Mesozoic and Cenozoic Offshore Shallow Water Carbonates of Northwestern Greece - Seismic Expression of an Emerging Play

Contrasting Styles of Salt‐Tectonic Processes in the Ionian Zone (Greece and Albania): Integrating Surface Geology, Subsurface Data, and Experimental Models

“…The Alpine tectonic activity, which shaped the AH FTB, therefore extends to the present day, with a complex orogenic front in which the northward movement of Apulia and the overthrusting of the IZ over both the oceanic crust (present-day Ionian Basin) and elements of the Apulian carbonate platform must play a different role (Figure 2). For example, we also suggest that the position of the Pre-Apulian Zone, with a thick accumulation of Mesozoic-Eocene carbonates (e.g., Chizzini et al, 2023;Fournillon et al, 2017;Kokinou et al, 2003Kokinou et al, , 2005Papa & Kondo, 1968;Sotiropoulos et al, 2022), acted as a tectonic buttress against the westward advance of the IZ (Bega, 2020;Bega & Soto, 2017;Del Ben et al, 2015;Gambini & Tozzi, 1996;Underhill, 1989). The role that the geometry of the eastern escarpment of the Apulian platform may also have on the dynamics and configuration of the IZ at the FTB front is not the subject of our study, but it is worth noting because of the development of complex salients and embayments developed by this orogenic front (Argnani, 2013;Underhill, 1989).…”

“…This map integrates our observations in a detailed framework that brings together multiple cartographic sources, unifying the different geological criteria used in Albania and Greece (Bornovas & Rondogianni‐Tsiambaou, 1983; IFP, 1966; Kamberis et al., 2000, 2013; Onuzi & Ymeri, 2020; Sejdini et al., 1994; Velaj, 2001; Xhomo et al., 2002; Zelilidis et al., 2015). This map has greater detail in the onshore region, but we have also integrated the available information in the marine region (Bell et al., 2008; Brooks & Ferentinos, 1984; Cushing, 1985; Fournillon et al., 2017; Kokinou et al., 2005, 2006) to have a complete overview of the AH FTB orogenic front and of the relationships between the IZ with the Sazani–Paxi (Pre‐Apulian) zone, the Apulian platform, and the Ionian oceanic basin (Argnani et al., 1993, 2009; Del Ben et al., 2015; Fantoni & Franciosi, 2010; Finetti & Del Ben, 2005). The structure of the western Hellenic accretionary wedge (or the Mediterranean Ridge) is simplified according to Polonia et al.…”

“…Beneath this front, and sometimes backthrusted toward the east over the IZ, detached elements of the Upper Triassic‐to‐Eocene Apulian carbonate platform are found, forming what is known locally as the Pre‐Apulian or Sazani–Paxi zones (Aliaj, 1987; Aubouin et al., 1962; Del Ben et al., 2015; Papa & Kondo, 1968; Prifti & Uţă, 2012; Underhill, 1988, 1989). To the west, beneath much of the Adriatic Sea, the present‐day marine basin consists of a Miocene to present‐day sedimentary section overlying the thick Upper Triassic‐to‐Eocene carbonate sequence of the Apulian and the Pre‐Apulian platforms (Biju‐Duval et al., 1974; Cazzini et al., 2015; Del Ben et al., 2015; Fantoni & Franciosi, 2010; Fournillon et al., 2017; Kamberis et al., 1996; Sotiropoulos et al., 2022). Existing data show that the AH orogenic front in the offshore region is formed by a thrust stack with the IZ over the Pre‐Apulian zone (Kamberis et al., 1996; Mazzoli et al., 2022; Wardell et al., 2014), and both lie above the Apulian platform that dips eastward by flexure due to the load of the AH orogenic edifice (Barison et al., 2014; Biju‐Duval et al., 1974; Del Ben et al., 2015; Frashëri et al., 1996; Scrocca et al., 2022).…”

“…sequence of the Apulian and the Pre-Apulian platforms (Biju-Duval et al, 1974;Cazzini et al, 2015;Del Ben et al, 2015;Fantoni & Franciosi, 2010;Fournillon et al, 2017;Kamberis et al, 1996;Sotiropoulos et al, 2022). Existing data show that the AH orogenic front in the offshore region is formed by a thrust stack with the IZ over the Pre-Apulian zone (Kamberis et al, 1996;Mazzoli et al, 2022;Wardell et al, 2014), and both lie above the Apulian platform that dips eastward by flexure due to the load of the AH orogenic edifice (Barison et al, 2014;Biju-Duval et al, 1974;Del Ben et al, 2015;Frashëri et al, 1996;Scrocca et al, 2022).…”

“…Tectonic map of the External Zones of the Albanides and Hellenides highlighting the structure of the IZ in Albania and western Greece. This map includes information from multiple cartographic sources, mostly the following sources for Albania(Argnani, 2013;Argnani et al, 1993Argnani et al, , 1994Scrocca et al, 2022;Xhomo et al, 2002), Greece(Bornovas & Rondogianni-Tsiambaou, 1983; IFP, 1966;Kamberis et al, 2000Kamberis et al, , 2013, offshore Albania(Fantoni & Franciosi, 2010;Kokinou et al, 2005Kokinou et al, , 2006, offshore areas from Zakynthos to Corfu(Birch, 1990;Brooks & Ferentinos, 1984;Chamot-Rooke et al, 2005;Cushing, 1985;Fournillon et al, 2017;Karakitsios, 2013;Makris & Papoulia, 2014;Papoulia & Makris, 2010;Underhill, 1988Underhill, , 1989Wardell et al, 2014), Gulf of Corinth(Bell et al, 2008;Palyvos et al, 2005;Zygouri et al, 2008), and active and recent faults(Brooks et al, 1988;Kassaras et al, 2020;Lekkas et al, 1997;Ntokos, 2018;Roberts & Jackson, 1991;Tranos et al, 2020). The approximate boundary between the Apulian and the Pre-Apulian (PrA) carbonate platforms with the South-Apulian Basin is taken from DelBen et al (2015).…”