Water balance of basins in central Greece: Comparison with other circum-Mediterranean basins and validity of empirical methods

The geological and physicogeographical elements of the neighboring basins of Xyniada and Sofaditi in central Greece are given. The average annual and monthly amounts of precipitation that each basin receives for a nineyear period (1972–1981) are estimated by analyzing the data of eight rain gauges. The average annual value of total runoff is also obtained by frequent discharge measurements at the basin outlets during the same period of record, and the water balance of the basins is thus estimated. The examined basins are compared to others in the circum-Mediterranean region. Finally, various empirical methods of estimating components of water balance are applied, and opinions are expressed about the correspondence of these methods to reality and the way they are applied.     

Sedimentary basins,regularities of their formation and classification principles: Communication 1. Sedimentation basins

Two types of sedimentary basins are proposed: sedimentation basins and rock formation basins (rock basins). Such an approach reflects a complete cycle of the sedimentary process ranging from the stage of material mobilization and transport to the stage of accumulation of sediments, their transformation into sedimentary rocks, and formation of associated mineral deposits. Sedimentation basins are divided into lakes, intracontinental and marginal seas, and oceans, where phase differentiation of matter proceeds in different manners. It is shown that eupelagic and miopelagic clays, analogues of which are missing from Paleozoic sequences, represent the main indicator of recent sedimentation in the Word Ocean. It is stated that each sedimentation basin is characterized by a specific association of sedimentary mineral deposits.     

S- and O-isotopic character of dissolved sulphate in the cover rock aquifers of a Zechstein salt dome

Sulfur and O isotope analyses of dissolved SO₄ were used to constrain a hydrogeological model for the area overlying the Gorleben–Rambow Salt Structure, Northern Germany. Samples were collected from 80 wells screened at different depth-intervals. The study area consists of a set of two vertically stacked aquifer systems. Generally, the isotope data show a good spatial correlation, outlining well-defined groundwater zones containing SO₄ of characteristic isotopic composition. Highly saline waters from deeper parts of the lower aquifer system are characterized by rather constant SO₄ isotopic compositions, which are typical of Permian Zechstein evaporites (δ³⁴S=9.6–11.9‰; δ¹⁸O=9.5–12.1‰). Above this is a transition zone containing ground waters of intermediate salinity and slightly higher isotopic values (average δ³⁴S=16.6‰; δ¹⁸O=15.3‰). The confined groundwater horizon on the top of the lower aquifer system below the low permeable Hamburg Clays is low in total dissolved solids and is characterized by an extreme ³⁴S enrichment (average δ³⁴S=39.1‰; δ¹⁸O=18.4‰), suggesting that bacterially mediated SO₄ reduction is a dominant geochemical process in this zone. Two areas of distinct isotopic composition can be identified in the shallow ground water horizons of the upper hydrogeological system. Sulfate in groundwaters adjacent to the river Elbe and Löcknitz has a typical meteoric isotopic signature (δ³⁴S=5.2‰; δ¹⁸O=8.2‰), whereas the central part of the area is characterized by more elevated isotopic ratios (δ³⁴S=12.7‰; δ¹⁸O=15.6‰). The two major SO₄ pools in the area are represented by Permian seawater SO₄ and a SO₄ of meteoric origin that has been mixed with SO₄ resulting from the oxidation of pyrite. It is suggested that the S-isotope compositions observed reflect the nature of the SO₄ source that have been modified to various extent by bacterial SO₄ reduction. Groundwaters with transitional salinity have resulted from mixing between brines and low-mineralized waters affected by bacterial SO₄ reduction.     

断陷湖盆震浊积岩成因模拟实验

震浊积岩是陆相断陷湖盆中常见的一种油气储集体。通过室内水槽实验模拟地震浊积岩体的形成过程,认为在地震作用下,三角洲前缘发生两种类型的滑塌,可形成3种类型的震浊积岩体：液化浊积体、二级滑塌浊积体、次生叠置浊积体。它们在三角洲前方广泛发育,垂向上相互叠置、平面上成带出现。其中二级滑塌浊积体发育在底形坡折以下的深洼陷内,可形成断陷盆地内最为有利的一类隐蔽油气藏。控制地震浊积岩体分布的因素主要包括三角洲前缘的沉积特征、地震作用的强度、三角洲前缘沉积底形等。     

