Skip to main content
Log in

The Oligocene Argyrotopos profile in the external lonian basin (Epirus, Greece): Microfacies and microfossils

  • Published:
Facies Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The Argyrotopos profile of the Oligocene Ayii Pantes Formation in the NW Greece was studied using litho- and biofacies-analysis. The exposed sequence is mainly composed of monotonous marls and sandy marls. A rich fossil content, e.g. calcareous nannoplankton, is recorded. Some sandstone beds and two graded limestone beds with abundant lepidocyclinids and globigerinids are intercalated. The nannofossil assemblages from the measured profile of the Ayii Pantes Formation are attributed to theSphenolithus distentus Zone (NP 24) which is equivalent to theCyclicargolithus floridanus Subzone (CP 19a) of the Chattian, Upper Oligocene. The deposition took place in an euphotic subtidal environment situated on the eastern margin of the Apulian Platform. The lepidocyclinids were derived from this platform and were transported basinwards. The formation of the marls is influenced by sediment flux from the west.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adams, C.G. (1984): Neogene larger foraminifera, evolutionary and geological events in the context of datum planes.—In:Ikebe, N. & Tsuchi, R. (eds.): Pacific Neogene datum planes. —47–67, Tokio

  • Adams, C.G. (1987): On the classification of the Lepidocyclinidae (Foraminiferida) with redescriptions of the unrelated Paleogene generaActinosiphon andOrbitosiphon.—Micropaleontology33, 289–317, 4 Pls., 7 Figs., 1 Table, New York

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Alexander, J., Nichols, G.J. &Leigh, S. (1990): The origins of marine conglomerates in the Pindus foreland basin, Greece.— Sedimentary Geology66, 243–254, 11 Figs., Amsterdam

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aubouin, J. (1959): Contribution a l’étude géologique de la Grèce septentrionale: le confins de l’Epire et de la Thessalie.—Ann. Géol. Pays héllen.10, 1–484, 40 Pls., 127 Figs., 6 Figs. out of text, 7 Tables, 1 Geol. Map, Athen

    Google Scholar 

  • Baldi-Beke, M. (1984): The nannoplankton of the Transdanubian Palaeogene Formations.—Geologica Hungarica (Series Palaeontologica)43, 1–307, 42 Pls., 49 Figs., 17 Tables, Budapest

    Google Scholar 

  • Baumann, P. von &Roth, P.H. (1969): Zonierung des Obereozäns und Oligozäns des Monte Cagnero (Zentralapennin) mit planktonischen Foraminiferen und Nannoplankton.—Eclog. geol. Helv.62, 303–323, 2 Figs., Basel

    Google Scholar 

  • Berggren, W.A., Kent, D.V., Flynn, J.J. &Van Couvering, J.A. (1985): Cenozoic geochronology.—Bull. Geol. Soc. Am.96, 1407–1418, New York

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Betzler, C. & Chaproniere, G.C.H. (1993): Paleogene and Neogene Larger Foraminifers from the Queensland Plateau: Biostratigraphy and Environmental significance.—In:McKenzie, J.A., Davies, P.J., Palmer-Julson, A., et al.,—Proc. ODP, Sci. Results133: 51–66, 5 Pls., 4 Figs., 4 Tables, College Station, Texas

  • Bizon, G. (1967): Contribution a la connaissance des foraminifères planctoniques d’Epire et des eles ioniennes (Grèce occidentale) depuis de Paléogène supérieur jusque’au Pliocène.—Publ. Inst. Francais Pétrole, 142 p., 37 Pls., 22 Figs., Paris

  • Bizon, G. &Müller, C. (1979): Remarks on the Oligocene/Miocene boundary based on results obtained from the Pacific and the Indian Oceans.—Ann. géol. Pays héllen., tome hors série, 1979/1, 101–111 2 Figs., Athen

    Google Scholar 

  • Blow, W.H. (1969): Late Eocene to Recent planktonic foraminiferal biostratigraphy. In:Bronnimann, R. & Renz, H.H. (eds.): Proc. First Int. Conf. Plankt. Microfossils1, 199–421, 54 Pls., 43 Figs., Rome

  • Bolli, H.M. & Saunders, J.B. (1985): Oligocene to Holocene low latitude planktic foraminifera.—In:Bolli, H.M., Saunders, J.B. & Perch-Nielsen, K. (eds.): Plankton Stratigraphy.— 155–262, 46 Figs., Cambridge

