Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Hellenic ophiolites: eastward or westward obduction of the Maliac Ocean, a discussion

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
International Journal of Earth Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Ophiolitic bodies in the Dinaro-Hellenic mountain belt are among the most important ones in the Peri-Mediterranean Alpine chains. The characteristic feature of this ophiolitic belt is its Middle to Late Jurassic age of obduction. The ophiolitic bodies form two major belts on each side of the Pelagonian zone: an east Pelagonian belt in the Vardarian domain and a Supra-Pelagonian ophiolitic belt (SPO) to the west. The different hypotheses relative to the origin of the SPO present geodynamic evolution models accounting for most of the available data: a mid-Triassic episode of rifting; a Ladinian–Jurassic episode of sea-floor spreading forming notably the Maliac Ocean; a Middle to Late Jurassic convergent period with subduction and obduction episodes, and finally, a late episode of Tertiary compressional deformation responsible for the westward thrusting of the Jurassic ophiolitic nappes over the external zones. Despite many studies dating from the early 1970s, the eastern or western Pelagonian origin of these ophiolites, especially the SPO, is still under dispute. Whatever the adopted hypothesis, we consider that the main SPO bodies (N-Pindos, Vourinos, Othris, Evia, Argolis) have the same origin because of their geographic continuity and of the similarities in their geological characteristics. We propose that this ocean corresponds everywhere to the Maliac Ocean, defined in Othris from the well-preserved sedimentary (oceanic margin) and ophiolitic nappes thrust during the Late Jurassic obduction onto the Pelagonian platform. There is strong evidence for the existence of two deep basins on both sides of the Pelagonian continental ridge during Triassic–Jurassic times. They correspond, respectively, to the Vardar area to the east and the Pindos domain to the west, one of these domains being at the origin of the SPO. The hypothesis of an eastward emplacement of the SPO from the Pindos domain is based mainly on sedimentological data from the margin series and on structural analyses of ophiolitic bodies. However, we conclude the westward obduction of the Maliac Ocean, originating from the Vardar area, to be the best fitting model. This westward model is supported by paleogeographic and structural constraints on regional scale. Notably, the absence of obducted ophiolites in the Jurassic series of the Koziakas units (units attributed to the western Pelagonian margin) and of the Parnassus domain (on the eastern side of the Pindos basin) is difficult to reconcile with an eastward obduction from the Pindos domain. Other observations, such as the distribution of ophiolitic detritus in the internal and external zones, also promote the westward Late Jurassic obduction of the Maliac Ocean. Our preferred model offers a consistent explanation for the mechanism and timing of the emplacement of the SPO, as well as providing insight on the origin and emplacement of the Vardarian ophiolites. Following this hypothesis, there is no need for a clear boundary between the SPO and the west Vardarian ophiolitic bodies as they were obducted from the same oceanic basin and during the same Jurassic tectonic event. In this paper, we develop evidence in favor of the eastern Pelagonian origin for the SPO (our adopted model) and provide discussion on the data supporting the main alternative hypothesis (western origin for the SPO).

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

Access this article

Log in via an institution

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

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Asvesta A, Dimitriadis S (1992) Sedimentation and magmatism related to the opening of a Mesozoic oceanic basin in the Axios (Vardar) zone. 6th Congress of the Geological Society, Athens, Greece, pp 10–11

  • Aubouin J (1959) Contribution à l’étude géologique de la Grèce septentrionale: les confins de l’Epire et de la Thessalie. Ann Geol Pays Helleniques X:483

  • Aubouin J, Dercourt J (1975) Les transversales dinariques dérivent-elles de paléo-failles transformantes? C R Acad Sci Paris 282:347

    Google Scholar 

  • Baumgartner PO (1985) Jurassic sedimentary evolution and nappe emplacement in the Argolis Peninsula (Peloponnesus, Greece). Denkschriften der Schweizerischen Naturforschenden Gesellschaft, 99, 111 pp

