a subaqueous setting during the Late Jurassic (Late Oxfordian-Late Tithonian). This was followed by gradual emergence, probably in response to thinning of the ophiolite by erosion and/or exhumation. The sedimentary cover of the south Albanian ophiolites is consistent with rapid, relatively short-distance emplacement of a regional-scale ophiolite over a local Pelagonian-Korabi microcontinent.     

Late Triassic rifting and Jurassic–Cretaceous passive margin development of the Southern Neotethys: evidence from the Adıyaman area,SE Turkey

Evidence of rifting and continental break-up to form the S Neotethys is found within the volcanic-sedimentary Koçali Complex. This is a folded, thrust-imbricated succession that includes lavas, volcaniclastic sediments, pelagic carbonates, radiolarites and manganiferous deposits. Interbedded ribbon cherts contain radiolarians of Late Triassic to Late Jurassic age. The lower part of the succession of Mid?-Late Triassic age (Tarasa Formation) is dominated by enriched mid-ocean ridge basalt (E-MORB). The overlying Late Triassic to Mid-Jurassic interval (Konak Formation) is characterised by intercalations of ocean island basalt and E-MORB. Taking account of structural position, the basalts erupted within the outer part of a continent–ocean transition zone. Continental break-up probably occurred during the Late Triassic (Carnian–Norian). Early to Mid-Jurassic lavas and volcaniclastic sediments record volcanism probably after continental break-up. In addition, the Karadut Complex is a broken formation that is located at a relatively low structural position just above the Arabian foreland. Pelagic carbonates, redeposited carbonates and radiolarites predominate. Radiolarians are dated as Early to Mid-Jurassic and Late Cretaceous in age. The pelagic carbonates include planktic foraminifera of Late Cretaceous age. The Karadut Complex resulted from the accumulation of calcareous gravity flows, pelagic carbonate and radiolarites in a relatively proximal, base-of-slope setting. After continental break-up, MORB and ophiolitic rocks formed within the S Neotethys further north. Tectonic emplacement onto the Arabian platform took place by earliest Maastrichtian time. Regional interpretation is facilitated by comparisons with examples of Triassic rifting and continental break-up in the eastern Mediterranean region and elsewhere.     

Tithonian–Early Valanginian evolution of deposition along the proto-Caribbean margin of North America recorded in Guaniguanico successions (western Cuba)

In the Guaniguanico Mountains of western Cuba, the Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous limestones occur in three stratigraphic successions, which have accumulated along the proto-Caribbean margin of North America. The Late Jurassic subsidence and shallow-water carbonate deposition of the Guaniguanico successions have no counterpart on the northeastern Maya block, but some distant similarities with the southeastern Gulf of Mexico may exist. Four facies types have been distinguished in the Tithonian–Lower Valanginian deposits of the Guaniguanico tectonic units. Drowning of the Late Jurassic carbonate bank of the Sierra de los Organos occurred at the Kimmeridgian/Tithonian boundary. During this boundary interval, sedimentation in the west Cuban area and southwestern margin of the Maya block (Mexico) has evolved in a similar way in response to a major second-order transgression.The Lower Tithonian ammonite assemblages of the Guaniguanico successions indicate, in general, the neritic zone. Presence of juvenile gastropods and lack of adult specimens suggest unfavorable environment for these molluscs, probably related to low oxygenation levels. The Early Tithonian transgressive phase terminated about the lower boundary of the Chitinoidella Zone. The Late Tithonian “regressive” phase is weakly marked, whereas the latest Tithonian–earliest Berriasian strata were deposited during a deepening phase. The latter transgressive phase has ended in the Late Berriasian Oblonga Subzone. We correlate the bioturbated pelagic biomicrites of the Tumbitas Member of the Guasasa Formation with a significant fall of the sea level during the latest Berriasian–Early Valanginian. The average sedimentation rate for the Tumbitas Member biomicrites was about three times faster than for the Berriasian Tumbadero Member limestones. Sedimentation rates for the Tumbitas Member and the Valanginian limestones at the DSDP Site 535 in the southeastern Gulf of Mexico were similar. In the Los Organos succession, the Late Valanginian transgressive interval is associated with radiolarian limestones and black chert interbeds in the lower part of the Pons Formation. In the Southern Rosario succession, the pelagic limestones pass into the radiolarian cherts of the Santa Teresa Formation indicating a proximity of CCD during Late Valanginian–Hauterivian times.     