  • Bosselini, F.R. &Russo, A. (1992): Stratigraphy and facies of an Oligocene fringing reef (Castro Limestone, Salento Peninsula, Southern Italy).—Facies26, 145–166, 8 Pls., 6 Figs., Erlangen

    Google Scholar 

  • Bosselini, F.R., Russo, A., Arush, M.A. &Cabdulquadir, M.M. (1987): The Oligo-Miocene of Eil (NE Somalia): a prograding coral-Lepidocyclina system.—J. African Earth Sci.,6, 583–593, Oxford

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • British Petroleum Corporation (1971): The geological results of petroleum exploration in western Greece.—Inst. Geol. Subsurf. Research10, 73 p., 6 Pls., 10 Figs., Athens

  • Bramlette, M.N. &Wilcoxon, J.A. (1967): Middle Tertiary calcareous nannoplankton of the Cipero section, Trinidad, W.I.—Tulane Stud. Geol.5, 93–131, 10 Pls., New Orleans

    Google Scholar 

  • Bukry, D. (1973): Low-Latitude Coccolith Biostratigraphic Zonation. —Initial Reports of the Deep Sea Drilling Project15, 685–703, 4 Pls., 5 Figs., 4 Tables, Washington

    Google Scholar 

  • — (1975): Coccolith and Silicoflagellate stratigraphy, North-western Pacific Ocean, Deep Sea Drilling Project, Leg. 32.— Initial Reports of the Deep Sea Drilling Project32, 677–701, 2 Figs., 1 Table, Washington

    Google Scholar 

  • Butterlin, J. (1987): Origin and evolution of the Lepidocyclines from the Caribbean region. Comparisons and relations with the Lepidocyclines from the other regions of the world.— Revue de Micropaléontologie29, 203–219, 2 Pls., 7 Figs., Paris

    Google Scholar 

  • — (1990): Problémes posées par la systématique de la famille Lepidocyclinidae (Foraminiferida).—Revista Espanola de MicropaleontologicaXXII, 101–126 5 Pls., 7 Figs., Madrid

    Google Scholar 

  • — (1991): Observations about the origin and evolution of the Lepidocyclinids from the Mediterranean basin.—Revue de Micropaléontologie34, 175–183, 6 Figs., Paris

    Google Scholar 

  • Buxton, M.W.N. &Pedley, H.M. (1989): Short paper: A standarized model for Tethyan carbonate ramps.—J. Geol. Soc. London146, 746–748, 3 Figs., Northern Ireland

    Google Scholar 

  • Chaproniere, G.C.H. (1975): Paleoecology of Oligo-Miocene larger foraminifera, Australia.—Alcheringa1, 37–58, 3 Figs., Sydney

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chaproniere, G.C.H. & Betzler, C. (1992): Larger foraminiferal biostratigraphy of sites 815, 816 and 826, LEG 133, Northeastern Australia.—In:McKenzie, J.A., Davies, P.J., Palmer-Julson, A. et al.—proc. ODP, Sci. Results133, 39–49, 1 Pls., 2 Figs., 5 Tables, College Station, Texas.

  • Clews, J.E. (1989): Structural control on basin evolution: Neogene to Quaternary of the Ionian zone, Western Greece.—J. Geol. Soc. London146, 447–457, 9 Figs, Northern Ireland

    Google Scholar 

  • Drooger, C.W. &Rohling, E.J. (1988): Lepidocyclina migration across the Atlantic. Proc. Kon. Ned. Ak. Wet.B 91, 39–52, 3 Figs., Utrecht

    Google Scholar 

  • Firth, J.V. (1992): Analysis of the taxonomic, biostratigraphic and evolutionary relationships of species of the calcareous nannofossil genusCyclicargolithus (Bukry, 1971) from the Upper Eocene and Oligocene of the North Atlantic. In:Decima, F.P., Monechi, S. & Rio, D. (eds.): Proc. of the International Nannoplankton Association Conference, Firenze 1989 Memorie di Scienze GeologicheXLIII, 237–259, 1 Pl., 11 Figs., 9 Tables, Padova

  • Firth, J.V. &Isiminger-Kelso, M. (1992): Pleistocene and Oligocene-Miocene calcareous nannofossils from the Simisu Rift and Izu-Bonin Forearc Basin.—Proc. ODP, Sci. Results126, 237–262, 4 Pls., 8 Figs., 11 Tables, College Station, Texas.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fleury, J.-J. (1980): Les zones de Gavrovo-Tripolitza et du Pinde-Olonos (Grèce coninentale et Péloponnése du Nord). Evolution d’une plate-forme et d’un bassin dans leur cadre alpin.—Soc. Géol. Nord4, 1–648, 10 Pls., 29 Figs., Villeneuve d’Ascq

