The stratigraphy of the uppermost levels of the Menderes Massif is controversial and within its d... more The stratigraphy of the uppermost levels of the Menderes Massif is controversial and within its details lie vital constraints to the tectonic evolution of south-western Turkey. Our primary study was carried out in four reference areas along the southern and eastern Menderes Massif. These areas lie in the upper part of the Menderes metamorphic cover and have a clear stratigraphic relationship and contain datable fossils. The first one, in the Akbtik-Milas area, is located south-east of Bafa Lake where the Milas, then Kızılağaç and Kazıklı formations are well exposed. There, the Milas formation grades upwards into the Kızılağaç formation. The contact between the Kızılağaç and the overlying Kazıklı formation is not clearly seen but is interpreted as an unconformity. The Milas and Kızılağaç formations are also found north of Mugla, in the region of Yatağan and Kavaklıdere. In these areas, the Milas formation consists of schists and conformably overlying platform-type, emery and rudist-bearing marbles. Rudists form the main palaeontological data from which a Santonian-Campanian age is indicated. The Kızılağaç formation is characterized by reddish-greyish pelagic marbles with marly-pelitic interlayers and coarsening up debris flow deposits. Pelagic marbles within the formation contain planktonic foraminifera and nanoplankton of late Campanian to late Maastrichtian age. The Kazıklı formation is of flysch type and includes carbonate blocks. Planktonic foraminifera of Middle Palaeocene age are present in carbonate lenses within the formation. In the Serinhisar-Tavas area, Mesozoic platform-type marbles (Yılanlı formation) belonging to the cover series of the Menderes Massif exhibit an imbricated internal structure. Two rudist levels can be diştinguished in the uppermost part of the formation: the first indicates a middle-late Cenomanian age and the upper one is Santonian to Campanian in age. These marbles are unconformably covered by the Palaeocene-Early Eocene Zeybekolentepe formation with polygenetic breccias. In the Çal-Denizli area, the Menderes massif succession consists of cherty marbles and clastic rocks with metavolcanic lenses. The Lower-Middle Eocene Şalvan formation lies unconformably on this sequence and is interpreted as equivalent to the marble horizons at Serinhisar but with pelagic facies. The Şalvan formation consists of shale, mafic volcanic rock, lenses of limestone and blocks of recrystallized limestone. The S, alvan formation is dated here for the first time by Early-Middle Eocene foraminifera and nanoplankton from the matrix of the formation. An angular unconformity exists between the Upper Cretaceous and Lower Tertiary sequences, suggesting that a phase of deformation affected the southern and eastern part of the Menderes Massif at this time. This deformation may be caused by initial obduction of the Lycian ophiolite onto the passive margin to the north of the Menderes carbonate platform during the latest Cretaceous. Drowning of the platform led to termination of carbonate deposition and deposition of deep water flysch-like clastic sediments.
In the Korkuteli area of the western Taurides, Upper Cretaceous sequences consist of the neritic ... more In the Korkuteli area of the western Taurides, Upper Cretaceous sequences consist of the neritic and hemipelagic Beydaglari Formation and the pelagic Akdag Formation. These formations show important facies variations and stratigraphic gaps. The Beydaglari Formation, ranging in age from Cenomanian to Santonian, is approximately 600 m thick, and is composed mainly of platform-type neritic carbonates. Five microfacies indicating tidal-flat, subtidal (lagoonal), reef, and forereef subenvironments are distinguished in the neritic carbonates of the formation. Benthic foraminifera and rudists are the main biological components that provide information about the environment and age of the unit. In addition, cryptalgal lamination also is recognized as an important tool in determining environment. The uppermost part of the Beydaglari Formation is composed of hemipelagic carbonates (a sixth microfacies), which were deposited under basinal conditions. The Akdag Formation consists of planktonic foraminifera-bearing pelagic carbonates, suggesting a Campanian-Maastrichtian age and deposition as a basinal facies. The formation disconformably overlies the Beydaglari Formation along an erosional surface. Eocene transgressive pelagic clayey carbonates of the Ulucak Formation unconformably overlie the Upper Cretaceous carbonate sequences. Detailed investigations have shown that, at least in the studied part of the autochthonous unit, the platform began to drown during the Santonian and that a true basinal environment persisted from the Campanian to the Maastrichtian. Two erosional phases are recorded; one occurred after the Santonian and is characterized by a prominent erosional surface, and the other is responsible for the post-Cretaceous regression.
The Upper Cretaceous Korkuteli (Antalya) carbonate sequence of the Bey Dağları Autochthonous unit... more The Upper Cretaceous Korkuteli (Antalya) carbonate sequence of the Bey Dağları Autochthonous unit (western Taurides) comprises two formations. The Cenomanian-Santonian Bey Dağları formation lies at the base of this sequence and can be divided into two parts. Neritic part is characterized by platform-type, peritidal limestones and comprises an approximately 600-m-thick sequence that contains two main rudistid horizons corresponding to Cenomanian and early Santonian. The neritic limestones pass gradually upward into the 15-m thick, middle-upper Santonian massive hemipelagic limestones that form the upper part. The upper Campanian middle Maastrichtian Akdağ formation consists totally of pelagic limestones that indicate basinal conditions and disconformably overlies different stratigraphic levels of the Bey Dağları formation. Palaeogene pelagic marls form the base of the Tertiary sequence and disconformably overlie different stratigraphic levels of the Upper Cretaceous sequence. The presence of two erosional phases in the Upper Cretaceous sequence is obvious. The autochthonous unit was subaerially exposed after post-Santonian and middle Maastrichtian regressions.
Radiolitid rudist shells from the Upper Cretaceous marbles in the southern sector of Menderes Mas... more Radiolitid rudist shells from the Upper Cretaceous marbles in the southern sector of Menderes Massif (Turkey) have been studied under cathodoluminescence microscopy (CL). The background of equant calcite mosaic appears non-luminescent, and only some scarce relicts of growth lines and walls are red and yellow-luminescent. CL observations allow us to think that the Upper Cretaceous marbles of the Menderes Massif were completely homogeneized through high-pressure metamorphism during the Alpine history that led to a strong recrystallization to non-luminescent ferroan calcite. After this process, the “honeycomb” microstructure still remains ill-preserved as some isolated patchs. From our previous observations in bivalve shells from the Middle-to-Upper Cretaceous of the Basque-Cantabrian Region (northern Spain) we think that, in spite of metamorphism, luminiscence survives restricted to the shell parts which originally could host a more dense concentration in organic matter.
The uppermost part of the Upper Cretaceous platform carbonates of the Bey Dagları Autochthon in ... more The uppermost part of the Upper Cretaceous platform carbonates of the Bey Dagları Autochthon in the Korkuteli, Turkey, area is characterised by an association of hippuritid and radiolitid rudist bivalves dominated by Vaccinites praegiganteus (Toucas). A Late Turonian age is indicated by 87Sr/86Sr values of well-preserved low-Mg calcite of the shells and agrees with the stratigraphical range of the species in the western and central Mediterranean region. This is the first record of Upper Turonian rudists from Turkey. Right valves of 17 specimens of V. praegiganteus from Bey Dagları have been analysed morphometrically and are compared with previously reported specimens from the central and western Mediterranean. Most of the specimens from Turkey differ in having fused posterior pillars.
The Upper Cretaceous sequence of the Korkuteli area
(Western Taurides) comprises two formations. ... more The Upper Cretaceous sequence of the Korkuteli area (Western Taurides) comprises two formations. The Bey Dagları Formation lies at the base and can be divided into two parts. A 600-m-thick neritic lower part is capped with thin, massive, hemipelagic limestones. The Akdag Formation disconformably overlies different stratigraphic levels of the Bey Dagları Formation along a prominent erosional surface and consists of thin-bedded, cherty, pelagic, clayey limestones. Paleogene marls form the base of the Tertiary sequence and disconformably overlie different stratigraphic levels of the Upper Cretaceous succession. This study identifies from thin sections and analyzes the Late Cretaceous planktonic foraminifera. Identification of forty-five species belonging to the genera Contusotruncana, Dicarinella, Gansserina, Globotruncana, Globotruncanella, Globotruncanita, Marginotruncana and Radotruncana has led to the recognition of five biostratigraphic zones, in ascending order: Dicarinella concavata Interval Zone (IZ), Dicarinella asymetrica Total Range Zone (TRZ), Radotruncana calcarata TRZ, Globotruncana falsostuarti Partial Range Zone (PRZ) and Gansserina gansseri IZ, from the Senonian succession of the Bey Dagları autochthon. The Dicarinella concavata IZ and Dicarinella asymetrica TRZ have been identified from the massive hemipelagic limestones of the Bey Dag˘ları Formation and indicate a Coniacian-Santonian age. The Radotruncana calcarata TRZ, Globotruncana falsostuarti PRZ and Gansserina gansseri IZ have been recognized from the pelagic limestones of the Akdag˘ Formation and suggest a late Campanian-early Maastrichtian age. The identified planktonic foraminiferal biozones indicate that the Bey Dag˘ları carbonate platform drowned after the late Turonian; the Upper Cretaceous (Coniacian-early Maastrichtian) pelagic succession includes two stratigraphic gaps in the Korkuteli area corresponding to lower-middle Campanian and upper Maastrichtian. Slight drowning of the platform after the late Turonian may have been related to the regional extension which affected peri-Mediterranean alpine belts. The regional hiatuses in the pelagic succession are also ascribed to the tectonic events, as the Late Cretaceous is a time of great tectonic activity in this critical area of Tethys. Eustatic sea-level changes may have had a secondary effect on the Upper Cretaceous carbonate succession of the Bey Dagları Autochthon.
