The tectonostratigraphic evolution of Cenozoic basins of the Northern Tethys: The Northern margin of the Levant Basin

The easternmost part of the Mediterranean corresponds to a tectonically complex region which is linked with the convergence between Africa and Eurasia. The tectonostratigraphic evolution of this region is poorly constrained because of the absence of exploration wells. Cyprus is a crucial area to ass...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Papadimitriou Nikolaos, Deschamps Remy, Symeou Vasilis, Souque Christine, Gorini Christian, Nader Fadi Henri, Blanpied Christian
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: EDP Sciences 2018-01-01
Series:Oil & Gas Science and Technology
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.2516/ogst/2018085
Description
Summary:The easternmost part of the Mediterranean corresponds to a tectonically complex region which is linked with the convergence between Africa and Eurasia. The tectonostratigraphic evolution of this region is poorly constrained because of the absence of exploration wells. Cyprus is a crucial area to assess the link between the tectonic deformation and the consequent sedimentation in the Northern Levant margin. Paleogene and Neogene basins in the southern part of Cyprus record the main tectonic events related to the convergence of Africa and Eurasia. The objective of this contribution is to investigate the timing and the mechanisms of basin deformation, as well as the sedimentary infill of basins located onshore Cyprus and finally resolve how their evolution is linked to the regional geodynamic events. Based on fieldwork studies we reconstructed the tectono-stratigraphic evolution of the Polis Basin and the Limassol Basin to propose a conceptual model for the evolution of the Northern Levant margin, in accordance with the main geodynamic events. It is expected that analysis of the Polis and Limassol depressions, and later comparison of them will also shed more lights on the impact of the substratum and how it is associated to the main tectonic events.
ISSN:1294-4475
1953-8189