    Google Scholar 

  • Frost, S.H., Harbour, J.L., Beach, D.K., Realini, M.J. &Harris, P.M. (1983): Oligocene reef tract development, southwestern Puerto Rico.—SedimentaIX, 1–107, 42 Figs., Miami

    Google Scholar 

  • Gibson, T.G. &Margerum, R. (1991): Larger foraminifera biostratigraphy of PEACE boreholes, Enewetak Atoll, Republic of the Marshall Islands.—U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper1513-D, 1–14, 8 Figs., Washington

    Google Scholar 

  • Haq, B.U. (1981): Search for marker events.—In:Cati, F. (ed.),Steininger, F.F., Borsetti, A.M. & Gelati, R. (co-eds): In search of the Palaeogene/Neogene boundary stratotype. Part I: Potential boundary stratotype sections in Italy and Greece and a comparison with results from the deep-sea. International Union of Geological Sciences, Commission on Stratigraphy,3, 27–31, 1 Fig., Bologna

  • Haynes, J.R. (1981): Foraminifera.—433 p., 10 Pls., 95 Figs., Hong Kong (MacMillan)

    Google Scholar 

  • Institut de Géologie et Recherches du Sous-Sol.-Athènes & Institut Francais du Pétrole-Mission Grèce (1966): Etude géologique de l’Epire (Grèce nord-occidentale).—306 p., 101 Figs., Paris

  • Jacobshagen, V. (1986): Geologie von Griechenland.—363 p., 111 Figs., Berlin-Stuttgart

  • Jones, B. &Hunter, G. (1994): Evolution of an Isolated Carbonate Bank during Oligocene, Miocene and Pliocene Times, Cayman Brac, British West Indies.—Facies30, 25–50, 4 Pls., 15 Figs., Erlangen

    Google Scholar 

  • Kico, V. (1985): Les nannofossiles calcaires du flysch de la Zone Ionienne d’Albanie.—Thesis, Memoires des Sciences de la Terre-Paris VI, 178 p., 15 Pls., 21 Figs., Paris

  • Kissel, C., Lai, C. &Müller, C. (1985): Tertiary geodynamical evolution of northwestern Greece: paleomagnetic results.— Earth Planet. Science Letters72, 190–204, 10 Figs., 2 Tables, Amsterdam

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Köthe, A. (1986): Kalkiges Nannoplankton aus dem Paläogen Nordwestdeutschlands. Geol. Jb.A89, 3–114, 16 Pls., 12 Figs., 7 Tables, Hannover

    Google Scholar 

  • Clange, H. (1968): Die Evolution vonNephrolepidina undEulepidina im Oligozän und Miozän der Insel Ithaka (Westgriechenland).— Thesis. Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 78 p., 3 Pls., 18 Figs., 2 Tables, München

    Google Scholar 

  • Martini, E. (1971): Standard Tertiary and Quaternary calcareous nannoplankton Zonation.—In:Farinacci, A. (ed.): Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Planktonic Microfossils, Roma,2, 739–785, 4 Pls., 6 Tables, Rome

  • Martini, E. &Müller, C. (1986): Current Tertiary and Quaternary calcareous nannoplankton stratigraphy and correlations. —Newsl. Stratigr.16, 99–112, 7 Tables, Stuttgart

    Google Scholar 

  • Meulenkamp, J.E. &Hilgen, F.J. (1986): Event stratigraphy, basin evolution and tectonics of the Hellenic and Calabro-Sicilian arcs.—In:Wezel, F.-C. (ed.): The origin of arcs.— Developments in Geotectonics,21, 327–350, 9 Figs., Amsterdam (Elsevier)

    Google Scholar 

  • Mulder, E.F.J. de (1975): Microfauna and sedimentary-tectonic history of the Oligo-Miocenes of the Ionian islands and western Epirus (Greece).—Utrecht Micropal. Bull.13, 1–139, 4 Pls., 46 Figs., Utrecht

    Google Scholar 

  • Okada, H. &Bukry, D. (1980): Supplementary modification and introduction of code numbers of the low-latitude coccolith biostratigraphic zonation (Bukry, 1973; 1975).—Mar. Micropaleontol.5, 321–325, 2 Tables, Amsterdam