Paracaprinula syriaca, Piveteau (1939, Journal de Conchyliologie 83, 27–34), is described in deta... more Paracaprinula syriaca, Piveteau (1939, Journal de Conchyliologie 83, 27–34), is described in detail for the first time. While the original description did not provide evidence for characters that indeed justify the genus of being different from Mitrocaprina Boehm, specimens collected at the type locality at Yaylaçiftliği (Hatay), and from Alidamı (Kahta–Adıyaman) are characterized by vesicular structure of the inner shell layer of both valves. Other diagnostic features (myocardinal arrangement, relative thickness of outer shell layer in both valves, pallial canals in left valve) are characteristic for the Plagioptychidae so that Paracaprinula is considered to be the most derived genus of the family presently known from the Old World. This is consistent with the Late Campanian age derived from strontium-isotope stratigraphy of specimens from the two localities studied. A Maastrichtian or even Late Maastrichtian age that was based on previous biostratigraphical studies (larger benthic, and planktonic foraminifers) of the predominantly siliciclastic transgressive sequence over the ophiolites of the African-Arabian Plate has to be revised. This has implications for the timing of ophiolite emplacement onto the African-Arabian Plate in southeastern Turkey.
Identification of the benthonic foraminiferal assemblages from ten stratigraphic sections from th... more Identification of the benthonic foraminiferal assemblages from ten stratigraphic sections from the inner platform limestones of the Middle Cenomanian−Coniacian successions of the Bey Dağları carbonate platform (BDCP) allowed the recognition of one biozone and two subzones. The lower part of the platform limestones (Middle−Upper Cenomanian) is represented by relatively rich benthonic foraminiferal assemblages, while the upper part (Turonian−Coniacian) contains poor assemblages. The benthonic foraminiferal assemblages determined in the BDCP are dominated by long-ranging species. The shorter-ranging, stratigraphical index species have been selected to date the Upper Cretaceous platform limestones of the BDCP based on the distributions of the species in the circum- Mediterranean region. The Pseudolituonella reicheli-Pseudorhapydionina dubia Concurrent Range Zone is defined from the Middle−Upper Cenomanian platform limestones. The biozone includes the Cisalveolina lehneri Subzone and the Coxites zubairensis Subzone of Middle Cenomanian and Upper Cenomanian age respectively. The first occurrences of Moncharmontia apenninica-compressa and Pseudocyclammina sphaeroidea indicate the Late Turonian and the Coniacian respectively. The spread of hemipelagic limestones in the BDCP during the Coniacian shows that neritic accumulation on the BDCP persisted from the Middle Cenomanian to the Coniacian. These data indicate that the global sea level rise at the Cenomanian−Turonian boundary, which caused the general demise of many Tethyan carbonate platforms, did not result in deepening on the BDCP.
The Upper Cretaceous (Middle Cenomanian-Coniacian) successions of the Bey Dagları Carbonate Platf... more The Upper Cretaceous (Middle Cenomanian-Coniacian) successions of the Bey Dagları Carbonate Platform (Western Taurides,SWTurkey) are represented by rudist-bearing shallow-water limestones. Four rudist lithosomes are distinguished for the first time from the Eastern, Northern and Southern Areas of the Bey Dag˘ları Autochthon. The oldest rudist assemblages dominated by caprinids are observed in the Eastern (Katran Dag) Area (caprinid lithosomes) and suggest a Middle-Late Cenomanian age. The uppermost part of the platform carbonates in the Northern Area is characterized by an association of hippuritid and radiolitid rudist bivalves dominated by Vaccinites praegiganteus (Toucas) (hippuritid lithosomes). The rudist fauna indicates the Late Turonian age, which is confirmed by the previously obtained 87Sr/86Sr values of well-preserved low-Mg calcite of Vaccinites praegiganteus (Toucas) shells. The rudist associations of the Southern (Susuzdag˘) Area are represented by two rudist formations. The lower lithosomes are mainly made up of hippuritids and radiolitids (hippuritid-radiolitid lithosomes). The stratigraphical distributions of the species of the assemblage indicate a Santonian-Early Campanian age. The rudist associations of the upper lithosomes are dominated by species of Joufia and Gorjanovicia (Joufia-Gorjanovicia lithosomes), which suggest a Late Campanian-Maastrichtian age. Identification of the rudist lithosomes yields information on the palaeobiogeographic distribution of the rudist species in the eastern Mediterranean region and also on the biostratigraphic frame of the Upper Cretaceous successions of the Bey Dag˘ları Carbonate Platform. # 2009 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.
Planktonic foraminifer distributions in seventeen stratigraphic sections of Upper Cretaceous hemi... more Planktonic foraminifer distributions in seventeen stratigraphic sections of Upper Cretaceous hemipelagic and pelagic sequences of northern Bey Dagları 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 Dagları 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 Akdag 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.
Barremian-Lower Aptian platform carbonates (‘‘Urgonian limestones’’) of the northern margin of th... more Barremian-Lower Aptian platform carbonates (‘‘Urgonian limestones’’) of the northern margin of the Istanbul zone extend from Zonguldak to the Kurucasile area along the Black Sea coast. New stratigraphic data on the ‘‘Inpiri’’ Formation of the Inpiri-Kurucasile area are based on the identification of calcareous algae, foraminifera, and rudists. They show that this lithostratigraphic unit is stratigraphically and lithologically equivalent to the Oküsmedere Formation from Zonguldak. Some of the biostratigraphic markers are reported for the first time in Anatolia. Foraminifera are represented by several forms with a significant biostratigraphic potential used to distinguish the Barremian from the lower Aptian. Lower Aptian beds also yield relatively advanced caprinid rudists. The Oküsmedere Formation is relatively thin, terrigeneous-rich, and rudist-free or rudist-poor in the Kurucasile sector, and thick, terrigeneous-poor, and rudist-rich from Amasra to Zonguldak, with a set of marker beds including either charophytes or Palorbitolina and capped by a coral unit underlying ammonite bearing marls. Terrigeneous-rich carbonates from the eastern sector are interpreted as marginal marine coastal, infralittoral environments and grade distally, northward, to marly basinal sediments. By contrast ‘‘Urgonian type’’ limestones from the Zonguldak-Amasra region possess a wide extent and no transition to coastal or basinal sediments has been observed. A transition from a typical platform westward to a mixed siliciclastic-carbonate ramp eastward was controlled by both the nature of the adjacent exposed area and tectonic factors affecting the overall continental margin that is a northward downwarping. The exposed area was flanked southward by a belt of coastal siliciclastics grading southward and eastward to deep water sediments of the Ulus basin. In mid-Bedoulian time, carbonate platform demise from the western region was drowned below deeper marly sediments whereas the eastern siliscilastic-carbonate ramp was buried below coastal clastics.
Larger foraminifera are recognized from the middle Tertiary (Oligocene-Miocene) carbonate sedimen... more Larger foraminifera are recognized from the middle Tertiary (Oligocene-Miocene) carbonate sediments, Bey Daglari Autochton, which is a segment of a Tethyan Platform. Eight diagnostic species and their local ranges are documented. These 8 species establish three biostratigraphically useful faunal assemblages which are assigned to Tertiary e4 (Chattian), Tertiary e5 lower (Aquitanian) and Tertiary e5 upper (Burdigalian) of the Far Eastern Letter Stages. Diagnostic miogypsinid foraminifera and one new genus, Spinosemiogypsina antalyaensis, n. gen., n. sp. are described.
TheKocacay Basin (KC B) is a key area in western Anatolia -a well-known extended terrane where ... more TheKocacay Basin (KC B) is a key area in western Anatolia -a well-known extended terrane where regional segmentation has received limited attention- for investigating strike- slip faults kinematically linked to detachment faults. In this paper, we present results of an integrated sedimentologic, stratigraphic, and structural study ofMiocene alluvial fan/fan-delta/lacustrine deposits that accumulated in the KC B, a NE-trending basin with connections to theMenderes Metamorphic Core Complex (MCC). We mapped and evaluated most of the key faults in the KCB, many for the ¢rst time, and recognised different deformation events in the study area near the E margin of the MCC. We also present field evidence for kinematic connections between low-angle normal and strike- slip faults whichwere developed in an intermittently active basement-involved transfer zone in western Anatolia. We found that the KCB contains a detailed record of Miocene transtensional sedimentation and volcanism that accompanied exhumation of the MCC. Structural data reveal that the basin was initially formed by transtension (D1phase) and subsequently uplifted and deformed, probably as a result of early Pliocene wrench- to extension-dominated deformation (D2 phase) overprinted by Plio-Quaternary extensional tectonics (D3 phase).These results are consistent with progressive deformation wherein the axis of maximum extension remained in the horizontal plane but the intermediate andmaximumshortening axes switched position in the vertical plane. Combining our results with published studies, we propose a new working hypothesis that the KCB was a transtensional supradetachment basin during theMiocene. The hypothesis could provide new insights into intermittently active extension-parallel zone ofweakness inwestern Anatolia. These results also suggest that the termination of low-angle normal fault systems within an extension parallel transfer zone may have resulted in a transtensional depressions which are di¡erent from classical supradetachment basins with respect to the sedimentation and deformational pattern of the basin infills.