  • Bebien J (1982) L’association ignée de Guevgueli (Macédoine grecque), expression d’un magmatisme ophiolitique dans une déchirure continentale. Thèse d’Etat Univ, Nancy, 470 pp

  • Bebien J, Baroz J, Capedri S, Venturelli G (1987) Magmatisme basique associé à l’ouverture d’un bassin marginal dans les Hellenides internes au Jurassique. Ofioliti 12:53–70

    Google Scholar 

  • Bebien J, Platevoet B, Mercier L (1994) Geodynamic significance of the Paikonmassif in the Hellenides. Contribution of the volcanic rocks studies. Bull Geol Soc Greece 30:63–67

    Google Scholar 

  • Bebien J, Dimo-Lahitte A, Vergely P, Insergueix-Filippi D, Dupeyrat L (2000) Albanian ophiolites. I—magmatic and metamorphic processes associated with the initiation of a subduction. Ofioliti 25(1):39–45

    Google Scholar 

  • Beccaluva L, Ohnenstetter D, Ohnenstetter M, Paupy A (1984) Two magmatic series with island arc affinities within the Vourinos ophiolite. Contrib Mineral Petrol 85:253–271

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beccaluva L, Coltorti M, Premti I, Saccani E, Siena F, Zeda O (1994) Mid-Ocean Ridge and Suprasubduction affinities in the Ophiolitic Belts from Albania. In: Beccaluva L (Ed) Albanian Ophiolites: state of the art and perspectives. Ofioliti 19:77–96

  • Beccaluva L, Coltorti M, Saccani E, Siena F (2005) Magma generation and crustal accretion as evidenced by supra-subduction ophiolites of the Albanide-hellenide SubPelagonian zone. Isl Arc 14:551–563

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bechon F (1981) Caractères de tholeites abyssales des formations magmatiques basiques des unités orientales de la zone d’Almopias (Macedoine grecque). C R Acad Sci 292:105–108

    Google Scholar 

  • Bernoulli D, Laubscher H (1972) The palinspatic problem of the Hellenides. Eclogae Geol Helv 65:107–118

    Google Scholar 

  • Bertrand J, Ferriere J, Stais A (1994) Données pétrographiques et géochronologiques sur des laves des domaines vardariens de Péonias et d’Almopias (Hellenides orientales). Bull Geol Soc Greece 30:213–222

    Google Scholar 

  • Bijon J (1982) Géologie et géochimie des formations volcano-sédimentaires d’âge Jurassique supérieur et Crétacé de la région d’Edessa (Grèce, province de Pella). Thèse 3ème cycle Université de Paris-Sud, Orsay

  • Bortolotti V, Carras N, Chiari M, Fazzuoli M, Marcucci M, Photiades A, Principi G (2002a) New geological observations and biostratigraphic data on the Argolis Peninsula: paleogeographic and geodynamic implications. Ofioliti 27:43–46

    Google Scholar 

  • Bortolotti V, Marroni M, Pandolfi L, Principi G, Saccani E (2002b) Alternation of MOR and SSZ Basalts in Albanian Ophiolites: evidences of interactions between Mid-Oceanic-Ridge and subduction related processes in an infant arc setting. J Geol 110:561–576

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bortolotti V, Carras N, Chiari M, Fazzuoli M, Marcucci M, Photiades A, Principi G (2003) The Argolis Peninsula in the paleogeographic and geodynamic frame of the Hellenides. Ofioliti 28(2)

  • Bortolotti V, Chiari M, Maracussi M, Marroni M, Pandolfi L, Principi G, Saccani E (2004) Comparison among the Albanian and Greek ophiolites: in search of constraints for the evolution of the Mesozoic Tethys Ocean. Ofioliti 29:1–94

    Google Scholar 

  • Bortolotti V, Marroni M, Pandolfi L, Principi G (2005) Mesozoic to tertiary tectonic history of the Mirdita ophiolites, northern Albania. Island Arc 14:471–493

