Tectonic Setting at One Part of Northwest Yugoslavian Dinarides and Petroleum Geologic Exploration

Drago Savic

The Gorski Kotar tectonic unit has been established inside the intermediate part of the northwest Dinarides. This region is autochthonous except for allochthonous units connected to the transverse fault system.

The lower limbs of the Gorski Kotar's southern antiform structures extend over the Primorje-Novi Vinodolski region; to the north, the structure extends over the north Adriatic tectonic unit. Clearly visible are en echelon arrangements of short transverse faults, predominantly to the north. Tectonic transport along these faults is in different directions and amounts of relative displacement. Structures are predominantly upright (more horizontal than plunging) except for narrow belts inside some of the limbs where there are steep inversions and longitudinal local reverse and normal faults but no nappes.

According to structural-tectonic research and critical analysis, so-called high-karst nappes do not exist in the northwest Dinarides. Clearly visible relations on geologic-structural maps, synoptical diagrams, satellite pictures, and photographs show the area is autochthonous except for reverse faults and local overthrusting. The geometry of the area's structural and tectonic setting and knowledge of kinematics and dynamics models could help us analyse these results for practical application during petroleum exploration.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #91032©1988 Mediterranean Basins Conference and Exhibition, Nice, France, 25-28 September 1988.