The Bornova Flysch Zone (BFZ), located between the Menderes Massif and the İzmir-Ankara Suture in... more The Bornova Flysch Zone (BFZ), located between the Menderes Massif and the İzmir-Ankara Suture in westernmost Anatolia (Turkey), forms the westernmost part of the Anatolide-Taurides. The BFZ comprises intensely sheared Upper Cretaceous-Palaeocene matrix and blocks of various origins. The matrix of the BFZ is mainly made up of unfossiliferous flysch-type sediments (alternations of sandstones and shales). In Bornova (İzmir, western Turkey) and its surroundings, these clastics locally include planktic foraminiferabearing pelagic micritic limestone and calcareous shale lenses and interbeds (Beytitepe Limestone). As a result of studies focusing on the planktic foraminifera-bearing pelagic interlayers in three areas (Gökdere, Işıklar and Kocaçay areas) around Bornova, a detailed planktic foraminiferal biostratigraphy of the rocks is documented for the first time. The thickness of the laminated micritic limestones attains 360 m in the Gökdere area. Occurrences of late Maastrichtian species such as Abathomphalus mayaroensis (Bolli), Contusotruncana contusa (Cushman), Globotruncanita conica (White) and Racemiguembelina fructicosa (Egger) within planktic foraminifera assemblages obtained from the laminated micritic limestones and red calcareous shales in the three areas suggest a late Maastrichtian age for these rocks. The occurrence of various species of Globanomalina, Morozovella, Igorina and Parasubbotina within the calcareous shales in the Işıklar area suggests a late Palaeocene age. The Kocaçay area has well-preserved outcrops showing the stratigraphy of the matrix, despite the more complex geology. The upper Maastrichtian laminated micritic limestones are gradationally overlain by upper Maastrichtian calcareous shales. The calcareous shales are represented by rich planktic foraminiferal assemblages and include blocks derived from laminated micritic limestones. The upper Mastrichtian calcareous shales are overlain by Palaeocene red calcareous shales. Poor assemblages including Parasubbotina varianta (Subbotina), Subbotina triangularis (White), Subbotina cf. velascoensis (Cushman), Globanomalina compressa (Plummer) and Globanomalina planoconica (Subbotina) indicate a late Palaeocene age for the lower part and a latest Palaeocene age for the upper part of the calcareous shale sequence. Therefore, the age of conglomerates and flysch overlying the calcareous shales should be latest Palaeocene or younger in the Kocaçay area.
The Upper Campanian (Cretaceous) of the Hacımehmet area (south of the city of Trabzon; Eastern Po... more The Upper Campanian (Cretaceous) of the Hacımehmet area (south of the city of Trabzon; Eastern Pontides) is composed of calciclastic turbidites. The 119-m thick succession consists of an alternation of allochthonous calcarenite/calcirudite beds and pelagic marls and mudstones. The lower part of the succession includes thin red pelagic limestone interlayers and conglomerates dominated by volcaniclastic clasts. Calcarenite/calcirudite beds dominate the middle part of the succession and are composed of transported material, including benthic foraminifers, red algae, bryozoans, crinoids, rudists, inoceramid prisms? fragments and neritic and pelagic carbonate lithoclasts. A Late Campanian-Maastrichtian benthic foraminifers were extracted from the calcarenite/calcirudite beds. The occurrence of Helicorbitoides boluensis (Sirel) and Orbitoides tissoti Schlumberger indicates a Late Campanian age. Identifiable rudists, Joufia reticulata Boehm, Bournonia cf. anatolica Özer, Biradiolites cf. bulgaricus Pamouktchiev and ?Biradiolites sp., from the middle part of the succession, characterise the Late Campanian-Maastrichtian. The planktonic foraminifera within the red pelagic limestone beds, marls and mudstones throughout the succession consists mainly of Campanian-Maastrichtian forms and suggests basinal depositional conditions. The presence of Radotruncana cf. calcarata (Cushman) accompanied by Globotruncanita elevata (Brotzen) in the lower part of the succession indicates an early Late Campanian age. Inoceramid bivalves are derived from the upper part of the succession. The fauna is dominated by ‘Inoceramus’ tenuilineatus Hall and Meek 1854 and Cataceramus haldemensis (Giers, 1964); other taxa recognised are: ‘Inoceramus’ algeriensis Heinz 1932, Platyceramus vanuxemi (Meek and Hayden 1860), ‘Inoceramus’ cf. nebrascensis Owen, 1852, Cataceramus aff. barabini (Morton, 1834), Cataceramus gandjaensis (Aliev, 1956), and ‘Inoceramus’ sp.; the assemblage indicates the ‘Inoceramus’ tenuilineatus Zone; corresponding to the Middle - Late Campanian boundary interval. The uppermost part of the succession is characterised by the presence of Scolicia strozzii and Scolicia isp. trace fossils, indicating the a mixed Skolithos-Cruziana ichnofacies. This ichnofacies suggests a well-oxygenated environment.
The stratigraphy of the uppermost levels of the Menderes Massif is controversial and within its d... more The stratigraphy of the uppermost levels of the Menderes Massif is controversial and within its details lie vital constraints to the tectonic evolution of south-western Turkey. Our primary study was carried out in four reference areas along the southern and eastern Menderes Massif. These areas lie in the upper part of the Menderes metamorphic cover and have a clear stratigraphic relationship and contain datable fossils. The first one, in the Akbtik-Milas area, is located south-east of Bafa Lake where the Milas, then Kızılağaç and Kazıklı formations are well exposed. There, the Milas formation grades upwards into the Kızılağaç formation. The contact between the Kızılağaç and the overlying Kazıklı formation is not clearly seen but is interpreted as an unconformity. The Milas and Kızılağaç formations are also found north of Mugla, in the region of Yatağan and Kavaklıdere. In these areas, the Milas formation consists of schists and conformably overlying platform-type, emery and rudist-bearing marbles. Rudists form the main palaeontological data from which a Santonian-Campanian age is indicated. The Kızılağaç formation is characterized by reddish-greyish pelagic marbles with marly-pelitic interlayers and coarsening up debris flow deposits. Pelagic marbles within the formation contain planktonic foraminifera and nanoplankton of late Campanian to late Maastrichtian age. The Kazıklı formation is of flysch type and includes carbonate blocks. Planktonic foraminifera of Middle Palaeocene age are present in carbonate lenses within the formation. In the Serinhisar-Tavas area, Mesozoic platform-type marbles (Yılanlı formation) belonging to the cover series of the Menderes Massif exhibit an imbricated internal structure. Two rudist levels can be diştinguished in the uppermost part of the formation: the first indicates a middle-late Cenomanian age and the upper one is Santonian to Campanian in age. These marbles are unconformably covered by the Palaeocene-Early Eocene Zeybekolentepe formation with polygenetic breccias. In the Çal-Denizli area, the Menderes massif succession consists of cherty marbles and clastic rocks with metavolcanic lenses. The Lower-Middle Eocene Şalvan formation lies unconformably on this sequence and is interpreted as equivalent to the marble horizons at Serinhisar but with pelagic facies. The Şalvan formation consists of shale, mafic volcanic rock, lenses of limestone and blocks of recrystallized limestone. The S, alvan formation is dated here for the first time by Early-Middle Eocene foraminifera and nanoplankton from the matrix of the formation. An angular unconformity exists between the Upper Cretaceous and Lower Tertiary sequences, suggesting that a phase of deformation affected the southern and eastern part of the Menderes Massif at this time. This deformation may be caused by initial obduction of the Lycian ophiolite onto the passive margin to the north of the Menderes carbonate platform during the latest Cretaceous. Drowning of the platform led to termination of carbonate deposition and deposition of deep water flysch-like clastic sediments.
In the Korkuteli area of the western Taurides, Upper Cretaceous sequences consist of the neritic ... more In the Korkuteli area of the western Taurides, Upper Cretaceous sequences consist of the neritic and hemipelagic Beydaglari Formation and the pelagic Akdag Formation. These formations show important facies variations and stratigraphic gaps. The Beydaglari Formation, ranging in age from Cenomanian to Santonian, is approximately 600 m thick, and is composed mainly of platform-type neritic carbonates. Five microfacies indicating tidal-flat, subtidal (lagoonal), reef, and forereef subenvironments are distinguished in the neritic carbonates of the formation. Benthic foraminifera and rudists are the main biological components that provide information about the environment and age of the unit. In addition, cryptalgal lamination also is recognized as an important tool in determining environment. The uppermost part of the Beydaglari Formation is composed of hemipelagic carbonates (a sixth microfacies), which were deposited under basinal conditions. The Akdag Formation consists of planktonic foraminifera-bearing pelagic carbonates, suggesting a Campanian-Maastrichtian age and deposition as a basinal facies. The formation disconformably overlies the Beydaglari Formation along an erosional surface. Eocene transgressive pelagic clayey carbonates of the Ulucak Formation unconformably overlie the Upper Cretaceous carbonate sequences. Detailed investigations have shown that, at least in the studied part of the autochthonous unit, the platform began to drown during the Santonian and that a true basinal environment persisted from the Campanian to the Maastrichtian. Two erosional phases are recorded; one occurred after the Santonian and is characterized by a prominent erosional surface, and the other is responsible for the post-Cretaceous regression.
The Upper Cretaceous Korkuteli (Antalya) carbonate sequence of the Bey Dağları Autochthonous unit... more The Upper Cretaceous Korkuteli (Antalya) carbonate sequence of the Bey Dağları Autochthonous unit (western Taurides) comprises two formations. The Cenomanian-Santonian Bey Dağları formation lies at the base of this sequence and can be divided into two parts. Neritic part is characterized by platform-type, peritidal limestones and comprises an approximately 600-m-thick sequence that contains two main rudistid horizons corresponding to Cenomanian and early Santonian. The neritic limestones pass gradually upward into the 15-m thick, middle-upper Santonian massive hemipelagic limestones that form the upper part. The upper Campanian middle Maastrichtian Akdağ formation consists totally of pelagic limestones that indicate basinal conditions and disconformably overlies different stratigraphic levels of the Bey Dağları formation. Palaeogene pelagic marls form the base of the Tertiary sequence and disconformably overlie different stratigraphic levels of the Upper Cretaceous sequence. The presence of two erosional phases in the Upper Cretaceous sequence is obvious. The autochthonous unit was subaerially exposed after post-Santonian and middle Maastrichtian regressions.
Radiolitid rudist shells from the Upper Cretaceous marbles in the southern sector of Menderes Mas... more Radiolitid rudist shells from the Upper Cretaceous marbles in the southern sector of Menderes Massif (Turkey) have been studied under cathodoluminescence microscopy (CL). The background of equant calcite mosaic appears non-luminescent, and only some scarce relicts of growth lines and walls are red and yellow-luminescent. CL observations allow us to think that the Upper Cretaceous marbles of the Menderes Massif were completely homogeneized through high-pressure metamorphism during the Alpine history that led to a strong recrystallization to non-luminescent ferroan calcite. After this process, the “honeycomb” microstructure still remains ill-preserved as some isolated patchs. From our previous observations in bivalve shells from the Middle-to-Upper Cretaceous of the Basque-Cantabrian Region (northern Spain) we think that, in spite of metamorphism, luminiscence survives restricted to the shell parts which originally could host a more dense concentration in organic matter.
