Synthesis of Literature and Field Work Data Leading to the Compilation of a New Geological Map—A Review of Geology of Northwestern Greece

Abstract

This paper presents the geological structure of the entire region of northwestern Greece (Epirus). Four geotectonic zones (Subpelagonian, Pindos, Gavrovo, and Ionian) develop in this area, overthrusting one another, their compression axes trending NE-SW. Normal, reverse, and strike-slip faults with main directions NNW-SSE, NE-SW, and E-W have influenced the geological formations. In the context of this paper, the results of all previous, relevant studies were considered, summarized and reviewed, in order to provide a brief historical recursion and present some of the most important discoveries made in the area, from 1840 until present. All these results were evaluated and combined, the geological formations were grouped according to their characteristics and field work enabled the confirmation or addition of new data, which led to the compilation of a new geological map, using GIS techniques, for the improved visualization of the geological and tectonic structure of northwestern Greece. This map illustrates a lot of new data, based on detailed geological-tectonic mapping, depicting the precise boundaries of the geological formations, detecting of Neogene and Quaternary sediments and evaluating fault activity. The knowledge and illustration of an area's geological structure constitute a dynamic tool for further scientific research and economic development.

Mountain Landscape and Human Settlement in the Pindus Range: The Samarina Highland Zones of Western Macedonia, Greece

“…The ophiolites consist mainly of peridotites and serpentinites accompanied by red cherts. In contrast, the southern and western parts of the Northern Pindus National Park (Tymphi, Trapezitsa and Mitsikeli massifs) and some areas in the north-east (Orliakas) are dominated by limestone [37,38]. One of the most important knappable lithic resources is represented by dark grey-cream yellow siliceous limestone and chert in the form of rounded nodules occurring in seams in the limestone formation around Samarina.…”

Physicochemical Parameters and Terroir Assessment of Mineral Water from Mount Smolikas in Greece: A Two-Year Study

“…Its main characteristic is the Ophiolitic masses mainly consisting of ultramafic rocks such as peridotites and serpentinites and often accompanied by red cherts. Ophiolites are found tectonically displaced on the Tertiary flysch of the Pindos and they constitute a complicated petrological and geological unit which is extended widely in the mountainous area among Metsovo, Panagia, Vovoussa, Avdela, Samarina and Smolikas Mountain [42]. Figure 2 presents the hydrolithological formations in the broader area of the Aoos and Sarantaporos River Basins.…”

Neotectonic study of Northwestern Greece

“…The distinction of Neogene -Quaternary formations was made in accordance with the specifications of the Earthquake Planning and Protection Organization -EPPO for Neotectonic Maps. For the unification of pre-Neogene formations were used the geological maps of Institute of Geology and Mineral Exploration -IGME, in scale 1:50.000, Agnanda (Savoyat, Monopolis, Lalechos, Filippakis, & Bizon, 1970a), Arta (Latreille, Savoyat, Monopolis, Bizon, & Bizon, 1969), Vassilikon-Pogoniani (Koukouzas, Perrier, & Bizon, 1973), Vonitsa (Manacos, Skourtsi-Koronaiou, & Ioakim, 1996), Doliana (Perrier, Koukouzas, Bizon, & Bizon, 1968a), Thesprotikon (Savoyat, Monopolis, Lalechos, Filippakis, & Bizon, 1963), Ioannina (Perrier, Potier et al, 1967), Kanallakion (Bizon et al, 1967), Klimatia (Perrier, Koukouzas, Lalechos, & Bizon, 1968b), Konitsa (Mavridis, Manacos, Skourtsi-Koronaiou, & Dimou, 1987), Metsovon (Brunn, 1959), Mirofillon (Manacos & Skourtsi-Koronaiou, 1983), Panayia (Koumantakis, Matarangas, Tsaila-Monopolis, Georgiadou, & Economou, 1980), Paramithia (Perrier, Katsikatsos, Lalechos, Filippakis, & Bizon, 1966), Parga (Perrier, Koukouzas, & Bizon, 1969a), Pentalofon (Brunn, 1960), Peta (Savoyat, Monopolis, & Bizon, 1966), Pramanta (Aubouin, 1961), Raptopoulon (Savoyat, Monopolis, Lalechos, Filippakis, & Bizon, 1970b), Sayiadha (Perrier, Koukouzas, & Bizon, 1969b), Tsamadas (Perrier, Koukouzas, & Bizon, 1967a), Tsepelovon (Perrier et al, 1970), Filiates (Perrier, Koukouzas, & Bizon, 1967b) and Chioniades-Grammos (Plastiras, Tsaila-Monopolis, & Bizon, 1985) and geological map of recent research for northwestern Greece by Ntokos (...…”

“…Northwestern Greece covers an area of 9203 km 2 , extending over 100 × 150 km, occupying 7% of the Greek territory and is located by the Ionian Sea (northwestern Greece), in a tectonically active area (Figure 1). Four geotectonic zones (Subpelagonian, Pindos, Gavrovo, and Ionian) develop in this area (Bornovas & Rondoyanni-Tsiambaou, 1983;Ntokos, 2017aNtokos, , 2017b, overthrusting one another, due to compressional stresses of NE-SW direction. Post-alpine sediments, mainly of Neogene and Quaternary age, have been deposited on the geological formations of these geotectonic zones (Ntokos, 2017a(Ntokos, , 2017b.…”

“…Four geotectonic zones (Subpelagonian, Pindos, Gavrovo, and Ionian) develop in this area (Bornovas & Rondoyanni-Tsiambaou, 1983;Ntokos, 2017aNtokos, , 2017b, overthrusting one another, due to compressional stresses of NE-SW direction. Post-alpine sediments, mainly of Neogene and Quaternary age, have been deposited on the geological formations of these geotectonic zones (Ntokos, 2017a(Ntokos, , 2017b. Normal, reverse, and strikeslip faults with main directions NNW-SSE, NE-SW, and E-W have influenced the geological formations.…”