Santonian Radiolarians and Foraminifers from Brežđe Section,Western Serbia

New data on the radiolarians and foraminifers (planktonic and benthic) from the lower part of Struganik limestones (Bre??e Section, Western Serbia) are presented. The Afens perapediensis Zone of a new detailed scale based on radiolarians for the Tethyan supra-region was traced for the first time. This allowed classification of the studied deposits to a narrow stratigraphic interval, that is, the upper Santonian. The age of the studied sediments is determined in the Santonian for planktonic foraminifera because of the joint presence of abundant Marginotruncana (extinct in the latest Santonian) and Globotruncana linneiana (d’Orbigny) (which appeared in the early Santonian). The radiolarian and planktonic and benthic foraminifera data agree with one another.     

二叠-三叠纪转折期放射虫动物群的变化

综述了二叠 -三叠纪转折期放射虫动物群的研究进展 ,长兴阶晚期放射虫动物群 90 %以上的种在二叠纪末期灭绝 ,只有少数在浅海灰岩和远洋硅质岩中均能够发现的属种才成功残存到三叠纪 ;三叠纪放射虫的复苏和辐射经历了较长的过程 ,Griesbachian至 Smithian为放射虫残存期 ,Spathian 为放射虫的复苏期 ,Anisian是放射虫的辐射期。Anisian放射虫的辐射受到强缺氧事件的影响。     

“大洋板块地层”的重建与意义——以藏南仲巴地区为例

混杂岩是古增生楔存在的标志之一,一般由枕状玄武岩、灰岩、放射虫硅质岩、硅质页岩、砂岩等混乱无序组成。目前"大洋板块地层"(OPS)运用放射虫地层学方法对混乱的增生楔断片进行重建取得了良好效果,并清晰地展示了大洋板块俯冲和洋底物质连续增生的历史。在西藏仲巴地区填图过程中,结合放射虫年代学分析鉴定结果,以OPS重建的思路和理论作为指导,重建了仲巴地区混杂岩的大洋板块地层,并恢复了该区域特提斯洋在洋中脊大洋板块增生至消亡的岩石序列,自下而上分别为侏罗纪海山玄武岩、海山覆盖物侏罗系—白垩系碳酸盐岩、海山周围沉积的侏罗系—白垩系放射虫硅质岩和硅质页岩,以及海沟附近的白垩系陆源碎屑岩等,为特提斯洋大洋板块俯冲的方向、持续时间和古大地构造环境提供了信息。     

Planktonic foraminiferal biostratigraphy of the Coniacian-Maastrichtian sequences of the Bey Dağları Autochthon,western Taurides,Turkey: thin-section zonation

Planktonic foraminifer distributions in seventeen stratigraphic sections of Upper Cretaceous hemipelagic and pelagic sequences of northern Bey Da?lar? Autochthon (western Taurides) yield six biozones such as, Dicarinella concavata Interval Zone, Dicarinella asymetrica Range Zone, Radotruncana calcarata Range Zone, Globotruncana falsostuarti Partial Range Zone, Gansserina gansseri Interval Zone, and Abathomphalus mayaroensis Concurrent Range Zone. Two of the zones, Dicarinella concavata Zone and Dicarinella asymetrica Zone, are identified in the massive hemipelagic limestones of the Bey Da?lar? Formation, of Coniacian-Santonian age. They are characterized by scarce planktonic foraminifera and abundant calcisphaerulids. The other four biozones are determined from the cherty pelagic limestones of the Akda? Formation and indicate a late Campanian-late Maastrichtian time interval. The planktonic foraminifera observed in these four biozones are diverse, complex morphotypes (K-selection), suggesting open oceans. The assemblage of the Abathomphalus mayaroensis Zone shows that the latest Maastrichtian record is absent throughout the northern part of the autochthon. Two main sedimentary hiatuses are recognized within the Upper Cretaceous pelagic sequence. Early to middle Campanian and latest Maastrichtian-middle Paleocene planktonic foraminifera are absent in all measured stratigraphic sections. Hiatus durations differ between sections as a result of diachronism of onset of the hemipelagic and pelagic deposition and the post-Santonian and post-Maastrichtian erosional phases. Drowning event and the early-middle Campanian and latest Maastrichtian-middle Paleocene hiatuses in the pelagic sequence are attributed to regional tectonics during the Late Cretaceous.     