The uppermost part of the Upper Cretaceous platform carbonates of the Bey Dagları Autochthon in ... more The uppermost part of the Upper Cretaceous platform carbonates of the Bey Dagları Autochthon in the Korkuteli, Turkey, area is characterised by an association of hippuritid and radiolitid rudist bivalves dominated by Vaccinites praegiganteus (Toucas). A Late Turonian age is indicated by 87Sr/86Sr values of well-preserved low-Mg calcite of the shells and agrees with the stratigraphical range of the species in the western and central Mediterranean region. This is the first record of Upper Turonian rudists from Turkey. Right valves of 17 specimens of V. praegiganteus from Bey Dagları have been analysed morphometrically and are compared with previously reported specimens from the central and western Mediterranean. Most of the specimens from Turkey differ in having fused posterior pillars.
The Upper Cretaceous sequence of the Korkuteli area
(Western Taurides) comprises two formations. ... more The Upper Cretaceous sequence of the Korkuteli area (Western Taurides) comprises two formations. The Bey Dagları Formation lies at the base and can be divided into two parts. A 600-m-thick neritic lower part is capped with thin, massive, hemipelagic limestones. The Akdag Formation disconformably overlies different stratigraphic levels of the Bey Dagları Formation along a prominent erosional surface and consists of thin-bedded, cherty, pelagic, clayey limestones. Paleogene marls form the base of the Tertiary sequence and disconformably overlie different stratigraphic levels of the Upper Cretaceous succession. This study identifies from thin sections and analyzes the Late Cretaceous planktonic foraminifera. Identification of forty-five species belonging to the genera Contusotruncana, Dicarinella, Gansserina, Globotruncana, Globotruncanella, Globotruncanita, Marginotruncana and Radotruncana has led to the recognition of five biostratigraphic zones, in ascending order: Dicarinella concavata Interval Zone (IZ), Dicarinella asymetrica Total Range Zone (TRZ), Radotruncana calcarata TRZ, Globotruncana falsostuarti Partial Range Zone (PRZ) and Gansserina gansseri IZ, from the Senonian succession of the Bey Dagları autochthon. The Dicarinella concavata IZ and Dicarinella asymetrica TRZ have been identified from the massive hemipelagic limestones of the Bey Dag˘ları Formation and indicate a Coniacian-Santonian age. The Radotruncana calcarata TRZ, Globotruncana falsostuarti PRZ and Gansserina gansseri IZ have been recognized from the pelagic limestones of the Akdag˘ Formation and suggest a late Campanian-early Maastrichtian age. The identified planktonic foraminiferal biozones indicate that the Bey Dag˘ları carbonate platform drowned after the late Turonian; the Upper Cretaceous (Coniacian-early Maastrichtian) pelagic succession includes two stratigraphic gaps in the Korkuteli area corresponding to lower-middle Campanian and upper Maastrichtian. Slight drowning of the platform after the late Turonian may have been related to the regional extension which affected peri-Mediterranean alpine belts. The regional hiatuses in the pelagic succession are also ascribed to the tectonic events, as the Late Cretaceous is a time of great tectonic activity in this critical area of Tethys. Eustatic sea-level changes may have had a secondary effect on the Upper Cretaceous carbonate succession of the Bey Dagları Autochthon.
Paracaprinula syriaca, Piveteau (1939, Journal de Conchyliologie 83, 27–34), is described in deta... more Paracaprinula syriaca, Piveteau (1939, Journal de Conchyliologie 83, 27–34), is described in detail for the first time. While the original description did not provide evidence for characters that indeed justify the genus of being different from Mitrocaprina Boehm, specimens collected at the type locality at Yaylaçiftliği (Hatay), and from Alidamı (Kahta–Adıyaman) are characterized by vesicular structure of the inner shell layer of both valves. Other diagnostic features (myocardinal arrangement, relative thickness of outer shell layer in both valves, pallial canals in left valve) are characteristic for the Plagioptychidae so that Paracaprinula is considered to be the most derived genus of the family presently known from the Old World. This is consistent with the Late Campanian age derived from strontium-isotope stratigraphy of specimens from the two localities studied. A Maastrichtian or even Late Maastrichtian age that was based on previous biostratigraphical studies (larger benthic, and planktonic foraminifers) of the predominantly siliciclastic transgressive sequence over the ophiolites of the African-Arabian Plate has to be revised. This has implications for the timing of ophiolite emplacement onto the African-Arabian Plate in southeastern Turkey.
Identification of the benthonic foraminiferal assemblages from ten stratigraphic sections from th... more Identification of the benthonic foraminiferal assemblages from ten stratigraphic sections from the inner platform limestones of the Middle Cenomanian−Coniacian successions of the Bey Dağları carbonate platform (BDCP) allowed the recognition of one biozone and two subzones. The lower part of the platform limestones (Middle−Upper Cenomanian) is represented by relatively rich benthonic foraminiferal assemblages, while the upper part (Turonian−Coniacian) contains poor assemblages. The benthonic foraminiferal assemblages determined in the BDCP are dominated by long-ranging species. The shorter-ranging, stratigraphical index species have been selected to date the Upper Cretaceous platform limestones of the BDCP based on the distributions of the species in the circum- Mediterranean region. The Pseudolituonella reicheli-Pseudorhapydionina dubia Concurrent Range Zone is defined from the Middle−Upper Cenomanian platform limestones. The biozone includes the Cisalveolina lehneri Subzone and the Coxites zubairensis Subzone of Middle Cenomanian and Upper Cenomanian age respectively. The first occurrences of Moncharmontia apenninica-compressa and Pseudocyclammina sphaeroidea indicate the Late Turonian and the Coniacian respectively. The spread of hemipelagic limestones in the BDCP during the Coniacian shows that neritic accumulation on the BDCP persisted from the Middle Cenomanian to the Coniacian. These data indicate that the global sea level rise at the Cenomanian−Turonian boundary, which caused the general demise of many Tethyan carbonate platforms, did not result in deepening on the BDCP.
The Upper Cretaceous (Middle Cenomanian-Coniacian) successions of the Bey Dagları Carbonate Platf... more The Upper Cretaceous (Middle Cenomanian-Coniacian) successions of the Bey Dagları Carbonate Platform (Western Taurides,SWTurkey) are represented by rudist-bearing shallow-water limestones. Four rudist lithosomes are distinguished for the first time from the Eastern, Northern and Southern Areas of the Bey Dag˘ları Autochthon. The oldest rudist assemblages dominated by caprinids are observed in the Eastern (Katran Dag) Area (caprinid lithosomes) and suggest a Middle-Late Cenomanian age. The uppermost part of the platform carbonates in the Northern Area is characterized by an association of hippuritid and radiolitid rudist bivalves dominated by Vaccinites praegiganteus (Toucas) (hippuritid lithosomes). The rudist fauna indicates the Late Turonian age, which is confirmed by the previously obtained 87Sr/86Sr values of well-preserved low-Mg calcite of Vaccinites praegiganteus (Toucas) shells. The rudist associations of the Southern (Susuzdag˘) Area are represented by two rudist formations. The lower lithosomes are mainly made up of hippuritids and radiolitids (hippuritid-radiolitid lithosomes). The stratigraphical distributions of the species of the assemblage indicate a Santonian-Early Campanian age. The rudist associations of the upper lithosomes are dominated by species of Joufia and Gorjanovicia (Joufia-Gorjanovicia lithosomes), which suggest a Late Campanian-Maastrichtian age. Identification of the rudist lithosomes yields information on the palaeobiogeographic distribution of the rudist species in the eastern Mediterranean region and also on the biostratigraphic frame of the Upper Cretaceous successions of the Bey Dag˘ları Carbonate Platform. # 2009 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.
Planktonic foraminifer distributions in seventeen stratigraphic sections of Upper Cretaceous hemi... more Planktonic foraminifer distributions in seventeen stratigraphic sections of Upper Cretaceous hemipelagic and pelagic sequences of northern Bey Dagları 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 Dagları 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 Akdag 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.
Barremian-Lower Aptian platform carbonates (‘‘Urgonian limestones’’) of the northern margin of th... more Barremian-Lower Aptian platform carbonates (‘‘Urgonian limestones’’) of the northern margin of the Istanbul zone extend from Zonguldak to the Kurucasile area along the Black Sea coast. New stratigraphic data on the ‘‘Inpiri’’ Formation of the Inpiri-Kurucasile area are based on the identification of calcareous algae, foraminifera, and rudists. They show that this lithostratigraphic unit is stratigraphically and lithologically equivalent to the Oküsmedere Formation from Zonguldak. Some of the biostratigraphic markers are reported for the first time in Anatolia. Foraminifera are represented by several forms with a significant biostratigraphic potential used to distinguish the Barremian from the lower Aptian. Lower Aptian beds also yield relatively advanced caprinid rudists. The Oküsmedere Formation is relatively thin, terrigeneous-rich, and rudist-free or rudist-poor in the Kurucasile sector, and thick, terrigeneous-poor, and rudist-rich from Amasra to Zonguldak, with a set of marker beds including either charophytes or Palorbitolina and capped by a coral unit underlying ammonite bearing marls. Terrigeneous-rich carbonates from the eastern sector are interpreted as marginal marine coastal, infralittoral environments and grade distally, northward, to marly basinal sediments. By contrast ‘‘Urgonian type’’ limestones from the Zonguldak-Amasra region possess a wide extent and no transition to coastal or basinal sediments has been observed. A transition from a typical platform westward to a mixed siliciclastic-carbonate ramp eastward was controlled by both the nature of the adjacent exposed area and tectonic factors affecting the overall continental margin that is a northward downwarping. The exposed area was flanked southward by a belt of coastal siliciclastics grading southward and eastward to deep water sediments of the Ulus basin. In mid-Bedoulian time, carbonate platform demise from the western region was drowned below deeper marly sediments whereas the eastern siliscilastic-carbonate ramp was buried below coastal clastics.