Significance of fan deltas without toe-sets within rift and piggy-back basins: examples from the Corinth graben and the Mesohellenic trough, Central Greece

Trapezoidal-type fan deltas, lacking bottomset deposits, were studied in two different tectonic settings: extensional (rifted), and compressional (piggy-back) basins. In both cases studied fan deltas were characterized by: (i) an absence of bottomsets; (ii) development in protected or narrow basins and sub-basins confined by intrabasinal basement highs or by topographic highs, respectively; (iii) coarse-grained sediment fluxes, dominated by mass-flows forming fan deltas that prograded from steep nearshore slopes basinwards; and (iv) a high-energy environment, with powerful underflows that probably bypassed the basins and transported fine-grained sediments outside the basins. The location of channels cut by such underflows is influenced by local tectonic style. When the supplied sediments in the rifted basins overstepped the intrabasinal basement highs, trapezoidal fan deltas were replaced upwards by Gilbert-type deltas, with bottomsets.     

Formation of basins and mountain ranges in Attica (Greece): The role of Miocene to Recent low-angle normal detachment faults

In seismically active regions, active low-angle detachment faults are probably more frequent as is commonly thought and may play an important but still underestimated role in the evolution of landforms and basins. We investigate the tectonically active region of Attica (Greece) in the Aegean back arc as a model region to show how basins and mountain ranges commonly thought to be formed by movements on high-angle normal faults in fact reflect the surface expression of displacements on yet undetected, deep-seated, active low-angle normal detachment faults. Inferences are made based on an integrated study of Attica linking the petrology of clastic sediments with geomorphology and structures, and including few new palynological data. From the Miocene to Recent, three sets of normal detachment fault systems were successively active. Shear zones of the 1st (Early Miocene) stage emplaced rocks of the Attic Cycladic high-P metamorphic belt (AC-HP-belt) from depth corresponding to greeschist facies conditions in the brittle, upper crust. In the 2nd stage the WNW dipping Attica low-angle normal detachment fault system between the AC-HP-belt and the un- or weakly metamorphosed rocks of the sub-Pelagonian Zone (SPZ) was active. Clastic sedimentation started in the Late Miocene, during the 2nd stage. Late Miocene and Early Pliocene clastic sediments reveal that during the 2nd stage many areas that presently expose the AC-HP-belt were still covered by the overlying SPZ. Also, now uplifted areas such as the Parnitha mountain range that currently undergo strong erosion were then the sites of sedimentary sinks. The 3rd stage (Late Pliocene through Recent) is associated with dramatic changes in the morphology and recurring steepening of the relief. Reversal of the Parnitha area from the site of deposition into the site of erosion is associated with deposition of coarse conglomerates to the SE of the Parnitha Mt. and S of the Penteli Mt. Sediments of the 3rd stage reflect activity of the here newly described, SSE-dipping Penteli—Athens low-angle detachment fault (PADF) system formed at a high angle to the Attica detachment fault. The outcome of this study is that the present-day geomorphology is to a high degree related to the operation of the PADF system. Steep fault bounding the Athens and Mesogea basins as well as the mountain ranges (Parnitha, Penteli, Hymittos mounts) belongs to its breakaway zone or root into the PADF. Ongoing tectonic movements related to this fault system were responsible for the 1999 Athens (Mw = 6.0) earthquake. We particularly discuss how the PADF may continue into greater depth, the translation magnitude, and how the PADF fits into the wider kinematic framework of the Aegean region.     

The geochemical behavior and isotopic composition of Hg in a mid-Pleistocene western Mediterranean sapropel

