Tectonic significance of mafic volcanic rocks in a Mesozoic sequence of the Menderes Massif, West Turkey

Abstract

The Mesozoic platform sequence of the Menderes Massif consists of thick succession of detrital and carbonate rocks. In this sequence there are mafic metavolcanic rocks at two different levels. The first level of mafic metavolcanic intercalations is in the Late Triassic detrital-rich series located in the Çaltaşı Formation, which is the lowermost unit of the Mesozoic platform. The second level of the mafic metavolcanic rocks is located in the Late Cretaceous-(?)Paleocene Selçuk Formation laying on top of the platform sequence. The Çaltaşı Formation, which is composed of mica-schists, thinly-bedded cherts, calc-schist and mafic volcanic intercalations unconformably overlie the Bayındır Formation, which consists of mica-schists, phyllites, and white quartzites of Palaeozoic or probably older age. The mafic volcanic rocks in the Çaltaşı Formation are alkaline basalts with within plate characteristics and are formed during an intraplate extension. The Çaltaşı Formation is conformably overlain by the Kayaaltı Formation represented by calc-schists, dolomitic marbles, and rudist-and emery-bearing massive marbles in ascending order. The Selçuk Formation overlies the Kayaaltı Formation and consists of a mica-schist matrix with allochthonous blocks of mafic volcanic rocks, metaperidotites, metagabbros and massive marbles. The mafic volcanic rocks in the Selçuk Formation are tholeiitic basalts and are petrologically similar to mid-oceanic basalts. The geological and geochemical characteristics of the mafic metavolcanic rocks in the Çaltaşı Formation indicate that during the Late Triassic, the Menderes platform was segmented, probably by the opening of a branch of the Neotethyan Ocean. Between the Late Triassic and the Late Cretaceous, the Menderes carbonate platform was built up. During the Latest Cretaceous-Early Paleocene, a slab of oceanic crust obducted on this platform and provided slices of mafic metavolcanic rocks into the Selçuk Formation.

Assessment of the Salinization Process at the Coastal Area with Hydrogeochemical Tools and Geographical Information Systems (GIS): Selçuk Plain, Izmir, Turkey

“…Especially in the northern part of the area, the springs are discharged at the alluvium contact. Late Cretaceous Bornova mélange overlies the basement rock by unconformity (Güngör and Erdoğan 2002) that is made up of a flysh-type sedimentary matrix with blocks of neritic limestone and is overlaid in this basement rock by unconformity (Güngör and Erdoğan 2002). Neogene sedimentary rocks that consist of course-grained conglomerate, limestone, and claystone up to the overlay of the Bornova mélange have unconformity that has a narrow area in the northern part of the plain.…”

Granitoid rocks of the southern Menderes Massif (southwestern Turkey): field evidence for Tertiary magmatism in an extensional shear zone

“…Fossil evidence indicates Permian and Carboniferous ages for marbles in the upper parts of the schist cover and Triassic to Middle Palaeocene ages for carbonates in the marble cover. The readers are referred to recent literature for further reading about the stratigraphy of the Menderes Massif (e.g., Bozkurt and Oberhänsli 2001a;Özer et al 2001;Güngör and Erdogan 2002;Okay 2001Okay , 2002Özer and Sözbilir 2003 and references therein). The age of the core rocks will be discussed below (see section on 'Current Problem').…”

İzmir Karaburun Yarımadasındaki Farklı Kireçtaşlarının Beton Agregası Olarak Değerlendirilmesi

“…İzmir kırma taş ocakları ve Karaburun Yarımadası kireçtaşları örnekleme lokasyonları (Yakut, 2001;Güngör ve Erdoğan, 2002'den değiştirilerek). Yakut (2001), Güngör and Erdoğan (2002).…”