Larger foraminifera are recognized from the middle Tertiary (Oligocene-Miocene) carbonate sedimen... more Larger foraminifera are recognized from the middle Tertiary (Oligocene-Miocene) carbonate sediments, Bey Daglari Autochton, which is a segment of a Tethyan Platform. Eight diagnostic species and their local ranges are documented. These 8 species establish three biostratigraphically useful faunal assemblages which are assigned to Tertiary e4 (Chattian), Tertiary e5 lower (Aquitanian) and Tertiary e5 upper (Burdigalian) of the Far Eastern Letter Stages. Diagnostic miogypsinid foraminifera and one new genus, Spinosemiogypsina antalyaensis, n. gen., n. sp. are described.
TheKocacay Basin (KC B) is a key area in western Anatolia -a well-known extended terrane where ... more TheKocacay Basin (KC B) is a key area in western Anatolia -a well-known extended terrane where regional segmentation has received limited attention- for investigating strike- slip faults kinematically linked to detachment faults. In this paper, we present results of an integrated sedimentologic, stratigraphic, and structural study ofMiocene alluvial fan/fan-delta/lacustrine deposits that accumulated in the KC B, a NE-trending basin with connections to theMenderes Metamorphic Core Complex (MCC). We mapped and evaluated most of the key faults in the KCB, many for the ¢rst time, and recognised different deformation events in the study area near the E margin of the MCC. We also present field evidence for kinematic connections between low-angle normal and strike- slip faults whichwere developed in an intermittently active basement-involved transfer zone in western Anatolia. We found that the KCB contains a detailed record of Miocene transtensional sedimentation and volcanism that accompanied exhumation of the MCC. Structural data reveal that the basin was initially formed by transtension (D1phase) and subsequently uplifted and deformed, probably as a result of early Pliocene wrench- to extension-dominated deformation (D2 phase) overprinted by Plio-Quaternary extensional tectonics (D3 phase).These results are consistent with progressive deformation wherein the axis of maximum extension remained in the horizontal plane but the intermediate andmaximumshortening axes switched position in the vertical plane. Combining our results with published studies, we propose a new working hypothesis that the KCB was a transtensional supradetachment basin during theMiocene. The hypothesis could provide new insights into intermittently active extension-parallel zone ofweakness inwestern Anatolia. These results also suggest that the termination of low-angle normal fault systems within an extension parallel transfer zone may have resulted in a transtensional depressions which are di¡erent from classical supradetachment basins with respect to the sedimentation and deformational pattern of the basin infills.
The Bornova Flysch Zone (BFZ), located between the Menderes Massif and the İzmir-Ankara Suture in... more The Bornova Flysch Zone (BFZ), located between the Menderes Massif and the İzmir-Ankara Suture in westernmost Anatolia (Turkey), forms the westernmost part of the Anatolide-Taurides. The BFZ comprises intensely sheared Upper Cretaceous-Palaeocene matrix and blocks of various origins. The matrix of the BFZ is mainly made up of unfossiliferous flysch-type sediments (alternations of sandstones and shales). In Bornova (İzmir, western Turkey) and its surroundings, these clastics locally include planktic foraminiferabearing pelagic micritic limestone and calcareous shale lenses and interbeds (Beytitepe Limestone). As a result of studies focusing on the planktic foraminifera-bearing pelagic interlayers in three areas (Gökdere, Işıklar and Kocaçay areas) around Bornova, a detailed planktic foraminiferal biostratigraphy of the rocks is documented for the first time. The thickness of the laminated micritic limestones attains 360 m in the Gökdere area. Occurrences of late Maastrichtian species such as Abathomphalus mayaroensis (Bolli), Contusotruncana contusa (Cushman), Globotruncanita conica (White) and Racemiguembelina fructicosa (Egger) within planktic foraminifera assemblages obtained from the laminated micritic limestones and red calcareous shales in the three areas suggest a late Maastrichtian age for these rocks. The occurrence of various species of Globanomalina, Morozovella, Igorina and Parasubbotina within the calcareous shales in the Işıklar area suggests a late Palaeocene age. The Kocaçay area has well-preserved outcrops showing the stratigraphy of the matrix, despite the more complex geology. The upper Maastrichtian laminated micritic limestones are gradationally overlain by upper Maastrichtian calcareous shales. The calcareous shales are represented by rich planktic foraminiferal assemblages and include blocks derived from laminated micritic limestones. The upper Mastrichtian calcareous shales are overlain by Palaeocene red calcareous shales. Poor assemblages including Parasubbotina varianta (Subbotina), Subbotina triangularis (White), Subbotina cf. velascoensis (Cushman), Globanomalina compressa (Plummer) and Globanomalina planoconica (Subbotina) indicate a late Palaeocene age for the lower part and a latest Palaeocene age for the upper part of the calcareous shale sequence. Therefore, the age of conglomerates and flysch overlying the calcareous shales should be latest Palaeocene or younger in the Kocaçay area.
The Upper Campanian (Cretaceous) of the Hacımehmet area (south of the city of Trabzon; Eastern Po... more The Upper Campanian (Cretaceous) of the Hacımehmet area (south of the city of Trabzon; Eastern Pontides) is composed of calciclastic turbidites. The 119-m thick succession consists of an alternation of allochthonous calcarenite/calcirudite beds and pelagic marls and mudstones. The lower part of the succession includes thin red pelagic limestone interlayers and conglomerates dominated by volcaniclastic clasts. Calcarenite/calcirudite beds dominate the middle part of the succession and are composed of transported material, including benthic foraminifers, red algae, bryozoans, crinoids, rudists, inoceramid prisms? fragments and neritic and pelagic carbonate lithoclasts. A Late Campanian-Maastrichtian benthic foraminifers were extracted from the calcarenite/calcirudite beds. The occurrence of Helicorbitoides boluensis (Sirel) and Orbitoides tissoti Schlumberger indicates a Late Campanian age. Identifiable rudists, Joufia reticulata Boehm, Bournonia cf. anatolica Özer, Biradiolites cf. bulgaricus Pamouktchiev and ?Biradiolites sp., from the middle part of the succession, characterise the Late Campanian-Maastrichtian. The planktonic foraminifera within the red pelagic limestone beds, marls and mudstones throughout the succession consists mainly of Campanian-Maastrichtian forms and suggests basinal depositional conditions. The presence of Radotruncana cf. calcarata (Cushman) accompanied by Globotruncanita elevata (Brotzen) in the lower part of the succession indicates an early Late Campanian age. Inoceramid bivalves are derived from the upper part of the succession. The fauna is dominated by ‘Inoceramus’ tenuilineatus Hall and Meek 1854 and Cataceramus haldemensis (Giers, 1964); other taxa recognised are: ‘Inoceramus’ algeriensis Heinz 1932, Platyceramus vanuxemi (Meek and Hayden 1860), ‘Inoceramus’ cf. nebrascensis Owen, 1852, Cataceramus aff. barabini (Morton, 1834), Cataceramus gandjaensis (Aliev, 1956), and ‘Inoceramus’ sp.; the assemblage indicates the ‘Inoceramus’ tenuilineatus Zone; corresponding to the Middle - Late Campanian boundary interval. The uppermost part of the succession is characterised by the presence of Scolicia strozzii and Scolicia isp. trace fossils, indicating the a mixed Skolithos-Cruziana ichnofacies. This ichnofacies suggests a well-oxygenated environment.
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Papers by Bilal SARI
first one, in the Akbtik-Milas area, is located south-east of Bafa Lake where the Milas, then Kızılağaç and Kazıklı formations are well exposed. There, the Milas formation grades upwards into the Kızılağaç formation. The contact between the Kızılağaç and the overlying Kazıklı
formation is not clearly seen but is interpreted as an unconformity. The Milas and Kızılağaç formations are also found north of Mugla, in the region of Yatağan and Kavaklıdere. In these areas, the Milas formation consists of schists and conformably overlying platform-type, emery and
rudist-bearing marbles. Rudists form the main palaeontological data from which a Santonian-Campanian age is indicated.
The Kızılağaç formation is characterized by reddish-greyish pelagic marbles with marly-pelitic interlayers and coarsening up debris flow deposits. Pelagic marbles within the formation contain planktonic foraminifera and nanoplankton of late
Campanian to late Maastrichtian age. The Kazıklı formation is of flysch type and includes carbonate blocks. Planktonic foraminifera of Middle Palaeocene age are present in carbonate lenses within the formation. In the Serinhisar-Tavas area, Mesozoic platform-type marbles (Yılanlı formation) belonging to the cover series of the Menderes Massif exhibit an imbricated internal structure. Two rudist levels can be diştinguished in the uppermost part of the formation: the
first indicates a middle-late Cenomanian age and the
upper one is Santonian to Campanian in age. These
marbles are unconformably covered by the Palaeocene-Early Eocene Zeybekolentepe formation with polygenetic breccias. In the Çal-Denizli area, the Menderes massif succession consists of cherty marbles and clastic rocks with metavolcanic lenses. The Lower-Middle Eocene Şalvan formation lies unconformably on this sequence and is interpreted as equivalent to the marble horizons at Serinhisar but with pelagic facies. The Şalvan formation consists of shale, mafic volcanic rock, lenses of limestone and blocks of
recrystallized limestone. The S, alvan formation is dated
here for the first time by Early-Middle Eocene foraminifera and nanoplankton from the matrix of the formation. An angular unconformity exists between the Upper Cretaceous and Lower Tertiary sequences, suggesting that a phase of deformation affected the southern and eastern part of the Menderes Massif at this time. This deformation may be caused by initial
obduction of the Lycian ophiolite onto the passive
margin to the north of the Menderes carbonate platform during the latest Cretaceous. Drowning of the platform led to termination of carbonate deposition and deposition of deep water flysch-like clastic sediments.