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bortolotti V, Chiari M, Marcucci M, Photiades A, Principi G, Saccani E (2008) New geochemical and age data on the ophiolites from the Othrys area (Greece): implication for the Triassic evolution of the Vardar Ocean. Ofioliti 33(2):135–151

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown SAM, Robertson AHF (1994) New structural evidence from the Mesozoic-Early Tertiary Paikon unit, north-eastern Greece. Bull of the Geol Soc of Greece, 7th International Congress, 30(1):159–170

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown SAM, Robertson AHF (2004) Evidence for Neotethys rooted within the Vardar suture zone. Tectonophysics 281:143–173

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brunn JH (1956) Contribution à l’étude du Pinde septentrional et d’une partie de la Macédoine occidentale. Annales Géologiques des Pays Helleniques 7:1–358

    Google Scholar 

  • Capedri S, Venturelli G, Bocchi G, Dostal J, Garuti G, Rossi A (1980) The geochemistry and petrogenesis of an ophiolitic sequence from Pindos, Greece. Contrib Mineral Petrol 74:189–200

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Celet P (1962) Contribution à l’étude géologique du Parnasse-Kiona et d’une partie des régions méridionales de la grèce continentale. Ann Géol Pays Hell 13, 446 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Celet P, Ferriere J (1978) Les Hellenides internes: le Pélagonien. Eclogae Geol Helv 71(3):467–495

    Google Scholar 

  • Celet P, Clement B, Ferriere J (1976) La zone béotienne en Grèce: implications paléogéographiques et structurales. Eclogae Geol Helv 63(3):577–599

    Google Scholar 

  • Celet P, Ferriere J, Wigniolle E (1977) Le problème de l’origine des blocs exogènes du mélange à éléments ophiolitiques au sud du Sperchios et dans le massif de l’Othrys (Grèce). Bull Soc Géol, France, 7, XIX, pp 935–942

  • Chiari M, Bortolotti V, Marcucci M, Principi G, Photiades A (2003) The Middle Jurassic siliceous sedimentary cover at the top of the Vourinos Ophiolite (Greece). Ofioliti 28:95–104

    Google Scholar 

  • Clement B, Ferrière J (1973) La phase tectonique anté-Crétacé supeieur en Grèce continentale. C R Acad Sci Paris 276:481–484

    Google Scholar 

  • Clift PD, Robertson AHF (1990) Deep-water basins within the Mesozoic carbonate platform of Argolis, Greece. J Geol Soc 147:825–836

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coleman RG (1971) Plate tectonic emplacement of upper mantle peridotites along continental edges. J Geophys Res 76:1212–1222

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Collaku A, Bonneau M, Cadet JP, Jolivet L (1992) L’édifice structural de l’Albanie septentrionale. Des éléments de réponse sur les modalités de mise en place des ophiolites. Bull Soc Géol France 163:455–468

    Google Scholar 

  • Danelian T, Robertson AHF, Dimitriadis S (1996) Age and significance of radiolarian sediments within basic extrusives of the marginal basin Guevgueli Ophiolite (northern Greece). Geol Mag 133:127–136

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Degnan PJ, Robertson AHF (2006) Synthesis of the tectonic-sedimentary evolution of the Mesozoic-Early Cenozoic Pindos Ocean: evidence from the NW Peloponnese, Greece. In: Robertson AHF, Mountrakis D (eds) Tectonic development of the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Geol Soc Lond Spec Publ 260:467–491

  • Dercourt J (1970) L’expansion océanique actuelle et fossile: ses implications géotectoniques. Bull Soc Geol France XII (7):261–317

  • Dercourt J (1972) The Canadian Cordillera, the hellenides and the seafloor spreading theory. Can J Earth Sci 9:709–743

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dercourt J, Aubouin J, Savoyat E, Desprairies A, Terry J, Vergely P, Mercier J, Godfriaux I, Ferriere J, Fleury JJ, Celet P, Clement B (1977) Réunion extraordinaire de la Soc. Géol De France en Grèce (9–20 Septembre 1976). Bull Soc Géol France XIX(7):5–70

