Triassic Evaporites On- and Offshore Western Greece and their Significance in Hydrocarbon Exploration

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

“…The seismic velocities of the Triassic evaporites that we have established range from 5.0 to 5.8 × 10 3 m s −1 (Table 1). These average velocities are higher than those of halite or rock salt (4.2–4.75 × 10 3 m s −1 ), and also turn out to be higher than those estimated for the Triassic evaporites by seismic tomography in the region of Greece (4.2–4.3 × 10 3 m s −1 ) or those deduced from boreholes in Albania (4.5–5.0 × 10 3 m s −1 ) (Makris & Papoulia, 2014, 2018, 2019; Velaj, 2002; Velaj et al., 1999). Our interpretation is that the estimated mean V p demonstrates that the evaporite succession has in addition to halite, other higher velocity lithologies such as dolomites, gypsum, and anhydrite (Jones & Davison, 2014).…”

“… i Seismic refraction studies in Greece suggest variable sonic velocities for the evaporites, ranging from 4,200 to 4,300 m s −1 (Makris & Papoulia, 2014, 2018, 2019) to 5,000–5,500 m s −1 (Kokinou et al., 2003), while in Albania average sonic velocities of 4,500–5,000 m s −1 are commonly used (Velaj, 2002; Velaj et al., 1999). …”

“…The deep structure here consists of a moderate subduction of the Apulian shelf under a thinned continental crust in which a lower crust is still preserved (with V p = 6.9 × 10 3 m s −1 ) (Makris, 1985; Makris et al., 2013). The crustal structure, its thickness, and the existence of two large Mesozoic carbonate units (Sazani–Paxi or Pre‐Apulia zone vs. IZ) separated by a thick evaporite sheet (with V p = 4.2–4.3 × 10 3 m s −1 ) have been taken according to seismic tomography data carried out by several authors recently (Makris & Papoulia, 2014, 2018, 2019). Although it has not been sufficiently documented, the thick Apulian carbonate platform must have a thin evaporite sequence below it, as it has been suggested by some authors (Cazzini et al., 2015; Chizzini et al., 2023; Fantoni & Franciosi, 2010; Kamberis et al., 1996; Kokinou et al., 2003, 2005).…”

“…(1999) in Albania and in (b) with estimates in Greece taken from Kokinou et al. (2003), Makris and Papoulia (2018, 2019) (Table 1). Location of the cross sections is marked in Figure 2.…”

“… d The velocity of the carbonate sequence of the Ionian Zone, estimated by OBS experiments in offshore Greece, ranges between 4,200 and 5,700 (Barison et al., 2014) to 5,800–6,000 m s −1 (Makris & Papoulia, 2014, 2019). …”