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Olafsson, G. (1992): Oligocene/Miocene morphometric variability of theCyclicargolithus Groups from the Equatorial Atlantic and India Oceans.—In:Decima, F.P., Monechi, S. & Rio, D. (eds.): Proc. of the Intern. Nannoplankton Ass. Conf., Firenze 1989. Mem. di Scienze Geol.43, 283–295, 8 Figs., 3 Tables, Padova

  • Perch-Nielsen, K. (1985): Cenozoic calcareous nannofossils. In:Bolli, H.M., Saunders, J.B. & Perch-Nielsen, K. (eds.): Plankton Stratigraphy, 427–553, 91 Figs., Cambridge

  • Perrier, R. &Koukouzas, C. (1969): Geological sheet Parga, 1∶50.000.—Institute for Geology and Subsurface Research (I.G.S.R.), Athens

    Google Scholar 

  • Pujos, A. (1987): Late Eocene to Pleistocene medium-sized and small-sized “Reticulofenesrids”.—In:Stradner, H., Perch-Nielsen, K. (eds.): Proc. of the Intern. Nannoplankton Ass., Vienna Meeting 1985.—Abh. Geol. B.-A.39A, 239–277, 3 Pls., 29 Figs., Wien

  • Richter, D. (1974): Die Flyschzonen Griechenlands II. Zur Stratigraphie der basalen Schichten (Übergangsserie) des ionischen Flysches im Epiros und südlich anschließenden Gebiet.—N. Jb. Geol. Paläont. Mh.1974, 149–174, 7 Figs., Stuttgart

    Google Scholar 

  • — (1976a): Das Flysch-Stadium der Helleniden-ein Überblick. —Z. dt. geol. Ges.127, 467–483, 1 Pls., 2 Figs., Hannover

    Google Scholar 

  • — (1976b,c): Die Flyschzonen Griechenlands III. Flysch sowie spät- und postorogene Serien in Westgriechenland zwischen Albanien und dem Golf von Patras. Teile 1 und 2.—N. Jb. Geol. Paläont. Abh.151, 73–100, 10 Figs., und 224–252, 8 Figs., Stuttgart

    Google Scholar 

  • — (1981): Die gefaltete marine Molasses im Gebiet von Peratia-Plagia (Akarnanien, Griechenland). Mit einem Ausblick auf die marine Molasse bei Agia Kyriaki (Epiros).—N. Jb. Geol. Paläont. Mh.1981, 84–90, 2 Figs., Stuttgart

    Google Scholar 

  • Richter, D., Müller, C. &Mihm, A. (1993): Die Flysch-Zonen Griechenlands V. Zur Stratigraphie des Flysches der Pindos-Zone im nördlichen Pindos-Gebirge zwischen der albanischen Grenze und der Querzone von Kastaniotikos (Griechenland). —N. Jb. Geol Paläont. Mh.1993, 257–291, 8 Figs., 1 Table, Stuttgart

    Google Scholar 

  • Roth, P.H. (1970): Oligocene calcareous nannoplankton Biostratigraphy.—Ecolg geol. Helv.63, 799–881, 14 Pls., 17 Figs., Basel

    Google Scholar 

  • Speranza, F., Kissel, C., Islami, I., Hyseni, A. &Laj, C. (1992): First paleomagnetic evidence for rotation of the Ionian zone of Albania.—Geophys. Res. Letters19, 697–700, 4 Figs., 1 Table, Washington D.C.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walker, K.R., Shanmugam, G., Ruppel, S.C. (1983): A model for carbonate to terrigenous clastic sequences.—Geol. Soc. Am. Bull.94, 700–712, 10 Figs., Tulsa

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • — (1984): Reply. A model for carbonate to terrigenous clastic sequences.—Geol. Soc. Am. Bull.95, 753, Tulsa

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wei, W. &Wise Jr., S.W. (1989): Paleogene calcareous nannofossil magnetobiochronology: Results from South Atlantic DSDP Site 516.—Mar. Micropaleontol.14, 119–152, 4 Pls., 2 Tables, Amsterdam

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zappaterra, E. (1994): Source-Rock Distribution Model of the Periadriatic Region.—Amer. Ass. Petrol. Geol. Bull.78, 333–354, 11 Figs., Tulsa

    Google Scholar 

  • Zuffa, G.G. (1984): Discussion. A model for carbonate to terrigenous clastic sequences.—Geol. Soc. Am. Bull.95, 753, Tulsa

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Bellas, S.M., Mertmann, D., Manutsoglu, E. et al. The Oligocene Argyrotopos profile in the external lonian basin (Epirus, Greece): Microfacies and microfossils. Facies 33, 107–119 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02537446

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02537446

Keywords

Navigation