Abstract: Paleogeographic Reconstruction of Tethys Northern Margin in the Late Jurassic (Carpathian-Caspian Domain)

Igor Popadyuk

The reconstruction is based on two principles: (1) Carbonate platforms have a similar framework (J.L. Wilson's principle). (2) Every systems tract of carbonate sequence is sedimentary complete, i.e. it consists of the laterally continuous facial succession (J.F. Sarg's principle).

The carbonate platforms restorations carried out with using these principles are called euthemistic (from Greek: eu-own, themis-order) because they foresee the reconstruction of the complete pattern of facies distribution.

Euthemistic reconstruction of the Carpathian-Caspian domain includes: elaboration of the sequence normative model, correlation of the regional models with the normative one, construction of the parasequence sets general models. As the normative model the Pre-Carpathian Upper Jurassic model is accepted because all facial belts are known there, the sequence is stratigraphically complete and is located in autochthonous setting. According to this model the carbonate platform in Oxfordian was formed in the catch-up systems regime, in the Kimmeridgian-Tithonian in the keep-up regime. In the Moezian-Dobrogean area the facies distribution corresponds well with the model. It shows also the sedimentologically anomalous (facial belts inversion) position of the reefs on the southern Caucasus slop and in the Montain Crimea where they are in the allochthone.

The restoration allows to divide the Alpine-Mediterranean belt into true Alpides (Alps, Carpathians, Balkanides (s.s.), Pontides) formed by the inner Tethyan elements and incorporated ones (Mountain Crimea, Caucasus southern slope, Elburs) formed by the compression of the Tethyan continental margin.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90956©1995 AAPG International Convention and Exposition Meeting, Nice, France