  • Dilek Y, Furnes H, Shallo M (2007) Suprasubduction zone ophiolite formation along the periphery of Mesozoic Gondwana. Gondwana Res 11:453–475

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dilek Y, Furnes H, Shallo M (2008) Geochemistry of the Jurassic Mirdita Ophiolite (Albania) and the MORB to SSZ evolution of a marginal basin oceanic crust. Lithos 100:174–209

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dimo-Lahitte A, Monie P, Vergely P (2001) Metamorphic soles from the Albanian ophiolites. Petrology, 40Ar/39Ar geochronology and geodynamic evolution. Tectonics 20:78–96

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dupuy C, Dostal J, Capedri S, Venturelli G (1984) Geochemistry and petrogenesis of ophiolites from northern Pindos (Greece). Bull Volcanol 47(1):39–46

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Faupl P, Pavlopoulos A, Migiros G (2007) Provenance of flysch sediments and the palaeogene-Early Miocene Geodynamic evolution of the Hellenides: a contribution from heavy mineral investigations. Sedimentology 58:765–788

    Google Scholar 

  • Fazzuoli M, Carras N (2007) Development and demise of a carbonate platform by compressional and extensional tectonics: the Zygosthi Platform (Late Jurassic) and the Cretaceous Transgression, Kozni, Northern Greece. In: Zelilidis A, Papatheodorou G, Gerara M (eds) 25th meeting of sedimentology, Patras, Greece, 4–7 Sept 2007, Field Trip Guide Book, pp 173–190

  • Ferriere J (1972) Sur l’importance des déplacements tangentiels en Othrys centrale au NE d’Anavra (Grèce). C R Acad Sci Paris 274:174–176

    Google Scholar 

  • Ferriere J (1974) Etude géologique d’un secteur des zones helleniques internes sub-pélagoniennes (massif de l’Othrys, Grèce orientale). Importance et signification de la période orogénique anté-Crétacé supérieur. Bull Soc Geol France XVI(5):543–562

  • Ferriere J (1976) Sur la signification des séries du massif de l’Othrys (Grèce continentale): la zone isopique Maliaque. Ann Soc Geol Nord 96–2:121–134

    Google Scholar 

  • Ferriere J (1982) Paléogéographies et tectoniques superposées dans les hellenides internes au niveau de l’Othrys et du Pelion (Grèce). Soc Geol Nord Publ 8, 970 pp

  • Ferriere J (1985) Nature et developpement des ophiolites helleniques du secteur Othrys-Pelion. Ofioliti 10(2/3):255–278

    Google Scholar 

  • Ferriere J, Stais A (1994) Un ou des bassin(s) téthysiens vardarien(s). 7th Congress of the Geological Society, Thessalonique, Greece, pp 91–103

  • Ferriere J, Stais A (1995) Nouvelle interprétation de la suture téthysienne vardarienne d’après l’analyse des séries de Péonias (Vardar oriental, Hellenides internes). Bull Soc Geol France 166(4):327–339

    Google Scholar 

  • Ferriere J, Bertrand J, Simantov J, De Wever P. (1988) Comparaison entre les formations Volcano-Détritiques (“Mélanges”) du Malm des hellenides internes (Othrys, Eubee). Bull Geol Soc Greece XX:223–235

  • Ferriere J, Bonneau M, Caridroit M, Bellier JP, Gorican S, Kollmann H (2001) Les nappes tertiaires du Paikon (zone du vardar, Macédoine, Grèce): arguments stratigraphiques pour une nouvelle interprétation structurale. C R Acad Sci Paris Earth Planet Sci 332:695–702