Cenomanian to Santonian, is approximately 600 m thick, and is composed mainly of platform-type neritic carbonates. Five microfacies indicating tidal-flat, subtidal (lagoonal), reef, and forereef subenvironments are distinguished in the neritic carbonates of the formation. Benthic foraminifera and
rudists are the main biological components that provide information about the environment and age of the unit. In addition, cryptalgal lamination also is recognized as an important tool in determining environment. The uppermost part of the Beydaglari Formation is composed of hemipelagic carbonates (a sixth microfacies), which were deposited under basinal conditions. The Akdag Formation consists of planktonic foraminifera-bearing pelagic carbonates, suggesting a Campanian-Maastrichtian age and deposition as a basinal facies. The formation disconformably overlies the Beydaglari
Formation along an erosional surface. Eocene transgressive pelagic clayey carbonates of the Ulucak Formation unconformably overlie the Upper Cretaceous carbonate sequences. Detailed investigations have shown that, at least in the studied part of the autochthonous unit, the platform began to drown during the Santonian and that a true basinal environment persisted from the Campanian to the Maastrichtian. Two erosional phases are recorded; one occurred after the Santonian and is characterized by a prominent erosional surface, and the other is responsible for the post-Cretaceous regression.
corresponding to Cenomanian and early Santonian. The neritic limestones pass gradually upward into the 15-m thick,
middle-upper Santonian massive hemipelagic limestones that form the upper part. The upper Campanian middle
Maastrichtian Akdağ formation consists totally of pelagic limestones that indicate basinal conditions and disconformably overlies different stratigraphic levels of the Bey Dağları formation. Palaeogene pelagic marls form the base of the Tertiary sequence and disconformably overlie different stratigraphic levels of the Upper Cretaceous sequence. The presence of two erosional phases in the Upper Cretaceous sequence is obvious. The autochthonous unit was subaerially exposed after post-Santonian and middle Maastrichtian regressions.
Right valves of 17 specimens of V. praegiganteus from Bey Dagları have been analysed morphometrically and are compared with previously reported specimens from the central and western Mediterranean. Most of the specimens from Turkey differ in having fused posterior pillars.
(Western Taurides) comprises two formations. The Bey
Dagları Formation lies at the base and can be divided into
two parts. A 600-m-thick neritic lower part is capped with
thin, massive, hemipelagic limestones. The Akdag Formation
disconformably overlies different stratigraphic levels of the
Bey Dagları Formation along a prominent erosional surface
and consists of thin-bedded, cherty, pelagic, clayey limestones.
Paleogene marls form the base of the Tertiary sequence and disconformably overlie different stratigraphic levels of the Upper Cretaceous succession. This study identifies from thin sections and analyzes the Late Cretaceous planktonic foraminifera. Identification of forty-five species belonging to the genera Contusotruncana, Dicarinella, Gansserina, Globotruncana, Globotruncanella, Globotruncanita, Marginotruncana and Radotruncana has led to the recognition of five biostratigraphic zones, in ascending order: Dicarinella concavata Interval Zone (IZ), Dicarinella asymetrica Total Range Zone (TRZ), Radotruncana calcarata TRZ, Globotruncana falsostuarti Partial Range Zone (PRZ) and Gansserina gansseri
IZ, from the Senonian succession of the Bey Dagları
autochthon. The Dicarinella concavata IZ and Dicarinella
asymetrica TRZ have been identified from the massive
hemipelagic limestones of the Bey Dag˘ları Formation and
indicate a Coniacian-Santonian age. The Radotruncana
calcarata TRZ, Globotruncana falsostuarti PRZ and Gansserina
gansseri IZ have been recognized from the pelagic
limestones of the Akdag˘ Formation and suggest a late
Campanian-early Maastrichtian age.
The identified planktonic foraminiferal biozones indicate
that the Bey Dag˘ları carbonate platform drowned after the
late Turonian; the Upper Cretaceous (Coniacian-early
Maastrichtian) pelagic succession includes two stratigraphic
gaps in the Korkuteli area corresponding to lower-middle
Campanian and upper Maastrichtian. Slight drowning of the
platform after the late Turonian may have been related to the
regional extension which affected peri-Mediterranean alpine
belts. The regional hiatuses in the pelagic succession are also
ascribed to the tectonic events, as the Late Cretaceous is
a time of great tectonic activity in this critical area of Tethys.
Eustatic sea-level changes may have had a secondary effect
on the Upper Cretaceous carbonate succession of the Bey
Dagları Autochthon.
first time. While the original description did not provide evidence for characters that indeed justify the genus of being different from Mitrocaprina Boehm, specimens collected at the type locality at Yaylaçiftliği (Hatay), and from Alidamı (Kahta–Adıyaman) are characterized by vesicular structure of the inner shell layer of both valves. Other diagnostic features (myocardinal arrangement, relative thickness of outer shell
layer in both valves, pallial canals in left valve) are characteristic for the Plagioptychidae so that Paracaprinula is considered to be the most derived genus of the family presently known from the Old World. This is consistent with the Late Campanian age derived from strontium-isotope stratigraphy of specimens
from the two localities studied. A Maastrichtian or even Late Maastrichtian age that was based on previous biostratigraphical studies (larger benthic, and planktonic foraminifers) of the predominantly siliciclastic transgressive sequence over the ophiolites of the African-Arabian Plate has to be revised. This has implications for the timing of ophiolite emplacement onto the African-Arabian Plate in southeastern
Turkey.
Mediterranean region. The Pseudolituonella reicheli-Pseudorhapydionina dubia Concurrent Range Zone is defined from the Middle−Upper Cenomanian platform limestones. The biozone includes the Cisalveolina lehneri Subzone and the
Coxites zubairensis Subzone of Middle Cenomanian and Upper Cenomanian age respectively. The first occurrences of
Moncharmontia apenninica-compressa and Pseudocyclammina sphaeroidea indicate the Late Turonian and the Coniacian respectively. The spread of hemipelagic limestones in the BDCP during the Coniacian shows that neritic accumulation on the BDCP persisted from the Middle Cenomanian to the Coniacian. These data indicate that the global sea level rise at the Cenomanian−Turonian boundary, which caused the general demise of many Tethyan carbonate platforms, did not result in deepening on the BDCP.
lower lithosomes are mainly made up of hippuritids and radiolitids (hippuritid-radiolitid lithosomes). The stratigraphical distributions of the species of the assemblage indicate a Santonian-Early Campanian age. The rudist associations of the upper lithosomes are dominated by species of Joufia and Gorjanovicia (Joufia-Gorjanovicia lithosomes), which suggest a Late Campanian-Maastrichtian age. Identification of the rudist
lithosomes yields information on the palaeobiogeographic distribution of the rudist species in the eastern Mediterranean region and also on the biostratigraphic frame of the Upper Cretaceous successions of the Bey Dag˘ları Carbonate Platform.
# 2009 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.
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 Akdag 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.
Aptian beds also yield relatively advanced caprinid rudists.
The Oküsmedere Formation is relatively thin, terrigeneous-rich, and rudist-free or rudist-poor in the Kurucasile sector, and thick, terrigeneous-poor, and rudist-rich from Amasra to Zonguldak, with a set of marker beds including either charophytes or Palorbitolina and capped by a coral unit underlying ammonite bearing marls. Terrigeneous-rich carbonates from the eastern sector are interpreted as
marginal marine coastal, infralittoral environments and grade distally, northward, to marly basinal sediments. By contrast ‘‘Urgonian type’’ limestones from the Zonguldak-Amasra region possess a wide extent and no transition to coastal or basinal sediments has been observed. A transition from a typical platform westward to a mixed siliciclastic-carbonate ramp eastward was controlled by both the nature of
the adjacent exposed area and tectonic factors affecting the overall continental margin that is a northward downwarping. The exposed area was flanked southward by a belt of coastal siliciclastics grading southward and eastward to deep water sediments of the Ulus basin. In mid-Bedoulian time, carbonate
platform demise from the western region was drowned below deeper marly sediments whereas the eastern siliscilastic-carbonate ramp was buried below coastal clastics.
Autochton, which is a segment of a Tethyan Platform. Eight diagnostic species and their local ranges are documented. These 8 species establish three biostratigraphically useful faunal assemblages which are assigned to Tertiary e4 (Chattian), Tertiary e5 lower (Aquitanian) and Tertiary e5 upper (Burdigalian) of the Far Eastern Letter Stages. Diagnostic miogypsinid foraminifera and one new genus,
Spinosemiogypsina antalyaensis, n. gen., n. sp. are described.
kinematically linked to detachment faults. In this paper, we present results of an integrated sedimentologic, stratigraphic, and structural study ofMiocene alluvial fan/fan-delta/lacustrine
deposits that accumulated in the KC B, a NE-trending basin with connections to theMenderes Metamorphic Core Complex (MCC). We mapped and evaluated most of the key faults in the KCB, many for the ¢rst time, and recognised different deformation events in the study area near the E margin of the MCC. We also present field evidence for kinematic connections between low-angle normal and strike- slip faults whichwere developed in an intermittently active basement-involved transfer zone in western Anatolia. We found that the KCB contains a detailed record of Miocene transtensional sedimentation and volcanism that accompanied exhumation of the MCC. Structural data reveal that the basin was initially formed by transtension (D1phase) and subsequently uplifted
and deformed, probably as a result of early Pliocene wrench- to extension-dominated deformation (D2 phase) overprinted by Plio-Quaternary extensional tectonics (D3 phase).These results are consistent with progressive deformation wherein the axis of maximum extension remained in the horizontal plane but the intermediate andmaximumshortening axes switched position in the vertical plane. Combining our results with published studies, we propose a new working hypothesis that the KCB was a transtensional supradetachment basin during theMiocene. The hypothesis could provide new insights into intermittently active extension-parallel zone ofweakness inwestern Anatolia. These results also suggest that the termination of low-angle normal fault systems within an extension parallel transfer zone may have resulted in a transtensional depressions which are di¡erent from
classical supradetachment basins with respect to the sedimentation and deformational pattern of the basin infills.