The concentrations of mercury (Hg) and other trace metals (Ni, Cu, Zn, Mo, Ba, Re, U) and the Hg isotopic composition were examined across a dramatic redox and productivity transition in a mid-Pleistocene Mediterranean Sea sapropel sequence. Characteristic trace metal enrichment in organic-rich layers was observed, with organic-rich sapropel layers ranging in Hg concentration from 314 to 488 ng/g (avg = 385), with an average enrichment in Hg by a factor of 5.9 compared to organic-poor background sediments, which range from 39 to 94 ng/g Hg (avg = 66). Comparison of seawater concentrations and sapropel accumulations of trace metals suggests that organic matter quantitatively delivers Hg to the seafloor. Near complete scavenging of Hg from the water column renders the sapropel Hg isotopic composition representative of mid-Pleistocene Mediterranean seawater. Sapropels have an average δ²⁰²Hg value of −0.91‰ ± 0.15‰ (n = 5, 1 SD) and Δ¹⁹⁹Hg value of 0.11‰ ± 0.03‰ (n = 5, 1 SD). Background sediments have an average δ²⁰²Hg of −0.76‰ ± 0.16‰ (n = 5, 1 SD) and Δ¹⁹⁹Hg of 0.05‰ ± 0.01‰ (n = 5, 1 SD), which is indistinguishable from the sapropel values. We suggest that the sapropel isotopic composition is most representative of the mid-Pleistocene Tyrrhenian Sea.     

Mega-debris flow deposits from the Oligo-Miocene Pindos foreland basin, western mainland Greece: implications for transport mechanisms in ancient deep marine basins

The turbidite dominated, Oligo-Miocene Pindos foreland basin of western mainland Greece contains two thick (60–72 m), matrix supported conglomerates. The conglomerates are ungraded and contain three clast types: (1) polymict, rounded, extrabasinal clasts (long axes 3–50 cm); (2) tightly folded, intrabasinal clasts (long axes 1–10 m); and (3) tabular, largely undeformed, intrabasinal blocks (long axes 18–300 m). Clasts are isolated within a slit dominated matrix. These chaotic, matrix supported conglomerates are interpreted as mega-debris flow deposits. During transport, extrabasinal clasts were supported by a combination of matrix cohesion and clast dispersive pressure, folded intrabasinal clasts were supported by a combination of buoyancy (Archimedes principle) and clast dispersive pressure. The large tabular clasts were transported by gravity sliding/gliding within the flow on films at high pore fluid pressure. These different clast support mechanisms were active simultaneously within the Pindos mega-debris flow deposits. As a result, the deposits have no systemic vertical stratigraphy, in contrast to many described large scale mass flow deposits. The mega-debris flow deposits are significantly thicker than most described ancient siliciclastic debris flow deposits and provide an ancient analogue for the thick Recent siliciclastic debris flow deposits on continental margins.     

Enhanced regeneration of phosphorus during formation of the most recent eastern Mediterranean sapropel (S1)

Phosphorus regeneration and burial fluxes during and after formation of the most recent sapropel S1 were determined for two deep-basin, low-sedimentation sites in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Organic C/P ratios and burial fluxes indicate enhanced regeneration of P relative to C during deposition of sapropel S1. This is largely due to the enhanced release of P from organic matter during sulfate reduction. Release of P from Fe-bound P also increased, but this was only a relatively minor source of dissolved P. Pore-water HPO₄²⁻ concentrations remained too low for carbonate fluorapatite formation. An increased burial of biogenic Ca-P (i.e., fish debris) was observed for one site. Estimated benthic fluxes of P during sapropel formation were elevated relative to the present day (∼900 to 2800 vs. ∼70 to 120 μmol m⁻² yr⁻¹). The present-day sedimentary P cycle in the deep-basin sediments is characterized by two major zones of reaction: (1) the zone near the sediment-water interface where substantial release of HPO₄²⁻ from organic matter takes place, and (2) the oxidation front at the top of the S1 where upward-diffusing HPO₄²⁻ from below the sapropel is sorbed to Fe-oxides. The efficiency of aerobic organisms in retaining P is reflected in the low organic C/P ratios in the oxidized part of the sapropel. Burial efficiencies for reactive P were significantly lower during S1 times compared with the present day (∼7 to 15% vs. 64 to 77%). Budget calculations for the eastern Mediterranean Sea demonstrate that the weakening of the antiestuarine circulation and the enhanced regeneration of P both contributed to a significant increase in deep-water HPO₄²⁻ concentrations during sapropel S1 times. Provided that sufficient vertical mixing occurred, enhanced regeneration of P at the seafloor may have played a key role in maintaining increased productivity during sapropel S1 formation.     

