Abstract We compared the stratigraphic formations along the southern margin of the Black Sea using 196 nannoplankton ages determined in the Western and Central Pontides and 112 new samples from the Eastern Pontides. We inferred that the İstanbul and Sakarya zones were amalgamated prior to the Early Cretaceous. Extensional subsidence migrated eastwards along the Pontides from the Barremian to the Paleocene. The eastwards younging of the Cretaceous magmatism suggested that the eastern Black Sea Basin is younger. Locally, angular unconformities and a stratigraphic gap testify to the Late Albian uplift of the Central Pontides as a consequence of the collision of an oceanic edifice. Cretaceous Oceanic Red Beds are marker beds of Santonian age along the much of the Pontides and are of mainly Campanian age within the Eastern Pontides. The Middle Campanian–Paleocene was a non-volcanic period characterized by extensional subsidence mainly along the eastern Black Sea Basin. The end of Cretaceous volcanism can be correlated with a southwards subduction jump. Syn-compressional basins show that contraction started during the Ypresian along the entire Pontide belt. Eocene volcanism started earlier in the north (Lutetian) than in the south (Bartonian) of the Eastern Pontides. This propagation of syn-collisional volcanism could have resulted from slab steepening under the Eastern Pontides.

Abstract The Eocene uplift and inversion of a part of the Black Sea margin in the Central Pontides, allows us to study the stratigraphic sequence of the Western Black Sea Basin (WBS). The revision of this sequence, with 164 nannoplankton ages, indicates that subsidence and rifting started in the Upper Barremian and accelerated during the Aptian. The rifting of the western Black Sea Basin lasted about 40 Ma (from late Barremian to Coniacian). In the inner, inverted, Black Sea margin, the syn-rift sequence ends up with shallow marine sands. The uppermost Albian to Turonian was a period of erosion or non deposition. This regional mid-Cretaceous stratigraphical gap might result from rift flank uplift, as expected in the case of a thick and cold pre-rift lithosphere. However, coeval collision of the Kargi Block, along the North Tethyan subduction zone at the southern margin of the Pontides, might also have contributed to this uplift. A rapid thermal post-rift subsidence of the margin occurred during the Coniacian–Santonian. Collision of the Kirşehir continental block commenced in Early Eocene time (zone NP12) giving rise to compressional deformation and sedimentation in piggyback basins in the Central Pontides, whereas the eastern Black Sea was still opening.

Abstract In the Lesser Caucasus three main domains are distinguished from SW to NE: (1) the autochthonous South Armenian Block (SAB), a Gondwana-derived terrane; (2) the ophiolitic Sevan–Akera suture zone; and (3) the Eurasian plate. Based on our field work, new stratigraphical, petrological, geochemical and geochronological data combined with previous data we present new insights on the subduction, obduction and collision processes recorded in the Lesser Caucasus. Two subductions are clearly identified, one related to the Neotethys subduction beneath the Eurasian margin and one intra-oceanic (SSZ) responsible for the opening of a back-arc basin which corresponds to the ophiolites of the Lesser Caucasus. The obduction occurred during the Late Coniacian to Santonian and is responsible for the widespread ophiolitic nappe outcrop in front of the suture zone. Following the subduction of oceanic lithosphere remnants under Eurasia, the collision of the SAB with Eurasia started during the Paleocene, producing 1) folding of ophiolites, arc and Upper Cretaceous formations (Transcaucasus massif to Karabakh); 2) thrusting toward SW; and 3) a foreland basin in front of the belt. Upper–Middle Eocene series unconformably cover the three domains. From Eocene to Miocene as a result of the Arabian plate collision with the SAB to the South, southward propagation of shortening featured by folding and thrusting occurred all along the belt. These deformations are sealed by a thick sequence of unconformable Miocene to Quaternary clastic and volcanic rocks of debated origin.

Abstract The tectonic history of the central part of the Levant domain (Lebanon) is re-evaluated. Examination of the tectonic structures and mechanical analysis of the meso-scale brittle deformation indicate that Lebanon has experienced four major tectonic events since Late Mesozoic time. The first was an Early Cretaceous extensional phase orientated north–south to NNE–SSW. It produced WSW–ENE to WNW–ESE normal faults with offsets up to several hundreds of meters and led to the development of an approximately WNW–ESE-trending basin. A second extension, with similar driving stresses, occurred during Eocene time and persisted, perhaps until Oligocene times. The Early Neogene period marked a dramatic change in the structural evolution of Lebanon after which strike–slip and reverse faulting and folding dominated. During Early Miocene times, an east–west compression produced moderate folding and faulting. A second, but much more severe, folding event occurred during Late Miocene time owing to a NNW–SSE compression. This new tectonic history allows the discussion of several aspects of the Eastern Mediterranean basin development and the later deformation of its continental margin and surroundings, in particular: (1) the driving mechanisms of the Levant basin opening; (2) the inversion of its adjacent margin; and (3) the age, origin, and evolution of the restraining bend of the Dead Sea Transform in Lebanon.