(Turkey), forms the westernmost part of the Anatolide-Taurides. The BFZ comprises intensely sheared Upper Cretaceous-Palaeocene matrix and blocks of various origins. The matrix of the BFZ is mainly made up of unfossiliferous flysch-type sediments (alternations of sandstones and shales). In Bornova (İzmir, western Turkey) and its surroundings, these clastics locally include planktic foraminiferabearing pelagic micritic limestone and calcareous shale lenses and interbeds (Beytitepe Limestone). As a result of studies focusing on the
planktic foraminifera-bearing pelagic interlayers in three areas (Gökdere, Işıklar and Kocaçay areas) around Bornova, a detailed planktic foraminiferal biostratigraphy of the rocks is documented for the first time. The thickness of the laminated micritic limestones attains 360 m in the Gökdere area. Occurrences of late Maastrichtian species such as Abathomphalus mayaroensis (Bolli), Contusotruncana
contusa (Cushman), Globotruncanita conica (White) and Racemiguembelina fructicosa (Egger) within planktic foraminifera assemblages obtained from the laminated micritic limestones and red calcareous shales in the three areas suggest a late Maastrichtian age for these rocks. The occurrence of various species of Globanomalina, Morozovella, Igorina and Parasubbotina within the calcareous shales in
the Işıklar area suggests a late Palaeocene age. The Kocaçay area has well-preserved outcrops showing the stratigraphy of the matrix, despite the more complex geology. The upper Maastrichtian laminated micritic limestones are gradationally overlain by upper Maastrichtian calcareous shales. The calcareous shales are represented by rich planktic foraminiferal assemblages and include blocks derived from laminated micritic limestones. The upper Mastrichtian calcareous shales are overlain by Palaeocene red calcareous shales.
Poor assemblages including Parasubbotina varianta (Subbotina), Subbotina triangularis (White), Subbotina cf. velascoensis (Cushman), Globanomalina compressa (Plummer) and Globanomalina planoconica (Subbotina) indicate a late Palaeocene age for the lower part and a latest Palaeocene age for the upper part of the calcareous shale sequence. Therefore, the age of conglomerates and flysch overlying the calcareous shales should be latest Palaeocene or younger in the Kocaçay area.
and Orbitoides tissoti Schlumberger indicates a Late Campanian age. Identifiable rudists, Joufia reticulata Boehm, Bournonia cf. anatolica Özer, Biradiolites cf. bulgaricus Pamouktchiev and ?Biradiolites sp., from the middle part of the succession, characterise the Late Campanian-Maastrichtian. The planktonic foraminifera within the red pelagic limestone beds, marls and mudstones throughout the succession consists mainly of Campanian-Maastrichtian forms and suggests basinal depositional conditions. The presence of Radotruncana cf. calcarata (Cushman) accompanied by Globotruncanita elevata (Brotzen) in the lower part of the succession indicates an early Late Campanian age. Inoceramid bivalves are derived from the upper part of the succession. The fauna is dominated by ‘Inoceramus’ tenuilineatus Hall and Meek 1854 and Cataceramus haldemensis (Giers, 1964); other taxa recognised are: ‘Inoceramus’ algeriensis Heinz 1932, Platyceramus vanuxemi (Meek and Hayden 1860), ‘Inoceramus’ cf. nebrascensis Owen, 1852, Cataceramus aff. barabini (Morton, 1834), Cataceramus gandjaensis (Aliev, 1956), and ‘Inoceramus’ sp.; the assemblage indicates the ‘Inoceramus’ tenuilineatus Zone; corresponding to the Middle - Late Campanian boundary interval. The uppermost part of the succession is characterised by the presence of Scolicia strozzii and Scolicia isp. trace fossils, indicating the a mixed Skolithos-Cruziana ichnofacies. This ichnofacies suggests a well-oxygenated environment.
first one, in the Akbtik-Milas area, is located south-east of Bafa Lake where the Milas, then Kızılağaç and Kazıklı formations are well exposed. There, the Milas formation grades upwards into the Kızılağaç formation. The contact between the Kızılağaç and the overlying Kazıklı
formation is not clearly seen but is interpreted as an unconformity. The Milas and Kızılağaç formations are also found north of Mugla, in the region of Yatağan and Kavaklıdere. In these areas, the Milas formation consists of schists and conformably overlying platform-type, emery and
rudist-bearing marbles. Rudists form the main palaeontological data from which a Santonian-Campanian age is indicated.
The Kızılağaç formation is characterized by reddish-greyish pelagic marbles with marly-pelitic interlayers and coarsening up debris flow deposits. Pelagic marbles within the formation contain planktonic foraminifera and nanoplankton of late
Campanian to late Maastrichtian age. The Kazıklı formation is of flysch type and includes carbonate blocks. Planktonic foraminifera of Middle Palaeocene age are present in carbonate lenses within the formation. In the Serinhisar-Tavas area, Mesozoic platform-type marbles (Yılanlı formation) belonging to the cover series of the Menderes Massif exhibit an imbricated internal structure. Two rudist levels can be diştinguished in the uppermost part of the formation: the
first indicates a middle-late Cenomanian age and the
upper one is Santonian to Campanian in age. These
marbles are unconformably covered by the Palaeocene-Early Eocene Zeybekolentepe formation with polygenetic breccias. In the Çal-Denizli area, the Menderes massif succession consists of cherty marbles and clastic rocks with metavolcanic lenses. The Lower-Middle Eocene Şalvan formation lies unconformably on this sequence and is interpreted as equivalent to the marble horizons at Serinhisar but with pelagic facies. The Şalvan formation consists of shale, mafic volcanic rock, lenses of limestone and blocks of
recrystallized limestone. The S, alvan formation is dated
here for the first time by Early-Middle Eocene foraminifera and nanoplankton from the matrix of the formation. An angular unconformity exists between the Upper Cretaceous and Lower Tertiary sequences, suggesting that a phase of deformation affected the southern and eastern part of the Menderes Massif at this time. This deformation may be caused by initial
obduction of the Lycian ophiolite onto the passive
margin to the north of the Menderes carbonate platform during the latest Cretaceous. Drowning of the platform led to termination of carbonate deposition and deposition of deep water flysch-like clastic sediments.
Cenomanian to Santonian, is approximately 600 m thick, and is composed mainly of platform-type neritic carbonates. Five microfacies indicating tidal-flat, subtidal (lagoonal), reef, and forereef subenvironments are distinguished in the neritic carbonates of the formation. Benthic foraminifera and
rudists are the main biological components that provide information about the environment and age of the unit. In addition, cryptalgal lamination also is recognized as an important tool in determining environment. The uppermost part of the Beydaglari Formation is composed of hemipelagic carbonates (a sixth microfacies), which were deposited under basinal conditions. The Akdag Formation consists of planktonic foraminifera-bearing pelagic carbonates, suggesting a Campanian-Maastrichtian age and deposition as a basinal facies. The formation disconformably overlies the Beydaglari
Formation along an erosional surface. Eocene transgressive pelagic clayey carbonates of the Ulucak Formation unconformably overlie the Upper Cretaceous carbonate sequences. Detailed investigations have shown that, at least in the studied part of the autochthonous unit, the platform began to drown during the Santonian and that a true basinal environment persisted from the Campanian to the Maastrichtian. Two erosional phases are recorded; one occurred after the Santonian and is characterized by a prominent erosional surface, and the other is responsible for the post-Cretaceous regression.
corresponding to Cenomanian and early Santonian. The neritic limestones pass gradually upward into the 15-m thick,
middle-upper Santonian massive hemipelagic limestones that form the upper part. The upper Campanian middle
Maastrichtian Akdağ formation consists totally of pelagic limestones that indicate basinal conditions and disconformably overlies different stratigraphic levels of the Bey Dağları formation. Palaeogene pelagic marls form the base of the Tertiary sequence and disconformably overlie different stratigraphic levels of the Upper Cretaceous sequence. The presence of two erosional phases in the Upper Cretaceous sequence is obvious. The autochthonous unit was subaerially exposed after post-Santonian and middle Maastrichtian regressions.
Right valves of 17 specimens of V. praegiganteus from Bey Dagları have been analysed morphometrically and are compared with previously reported specimens from the central and western Mediterranean. Most of the specimens from Turkey differ in having fused posterior pillars.
(Western Taurides) comprises two formations. The Bey
Dagları Formation lies at the base and can be divided into
two parts. A 600-m-thick neritic lower part is capped with
thin, massive, hemipelagic limestones. The Akdag Formation
disconformably overlies different stratigraphic levels of the
Bey Dagları Formation along a prominent erosional surface
and consists of thin-bedded, cherty, pelagic, clayey limestones.
Paleogene marls form the base of the Tertiary sequence and disconformably overlie different stratigraphic levels of the Upper Cretaceous succession. This study identifies from thin sections and analyzes the Late Cretaceous planktonic foraminifera. Identification of forty-five species belonging to the genera Contusotruncana, Dicarinella, Gansserina, Globotruncana, Globotruncanella, Globotruncanita, Marginotruncana and Radotruncana has led to the recognition of five biostratigraphic zones, in ascending order: Dicarinella concavata Interval Zone (IZ), Dicarinella asymetrica Total Range Zone (TRZ), Radotruncana calcarata TRZ, Globotruncana falsostuarti Partial Range Zone (PRZ) and Gansserina gansseri
IZ, from the Senonian succession of the Bey Dagları
autochthon. The Dicarinella concavata IZ and Dicarinella
asymetrica TRZ have been identified from the massive
hemipelagic limestones of the Bey Dag˘ları Formation and
indicate a Coniacian-Santonian age. The Radotruncana
calcarata TRZ, Globotruncana falsostuarti PRZ and Gansserina
gansseri IZ have been recognized from the pelagic
limestones of the Akdag˘ Formation and suggest a late
Campanian-early Maastrichtian age.