The tsunami of 426 BC in the Maliakos gulf,eastern Greece

In 427 BC, a major earthquake occurred in ancient Greece. In particular, Attica, Boeotia, and the island of Euboea were the areas where seismic activity was most frequent. The fact that these events happened in conjuction with the Peloponnesian war provides us with an account made by historians of the war. Such an account is the one made by Thucydides. During the spring and summer of 426 BC shocks continued to take place. This time, the sea area between the island of Euboea and the mainland (Maliakos gulf) was also affected and as a result, a seismic sea-wave of considerable size formed. The tsunami, as it is better known, swept the surrounding coastal area. Major topographic alteration of the area occurred, resulting in a huge loss of life and the destruction of cities. In this paper, the author attempts to describe this event and to explain scientifically how it happened, and how this affected the shape of the area and human life. All the evidence used in this paper has been cross-referenced with at least one other historic or scientific source. Although it was extremely difficult to uncover hidden detail about an event so far in the past, any facts that could not be verified have not been included.     

The tsunami of 426 BC in the Maliakos gulf, eastern Greece

In 427 BC, a major earthquake occurred in ancient Greece. In particular, Attica, Boeotia, and the island of Euboea were the areas where seismic activity was most frequent. The fact that these events happened in conjuction with the Peloponnesian war provides us with an account made by historians of the war. Such an account is the one made by Thucydides.During the spring and summer of 426 BC shocks continued to take place. This time, the sea area between the island of Euboea and the mainland (Maliakos gulf) was also affected and as a result, a seismic sea-wave of considerable size formed. The tsunami, as it is better known, swept the surrounding coastal area. Major topographic alteration of the area occurred, resulting in a huge loss of life and the destruction of cities.In this paper, the author attempts to describe this event and to explain scientifically how it happened, and how this affected the shape of the area and human life.All the evidence used in this paper has been cross-referenced with at least one other historic or scientific source. Although it was extremely difficult to uncover hidden detail about an event so far in the past, any facts that could not be verified have not been included.     

Late Quaternary sapropel sediments in the eastern Mediterranean Sea: Faunal variations and chronology

Distinctive planktonic foraminiferal assemblages which characterize particular late Quaternary sapropel layers in deep basin sediments from the eastern Mediterranean Sea have been identified using cluster analysis. Three distinct clusters allow for identification and intercore correlation of the nine sapropels deposited during the last 250,000 yr. Cluster 1, representing sapropel layers S1 and S9, exhibits low abundances of Neogloboquadrina dutertrei and high abundances of Globigerinoides ruber; Cluster 2, which groups S3, S5, and S7, contains high abundances of G. ruber, N. dutertrei, and Globigerina bulloides, and Cluster 3, which includes samples from S4, S6, and S8, is marked by extremely abundant N. dutertrei and G. bulloides, and rare G. ruber. Analysis of sedimentation rates in 14 cores reveals the following approximate ages for the sapropel layers: S2 = 52,000 yr B.P.; S3 = 81,000–78,000 yr B.P.; S4 = 100,000–98,000 yr B.P.; and S5 = 125,000–116,000 yr B.P. As previously suggested, sedimentation rates on the Mediterranean Ridge were determined to be relatively constant during the last 127,000 yr. In contrast, basin sedimentation rates have fluctuated markedly from lower rates during interglacial stage 5 to higher rates during the last glacial episode. These glacial/interglacial differences are most pronounced in the northern Ionian Basin, because of increased terrigenous sediment deposition during glacial episodes. Unusually high biogenic sedimentation rates occurred in an arc south of Crete during the deposition of sapropel S5, probably due to higher productivity in this region.     

The global impact of the Minoan eruption of Santorini, Greece

 The Minoan eruption of Santorini was a large-magnitude natural event. However, in terms of scale it ranks smaller in erupted volume and eruptive intensity than the historical eruption of Tambora in 1815 AD, and smaller in sulphur emission and, by inference, climatic effects than both the Tambora and Mt. Pinatubo, 1991, eruptions. Eruption statistics for the past 2000 years indicate that Minoan-size eruptions typically occur at a rate of several per thousand years. Eruptions resulting in a Minoan-scale injection of sulphur to the stratosphere occur far more frequently – at a rate of one or two per century. Inferences of massive sociological, religious and political impacts from such eruptions owe more to mythology than reality. Received: 28 November 1995 · Accepted: 9 January 1996     