    Google Scholar 

  • Fleury JJ, Godfriaux I (1974) Arguments pour l’attribution de la série de la fenêtre de l’Olympe (Grèce) à la zone de Gavrovo-Tripolitza: présence de fossiles du Maastrichtien et de l’Eocène inférieur et moyen (?). Ann Soc Geol Nord XCIV:149–156

    Google Scholar 

  • Godfriaux I (1968) Etude géologique de l’Olympe (Grece). Ann Geol Pays Helleniques vol 19, 282 pp

  • Hoeck V, Koller F, Meisel T, Onuzi K, Kneringer E (2002) The Jurassic South Albanian ophiolites: MOR-vs. SSZ-type ophiolites. Lithos 65:143–164

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hynes A (1974) Igneous activity at the birth of an ocean basin in eastern Greece. Can J Earth Sci 11(6):842–853

    Google Scholar 

  • Hynes A, Nisbet EG, Smith AG, Welland MJP, Rex DC (1972) Spreading and emplacement ages of some ophiolites in the Othris region (eastern central Greece). Z Dtsch Geol Ges 123:455–468

    Google Scholar 

  • Insergueix-Filippi D, Dupeyrat L, Dimo-Lahitte A, Vergely P, Bebien J (2000) Albanian ophiolites. II—Model of subduction zone infancy at a Mid-ocean ridge. Ofioliti 25:47–53

    Google Scholar 

  • Jacobshagen V (1986) Geologie von Griechenland. Gebrüder Borntraeger, Berlin

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones G, Robertson AHF (1991) Tectono-stratigraphy and evolution of the Mesozoic Pindos Ophiolite and related units, Northwestern Greece. J Geol Soc Lond 148:267–288

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Katsikatsos G, Mercier JL, Vergely P (1976) L’Eubée méridionale: une double fenêtre polyphasée dans les Hellenides internes (Grèce). C R Acad Sci Paris 283:459–462

    Google Scholar 

  • Katsikatsos G, Migiros G, Vidakis M (1982) Structure Geologique de la région de Thessalie orientale (Grèce). Ann Soc Geol Nord 101:177–188

    Google Scholar 

  • Kober L (1952) Yugoslavian tectonic oriental lines. Serb Akad Wiss Sonderausg vol 189, 81 pp

  • Lekkas E (1988) Geological structure and geodynamic evolution of the Koziakas mountain range (western Thessaly). University of Athens, Department of geology, no. 1, pp 1–281

  • Liati A, Gerbauer D, Fanning C (2004) The age of ophiolitic rocks of the Hellenides (Vourinos, Pindos, Crete): first U-Pb ion microprobe (SHRIMP) zircon ages. Chem Geol 207:177–188

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mavridis A, skourtsis-Coroneou V, Tsaila-Monopolis S (1977) Contribution to the geology of the Subpelagonian Zone (Vourinos area, West Macedonia). 6th colloquium on the geology of the Aegean Region, Athens. Institute of geology and Mineral Exploration, Athens, pp 175–195

  • Mercier J (1968) Etude géologique des zones internes des héllenides en Macédoine centrale (Grèce). Thesis, Ann Geol Pays Hellen, vol 20, 792 pp

  • Mercier JL, Vergely P (1972) Les Mélanges ophiolitiques de Macédoine (Grèce), décrochements d’âge anté-crétacé supérieur. Z Dtsch Geol Ges 123:469–489

    Google Scholar 

  • Mercier JL, Vergely P, Bebien J (1975) Les ophiolites helleniques obductées au Jurassique supérieur sont-elles les vestiges d’un Océan téthysien ou d’une mer marginale péri-européenne? C R Somm Soc Geol Fr Fasc 4:108–112

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller JMCL, Gray DR, Gregory R (2002) Geometry and significance of internal windows and regional isoclinal folds in northeast Saih Hatah, Sultanate of Oman. J Struct Geol 24:359–386

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morris A (1995) Rotational deformation during Paleogene thrusting and basin closure in eastern central Greece: palaemagnetic evidence from Mesozoic carbonates. Geophys J Int 121(3):827–847