New biostratigraphic data for the Chikkim Formation (Cretaceous, Tethyan Himalaya, India)

The Chikkim Formation as exposed in the Tethyan Himalaya (India) has been studied at its type locality, using planktonic foraminifera for a detailed biostratigraphic elaboration. Divided into two members, the Lower and Upper Chikkim members, this formation ranges in age from Albian to early Maastrichtian(?), and reaches a maximum thickness of 150 m. Examination of thin sections has yielded 34 species of foraminifera in five genus-level assemblages. The Lower Chikkim Member is about 55 m thick; its basal portion is of Albian age based on the presence of Biticinella breggiensis and Planomalina buxtorfi. At 26 m above the base, Whiteinella archaeocretacaea documents OAE 2 (Oceanic Anoxic Event 2), and thus the Cenomanian/Turonian boundary in this section. The carbonate sequence is capped by a Santonian-age hardground with iron oxide crusts and bioturbation. Macrofossils, including belemnites (at the base) and irregular echinoids (upper part), are present. The basal carbonaceous marls of the Upper Chikkim Member yield both large (benthic) rotaliid as well as planktonic foraminifera (Globotruncanita elevata, Gl. stuartiformis, Gl. stuarti, Gansserina gansseri and others), indicating a Campanian age. The co-occurrence of Gl. elevata and G. gansseri in a single thin section results either from condensation or reworking in the basal part of the Upper Chikkim Member. Late Cretaceous index foraminifera such as Gl. elevata document deposition within the Tethyan Realm. The original thickness of the Upper Chikkim Member is uncertain, but would have been around 100 m; the unit appears markedly reduced through weathering at a height of about 5000 m above sea level. Equivalent sediments are exposed in the Zanskar area to the northwest, and in Nepal and Tibet. Cretaceous Oceanic Red Beds (CORBs) are probably missing due to the proximality of these pelagic settings.     

A transform margin in the Mesozoic Tethys: evidence from the Swiss Alps

Remnants of the Liguria-Piemont Ocean with its Jurassic ophiolitic basement are preserved in the South Pennine thrust nappes of eastern Switzerland. Analysis of South Pennine stratigraphy and comparison with sequences from the adjacent continental margin units suggest that South Pennine nappes are relics of a transform fault system. This interpretation is based on three arguments: (1) In the highly dismembered ophiolite suite preserved, Middle to Late Jurassic pelagic sediments are found in stratigraphic contact not only with pillow basalts but also with serpentinites indicating the occurrence of serpentinite protrusions along fracture zones. (2) Ophiolite breccias (»ophicalcites«) occurring along distinct zones within peridotite-serpentinite host rocks are comparable with breccias from present-day oceanic fracture zones. They originated from a combination of tectonic and sedimentary processes: i.e. the fragmentation of oceanic basement on the seafloor and the filling of a network of neptunian dikes by pelagic sediment with locally superimposed hydrothermal activity and gravitational collapse. (3) The overlying Middle to Late Jurassic radiolarian chert contains repeated intercalations of massflow conglomerates mainly comprising components of oceanic basement but clasts of acidic basement rocks and oolitic limestone also exist. This indicates a close proximity between continental and oceanic basement. The rugged morphology manifested in the mass-flow deposits intercalated with the radiolarites is draped by pelagic sediments of Early Cretaceous age.     

Upper cretaceous (Senonian) bathyal pelagic sediments with Globotruncana from the Solomon Islands

Extremely fine‐grained pelagic oozes overlie basal basaltic lavas on Malaita Island, on the Pacific flank of the Solomon Islands group. These sediments contain up to 20% planktonic (but not benthonic) Foraminifera, but have less than 5% acid‐insoluble clay and little or no terrigenous material. They are associated with radiolarian chert and with finely disseminated marine manganese. The Foraminifera include several species of Globotruncana, referred to G. arca, G. havanensis, G. lapparenti and G. tricarinata. The sediments accumulated in a low‐energy, deep‐water environment (exceeding 1,000 m.) during Late Cretaceous (Senonian) time, probably in the late Senonian. These sediments are the oldest in the Solomon group and older than any so far found in the outer part of the Melanesian re‐entrant. Their age supports the idea that the Solomon Islands began their geological history in the Cretaceous.     

Radiolaria,planktonic foraminifera,and stratigraphy of Turonian-lower Coniacian in the Biyuk-Karasu section,Crimea

The first data on the distribution of Radiolaria and planktonic Foraminifera in the section at Biyuk-Karasu River in central part of the Crimean Mountains, are presented. Based on the study of radiolarian findings, the upper Cretaceous deposits of Biyuk-Karasu section are subdivided into the following biostratigraphic units: Alievium superbum-Phaseliforma turovi (middle Turonian), Dactylodiscus longispinus-Patulibracchium (?) quadroastrum (upper Turonian), and Orbiculiforma quadrata-Patellula sp. B (Turonian-Coniacian boundary deposits). The stratigraphic interval of Alievium superbum-Phaseliforma turovi has been previously characterized by the complex of Alievium superbum-Phaseliforma sp. A (middle Turonian, Mt. Chuku section, SW of the Crimean Mountains, and middle Turonian, Mt. Ak, central part of the Crimean Mountains). Based on the study of Foraminifera findings, the following biostratigraphic subdivisions were identified: Whiteinella paradubia (lower-lower part of the middle Turonian), Marginotruncana pseudolinneiana (uppermost middle Turonian), and Marginotruncana coronata (upper Turonian). The complex of beds with Marginotruncana pseudolinneiana and Marginotruncana coronata are comparable to the deposits of zones of same name in the Crimean-Caucasian region.     