The pumpellyite-actinolite and contiguous facies in part of the Phyllite-Quartzite Series, central Northern Peloponnesus, Greece

Variations in assemblage and composition of the constituent minerals in basic and intermediate metavolcanics encountered in the Zarouchla Group of the Phyllite-Quartzite Series are consistent with a progressive sequence, corresponding to temperature conditions estimated at 290-380°C (minimum values) under a total pressure greater than 3°5kbar and possibly as high as 5 kbar. In the absence of more critical evidence, the parageneses recorded in the metavolcanic rocks are interpreted as belonging to a prograde facies series from the lawsonite-albitechlorite facies through the pumpellyite-actinolite facies to the greenschist facies. The present distribution of mineral assemblages does not show a simple increase of metamorphic grade in a given direction but is apparently related to the tectonic evolution of the metamorphic sequence.     

Coal basins in the Cantabrian Mountains, northwestern Spain

The Cantabrian Mountains, containing about 70% of the total coals of the country and 95% of the anthracitic and bituminous resources, is the most important coal-mining district of Spain. Coal-bearing successions are Late Carboniferous in age and their deposition took place in a syn-orogenic context during the Hercynian activity, mainly in three different time-successive locations: foreland basins, intrathrust basins and intramontane fault-controlled basins. Foreland deposition occurred in strongly asymmetrical basins located ahead of thrust sheets units. Intrathrust basins resulted from folding and tightening of these units during or after their emplacement. Intramontane and fault-controlled basins were developed along lineaments with strike-slip movements and as a result of fold and fault reactivation. Peat mires in foreland and intrathrust coal basins mainly occupied broad areas on abandoned delta and fan delta lobes. Coals in intramontane and fault-controlled basins were related with alluvial fan and lacustrine environments. Coal ranks vary from high volatile bituminous coals to anthracite, depending on the structural location of the coalfields. Hydrothermal activity seems to be the most important factor in coal evolution.     

The Western Mediterranean extensional basins and the Alpine orogen

The western Mediterranean late Oligocene–Miocene basins (Alboran, Valencia and Provençal basins) are a coherent system of interrelated troughs. In all basins normal faults and thermal subsidence migrated toward the east progressively moving to the Miocene-to-Pleistocene Algerian and Tyrrhenian basins. All those troughs appear elements of the back-arc opening related to the eastward roll-back of the W-directed Apennines–Maghrebides subduction zone, similarly to western Pacific back-arc settings.
These late Oligocene–early Miocene basins nucleated both within the Betic cordillera (e.g. Alboran sea) and in its foreland (Valencia and Provençal troughs). The N40–70° direction of grabens is oblique to the coexisting N60–80°-trending orogen and shows its structural independence from the orogenic roots. Thus, as the extension cross-cuts the orogen and developed also well outside the thrust belt front, the westernmost basins of the Mediterranean had to develop independently from the Alps-Betics orogen. Therefore, the Alboran extension, considered a classic example of a basin generated by the collapse of an orogen, cannot be ascribed to the detachment or annihilation of the lithospheric root. In contrast with the eastward migrating extensional basins, the Betic-Balearic thrust front was migrating westward producing interference or inversion structures.     

The geochemistry of Boron-rich groundwater of the Karlovassi Basin, Samos Island, Greece

The upper Miocene of Karlovassi Basin, Samos Island, Greece, contain continental evaporites such as colemanite, ulexite, celestite, gypsum and thenardite. These evaporites are related with volcanic tuffs, diagenetically altered in a saline-alkaline lake environment. The aim of the present paper is to: a) define the impact of the already known and possible buried borates and other evaporites to the geochemistry of the hydrogeological system of Karlovassi Basin, and; b) to assess the correlation between surface and underground evaporite deposits considering the spatial changes in the concentrations of the examined physicochemical parameters. Fieldwork, laboratory measurements and literature data revealed elevated boron values (2136–33012 ?/L) in the central part of Karlovassi Basin. In the same area, high amounts of strontium, sodium, lithium and sulfates also occur. It is proposed that these ions originate from the leaching of evaporites and authigenic minerals such as the Sr-rich clinoptilolite and the boron-bearing potassium feldspar. Boron values are abnormally high for freshwater aquifers, and are indicative of the presence of buried evaporites in the basin with unknown significance.