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mountrakis D (1987) The Pelagonian Zone in Greece. A polyphase deformed fragment of the Cimmerian Continent and its role in the geotectonic evolution of the Mediterranean. J Geol 94:335–347

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mussalam K (1991) Geology, geochemistry and the evolution of an oceanic crustal rift at Sithonia, NE Greece. In Peters et al (eds) Ophiolite genesis and evolution of the oceanic lithosphere, pp 685–704

  • Naylor MA, Harle TJ (1976) Paleogeographic significance of rocks and structures beneath the Vourinos ophiolite, northern Greece. J Geol Soc Lond 132:667–675

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pe-Piper G, Piper DJW (2002) The igneous rocks of Greece. The anatomy of an orogen. Gebruder Borntraeger, Berlin

    Google Scholar 

  • Pe-Piper G, Tsikouras B, Hatzipanagiotou K (2004) Evolution of boninites and island-arc tholeites in the Pindos ophiolite, Greece. Geol Mag 141(4):455–469

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Photiades A, Saccani E, Tassinari R (2003) Petrogenesis and tectonic setting of volcanic rocks from the subpelagonian ophiolite mélange in the Agoriani area. Ofioliti 28:121–136

    Google Scholar 

  • Price I (1976) Carbonate sedimentology in a pre-upper Cretaceous continental margin sequence, Othris, Greece. Bull Soc Geol France XVIII(2):273–279

  • Rassios AHE, Dilek Y (2009) Rotational deformation in the Jurassic Mesohellenic ophiolites, Greece, and its tectonic significance. Lithos 108:207–223

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rassios AHE, Moores EM (2006) Heterogeneous mantle complex, crustal processes and obduction kinematics in a unified Pindos-Vourinos ophiolitic slab (northern Greece). In Robertson AHF, Mountrakis D (eds) Tectonic development of the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Geol Soc Lond Spec Publ 260:237–266

  • Rassios A, Roberts A, Vacondios I (1986) Results of the chromite research programm, Vourinos, Greece (1984–1986): a synthesis: the application of a multidisciplinary concept for chromite exploration in the Vourinos Complex, northern Greece. European Economic Community Report

  • Rassios AHE, Smith AG (2000) Constraints on the formation and emplacement of western Greek ophiolites (Vourinos, Pindos and Othris) inferred from deformation structures in peridotites. In: Dilek Y, Moores EM, Elthon DA, Nicolas A (eds) Ophiolites and oceanic crust: new insights from field studies and oceanic drilling program. Geol Soc Am Spec Pap 349:473–483

  • Rassios A, Grivas E, Konstantiopolou G, Vacondios I (1994) The geometry of structures forming around the ductile-brittle transition in the Vourinos-Pindos-Othris oceanic slab. 7th Congress Thessaloniki, 1994. Bull Geol Soc Greece 30(2):109–121

  • Robertson AHF (2002) Overview of the genesis and emplacement of Mesozoic ophiolites in the eastern Mediterranean Tethyan region. Lithos 65:1–67

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Robertson AHF (2006) Contrasting modes of ophiolite emplacement in the Eastern Mediterranean region. In: Gee DG, Stephenson RA (eds) Geol Soc Lond Memoirs 32:235–261

  • Robertson AHF (2012) Late Paleozoic tectonic development of Greece and Albania in the context of alternative reconstructions of Tethys in the eastern Mediterranean region. Int Geol Rev 54(4):373–454

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Robertson AHF, Shallo M (2000) Mesozoic-Tertiary tectonic evolution of the Mesozoic Tethys in Serbia. Tectonophysics 316:197–214

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Robertson AHF, Clift PD, Degnan PJ, Jones G (1991) Paleogeographical and paleotectonic evolution of the eastern Mediterranean Neotethys. Paleooceanogr Paleoclimatol Paleoecol 87:289–343

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ross JV, Zimmermann J (1996) Comparaison of evolution and tectonic significance of the Pindos and Vourinos ophiolite suites, northern Greece. Tectonophysics 256:1–15

