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Mirdita Zone ophiolites and associated sediments in Albania reveal Neotethys Ocean origin

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Abstract

The Mirdita Ophiolite Zone in Albania is associated with widespread mélanges containing components of up to nappe-size. We dated matrix and components of the mélange by radiolarians, conodonts, and other taxa. The components consist of radiolarites, pelagic limestones and shallow-water limestones, all of Triassic age, as well as ophiolites. Triassic radiolarite as a primary cover of ophiolite material proves Middle Triassic onset of Mirdita ocean-floor formation. The mélange contains a turbiditic radiolarite-rich matrix (“radiolaritic flysch”), dated as Late Bajocian to Early Oxfordian. It formed as a synorogenic sediment during west-directed thrusting of ophiolite and sediment-cover nappes representing ocean floor and underplated fragments of the western continental margin. The tectonic structures formed during these orogenic events (“Younger Kimmeridian or Eohellenic Orogeny”) are sealed by Late Jurassic platform carbonates. The geological history conforms with that of the Inner Dinarides and adjoining areas; we therefore correlate the Mirdita-Pindos Ophiolite Zone with the Vardar Zone and explain its present position by far-distance west-directed thrusting.

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Acknowledgments

The joint project “Tectonothermal Evolution of Albanides 2003–2005” received financial support from: Albanian Government (Geological Survey of Albania); University of Leoben, University of Vienna, Austrian Academic Exchange Service, Austria; University of Tübingen, Germany. Thin sections were prepared by Per Jeisecke (Tübingen). Technical help on the figures by Norbert Irnberger (Vienna) is acknowledged. Comments by F. Boudier (Montpellier) and Y. Dilek (Miami) are gratefully acknowledged. The fruitful reviews of N. Froitzheim (Bonn) and S. Kovacs (Budapest) are also gratefully acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department for Applied Geosciences and Geophysics: Prospection and Applied Sedimentology, University of Leoben, Peter-Tunner-Str. 5, 8700, Leoben, Austria

    Hans-Jürgen Gawlick, Sigrid Missoni & Felix Schlagintweit

  2. Institute of Geosciences, University of Tübingen, Sigwartstrasse 10, 72076, Tübingen, Germany

    Wolfgang Frisch

  3. Geological Survey of Albania, Tirana, Albania

    Lirim Hoxha

  4. Dennigkofenweg 33, 3073, Guemligen, Switzerland

    Paulian Dumitrica

  5. Department of Palaeontology, University of Vienna, Althanstr. 14, 1090, Vienna, Austria

    Leopold Krystyn

  6. Center for Earth Sciences, University of Vienna, Althanstr. 14, 1090, Vienna, Austria

    Richard Lein

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  1. Hans-Jürgen Gawlick
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Gawlick, HJ., Frisch, W., Hoxha, L. et al. Mirdita Zone ophiolites and associated sediments in Albania reveal Neotethys Ocean origin. Int J Earth Sci (Geol Rundsch) 97, 865–881 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00531-007-0193-z

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