The identified planktonic foraminiferal biozones indicate
that the Bey Dag˘ları carbonate platform drowned after the
late Turonian; the Upper Cretaceous (Coniacian-early
Maastrichtian) pelagic succession includes two stratigraphic
gaps in the Korkuteli area corresponding to lower-middle
Campanian and upper Maastrichtian. Slight drowning of the
platform after the late Turonian may have been related to the
regional extension which affected peri-Mediterranean alpine
belts. The regional hiatuses in the pelagic succession are also
ascribed to the tectonic events, as the Late Cretaceous is
a time of great tectonic activity in this critical area of Tethys.
Eustatic sea-level changes may have had a secondary effect
on the Upper Cretaceous carbonate succession of the Bey
Dagları Autochthon.
first time. While the original description did not provide evidence for characters that indeed justify the genus of being different from Mitrocaprina Boehm, specimens collected at the type locality at Yaylaçiftliği (Hatay), and from Alidamı (Kahta–Adıyaman) are characterized by vesicular structure of the inner shell layer of both valves. Other diagnostic features (myocardinal arrangement, relative thickness of outer shell
layer in both valves, pallial canals in left valve) are characteristic for the Plagioptychidae so that Paracaprinula is considered to be the most derived genus of the family presently known from the Old World. This is consistent with the Late Campanian age derived from strontium-isotope stratigraphy of specimens
from the two localities studied. A Maastrichtian or even Late Maastrichtian age that was based on previous biostratigraphical studies (larger benthic, and planktonic foraminifers) of the predominantly siliciclastic transgressive sequence over the ophiolites of the African-Arabian Plate has to be revised. This has implications for the timing of ophiolite emplacement onto the African-Arabian Plate in southeastern
Turkey.
Mediterranean region. The Pseudolituonella reicheli-Pseudorhapydionina dubia Concurrent Range Zone is defined from the Middle−Upper Cenomanian platform limestones. The biozone includes the Cisalveolina lehneri Subzone and the
Coxites zubairensis Subzone of Middle Cenomanian and Upper Cenomanian age respectively. The first occurrences of
Moncharmontia apenninica-compressa and Pseudocyclammina sphaeroidea indicate the Late Turonian and the Coniacian respectively. The spread of hemipelagic limestones in the BDCP during the Coniacian shows that neritic accumulation on the BDCP persisted from the Middle Cenomanian to the Coniacian. These data indicate that the global sea level rise at the Cenomanian−Turonian boundary, which caused the general demise of many Tethyan carbonate platforms, did not result in deepening on the BDCP.
lower lithosomes are mainly made up of hippuritids and radiolitids (hippuritid-radiolitid lithosomes). The stratigraphical distributions of the species of the assemblage indicate a Santonian-Early Campanian age. The rudist associations of the upper lithosomes are dominated by species of Joufia and Gorjanovicia (Joufia-Gorjanovicia lithosomes), which suggest a Late Campanian-Maastrichtian age. Identification of the rudist
lithosomes yields information on the palaeobiogeographic distribution of the rudist species in the eastern Mediterranean region and also on the biostratigraphic frame of the Upper Cretaceous successions of the Bey Dag˘ları Carbonate Platform.
# 2009 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.
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 Akdag 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.
Aptian beds also yield relatively advanced caprinid rudists.
The Oküsmedere Formation is relatively thin, terrigeneous-rich, and rudist-free or rudist-poor in the Kurucasile sector, and thick, terrigeneous-poor, and rudist-rich from Amasra to Zonguldak, with a set of marker beds including either charophytes or Palorbitolina and capped by a coral unit underlying ammonite bearing marls. Terrigeneous-rich carbonates from the eastern sector are interpreted as
marginal marine coastal, infralittoral environments and grade distally, northward, to marly basinal sediments. By contrast ‘‘Urgonian type’’ limestones from the Zonguldak-Amasra region possess a wide extent and no transition to coastal or basinal sediments has been observed. A transition from a typical platform westward to a mixed siliciclastic-carbonate ramp eastward was controlled by both the nature of
the adjacent exposed area and tectonic factors affecting the overall continental margin that is a northward downwarping. The exposed area was flanked southward by a belt of coastal siliciclastics grading southward and eastward to deep water sediments of the Ulus basin. In mid-Bedoulian time, carbonate
platform demise from the western region was drowned below deeper marly sediments whereas the eastern siliscilastic-carbonate ramp was buried below coastal clastics.
Autochton, which is a segment of a Tethyan Platform. Eight diagnostic species and their local ranges are documented. These 8 species establish three biostratigraphically useful faunal assemblages which are assigned to Tertiary e4 (Chattian), Tertiary e5 lower (Aquitanian) and Tertiary e5 upper (Burdigalian) of the Far Eastern Letter Stages. Diagnostic miogypsinid foraminifera and one new genus,
Spinosemiogypsina antalyaensis, n. gen., n. sp. are described.
kinematically linked to detachment faults. In this paper, we present results of an integrated sedimentologic, stratigraphic, and structural study ofMiocene alluvial fan/fan-delta/lacustrine
deposits that accumulated in the KC B, a NE-trending basin with connections to theMenderes Metamorphic Core Complex (MCC). We mapped and evaluated most of the key faults in the KCB, many for the ¢rst time, and recognised different deformation events in the study area near the E margin of the MCC. We also present field evidence for kinematic connections between low-angle normal and strike- slip faults whichwere developed in an intermittently active basement-involved transfer zone in western Anatolia. We found that the KCB contains a detailed record of Miocene transtensional sedimentation and volcanism that accompanied exhumation of the MCC. Structural data reveal that the basin was initially formed by transtension (D1phase) and subsequently uplifted
and deformed, probably as a result of early Pliocene wrench- to extension-dominated deformation (D2 phase) overprinted by Plio-Quaternary extensional tectonics (D3 phase).These results are consistent with progressive deformation wherein the axis of maximum extension remained in the horizontal plane but the intermediate andmaximumshortening axes switched position in the vertical plane. Combining our results with published studies, we propose a new working hypothesis that the KCB was a transtensional supradetachment basin during theMiocene. The hypothesis could provide new insights into intermittently active extension-parallel zone ofweakness inwestern Anatolia. These results also suggest that the termination of low-angle normal fault systems within an extension parallel transfer zone may have resulted in a transtensional depressions which are di¡erent from
classical supradetachment basins with respect to the sedimentation and deformational pattern of the basin infills.
(Turkey), forms the westernmost part of the Anatolide-Taurides. The BFZ comprises intensely sheared Upper Cretaceous-Palaeocene matrix and blocks of various origins. The matrix of the BFZ is mainly made up of unfossiliferous flysch-type sediments (alternations of sandstones and shales). In Bornova (İzmir, western Turkey) and its surroundings, these clastics locally include planktic foraminiferabearing pelagic micritic limestone and calcareous shale lenses and interbeds (Beytitepe Limestone). As a result of studies focusing on the
planktic foraminifera-bearing pelagic interlayers in three areas (Gökdere, Işıklar and Kocaçay areas) around Bornova, a detailed planktic foraminiferal biostratigraphy of the rocks is documented for the first time. The thickness of the laminated micritic limestones attains 360 m in the Gökdere area. Occurrences of late Maastrichtian species such as Abathomphalus mayaroensis (Bolli), Contusotruncana
contusa (Cushman), Globotruncanita conica (White) and Racemiguembelina fructicosa (Egger) within planktic foraminifera assemblages obtained from the laminated micritic limestones and red calcareous shales in the three areas suggest a late Maastrichtian age for these rocks. The occurrence of various species of Globanomalina, Morozovella, Igorina and Parasubbotina within the calcareous shales in
the Işıklar area suggests a late Palaeocene age. The Kocaçay area has well-preserved outcrops showing the stratigraphy of the matrix, despite the more complex geology. The upper Maastrichtian laminated micritic limestones are gradationally overlain by upper Maastrichtian calcareous shales. The calcareous shales are represented by rich planktic foraminiferal assemblages and include blocks derived from laminated micritic limestones. The upper Mastrichtian calcareous shales are overlain by Palaeocene red calcareous shales.
Poor assemblages including Parasubbotina varianta (Subbotina), Subbotina triangularis (White), Subbotina cf. velascoensis (Cushman), Globanomalina compressa (Plummer) and Globanomalina planoconica (Subbotina) indicate a late Palaeocene age for the lower part and a latest Palaeocene age for the upper part of the calcareous shale sequence. Therefore, the age of conglomerates and flysch overlying the calcareous shales should be latest Palaeocene or younger in the Kocaçay area.
and Orbitoides tissoti Schlumberger indicates a Late Campanian age. Identifiable rudists, Joufia reticulata Boehm, Bournonia cf. anatolica Özer, Biradiolites cf. bulgaricus Pamouktchiev and ?Biradiolites sp., from the middle part of the succession, characterise the Late Campanian-Maastrichtian. The planktonic foraminifera within the red pelagic limestone beds, marls and mudstones throughout the succession consists mainly of Campanian-Maastrichtian forms and suggests basinal depositional conditions. The presence of Radotruncana cf. calcarata (Cushman) accompanied by Globotruncanita elevata (Brotzen) in the lower part of the succession indicates an early Late Campanian age. Inoceramid bivalves are derived from the upper part of the succession. The fauna is dominated by ‘Inoceramus’ tenuilineatus Hall and Meek 1854 and Cataceramus haldemensis (Giers, 1964); other taxa recognised are: ‘Inoceramus’ algeriensis Heinz 1932, Platyceramus vanuxemi (Meek and Hayden 1860), ‘Inoceramus’ cf. nebrascensis Owen, 1852, Cataceramus aff. barabini (Morton, 1834), Cataceramus gandjaensis (Aliev, 1956), and ‘Inoceramus’ sp.; the assemblage indicates the ‘Inoceramus’ tenuilineatus Zone; corresponding to the Middle - Late Campanian boundary interval. The uppermost part of the succession is characterised by the presence of Scolicia strozzii and Scolicia isp. trace fossils, indicating the a mixed Skolithos-Cruziana ichnofacies. This ichnofacies suggests a well-oxygenated environment.