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saccani E, Photiades A (2004) Mid-ocean Ridge and supra-subduction affinities in the Pindos ophiolites (Greece): implications for magma genesis in a fore-arc setting. Lithos 73:229–253

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saccani E, Photiades A, Padoa E (2003) Geochemistry, petrogenesis and tectono-magmatic significance of volcanic and subvolcanic rocks from the Koziakas Mélange (Western Thessaly, Greece). Ofioliti 28:43–57

    Google Scholar 

  • Saccani E, Beccaluva L, Coltorti M, Siena F (2004) Petrogenesis and tectono-magmatic significance of the Albanide-Hellenide subpelagonian ophiolites. Ofioliti 29(1):75–93

    Google Scholar 

  • Saccani E, Photiades A, Beccalkuva L (2008a) Petrogenesis and tectonic significance of Jurassic IAT magma types in the Hellenide ophiolites as deduced from the Rhodiani ophiolites (Melagonian zone, Greece). Lithos 104:71–84

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saccani E, Photiades A, Santato A, Zeda O (2008b) New evidence for supra-subduction zone ophiolites in the Vardar zone of northern Greece: implications for the tectono-magmatic evolution of the Vardar oceanic ocean. Ofioliti 33:65–85

    Google Scholar 

  • Saccani E, Bortolotti V, Marroni M, Pandolfi L, Photiades A, Principi G (2008c) The Jurassic Association of Back-arc basin ophiolites and calc-alkaline volcanics in the Guevgueli Complex (Northern Greece): implication for the evolution of the Vardar Zone. Ofioliti 33(2):209–227

    Google Scholar 

  • Saccani E, Beccaluva L, Photiades A, Zeda O (2011) Petrogenesis and tectono-magmatic significance of basalts ans mantle peridotites from the Albanian-Greek ophiolites and sub-ophiolitic mélanges. New constraints for the Triassic-Jurassic evolution of the Neo-Tethys in the Dinaride sector. Lithos 124:227–242

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sharp IR, Robertson AHF (1998) Late Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous oceanic crust and sediments of the Eastern Almopias Zone, NW Macedonia (Greece); implications for the evolution of the eastern “Internal” Hellenides. Bull Geol Soc Greece 30(1):47–61

    Google Scholar 

  • Sharp IR, Robertson AHF (2006) Tectonic-sedimentary evolution of the western margin of the Mesozoic Vardar ocean: evidence from the Pelagonian and Almopias zones, northern Greece. In: Robertson AHF, Mountrakis D (eds) Tectonic development of the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Geol Soc Lond Spec Publ 260:373–412

  • Smith AG (2006) Tethyan ophiolite emplacement, Africa to Europe motions, and Atlantic spreading. In: Robertson AHF, Mountrakis D (eds) Tectonic development of the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Geol Soc Lond Spec Publ 260:1–34

  • Smith AG, Rassios A (2003) The evolution of ideas for the origin and emplacement of the western Hellenic ophiolites. In: Dilek Y, Newcomb S (eds) Ophiolite concept and the evolution of geological thought. Geol Soc Am Spec Pap 373:337–350

  • Smith AG, Hynes AJ, Menzies M, Nisbet EG, Price I, Welland MJ, Ferriere J (1975) The stratigraphy of the Othris Mountains, Eastern Central Greece: a deformed Mesozoic continental margin sequence. Eclogae Geol Helv 68:463–481

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith AG, Woodcock NH, Naylor MA (1979) The structural evolution of a Mesozoic continental margin, Othris Mountain, Greece. J Geol Soc Lond 136:589–603

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Spray JG, Roddick JC (1980) Petrology and 40Ar/39Ar geochronology of some Hellenic sub-ophiolite metamorphic rocks. Contrib Miner Petrol 72:43–55