Réflexions sur la « révolution danienne » dans les Pyrénées

This work disproves the magmatic (ophitic rises) and sedimentological (submarine trans-Pyrenean trough filled with breccias and hemipelagites) arguments presented in favour of a Danian distension step following a major Upper to Late Cretaceous Pyrenean compression phase. In the western Pyrenees (Bearn area) the tholeiitic magmatism is really Triassic or Lowermost Liassic in age. The ophites cross mechanically the Jurassic and Cretaceous enclosing sedimentary beds without any contact metamorphism, which could give proof of a Palaeocene age for the magmatic emplacement. As for the supposed submarine breccias rich in planktonic foraminifera, they really correspond to diapiric Early Cretaceous breccias, to Cretaceous or Tertiary tectono-karstic breccias or to Quaternary colluvial deposits. The Danian/Selandian trough does not exist. The proposed interpretation assigns that the Palaeocene interval must be included within the long compression (transpression) period, which begins in the Upper Cretaceous times and increases during the Early Cenozoic, leading to the main structural step of the Pyrenean cycle, towards the Middle–Upper Eocene. To cite this article: J. Canérot, C. R. Geoscience 338 (2006).     

Late Cretaceous oceanic crust and Early Tertiary foreland basin development, Euboea, Eastern Greece

In northern Euboea (Eastern Greece), Late Cretaceous platform carbonates of the Pelagonian Zone pass depositionally upwards into Maastrichtian hemipelagic limestones, possibly reflecting a rifting event in the adjacent Neotethys. This is followed by a c. 1 km-thick unit of siliciclastic turbidites, debris flows and detached limestone blocks. Thrust intercalations of ophiolitic rocks comprise altered pillow basalts and ultramafic rocks with ophicalcite. Calcite veins in sheared serpentinite contain planktonic foraminifera and the ophicalcite is directly overlain, with a depositional contact, by Globotruncana-bearing pelagic limestones and calciturbidites of Maastrichtian age. The ophiolitic rocks are interpreted as Late Cretaceous oceanic crust and mantle, that formed at a fracture zone, or rifted spreading axis within a Neotethyan, Vardar basin to the east. During the Early Tertiary (Palaeocene–Eocene), the Neotethyan basin began to close, with development of a subduction-accretion complex, mainly comprising sheared, trench-type sandstones, associated with ophiolitic slices. In response to trench/margin collision, the Pelagonian carbonate platform foundered and limestone debris flows and olistoliths were shed into a siliciclastic foreland basin. Suturing of the Neotethyan ocean basin then resulted in westwards thrusting of oceanic units over the foreland basin, thrusting of slices of inferred Late Cretaceous Pelagonian carbonate platform slope and large-scale recumbent folding.     

The stratigraphic and paleoenvironmental setting of Aptian OAE black shale deposits in the Pieniny Klippen Belt, Slovak Western Carpathians

During the Jurassic and Cretaceous, the Pieniny Klippen Belt units of the Outer Western Carpathians were situated on the edge of the Paleoeuropean shelf rimming the northermost margin of the Mediterranean Tethys. During the late early Aptian humid event, Lower Cretaceous pelagic carbonate (Maiolica) sedimentation was interrupted by terrigenous input as a consequence of the first major mid-Cretaceous climate perturbations. The fluctuation of radiolarian abundance indicated an expansion of the oxygen-minimum zone due to upwelling conditions and salinity changes. Foraminifera, radiolarians, non-calcareous dinocysts, and calcareous nannofossils encountered in the West Carpathian Rochovica section enable a comparison of the black shales of the upper lower Aptian Koňhora Formation with the well-known Selli Event. Subsequent anoxia patterns (depositional, productive, and stagnant) have taken part in the depositional regime. Early Aptian climate perturbations both in the Outer Western Carpathians, Swiss Prealps (situated in a similar position on the distal southern edge of the former Paleoeuropean shelf) and/or in other parts of the world are traceable with sedimentological, biological, and chemical proxies.