Abstract Ashlars of the Parliament building and Citadella fortress made of three porous Miocene limestones, a fine-grained limestone, a medium-grained oolitic limestone and a coarse-grained bioclastic limestone, were studied and compared with quarry blocks of the same lithologies. The commonest weathering forms are white (thin and thick) and black (laminar and framboidal) crusts. To assess the processes of crust formation and detachment, descriptions of lithologies and associated weathering features were combined with micro-drilling, pore-size distribution and ultrasonic pulse velocity tests. Microbiological and textural analyses were also performed. The micro-drilling resistance measurements and ultrasonic pulse velocities clearly document the presence of crusts and the degradation of underlying fine- and medium-grained limestones. A textural change, with calcite recrystallization, is also marked by pore occlusion and reduction of microporosity in the crust zone. Crust detachment is initiated by the opening up of microfissures that develop below the cemented crust zones. Fine-grained limestone appears to be less durable than the coarse-grained variety and more prone to rapid crust formation and detachment. Ashlars from where the crusts were removed have lower micro-drilling resistance compared to quarry stones. Microbiological activity appears to play an insignificant role in crust formation and removal. Indeed, the combined effect of air pollution and related gypsum crystallization and more probably freeze–thaw weathering activity lead to crust detachment with rates strongly controlled by the texture and porosity of the limestone substrate.

Abstract During Eocene-Oligocene times, the Grès d'Annot turbidite system (French Alps) was deposited in several tectonically controlled sub-basins, which were mainly fed from a southern major sediment source: the Corsica-Sardinia Massif. In order to establish regional correlations in the southern part of the basin, four kilometre-scale outcrop areas were studied in detail. From south to north these are: the St Antonin, Annot, Grand Coyer and Chalufy areas. The results are: (1) an updated chronostratigraphic framework, (2) a major SE-NW correlation panel, approximately 400m thick and 50 km long, parallel to palaeocurrent directions, within which all stratigraphic units are defined in terms of sedimentology and micropalaeontology and (3) some correlation panels at outcrop scale (around 5 km long and several hundred metres thick), within which all stratigraphic units are defined as before, but with the addition of a direct visual control on correlations, which enables the reconstruction of higher resolution geometry. Seven time-equivalent stratigraphic packages have been correlated from upstream to downstream, making use of micropalaeontologic constraints, and their geometric and facies evolution have been reconstructed through times. This evolution may be related to different stages in the basin deformation, induced by the east to west development of the Alpine foreland basin.

Abstract The mobilized sediments expelled by the mud volcanoes in Trinidad correspond to liquefied argillaceous and sandy material in which the solid fraction is systematically polygenic and originating from several formations (Cretaceous to Pliocene). The mud is notably rich in thin-grained quartz that is angular and frequently mechanically damaged related to shearing at great depth, during the sedimentary burial, and/or hydraulic fracturing processes. The exotic clasts are mostly fractured fragments from various formations of the tectonic wedge (mostly Palaeocene to Miocene). The origin of the solid particles of the mud is polygenic, including deep Cretaceous-Palaeogene horizons close to the décollement, and various materials from the stratigraphic pile pierced by the mud conduits. Moreover, the fluids expelled by the mud volcanoes have a deep origin and notably the gas phase is thermogenic methane generated probably below a depth of 5000 m. The effusions occur either during cycles of moderate effusion of mud and fluids (quiescence regime), or during catastrophic events responsible for the expulsion of huge volumes of mud, clasts and fluids (transient regime). Available subsurface data suggest that the deep structure of the mud volcanoes includes: (1) a focused deep conduit at depth in the zone of overpressure; (2) a mud chamber intruding the surrounding formations around and above the top of the abnormal pressure zone; and (3) a superficial outlet leading to the surface vents.

Abstract The most important biostratigraphic datum gene stage systems of the circum-Mediterranean planes and radiometric and paleomagnetic events area, are given for the correlation of the European Neo-

Abstract Geophysical and geological investigations suggest processes of sedimentary accretion and evolution of a forearc basin in the Southern Hispaniola region. Several different sedimentological and structural domains are defined on multichannel seismic reflection lines offshore. Other domains, including pelagic abyssal plain, trench, accretionary wedge, and forearc basin, are identified in the onshore outcrops in Southern Hispaniola. Onland deposits of the pelagic and trench domains (Southern Peninsula and Enriquillo trough), located north of Beata Ridge, are considered slightly different from the offshore ones because of collision between the thick crusts of Beata Ridge and the Central Cordillera. Accretionary wedge and forearc basin domains (Sierra de Neiba, Sierra El Numero, San Cristobal basin) provide sedimentlogical and stratigraphical data concerning the evolution of the margin. Widespread distribution of Oligocene heterometric and polymicritic conglomerates indicate an “erosional crisis,” which could date the beginning of collision processes to the west.