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Spray JG, Bebien J, Rex DC, Roddick JC (1984) Age constraints on the igneous and metamorphic evolution of the Hellenic-Dinaric ophiolites. In: Dixon JE, Robertson AHF (eds) The geological evolution of the Eastern Mediterranean. Geol Soc Lond Spec Publ 17:619–627

  • Stais A, Ferriere J (1991) Nouvelles données sur la paléogéographie Mésozoïque du domaine vardarien: les bassins d’Almopias et de Peonias (Macedoine, Hellenides internes septentrionales). Bull Geol Soc Greece 26(1):491–507

    Google Scholar 

  • Stais A, Ferriere J (1994) Peonias (Axios—Vardar oriental; Hellenides): Données nouvelles sur les séries anté-Crétacé et interprétations géodynamiques. Bull Geol Soc Greece XXX/1:121–132

    Google Scholar 

  • Stais A, Ferriere J, Caridroit M, De Wever P, Clement B, Bertrand J (1990) Données nouvelles sur l’histoire anté-obduction (Trias-Jurassique) du domaine d’Almopias (Macedoine, Grèce). C R Acad Sci Paris, série II 310:1275–1480

  • Stampfli GM, Mosar J, Faure P, Puillevit A, Vannay JC (2001) Permo-Mesozoic evolution of the western Tethys realm: the Neotethys East-Mediterranean basin connection. In Ziegler P, Cavazza W, Robertson AHF, Crasquin-Soleau S (eds) Peri-Tethys Memoir 5. Peri-Tethyan Rift/Wrench Basins and Passive Margins. Mémoires du Museum National d’histoire Naturelle, pp 51–108

  • Thiebault F (1982) Evolution géodynamique des hellenides externes en Péloponnèse méridional (Grèce). Soc Geol Nord, Publication no. 6

  • Thiebault F, Fleury JJF, Clement B, Degardin JM (1994) Paleogeographic and paleotectonic implications of clay mineral distributions in Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous sediments of the Pindos-Olonos and Beotian basins, Greece. Paleogeogr Paleoclimatol Paleoecol 108:23–40

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vergely P (1976) Origine «vardarienne», chevauchement vers l’Ouest et rétrocharriage vers l’Est des ophiolites de Macédoine (Grèce) au cours du Jurassique supérieur-Eocrétacé. C R Acad Sci Paris 280:1063–1066

    Google Scholar 

  • Vergely P (1984) Tectonique des ophiolites dans les Hellenides internes. Conséquences sur l’evolution des régions téthysiennes occidentales. Thèse Université Paris sud Orsay, 2 vol, 250 et 411 pp

  • Vergely P, Dimo A, Monie P (1998) Datation des semelles métamorphiques ophiolitiques d’ Albanie par la méthode 40A/39A: Conséquences sur le mécanisme de leur mise en place. C R Acad Sci Paris 326:717–722

  • Vrielynck B (1982) Evolution paléogéographique et structurale de la presqu’ile d’Argolide (Grèce). Rev Geogr Phys Geol Dyn 23(4):277–288

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We are thankfull to the reviewers and editors, A. Rassios and A. H. F Robertson, and an anonymous reviewer for their constructive comments and advices on earlier drafts of the paper. A. Rassios also helped greatly to improve our English text. We acknowledge the CNRS-Research unit Geosystems no. 8217 for assistance with the costs of fieldwork and laboratory analyses.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. UMR no. 8217 Géosystèmes, Université de Lille 1, 59655, Villeneuve d’Ascq, France

    Jacky Ferrière, Frank Chanier & Pitaksit Ditbanjong

Authors
  1. Jacky Ferrière
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Frank Chanier
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Pitaksit Ditbanjong
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Frank Chanier.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ferrière, J., Chanier, F. & Ditbanjong, P. The Hellenic ophiolites: eastward or westward obduction of the Maliac Ocean, a discussion. Int J Earth Sci (Geol Rundsch) 101, 1559–1580 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00531-012-0797-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00531-012-0797-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation