Organized by:

Croatian Geological Society (HGD) and International Association of Sedimentologists (IAS)

Organizing Committee
Lara Wacha, chair, Croatian Geological Survey, Zagreb
Katarina Gobo, University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science
Nikolina Ilijanić, Croatian Geological Survey, Zagreb
Tvrtko Korbar, Croatian Geological Survey, Zagreb
Marijan Kovačić, University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science
Duje Kukoč, Croatian Geological Survey, Zagreb
Borna Lužar-Oberiter, University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science
Maja Martinuš, University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science
Slobodan Miko, Croatian Geological Survey, Zagreb
Davor Pavelić, University of Zagreb, Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum Engineering
Kristina Pikelj, University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science
Igor Vlahović, University of Zagreb, Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum Engineering

Scientific Committee
Igor Vlahović, president, University of Zagreb, Faculty of Shuxin Pan, PetroChina – NWGI, China
Mining, Geology and Petroleum Engineering Guido Pastore, University of Milano–Bicocca, Italy
Nevena Andrić Tomašević, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Maximiliano Paz, University of Saskatchewan, Canada
Germany Daniel A. Petráš, Czech Geological Survey, Czech Republic
Bruno Campo, University of Bologna, Italy Miquel Poyatos-Moré, Universitat Autònoma of Barcelona,
Sonia Campos Soto, Complutense University of Madrid, Spain Spain
Luca Caracciolo, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany Joanna Pszonka, Polish Academy of Sciences – MEERI, Poland
Blanka Cvetko Tešović, University of Zagreb, Croatia John J.G. Reijmer, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The
Shahin E. Dashtgard, Simon Fraser University, Canada Netherlands
Andrea Di Capua, National Research Council – IGAG, Italy Valentina Marzia Rossi, National Research Council – IGG, Italy
Goran Durn, University of Zagreb, Croatia Arnoud Slootman, Colorado School of Mines, USA
Gianluca Frijia, University of Ferrara, Italy Miroslaw Slowakiewicz, University of Warsaw, Poland
Massimiliano Ghinassi, University of Padova, Italy Thomas Steuber, Khalifa University of Science and Technology,
Luis Gibert Beotas, University of Barcelona, Spain Abu Dhabi, UAE
Bosiljka Glumac, Smith College, USA Finn Surlyk, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
Antun Husinec, St. Lawrence University, USA Michal Šujan, Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia
Stuart Jones, Durham University, UK Romain Vaucher, University of Geneva, Switzerland
Tvrtko Korbar, Croatian Geological Survey, Croatia Alan Vranjković, INA Oil Company, Croatia
Marijan Kovačić, University of Zagreb, Croatia Lara Wacha, Croatian Geological Survey, Croatia
Juan Carlos Laya, Texas A&M University, USA Guodong Wang, PetroChina, China
Marta Marchegiano, University of Granada, Spain Pujun Wang, Jilin University, China
Cole McCormick, Pennsylvania State University, USA Valentin Zuchuat, RWTH Aachen University, Germany
Mardi McNeil, Geoscience Australia, Australia Nadja Zupan Hajna, Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy
Theresa Nohl, University of Vienna, Austria of Sciences and Arts, Slovenia

Publisher: Croatian Geological Society (HGD)

For the publisher: Slobodan Miko
Editors: Tvrtko Korbar, Marijan Kovačić and Igor Vlahović
Language Editor: Julie Robson (Scotland, United Kingdom)
Digital layout: Laser Plus d.o.o
Cover design: Ana Badrić
eISBN: 978-953-6907-80-9

Reference to any paper in this publication should be followed by:

...In: Korbar, T., Kovačić, M. & Vlahović, I. (eds.): Sedimentary cover of the Adria and its surroundings: from aborted rifting in the
central Adriatic to the post-collisional deposition in the Dinarides, the Southern Alps, and the Pannonian basin. 36th IAS Meeting of
Sedimentology, Dubrovnik (Croatia), June 12–16, 2023, Field Trip Guidebook, pp-pp, Zagreb.
 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology
June 12–16, 2023, Dubrovnik, Croatia

FIELD TRIP GUIDEBOOK

Sedimentary cover of the Adria and its surroundings
from aborted rifting in the central Adriatic to the post-collisional deposition in the
Dinarides, the Southern Alps, and the Pannonian basin

Edited by: Tvrtko Korbar, Marijan Kovačić and Igor Vlahović

Contents
Foreword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I
The Editors

Pre-conference field trips

A1 A brief insight into the Upper Triassic to Miocene sedimentary succession of the External Dinarides,
SE of Dubrovnik (southern Croatia) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Igor Vlahović, Antun Husinec and Božo Prtoljan

A2 Deep-water Triassic to end-Cretaceous sedimentary succession of the Budva Zone (Montenegro) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Špela Goričan, Duje Kukoč, Martin Đaković, Anja Kocjančič, Tim Cifer and Aleksander Horvat

A3 Oligocene to Pliocene depositional systems in the southern Pannonian Basin and the Dinarides Intramontane Basins . . . . 61
Oleg Mandic, Marijan Kovačić, Nevena Andrić-Tomašević

A4 Quaternary glaciations of the Alps-Dinarides junction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .105

Manja Žebre, Petra Jamšek Rupnik, Jernej Jež, Giovanni Monegato, Uroš Stepišnik

Mid-conference field trip (self-guided)

B1 Geology of the Old Town of Dubrovnik . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .131
Tvrtko Korbar, Tonći Grgasović and Ladislav Fuček

Post-conference field trips

C1 Volcano-sedimentary-evaporitic rocks from an aborted Triassic rift and Cretaceous to Palaeogene Adriatic Carbonate
Platform successions: OAEs, K–Pg boundary and the Palaeocene platform top (central Dalmatian islands, Croatia) . . . . 143
Tvrtko Korbar, Mirko Belak, Ladislav Fuček, Jelena Španiček, Thomas Steuber

C2 Mesozoic-Cenozoic Dinaric foreland basins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .161

Borna Lužar-Oberiter, Katarina Gobo, Duje Kukoč, Krešimir Petrinjak, Šimun Aščić, Robert Šamarija, Anja Kocjančič, Ervin Mrinjek, Lucija Markotić

C3 Mass wasting deposits: From ancient catastrophic submarine collapses to recent alluvial fans: Julian Alps,
Soča Valley and the Adriatic coast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .197
Andrej Šmuc, Boštjan Rožič, Andrej Novak, Krešimir Petrinjak, Željko Pogačnik, Timotej Verbovšek, Marko Vrabec, Tomislav Popit

C4 Quaternary of the island of Mljet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229

Ivan Razum, Petra Bajo, Slobodan Miko, Ozren Hasan, Nikolina Ilijanić
Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

Foreword

Dear colleagues,

Forty years after the 4th IAS Regional Meeting that was held in Split (1983), and twenty years after the 22nd
IAS Meeting of Sedimentology that was held in Opatija (2003), the international sedimentological community
decided to gather again in Croatia for the 36th IAS Meeting of Sedimentology in Dubrovnik.
Field trips are an integral and very important part of every IAS meeting, and we are proud to highlight
the guidebooks of the meetings held in Croatia:
In 1983, Ljubomir Babić and Vladimir Jelaska edited a guidebook with field trips from Istria to Dalmatia
and thus enabled the authors to somehow break the ice for international cooperation in these areas but also
to chart the path for numerous sedimentological successors in Croatia and Slovenia that contributed and are
still contributing to the completion of knowledge about the geological evolution of the region;
In 2003, Igor Vlahović and the late Josip Tišljar, edited a guidebook with field trips focused on more
stratigraphical and sedimentological details and extended sedimentological interests all the way to the Alps
(Slovenia) and the Pannonian Basin (northern Croatia), holding the door wide open for international cooper-
ation.
Given the fact that in the eastern Adriatic region and its wider hinterland, Phanerozoic sedimentary rocks
cover the vast majority of the territory, the region is still underexplored. That is why we also invited authors
that traditionally deal with Mesozoic basinal deposits that crop out in Montenegro, as well as authors working
on mass wasting deposits and Quaternary glacial, colluvial, lacustrine and aeolian sediments. Thus, even
after 40 years of presenting the sedimentology in the region, we manage to offer new sedimentological deli-
cacies that the authors have packaged into nine field trips through Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herze-
govina and Slovenia, all ending or starting in Dubrovnik ­– the pearl of the eastern Adriatic in the south of the
Republic of Croatia.
We are proud to present the Field Trip Guidebook of the third, now already traditional IAS Regional
Meeting in Croatia that is organized every 20 years (1983, 2003, 2023, ...). We hope that you will enjoy the re-
gional sedimentary geology, and that many of us will meet again somewhere in Croatia in 2043...

The Editors

Field trip guidebook I

A brief insight into the Upper Triassic to Miocene sedimentary
succession of the External Dinarides, SE of Dubrovnik
(southern Croatia)

Igor Vlahović, Antun Husinec and Božo Prtoljan

FIELD TRIP A1
Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

A brief insight into the Upper Triassic to Miocene sedimentary

succession of the External Dinarides, SE of Dubrovnik (southern
Croatia)

Igor Vlahović1, Antun Husinec2 and Božo Prtoljan3

1
University of Zagreb, Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum Engineering, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
[email protected]
2
St. Lawrence University, Department of Geology, 23 Romoda Drive, Canton, NY 13617, USA. [email protected]
3
Pilarova 21A, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract
The Konavle area located in the very southeast of the Republic of Croatia encompasses a large part of the entire External
Dinarides sedimentary sequence, almost 5 km in thickness. It consists of two geologically and geomorphologically dif-
ferent parts, the Donja Banda and the Gornja Banda, separated by one of the most significant faults in the Dinarides, the
so-called High Karst Nappe, which divides two regional tectonic units: the less disturbed Adriatic or Dalmatian Zone to
the SW and the intensely deformed High Karst Unit to the NE. The Donja Banda as a part of the Dalmatian Zone is com-
posed of Upper Cretaceous carbonates and Palaeogene carbonate and clastic deposits. The Gornja Banda as a part of the
High Karst Unit represents a thick sequence of Upper Triassic, Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous carbonate deposits mon-
oclinally inclined towards the SE, passing into Bosnia and Herzegovina where the younger Cretaceous and Palaeogene
deposits crop out.
The first part of the field trip includes three stops in the Gornja Banda area, with a detailed elaboration of the dep-
osition of shallow-water deposits of the older part of the AdCP. It comprises upper Toarcian–lower Aalenian coated-grain
dominated carbonates, upper Kimmeridgian shallow subtidal and peritidal facies with subaerial exposure breccias, and
uppermost Tithonian peritidal, laminite-capped cycles with dasyclads and faecal pellets.
The second part presents some typical examples of the Upper Cretaceous carbonates and Palaeogene carbonate and
clastic deposits of the Konavle region, in order to place them in the regional context of the evolution of the AdCP and
External Dinarides. It comprises the oldest Upper Cretaceous rocks in the area, the Santonian–Campanian Gornji Humac
fm. and a brief overview of the recent seismicity of the Dubrovnik region, Maastrichtian limestones representing the top
of the Cretaceous, Palaeocene(–lower Eocene?) carbonates marking the end of the Adriatic Carbonate Platform in Konav-
le, Eocene Foraminiferal limestones, Palaeogene clastic deposits and a visit to Medieval fortress of Sokol Grad.

thick succession of predominantly shallow-marine

Introduction
carbonates deposited on the Adria Microplate base-
The Konavle area belongs to the Dubrovnik–Neretva ment (Vlahović et al., 2005).
County in the very southeast of the Republic of Cro-
atia (Fig. 1). It is the southernmost part of Croatia, Brief geological history of the External
about 34 km long and 2–12 km wide, located between Dinarides
the Adriatic Sea to the southwest, Bosnia and Herze- The stratigraphic succession of the External Dinar-
govina to the north, and Montenegro to the east. ides can be divided into three parts, with the largest
About 8,600 inhabitants live in 32 settlements in an part of the carbonate succession comprising the cen-
area of 209 km2, of which a little over 2,000 live in the tral part – the Adriatic Carbonate Platform (AdCP)
municipal centre, Cavtat. succession (Fig. 2). A summary of the entire strati-
Konavle is part of the Dinarides, a mountain graphic succession was given by Vlahović et al. (2005),
range that stretches about 650 km along the north- based on which we present a concise account below.
east Adriatic coast from western Slovenia, through The oldest deposits cropping out in the External
Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina to Montenegro Dinarides area are of Upper Carboniferous age (Mos-
and Albania. Specifically, it belongs to the External covian, approximately 310 Ma), and they, together
Dinarides (Schmid et al., 2008; Korbar, 2009), created with most of the Permian rocks are represented by
by the tectonic disintegration of a several kilometres clastic deposits related to the weathering of Pangea.

Field trip guidebook 3

 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

Fig. 1. Location map showing the itinerary of Field Trip A1, location of Stops 1–3 in the Gornja Banda area and Stops 4–9 in the Donja Banda area.

Very diverse deposits accumulated in the Late Permi- limestones, characterized in the Pliensbachian and
an, with shallow water carbonate deposits becoming early Toarcian by locally numerous shells of lithiotid
more common in the youngest Permian and in the bivalves, a typical facies in numerous Perimediterra-
Triassic. The Upper Triassic alternation of early di- nean carbonate platforms.
agenetic and late diagenetic dolomite, for which the An important change occurred during the Toar-
German name Hauptdolomit (Main Dolomite) from cian, when the interplay of extensional tectonics and
the Northern Calcareous Alps is mostly used, stands the Toarcian oceanic anoxic event (T-OAE; Sabatino
out here. The younger, Jurassic–Cretaceous AdCP do- et al., 2013) significantly slowed down carbonate sed-
lomites resulted from climate-influenced post-depo- imentation and created two deeper troughs along the
sitional reflux dolomitization (as opposed to synsed- northeastern edge (Slovenian–Bosnian Trough) and
imentary peritidal- and deeper burial dolomitization), the southwestern edge (Adriatic Basin) of the pres-
and subsequent stabilization within a Mesozoic, cal- ent-day External Dinarides, separating the former
cite sea isolated platform (Read et al., 2016). The Tri- extensive shallow water carbonate area into several
assic–Jurassic transition is marked by an alternation palaeogeographical entities: shallow-marine car-
of late diagenetic dolomites and shallow-marine bonate platforms (e.g. Apenninic Carbonate Plat-

4 Field trip guidebook

Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

Fig. 2. A simplified geological column showing the

stratigraphic sequence of outcrops and the main geological
events in the evolution of the External Dinarides, the
stratigraphic range of deposits in the areas of Gornja Banda
and Donja Banda, the stratigraphic position of Stops 1–8
and informal lithostratigraphic units after Prtoljan et al. (2015)
used in the text. The lithological part of the column is based
on the presentation of the stratigraphic succession of Istria
and Primorje, produced for the Natural History Museum of
Rijeka in 2013 by Ivo Velić and Igor Vlahović.

Field trip guidebook 5

 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

form, Apulian Carbonate Platform and Adriatic Car- obic conditions on platform top (Husinec & Read,
bonate Platform) divided by the deeper marine 2018). The Cenomanian succession is marked by sig-
basins. The Adriatic Carbonate Platform (Gušić & nificant facies differentiation that marks the onset
Jelaska, 1990; Velić et al., 2002; Vlahović et al., 2002, of the final disintegration of the platform, as a result
2005) was one of the largest and best preserved Mes- of the gradual approach of the Adria Microplate to
ozoic platforms in the Perimediterranean region. the Eurasian Plate. The beginning of the uplift of in-
Although the Adriatic Carbonate Platform is the most dividual large structural blocks began c. 100 My ago,
commonly used name today, the platform is also re- around the Albian–Cenomanian boundary (Srodon
ferred to as the Adriatic–Dinaric Carbonate Platform et al., 2018), and therefore some parts of the AdCP,
(e.g., Jenkyns, 1991; Jelaska, 2003), Adriatic–Dinarid- like northern Istria, were already emergent during
ic Carbonate Platform (e.g., Pamić et al., 1998; Cvetko the Late Cenomanian (and some parts even in the
Tešović et al., 2001; Korbar, 2009), Adriatic Platform Early Cretaceous – see Matičec et al., 1996). Deposi-
(e.g. Husinec & Read, 2006, 2022), or Dinaric Car- tion in the younger part of the Late Cretaceous was
bonate Platform (e.g., Črne & Goričan, 2008; see also thus characterized by significant palaeogeographic
Field trip A2, this vol.). dynamics, although almost the entire AdCP was tem-
During the Middle Jurassic, deposition on the porarily drowned during the late Cenomanian and
platform was characterized by the long-term gradual early Turonian due to events related to the OAE-2
subsidence (Husinec & Read, 2022), whilst during the (Gušić & Jelaska, 1990; Korbar et al., 2012; Brčić et al.,
Late Jurassic, especially the Kimmeridgian, the first 2021). Subsequent partial drowning of individual tilt-
compressional event caused by the obduction of ophi- ed blocks was also locally recorded. During the Late
olites along the northeastern margin of the Adria Cretaceous the platform gradually finally emerged
Microplate occurred, resulting in significant facies in stages, mainly between the late Turonian and San-
differentiation. Some areas of the SW part (in today's tonian, affected also by the development of a fore-
geographic coordinates) of the AdCP were subaerially bulge of the progressively approaching Dinaridic
exposed for several million years (in places with sig- orogeny (Korbar, 2009). At the end of the Cretaceous,
nificant bauxite deposits), some parts became tem- almost the entire AdCP was emergent, with the ex-
porary intraplatfom troughs (Gorski Kotar, northern ception of small areas in the extreme NW (near the
Dalmatia), while shallow-marine carbonate produc- Slovenian–Italian border NE of Trieste) and the are-
tion continued in the remaining part (Vlahović et al., as of southern Dalmatia and the southern part of
2005). Bosnia and Herzegovina (Korbar, 2009). In the
The uppermost Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous Konavle area, the sedimentation continued until the
deposits are predominated by typical subtidal to in- end of Palaeocene, followed by the emergence mark-
tertidal carbonates with a few significant discon- ing the cessation of typical shallow-marine car-
formities. The facies are stacked into meter-scale bonate deposition, and the end of the Adriatic Car-
parasequences, which are in turn arranged into bun- bonate Platform.
dles, and then into disconformity bounded 3rd-order The stratigraphic hiatus between the Creta-
sequences; the cycles have retained evidence of or- ceous (or Palaeocene in the aforementioned areas
bital (Milankovitch) forcing of sea level (e.g., Husi- with a continuous K/Pc transition) and the Eocene
nec & Read, 2018; Husinec et al., 2022, 2023). The only was of very different duration, due to the formation
significant flooding event recorded on the AdCP dur- of complex foreland basins in front of the uplifting
ing the latest Jurassic–Early Cretaceous is associated Dinarides (see also Field trip C2, this vol.). The mar-
with OAE 1a, which is locally marked by deposition ginal parts of the mostly asymmetric foreland basins
of relatively shallow water, but dysaerobic laminated were characterized by the deposition of Foraminife-
carbonates (Husinec et al., 2012). A major part of the ral limestones, a typical succession of different spe-
upper Aptian is missing due to a regional emergence cies indicating a gradual deepening of the carbonate
phase that lasted until early or late Albian. Albian ramp environments, followed by the so-called Tran-
deposits were typically accumulated in very shallow sitional beds – deposits of marls with glauconite. The
environments and are very similar throughout the deeper parts of foreland basins were filled with thick
AdCP. Oceanic anoxic events 1b and 1c were docu- turbidite deposits, which in some places are almost
mented by chemostratigraphy but, unlike OAE1a, exclusively carbonate in composition. Parts with a
they are not associated with deepening and dysaer- higher input of material from the uplifted areas of

6 Field trip guidebook

Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

the Alps and the Dinarides include a significant pro- Geology of Konavle
portion of siliciclastic components. The top parts of A large part of the entire External Dinarides sedi-
the turbidite succession are mostly missing due to mentary succession can be seen in Konavle (with a
erosion or subsequent tectonic deformation (folding, total thickness of more than 4500 m – Prtoljan et al.,
reverse faulting and thrust tectonics) related to the 2015), part of which will be seen on this field trip.
final uplift of the Dinarides, and only in some areas Konavle consists of two geologically and geomorpho-
is a regressive sequence from deeper marine to con- logically different parts that are in tectonic contact,
tinental deposits preserved, usually referred to as locally called the Donja Banda and Gornja Banda
the Promina Deposits (for more information see (which could be translated as Lower Part / Upper Part
Field trip C2, this vol.). In some areas of Velebit Mt., or Lower Side / Upper Side; Figs. 1–3). The Donja Ban-
Lika and some northern Adriatic islands a specific da covers the area from the Adriatic Sea in the south-
massive carbonate breccia referred to as the Jelar west to the northeastern edge of the Konavosko polje,
Deposits (Bahun, 1963, 1974), Jelar Formation (Herak and is composed of Upper Cretaceous carbonates and
& Bahun, 1979) or Velebit Breccia (Vlahović et al., Palaeogene carbonate and clastic deposits. The Gorn-
2012) crops out, approximately determined as Oligo- ja Banda represents a thick succession of Upper Tri-
cene to Miocene in age. assic, Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous carbonate de-
During the Neogene, spatially limited in- posits monoclinally inclined towards the SE, passing
tramountain basins characterized by lacustrine sed- into Bosnia and Herzegovina where the younger Cre-
imentation were formed within the Dinarides area, taceous and Paleogene deposits crop out.
in some places characterized by very thick deposits The contact between the Donja Banda and Gorn-
(for more information see Field trip A3, this vol.). ja Banda represents one of the most significant faults

Fig. 3. Part of the old Basic Geological Map of SFRY in 1:100,000 scale, Dubrovnik sheet (Inst. geol. istraž. Beograd, 1971) showing the itinerary
of Field Trip A1, location of Stops 1–3 in the Gornja Banda area and Stops 4–9 in the Donja Banda area.

Field trip guidebook 7

 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

in the Dinarides, the so-called High Karst Nappe, that are similar to modern concentrically-coated oo-
which divides two regional tectonic units: the less ids found in shallow-water (<3 m), high tidal-energy
disturbed Adriatic or Dalmatian Zone to the SW and areas inward from isolated platform margins (e.g.,
the intensely deformed High Karst Unit to the NE (Au- Harris et al., 2019). The least common but perhaps
boin et al., 1970; Cadet, 1978). Although this fault is
usually supposed to exist along the entire External
Dinarides range, it is clearly documented only from
southern Montenegro to the vicinity of Split (a length
of about 275 km).
The first part of our field trip will include three
stops on the Gornja Banda (Figs. 1–3), where we will
focus on the deposition of the deeper subtidal to su-
pratidal deposits and discuss the sequence strati-
graphic framework of the older part of the Adriatic
Carbonate Platform: one stop in the Lower–Middle
Jurassic and two in the Upper Jurassic section.
In the second part of the field trip, we will brief-
ly visit six stops representing some typical parts of
the Upper Cretaceous carbonates and Palaeogene Fig. 4. Adriatic Sea vista from Stop 1 with Cavtat (left) built on the
Upper Cretaceous limestone, and the city of Dubrovnik in the distance
carbonate and clastic deposits of the Konavle region, (right).
in order to place them in the regional context of the
evolution of the AdCP and External Dinarides (Figs.
2 and 3). As part of this, we will also briefly discuss
present day seismotectonic activity in the SE part of
the Dinarides. The field trip will conclude with a vis-
it to the medieval fortress of Sokol Grad located on
top of the huge olistolith, which will both complete
and unite our trip: it is built on a disintegrated part
of the Gornja Banda located within the Donja Banda.

Description of field stops

Gornja Banda

Stop 1: Upper Toarcian–lower Aalenian

coated-grain dominated carbonates: upward
shallowing from deeper subtidal/outer ramp
to oolitic-peloidal sand sheets
The Jurassic succession of the Adriatic Carbonate
Platform contains abundant non-skeletal coated
grains that formed in a range of settings, from nor-
mal-marine, outer-ramp deeper subtidal to hypersa-
line shallow subtidal environments (Tišljar, 1985;
Tišljar et al., 2002; Vlahović et al., 2005; Husinec &
Read, 2006, Sabatino et al., 2013; Husinec et al., 2022).
The most abundant coated grains are sand- to gran-
ule-size oncoids that are ubiquitous in varied subtid-
al settings, from high-energy shoals to low-energy Fig. 5. Stratigraphic column DVD
showing gross lithology, sedimentary
deeper subtidal, where filamentous microbes structures, facies stacking, and
sequence stratigraphy at Stop 1
trapped and bound fine sediment around a range of (modified from Husinec & Read, 2022).
nuclei. Also common are sand-size tangential ooids For location, see Figures 1 and 3.

8 Field trip guidebook

Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

the most interesting are granule-size, dark, com- Stop 1 (Figs. 1–3) comprises a short walk with a
monly broken and re-coated radial ooids with super- nice Adriatic Sea view (Fig. 5) to the ~110 m thick
imposed vadose fabrics that formed along the shores Velji Do road-cut section (Fig. 5), observation of the
of shallow hypersaline ponds and restricted lagoons, outcropping Upper Toarcian­–Lower Aalenian on-
similar to modern low-energy lake and margin- colitic and oolitic grain-supported limestones (Figs.
al-marine pond ooids (e.g., Loreau & Purser, 1973). 6–8), and a short walk to rejoin the bus. The lower

Fig. 6. Outcrop photograph of Upper Toarcian thin- to medium- Fig. 7. Outcrop photograph of Lower Aalenian coated grain-rich,
bedded orange-brownish carbonates with coated grains; Dunham predominantly grainy carbonates; Dunham rock types are indicated
rock types are indicated (modified from Moynihan et al., 2016). Lens (modified from Moynihan et al., 2016). Lens cap for scale is 5 cm.
cap for scale is 5 cm.

Fig. 8. Thin-section photomicrographs of selected microfacies. (A) Dolomitized fine peloid mudstone-wackestone (foreshoal/outer ramp), upper
Toarcian. (B) Peloid-intraclast-ooid grainstone (foreshoal), upper Toarcian. (C) Fine peloid packstone-grainstone (foreshoal), upper Toarcian.
(D) Ooid-peloid grainstone (ooid-peloid sand sheet), lower Aalenian.

Field trip guidebook 9

 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

~35 m of the section consists of dark gray to or- associated anoxic event (T-OAE) with worldwide dep-
ange-brown, thin-bedded, predominantly deeper osition of organic-rich black shale in oceanic basins
subtidal limestones regionally known as densely (e.g., Jenkyns, 1988; Bailey et al., 2003; McElwain et
burrowed Fleckenkalk facies, with the German name al., 2005) has also resulted in lowered bottom-water
marking its characteristic appearance with spots or oxygen levels on the platform (e.g., Velić et al., 2002).
blotches due to bioturbation and associated bur- This likely resulted in reduced grazing metazoan
row-facilitated dolomitization. In the absence of in- populations, allowing for a microbial bloom and in-
dex fossils, the Late Toarcian age is suggested based creased oncoid production at that stage. The earliest
on the stratigraphic position between the underlying Aalenian abrupt cooling (Korte et al., 2015) and the
upper Pliensbachian–lower Toarcian lithiotid lime- associated eustatic sea-level fall (Haq, 2018) marked
stones, and the overlying lower Aalenian medium- to the beginning of the Middle Jurassic cold interval
thick-bedded limestones. The latter comprise the (Gómez et al., 2009; Price, 2010). In the study area,
upper ~75 m of the section and indicate a general this corresponds to a major shallowing of the plat-
shallowing-upward trend into the lower Aalenian. form from deeper subtidal Toarcian facies upwards
The poorly cyclic subtidal cycles that character- into basal Aalenian oncoid-skeletal and thick ooid
ize the upper Toarcian–lower Aalenian interval in grainstone facies.
this area have recently been described by Husinec et
al. (2022) and are summarized here. An ideal shal- Stop 2: Upper Kimmeridgian shallow subtidal
lowing-upward parasequence (cycle) in the upper and peritidal facies with subaerial exposure
Toarcian part of the section consists of a basal dark- breccias
gray, weakly burrowed oncoid-peloid wackestone– The greenhouse Kimmeridgian climate was charac-
packstone that grades up into fine peloid packstone– terized by the highest reconstructed seawater temper-
grainstone, which is in turn overlain by dark gray to atures during the Middle and Late Jurassic, which
orange-brown oncoid packstone, grainstone, and then decreased into the latest Kimmeridgian–early
rudstone. These, on average 1.5 m-thick cycles, ex- Tithonian (Dera et al., 2011). During the Kimmeridg-
hibit shallowing upward from deeper subtidal/outer ian, varied shallow-marine environments flourished
ramp to foreshoal and oolitic-peloidal sand sheet on the AdCP, with several larger emergent areas char-
settings. The basal Aalenian has thicker cycles acterized by extensive karstification and bauxite dep-
(mean ~2 m) commonly with burrowed mudstone– osition, and smaller intraplatform troughs with
wackestone (outer ramp) overlain by thick oncoid deep-water, organic-rich, and cherty limestones with
grainstone–rudstone (foreshoal). The remaining radiolarians and ammonites (e.g., Tišljar et al., 2002;
lower Aalenian succession is made up of thick units Velić et al., 2002; Vlahović et al., 2005). In the study
of white to tan ooid-peloid-oncoid grainstone (oo- area, the Kimmeridgian deposits are disconformity
id-peloidal sand sheets) with rare fenestrae and bur- prone and comprise the highstand systems tract of the
rows. These form caps to thick parasequences (mean regional Callovian–basal Tithonian supersequence
thickness of ~4 m) with thin basal skeletal mudstone JSS3 (Husinec & Read, 2022; Husinec et al., 2022).
to grainstone (shallow subtidal), or oncoid-peloid
grainstone (high-energy shallow subtidal).
Oncoids are the major rock-forming grains in
the lower 2/3 of the Velji Do road-cut section. Their
shape commonly reflects the type of nucleus, with
spherical/subspherical oncoids having laminated
coats around peloid cores, whereas ellipsoidal on-
coids tend to have bioclastic cores (commonly bi-
valve or gastropod fragments). The occurrence of
oncoids in a range of facies/environments around
the Toarcian–Aalenian boundary, coupled with their
morphological variability, suggests that microbes
and bottom-water oxygenation likely played an im-
Fig. 9. Panorama showing Brotnice village (front) and gently sloping
portant role in their formation (cf., Zhang et al., Kimmeridgian–basal Tithonian strata (centre). The lower part of the
2015). The early Toarcian global warming and the BK section visited at Stop 2 is above the bend in the road (centre-left).

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Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

Fig. 11. Oncoid-microbial lump floatstone capped by microbial

laminite. Coin for scale is 26.5 mm in diameter.

Fig. 12. Mud-clast breccia with greenish micrite matrix. Coin for scale
is 26.5 mm in diameter.

Fig. 10. Stratigraphic column BK (lower part) showing gross lithology,

sedimentary structures, facies stacking, and sequence stratigraphy
Fig. 13. Major erosion surface (sequence boundary) with silicified
at Stop 2 (modified from Husinec & Read, 2022). For location, see
intraclast rudstone (breccia) with brown clayey matrix overlying
Figures 1 and 3.
karstified microbial laminite.

At Stop 2 near the village of Brotnice (Fig. 9), an 2022), and fine-tuned to the coastal onlap curve of
Upper Jurassic, upper Kimmeridgian road-cut section Haq (2018). Carbonate facies exposed at this stop were
is well exposed (Figs. 10–14). The age was biostrati- described by Husinec & Read (2022) and include, from
graphically constrained based on benthic foraminif- deepest to shallowest: Cladocoropsis f loatstone/
era and calcareous green algae (Nikler & Sokač, 1968; wackestone (open-marine, shallow subtidal lagoon;
Velić, 2007), tied to δ13C stratigraphy (Husinec et al., rare); oncoid-microbial lump wackestone–mudstone/

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 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

Fig. 14. Thin-section photomicrographs of selected microfacies.

(A) Cladocoropsis floatstone with lime mudstone matrix (open-
marine lagoon), Kimmeridgian. (B) Clypeina-peloid wackestone
(low-energy shallow lagoon), upper Kimmeridgian. (C) Clypeina-
peloid wackestone packstone–grainstone (skeletal-peloid shoal),
upper Kimmeridgian. (D) Peloid-skeletal grainstone (skeletal-peloid
shoal), upper Kimmeridgian. (E) Chara-peloid mudstone (restricted
nearshore), upper Kimmeridgian.

floatstone with calcareous algae (Clypeina jurassica, stone (breccia) with mudstone clasts and greenish-gray
Salpingoporella annulata) and benthic foraminifera argillaceous carbonate matrix.
(Parurgonina caelinensis, Kurnubia palastiniensis, K. The above facies are stacked into m-scale subtid-
wellingsi) (shallow subtidal); peloid packstone–grain- al and peritidal parasequences, the latter with subae-
stone and minor wackestone (lower intertidal lime rial exposure breccias near sequence boundaries. The
flats); barren carbonate mudstone locally with fresh latter are commonly marked either by a single breccia
to brackish water calcareous alga Chara (intertidal– or by several closely spaced breccias. At Stop 2, a typ-
restricted very shallow subtidal); microbialite (wavy ical shallowing-upward sequence has a basal skeletal
or horizontally laminated, rare stacked hemisphe- mudstone–wackestone that grades up into peloid-skel-
roids), rarely mud-cracked or with small teepee struc- etal packstone–grainstone, which is in turn capped by
tures (tidal flat); and intraclast rudstone and float- microbial laminite or barren lime mudstone. Some

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Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

parasequences contain only mud-supported facies,

whereas locally silicified carbonates underlie discon-
formities. On average, Kimmeridgian parasequences
are 1.5 m thick, and form eight third-order sequences
that were influenced both by eustasy and regional tec-
tonics (Husinec & Read, 2022). The former is suggested
based on a fair match between the relative positions
of the sequence boundaries and those on Haq’s (2018)
global chart. Alternatively, tectonic control is suggest-
ed by the pronounced thickness variation of the Upper
Jurassic units along the strike (Tišljar et al., 2002) like-
ly associated with differential movement on basement
fault blocks (cf., Bosellini et al., 1981), coupled with an
increase in the subsidence rates with the highest rates
in the Tithonian (Husinec & Jelaska, 2006).

Stop 3: Uppermost Tithonian peritidal,

laminite-capped cycles with dasyclads and
faecal pellets
The stratigraphic placement of the Jurassic–Creta-
ceous boundary remains a controversial issue and its
GSSP (Global Stratotype Section and Point) has yet to
be defined (e.g., Wimbledon et al., 2020; Granier, 2020).
On the Adriatic Carbonate Platform, the upper Titho-
nian is characterized by an impoverished foraminife-
ral association with the last appearance data of several
foraminiferal taxa (e.g., Parurgonina caelinensis, Anch-
yspirocyclina lusitanica/neumannae), and an abundance
of calcareous alga Campbelliella (Velić, 2007). The basal
Cretaceous Berriasian strata record the first appear-
ance of several algal taxa, including Clypeina isabelae,
C. parasolkani, C. catinula, Humiella sardiniensis, H. cat-
enaeformis, and Salpingoporella katzeri? (Husinec &
Fig. 15. Stratigraphic column BOB (lower part) showing gross
Sokač, 2006). lithology, sedimentary structures, facies stacking, and sequence
At Stop 3 near the hamlet of Obić (for location see stratigraphy at Stop 3 (modified from Husinec & Read, 2022). For
location, see Figures 1 and 2.
Figs. 1 and 3), we will examine a road-cut section that
exposes the topmost Jurassic end-Tithonian section of
the AdCP (Figs. 15–19). The thin- to medium-bedded
succession contains several distinct facies, from deep-
est to shallowest: skeletal-peloid mudstone and
wackestone (low-energy shallow lagoon; euphotic, <10
m water depth); skeletal-peloid wackestone–packstone
(moderate-energy shallow lagoon with some current
winnowing); skeletal-peloid packstone and grainstone
locally with nicely developed ripple cross-lamination
(subtidal tide- and wave-influenced sand sheets); bar-
ren (unfossiliferous) lime mudstone with rare peloids,
gastropods, and ostracods (restricted nearshore sea-
ward of tidal flats); and microbial, planar, and fenes-
tral laminite with intraclasts (tidal flat). The most com-
Fig. 16. Wavy to LLH microbial laminite on scalloped top of algal
mon skeletal components include calcareous green (Campbelliella) wackestone. Scale in cm.

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 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

Fig. 17. Wave ripple cross-laminated peloid grainstone. Scale in cm. Fig. 18. Mud drapes (pale gray) on top of wave ripple cross-laminated
peloid grainstone (dark gray). Note thin flat-pebble floatstone at the
bottom (below coin, 26.5 mm in diameter), and microbial laminite on top.

Fig. 19. Thin-section photomicrographs of selected microfacies. (A) Campbelliella-peloid mudstone–wackestone (low-energy shallow lagoon),
upper Tithonian. (B) Skeletal-peloid grainstone with benthic foraminifera and green algae (high-energy subtidal), upper Tithonian. (C) Favreina-
peloid packstone–grainstone (skeletal-peloid shoal), lower Berriasian. (D) Algal wackestone (low-energy shallow lagoon), lower Berriasian.

algae (Salpingoporella, Campbelliella), small benthic fo- typically composed of basal skeletal-peloid mudstone–
raminifera, faecal pellets (Favreina), and fragments of wackestone up into wackestone–packstone (rare),
bivalves and gastropods. overlain by skeletal (Campbelliella)-intraclast-peloid
The above facies form highly cyclic peritidal units packstone–grainstone with faecal pellets, and capped
with distinctive microbial laminite caps on parase- by barren lime mudstone and microbial laminite
quences. The latter are on average ~1 m thick and are (Husinec et al., 2022). Note that further seaward to-

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Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

wards the western AdCP margin, at Lastovo Island,

much of the uppermost Tithonian succession is oolitic
and suggestive of hypersaline settings, with up-
ward-fining parasequences typically composed of
thick basal radial-ooid grainstone with intraclast lag,
that grades up into skeletal-peloid wackestone–pack-
stone to grainstone, and is capped by barren lime
mudstone (rare) and microbial or fenestral laminite
(Husinec & Read, 2006, 2007); it resembles coeval faci-
es from the Jura Mountains (Strasser, 1994). The cyclic
peritidal facies at Stop 3 and oolitic facies of Lastovo
Island formed during a global cooling trend and in-
creasing aridity (Föllmi, 2012), as well as a long-term
sea-level fall (Haq, 2018). They form the highstand part
of the Tithonian Adriatic supersequence JSS4 that is
capped by the basal Berriasian breccias (Husinec et
al., 2022).

Donja Banda
Stop 4: Oldest Upper Cretaceous deposits
in Konavle: Santonian–Campanian Gornji
Humac fm. and brief overview of the recent Fig. 20. The Konavle Rocks, steep cliffs which are subject to ongoing
seismicity of the Dubrovnik region protection as a special landscape. Their average height is 100–200 m,
At the first stop in the area of the Donja Banda, the and the highest is up to 300 meters. Along the ecological educational
path, signs have been placed showing numerous rare species of flora
oldest Upper Cretaceous deposits in the Konavle area and fauna of the area (with a few endemics, such as the Dubrovnik
hares).
can be observed as the tour will follow the strati-
graphic order from older to younger deposits.
Stop 4 is reached via a 1 km walk along an asphalt
road and then a 300 m descent along a pedestrian path
cut into Konavle cliffs (Fig. 20) to Pasjača beach.
Pasjača Beach (Fig. 21) was created by an inter-
esting cooperation between nature and humans: in
1955, for the purpose of the reclamation of Kona-
vosko Polje, a 2000 m long tunnel was drilled in order
to prevent constant flooding of the field during high
water. Part of the crushed rocks was dumped down
the cliff from the end of the tunnel, where the sea
rounded it and formed a beach in a place where there
was none before. However, the entire material was
blown away by the action of currents and waves over
several years, so the locals brought new quantities of
stone material, and this is repeated every few years
since. The first visit to the beach after winter storms
can therefore bring a big surprise, because often a
large part of the beach is shifted or gone.
The oldest rocks in Konavle belong to the Gornji
Humac fm., first described on the island of Brač
(Gušić & Jelaska, 1990), but it is clearly recognizable
in almost all parts of the AdCP, with a typical strati- Fig. 21. Pasjača beach at the foot of the Konavle Rocks, chosen as
being among the most beautiful beaches in Europe and the world in
graphic range from middle Turonian to Campanian. the last few years.

Field trip guidebook 15

 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

In Konavle the stratigraphic range of this unit is from anobacteria – Golubic et al., 2006; Fig. 22) and com-
the middle Santonian to the upper Campanian (ap- mon sections of the green alga Thaumatoporella
prox. 85 to 75 million years ago), because the lower parvovesiculifera.
part of this unit is covered by the sea. It can be as- Foraminiferal-peloid wackestones to packstones
sumed that the missing part has a stratigraphic range (Fig. 23) are common with numerous sections of Cu-
from mid-Turonian to lower Santonian, because in neolina gr. pavonia, Scandonea samnitica, Pseudorhap-
almost all parts of the AdCP, these deposits overlie ydionina mediterranea, Moncharmontia apenninica,
the late Cenomanian to early Turonian drowned plat- Dicyclina schlumbergeri, Calveziconus lecalvezae, Mur-
form succession formed during the oceanic anoxic gella lata, and other benthic foraminifera.
event (OAE-2; Jenkyns, 1991, Korbar et al., 2012, Brčić The third lithotype in the succession of the Gorn-
et al., 2021). ji Humac fm. deposits is represented by rudist float-
The Gornji Humac fm. in Konavle are well-bed- stones (Fig. 24) with different proportions of frag-
ded light brown to brown limestones, less often dolo- ments and whole sections of radiolitid and less often
mites, in which there is an alternation of four typical hippuritid rudists. Remains of beds in which rudists
lithofacies. are preserved in their primary position are rarely
The most common beds are mudstones to found, and they are mostly oligospecific, one-gener-
wackestones with a variable proportion of Decas- ation biostromes.
tronema kotori (in places very numerous fossil re- The fourth lithotype is represented by usually
mains of a large filamentous microorganism, which thin interbeds of laminites composed of the alterna-
produced and dwelled in tubular sheaths similar to tion of thin micritic, pelmicritic, pelsparitic and cy-
some present-day organisms from the group of cy- anobacterial laminae.

Fig. 22. Thin-section photomicrograph of wackestone with numerous Fig. 23. Thin-section photomicrograph of foraminiferal-peloid
sections of Decastronema kotori and rare foraminifera, typical wackestones to packstones with Decastronema kotori and
microfacies of the Gornji Humac fm. Thaumatoporella parvovesiculifera.

Fig. 24. Thin-section photomicrograph of dolomitized limestone Fig. 25. Rudist floatstones composed of numerous small radiolitid
stained by Alizarin Red S in which unstained dolomite rhombohedrons rudist fragments, typical facies of the Gornji Humac fm.; path to
and red-stained limestone remains are visible. Pasjača beach, Konavle.

16 Field trip guidebook

Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

The rocks are late-diagenetically dolomitized in cant earthquake that hit the immediate surroundings
places, somewhere only in the form of small rhombo- of Dubrovnik was the Slano–Ston earthquake on Sep-
hedral dolomite crystals within the limestone (Fig. 25), tember 5, 1996, magnitude 6.0, with no casualties
and in some places the dolomitization was very in- (Govorčin et al., 2020). Ongoing tectonic activity is
tense, and dolomite packages several metres thick can indicated by the earthquake of magnitude 5.7 record-
be observed, especially in the younger part of the unit. ed on April 22, 2022 near the town of Stolac in Bosnia
If we look from Pasjača beach, we will enjoy the and Herzegovina, only 90 km NW of Dubrovnik.
view of the open sea, but we will not see what is hid- However, historical records indicate numerous
den at the sea bed: at a distance of approximately 3 strong earthquakes, with especially significant seis-
km from the shore there is a regional fault along motectonic activity from the 15th to the 17th centuries
which the epicenters of the strongest earthquakes (Herak & Herak, 2022), with devastating earthquakes
recorded in the territory of the present day Republic (estimated intensity VIII to IXº MCS scale) and epi-
of Croatia are located. centers c. 10 km offshore from Dubrovnik in the years
The southernmost part of the Republic of Croa- 1351, 1471, 1481, 1482, 1496, 1504, 1516, 1520, two strong
tia, Dubrovnik–Neretva County, represents the seis- earthquakes in front of Konavle in 1631 and 1639, fol-
motectonically most threatened area of Croatia, with lowed by the so-called “Big Shaking” that happened on
potential earthquakes of a magnitude +7. April 6, 1667 offshore from Dubrovnik (Fig. 26).
The strongest instrumentally recorded earth- In that earthquake, the intensity of which in
quake in the wider area of Dubrovnik was the April Dubrovnik was IX–Xº MCS, and the estimated mag-
15, 1979 earthquake in southern Montenegro, magni- nitude 7.1, the city was completely destroyed, with
tude 6.9, in which 136 people died; another signifi- the only two buildings that remained intact being the

Fig. 26. Strong historic and recent earthquakes in the vicinity of Dubrovnik from the Croatian Earthquake Catalog for the period BCE–2020
(Herak & Herak, 2022).

Field trip guidebook 17

 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

Sponza Palace and the Rector's Palace. The earth- marked by shallowing-upward cycles, with common
quake produced a tsunami that caused the sea in the emerged intervals composed of carbonate breccia,
city's harbor to recede three times, and numerous but also by a significant proportion of late diagenetic
ships on the Italian side of the Adriatic were washed dolomites, which in some places form layers several
ashore. The damage was increased by the large num- metres thick, and dark intervals rich in organic mat-
ber of huge boulders that fell from Srđ hill in the hin- ter in the younger part.
terland, and especially the fire that broke out, which Maastrichtian deposits in the Konavle area, re-
was not extinguished for the next 20 days. It is be- ferred to as the Komaji fm., have similar features, but
lieved that less than half of the total population of in contrast to the typical deposits of the Sumartin
5,000 survived the earthquake. fm., the typical shallowing-upward cycles are less
What worries us today is that the tectonic activ- common, and they contain much less evidence of
ity around the city of Dubrovnik has been very low subaerial exposure. They are underlain by a thick
since then, relatively strong inter-seismic subsidence upper Campanian dolomite succession called the
is clear (see field trip B1, this vol.), and the time since Klaići fm., without a long-lasting emergence level
then roughly corresponds to the return period of the described on Brač island as the Lovrečina emer-
strongest earthquakes historically recorded in the gence. The lithological transition from the Klaići fm.
region in the last 2.400 years. to Maastrichtian Komaji fm. is marked by a massive,
1–2 metre thick bioclastic wackestone–packstone
Stop 5: Top of the Cretaceous – Maastrichtian with numerous bioclasts of requieniid-type rudists,
Deposits of Maastrichtian age are not very common gastropods, bivalves and the common large fo-
on the Adriatic Carbonate Platform, since the entire raminifera Rhapydionina liburnica. In the central
area of the platform was affected by synsedimentary
tectonics during the Late Cretaceous. Thus, individ-
ual blocks were gradually deformed or uplifted and
became emergent at different times, mainly from the
Late Cenomanian to the Coniacian and Santonian.
However, in the NW part of the AdCP, Maastrichtian
and Palaeocene deposits are described near the Ital-
ian­–Slovenian border north of Trieste (Drobne et al,
1989), while in the SE part of the platform, the shal-
low-marine transition between the Cretaceous and
the Palaeocene including Maastrichtian deposits is
described at several localities on the islands of Hvar
(Korbar et al., 2015) and Brač (Steuber et al., 2005; Cv-
etko Tešović et al., 2020), in the hinterland of Dalma-
Fig. 27. Thin-section photomicrograph of Maastrichtian bioclastic
tia and in the Konavle region. packstone with numerous sections of Rhapydionina liburnica, rare
sections of Dicyclina schlumbergeri and abundant debris of rudist
The Maastrichtian deposits are usually de- bivalves; Komaji village.
scribed as the Sumartin fm. according to the typical
informal lithostratigraphic unit described on the is-
land of Brač (Gušić & Jelaska, 1990). Their lower
boundary represents a significant discontinuity (so-
called Lovrečina emergence), and in the lower part
they contain a package of late diagenetic dolomites
(see field trip B1, this vol.) followed by a thick package
composed of radiolitid rudist debris. These are over-
lain by an alternation of bioclastic wackestones to
floatstones and laminites, whereby the proportion of
layers with radiolitid shells and debris gradually de-
creases upwards, and the proportion of foraminif-
era-peloid packstones increases. In general, the en- Fig. 28. Outcrop of Maastrichtian bioclastic packstone with small
bivalve molluscs and numerous Rhapydionina liburnica sections in
tire succession of deposits of the Sumartin fm. is Komaji village.

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Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

AdCP succession) driven by the subduction of the

Adria beneath the Eurasian Plate, the largest part of
the area of the former platform was uplifted and a
significant regional emergence phase marked the end
of deposition on the typical shallow-marine carbonate
platform. The stratigraphic hiatus was of very differ-
ent duration, and the continuity of deposition until
the end of the Cretaceous and the transition to the
Palaeocene was recorded only along the central axis
of the AdCP (Korbar, 2009), in the farthest NW in the
border area of Italy and Slovenia (Drobne et al., 1989)
Fig. 29. Outcrop of organic matter-enriched laminites from the upper and in a wider area in the SE part of the platform.
part of the Maastrichtian Komaji fm in Komaji village.
In the SE part, the K/Pg transition is best ex-
plored on the islands of Brač (Steuber et al., 2005; Cv-
part of the unit, laminated early diagenetic and late etko Tešović et al., 2020) and Hvar (Korbar et al., 2015),
diagenetic dolomites alternate with peloid where after a more or less continuous K/Pg transi-
wackestone–packstone and decimetre-thick beds of tion, a 16 m (Brač) or 27 m (Hvar) thick succession of
bioclastic packstone. Among the bioclasts, numerous Palaeocene deposits follows beneath a regional emer-
large foraminifera Dicyclina schlumbergeri, Monchar- gence overlain by the Foraminiferal limestones.
montia apenninica and especially Rhapydionina libur- In the area of Konavle, this succession is consid-
nica predominate (Fig. 27), which in places build up erably thicker, so between the K/Pg boundary and
to 10 cm-thick foraminiferal packstones, less often the disconformity with the Foraminiferal limestones
grainstones. Fragments of bivalve molluscs with there is more than a 300 m thick succession of pre-
brown shells are common (Fig. 28), which in places dominantly limestones – the informal Čilipi fm (Fig.
form decimetre thick interbeds. Within the central 30). These are mainly limestones deposited in pro-
and upper part of the Komaji fm. 10–30 cm thick beds tected shallows where mudstones, algal wackestones
of organic matter-enriched laminites can be ob- and peloidal wackestones–packstones alternate (Fig.
served (Fig. 29), some being almost black in colour. 31), while stromatolites and dolomite intervals are
The share of late diagenetic dolomites increases scarce. Among the fossils, the most stratigraphically
towards the upper part of the Komaji fm., so unlike significant are the relatively rich communities of
the well-known Likva locality on the island of Brač dasyclad algae, including several recently described
(Steuber et al., 2005; Cvetko Tešović et al., 2020) where species (Radoičić, 2004; Sokač & Grgasović, 2020) and
the Cretaceous/Palaeocene transition is located with- benthic foraminifera. In the succession two or three
in limestones, this important level is everywhere in levels with Microcodium aggregates occur locally,
the Konavle area marked by the dolomites. In the which are common in many calcretes and calcareous
area of the Komaji village the interval of dolomite palaeosols in the Cretaceous and Palaeogene of the
with rare relics of more or less recrystallized lime- peri-Tethyan realm. These structures were formed
stones is several tens of metres thick, while it is the
thinnest on the slopes of Sv. Ilija hill c. 9 km NE of
Komaji, where between the last layers of Maastrich-
tian rudist limestones and the first layers with docu-
mented Palaeocene fossils there is only an interval of
dolomite about 7 m thick, with relics of light brown
mudstones with rare ostracods.

Stop 6: Palaeocene(–lower Eocene?) deposits

– the end of the Adriatic Carbonate Platform
in Konavle
Palaeocene deposits are quite rare in the area of the
former AdCP: due to the progressive deformations of
Fig. 30. Outcrop of the Palaeocene Čilipi fm. peloidal packstone north
the Adria Microplate uppermost crust (including the of Komaji village.

Field trip guidebook 19

 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

Fig. 31. Thin-section photomicrograph of Palaeocene peloidal Fig. 32. Thin-section photomicrograph of Palaeocene foraminiferal
packstone with rare benthic foraminifera sampled north of Komaji packstone with predominant miliolids; sample KIL-19, Sv. Ilija profile,
village. Konavle.

by the calcification of roots of pioneering plants fol-

lowing subaerial exposure (Košir, 2004). The lower
part of the succession is often bioturbated, while in
the upper part of the succession c. 80 m below the
main disconformity a package of intraformational
breccia several m thick crops out. At the very top of
the unit there is a disconformity, with bauxite occur-
rences in places.
Based on the dasyclad algae (Sokač & Grgasović,
2020) and benthic foraminiferal assemblages (Ćoso-
vić, pers. comm.), it could be estimated that the
stratigraphic range of the Čilipi fm. in the Konavle
area covers the entire Palaeocene, while the top part Fig. 33. Thin-section photomicrograph of Palaeocene bioclastic-
peloid packstone with Microcodium sections; sample KIL-21, Sv. Ilija
could even belong to the lowermost Eocene (approx- profile, Konavle.
imately 11 Ma duration in total).
predominantly arranged in a superpositional rela-
Stop 7: Eocene Foraminiferal limestones tionship, reflecting the more or less continuous deep-
Foraminiferal limestones are, over most of the former ening of depositional environments: over most of the
AdCP area, deposited either continuously on top of the External Dinarides these deposits are of lower Eo-
transgressive Kozina unit (fresh-water to brackish, or- cene to early middle Eocene age, while in the Konav-
ganic-rich deposits containing coal occurrences and le area deposition probably began at the end of the
deposits), or transgressively over different levels of Up- early Eocene and continued throughout the middle
per Cretaceous limestones (in central Istria, even over Eocene.
the Lower Cretaceous deposits locally, Matičec et al., Foraminiferal limestones are mainly composed
1996). Exceptions are the previously mentioned locali- of whole and fragmented skeletons of benthic and less
ties with continuation of shallow-marine platform dep- often planktonic foraminifera (mostly towards the
osition into the Palaeocene, where the emergence top of the unit). Numerous miliolids (Idalina, Periloc-
started later, in the Palaeocene (as on islands of Hvar ulina, Spiroloculina, etc.) and many forms of genera
and Brač) or even the latest Palaeocene or earliest Eo- Coskinolina, Alveolina, Nummulites, Operculina, Orbito-
cene as in here at Konavle. lites, Assilina, Discocyclina, etc. were determined.
Similar to other areas of the External Dinarides, Among the planktonic foraminifera the most impor-
the Foraminiferal limestones in Konavle can be di- tant genera are Globigerina, Morozovella, Acarinina
vided into four conditionally defined lithostrati- and Turborotalia. Common allochems also include
graphic units: miliolid, alveolinid, nummulitid and bivalve debris (ostreids, pectenids, etc.), ostracods,
orthophragminid limestones. These lithotypes are echinoderms, red algae, corals, hydrozoans, sponges,

20 Field trip guidebook

Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

annelids and bryozoans. In the uppermost part, lime- the aforementioned individual units are not sharp,
stones contain both authigenic and detrital glauco- since the division is based solely on the predomi-
nite. nance of certain groups of benthic foraminifera (of-
The whole succession of the Foraminiferal lime- ten even in the lowest miliolid limestone small num-
stones represents a continuous change of different mulitids may be found, and miliolids and alveolinids
environments, from the protected inner environ- are also common in the younger parts of the succes-
ments formed on top of the submerged older plat- sion). A more or less continuous deepening-upward
form deposits (miliolid limestones), through shallow- trend is visible everywhere, mostly due to the intense
er and deeper shoreface environments (alveolinid synsedimentary tectonics that ensured a huge ac-
and nummulitid limestones) to deeper environments commodation space by creating foreland basins in
of the carbonate ramp (orthophragminid limestones, front of the uplifting Dinarides mountain chains. The
in Croatia often colloquially known as the Discocycli- creation of a significant accommodation space was
na limestones). These formed along the margins of additionally emphasized by slower sedimentation
foreland basins caused by the intense synsedimenta- due to increasingly unfavourable conditions for
ry compressional tectonics resulting in the final up- abundant carbonate production.
lift of the Dinarides (see field trip C2, this vol.). Each Stop 7 (Fig. 34) is located in the upper part of the
individual succession may show variations due to the Foraminiferal limestone fm., within the so-called
local palaeogeographic conditions, so lateral changes orthophragminid limestones (Fig. 35).
or repeated mixing of different varieties in vertical From this stop we also have a good view of the
succession are common. The boundaries between fertile Konavosko polje with soil formed on Palaeo-
gene clastic deposits, as the youngest deposits in the
Donja Banda area, and the elevated area of the Gorn-
ja Banda which belongs to the High Karst Nappe. In
this part of Gornja Banda the oldest deposits crop out,
as the Upper Triassic Main Dolomite (Hauptdolomit)
and limestones with megalodontids. A gently in-
clined regional thrust fault separating the Donja and
Gornja Banda is covered by rockfall deposits and soil,
but is locally marked by the occurrence of weathered
gypsum outcrops, which probably represent the
equivalent of the Burano Formation evaporites of It-
aly, similar to the evaporites on the island of Vis (see
field-trip C1 in this vol.).
The Foraminiferal limestones are overlain by
Fig. 34. Outcrop of Eocene Foraminiferal limestone on a former the Transitional Beds unit, several tens of metres
narrow-gauge railway track.
thick, composed of clayey limestones, calcitic marls
and marls with individual laminae containing bio-
clasts of benthic organisms and planktonic fo-
raminifera. These were deposited in already signifi-
cantly deepened environments during the Middle
Eocene, representing a gradual transition to turbidite
deposition in the area presented at Stop 8.

Stop 8: Palaeogene clastic deposits

Clastic deposits form the core of the Konavosko pol-
je syncline, the NW limb of which is isoclinally fold-
ed and overturned in the footwall of the regionally
important reverse fault, the previously mentioned
High Karst Nappe. The hanging-wall of this fault, i.e.
Fig. 35. Thin-section photomicrograph of Eocene Foraminiferal the NE part of the study area, is composed of a thick
limestone with numerous sections of orthoprhragminid benthic
foraminifera, nummulitids, red algae, peloids and echinoderms. monoclinal succession of uppermost Triassic, Juras-

Field trip guidebook 21

 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

sic and Cretaceous deposits, some of which we visit- The sandstones are mostly of a mixed siliciclastic–
ed at Stops 1–3. carbonate type (Fig. 37), while purely calcareous vari-
Description of this stop is based on the study by eties are rare. Both types are grain-supported,
Prtoljan et al. (2009), according to which, clastic de- well-sorted with subrounded to rounded grains and a
posits in the easternmost part of Konavle area are small amount of predominantly micritic matrix.
about 400 m thick, consisting of the alternation of Mixed calcareous–siliciclastic sandstones are
thin sandstone and mudstone beds (Fig. 36) with rare composed of variable proportions of carbonate extr-
lenticular conglomerate beds in the upper part. aclasts, fossils and siliciclastic grains in a calcareous
matrix (Fig. 38). Carbonate detritus is mainly com-
posed of different types of Cretaceous and Palaeo-
gene micritic and biomicritic limestone extraclasts,
while the proportion of fossil material is variable
(planktonic foraminiferal skeletons and bioclasts of
corallinacea and benthic foraminifera are the most
common). Siliciclastic detritus is mostly well sorted,
ranging in size from fine- to coarse-grained sand.
Rounded to semi-angular quartz grains, mostly char-
acterized by uniform extinction (although rare undu-
latory extinction indicate metamorphic origin of
some grains) predominate. In some samples,
Fig. 36. Alternation of thin sandstone and mudstone turbidite beds well-rounded chert grains dominate, probably origi-
in the central part of the upper Eocene clastic deposits of Konavle. nating from the ophiolitic complex of the Internal
Dinarides in the hinterland (see Field trip C2, this
vol.). Less common are quartzite, K-feldspars, plagi-
oclase, muscovite, chlorite, chromites, zircon,
opaque grains and fragments of possibly devitrified
volcanic glass. Within the sandstone there are com-
mon laminae enriched in fine-grained plant remains.
Calcareous sandstones are sporadically ob-
served within the succession of predominantly cal-
careous–siliciclastic sandstones, representing thick-
er (50–160 cm) beds built exclusively of carbonate
detritus deposited from the head of high-density tur-
bidity currents. The sandstones consist of subparallel
Fig. 37. Thicker bed of mixed calcareous–siliciclastic sandstone from oriented, sorted skeletons and fragments of large
the central part of the upper Eocene clastic deposits of Konavle.
benthic foraminifera (mostly orthophragminids and
nummulitids), clusters of corallinacean algae, and
less frequent fragments of planktonic foraminifera,
echinoderms, molluscs and bryozoans. Bioclasts
vary from 1 to >10 mm in size. Matrix is scarce, mic-
ritic, with numerous small bioclasts. Biodetritus for
the formation of calcareous sandstones originated
from neighbouring shallow-marine carbonate facto-
ries producing large quantity of bioclastic material
(foraminifera, algae, molluscs…).
The lower part of the succession of Konavle was
probably deposited in the lower shoreface/off-shore
transitional environments with common amalga-
mated hummocky cross-stratified beds, the middle
Fig. 38. Thin-section photomicrograph of mixed calcareous– part (Stop 8) contains thin turbidites deposited on a
siliciclastic sandstone from Fig. 37 with numerous quartz and calcite
grains in a calcareous matrix. deeper part of a foreland basin slope, whereas the

22 Field trip guidebook

Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

upper part with thin conglomerate bodies probably ants used its stones to build their houses and dry
represents a prodeltaic facies within a regressive part walls. The Society of Friends of Dubrovnik Antiqui-
of the succession (Cadet, 1978). Therefore, only the ties bought the fortress from the Church in 1970, and
middle part of the studied clastic succession of the in 2013 the fortress was completely renovated and
Konavle region may be referred to as actual turbidite became accessible to visitors.
deposits, commonly still referred to as ‘flysch’ in Cro- From a geological point of view, the huge rock on
atian literature, while the lower and upper parts were which the fortress was built is particularly interest-
probably deposited in shallower environments. ing. Namely, the surrounding area is covered by nu-
Turbidite deposits in the Dinaridic foreland ba- merous large blocks and boulders (Fig. 40), mostly of
sins are usually determined as Middle–Upper Eo- Jurassic age, some of which are over 20 m in size,
cene in age on the basis of their fossil content. Anal- which were formed by breaking off from a thick suc-
yses of small benthic and planktonic foraminifera,
as well as ostracods (Prtoljan et al., 2009) indicate
younger, Upper Eocene to Lower Oligocene ages for
the studied succession. In addition, preliminary
analyses of nannoplankton confirmed a partly Oli-
gocene age, but samples contained numerous re-
worked older forms of Upper Cretaceous, Palaeo-
cene and Eocene age.
Clastic deposits of the Konavle region have prob-
ably been deposited in a confined, narrow and rela-
tively shallow piggyback sub-basin which has been
in large part filled by resedimented deposits from the
older foreland basins located in the NE hinterland, as Fig. 39. The medieval Sokol Grad fortress in Dunava village, Konavle.
indicated by the mixed sandstones and fine-grained
deposits containing reworked older nannoplankton
assemblages.
The presented results also indicate that the High
Karst Nappe in this zone was probably thrusted no
earlier than the Early to Middle Oligocene – in the
traditional geodynamic framework the final uplift of
the Dinarides was believed to have taken place sev-
eral My earlier, during the Late Eocene or Early Oli-
gocene.

Stop 9: Sokol Grad

The last stop of the field trip is the small fortress of Fig. 40. A large boulder of Jurassic rocks transported downhill from
the Gornja Banda area in the hinterland.
Sokol Grad (in translation, the fortress of the falcon).
In the surrounding area there are traces of life that
are 4000 years old.
Sokol Grad (Fig. 39) is a fortress in Dunava village
in Konavle, mentioned for the first time in 1391, al-
though it probably existed earlier as an Illyrian, Ro-
man and Byzantine fortress. It was a fortress of the
Bosnian nobles which came into the possession of the
Republic of Dubrovnik in 1420, when they purchased
the entire Konavle region. It survived the great earth-
quake of 1667, but after 1672 it is no longer mentioned
in the archives, which leads to the conclusion that it
has been abandoned since then. As was usual with Fig. 41. The Sokol Grad fortress built on top of a huge Middle Jurassic
abandoned fortifications, the surrounding inhabit- boulder.

Field trip guidebook 23

 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

cession of carbonates cropping out in the hanging of whose results we were able to prepare this field
wall of the High Karst Nappe, and today cover turbid- trip. We should mention here J. Fred Read and Ivo
ite deposits of the Donja Banda. The fortress was built Velić for the Jurassic and Cretaceous part of the suc-
on a huge Middle Jurassic boulder (Fig. 41) about 50 cession, Marijan and Davorka Herak for information
m long, and due to the pronounced fracturing that on earthquakes in the Dubrovnik region, as well as
was probably further accentuated during gravitation- late Branko Sokač and Vlasta Ćosović, Stanislav Ber-
al transport, the rocks had to be geotechnically addi- gant, Marin Krstulović, Valentina Hajek-Tadesse and
tionally strengthened during reconstruction of the Ervin Mrinjek for the Palaeogene carbonate and
fortress by drilling large boreholes and connecting clastic rocks. We thank Tvrtko Korbar for his very
blocks with strong steel cables. useful comments which helped us to improve the
text. ■
Acknowledgments
The authors are grateful to our colleagues and
friends who studied the area of Konavle, on the basis

Dera, G., Brigaud, B., Monna, F., Laffont, R., Pucéat, E.,
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cioni, R., McDonald, I., Claeys, P.H., Schulz, T. and Koe- de micropaléontologie, 100464, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.
berl, C. (2015) Potential Cretaceous–Paleogene boundary revmic.2020.100464
tsunami deposit in the intra-Tethyan Adriatic carbonate Srodon, J., Anczkiewicz, A.A., Dunkl, I., Vlahović, I., Velić,
platform section of Hvar (Croatia). Geological Society of I., Tomljenović, B., Kawiak, T., Banaś, M. and von Ey-
America Bulletin, 127, 1666–1680. doi: 10.1130/B31084.1 natten, H. (2018) Thermal history of the central part of
Korte, C., Hesselbo, S., Ullmann, C., Dietl, G., Ruhl, M., the Karst Dinarides, Croatia: Combined application of
Schweigert, G. and Thibault, N. (2015) Jurassic climate clay mineralogy and low-T thermochronology. Tectono-
mode governed by ocean gateway. Nat. Comm., 6, 1–7. physics, 744, 155-176 doi:10.1016/j.tecto.2018.06.016

Field trip guidebook 25

 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

Steuber, T., Korbar, T., Jelaska, V. and Gušić, I. (2005) Stron- Vlahović, I., Tišljar, J., Velić, I. and Matičec, D. (2005) Evolu-
tium-isotope stratigraphy of Upper Cretaceous platform tion of the Adriatic Carbonate Platform: Paleogeogra-
carbonates of the island of Brač (Adriatic Sea, Croatia): phy, main events and depositional dynamics. Palaeo-
implications for global correlation of platform evolution geogr. Palaeoclimatol. Palaeoecol., 220, 330–360.
and biostratigraphy. Cretaceous Research, 26, 741–756. Vlahović, I., Mandic, O., Mrinjek, E., Bergant, S., Ćosović,
Strasser, A. (1994) Milankovitch cyclicity and high-resolution V., De Leeuw, A., Enos, P., Hrvatović, H., Matičec, D.,
sequence stratigraphy in lagoonal-peritidal carbonates Mikša, G., et al. (2012) Marine to continental deposition-
(upper Tithonian-lower Berriasian, French Jura Moun- al systems of Outer Dinarides foreland and intra-mon-
tains). Int. Assoc. Sedimentol. Spec. Publ., 19, 285–301. tane basins (Eocene-Miocene, Croatia and Bosnia and
Tišljar, J. (1985) Structural type and depositional environ- Herzegovina). 29th IAS Meeting of Sedimentology – Journal
ments of Jurassic coated grain limestones in the south- of Alpine Geology, 55, 405-470.
ern Adriatic region. Krš Jugosl. (Carsus Iugosl.), 11, 71–99. Wimbledon, W.A.P., Reháková, D., Svobodová, A., Schnabl,
Tišljar, J., Vlahović, Velić, I. and Sokač, B. (2002) Carbonate P., Pruner, P., Elbra, T., Šifnerová, K., Kdýr, Š., Frau, C.,
platform megafacies of the Jurassic and Cretaceous de- Schnyders, J. and Galbrun, B. (2020) Fixing a J/K bound-
posits of the Karst Dinarides. Geol. Croat., 55, 139–170. ary: a comparative account of key Tithonian-Berriasian
Velić, I. (2007) Stratigraphy and palaeobiogeography of Mes- profiles in the departments of Drôme and Hautes-Alpes,
ozoic benthic foraminifera of the Karst Dinarides (SE France. Geol. Carpath., 71, 24–46.
Europe). Geol. Croat., 60, 1–113. Zhang, W., Shi, X., Jiang, G., Tang, D. and Wang, X. (2015)
Velić, I., Vlahović , I. and Matičec, D. (2002) Depositional se- Mass-occurrence of oncoids at the Cambrian Series 2-Se-
quences and palaeogeography of the Adriatic carbonate ries 3 transition: implications for microbial resurgence
platform. Soc. Geol. Ital. Mem., 57, 141–151. following an Early Cambrian extinction. Gondwana Res.,
28, 432–450.
Vlahović, I., Tišljar, J., Velić, I. and Matičec, D. (2002) The
Karst Dinarides are Composed of Relics of a Single Mes-
ozoic Platform: Facts and Consequences. Geol. Cro-
at., 55/2, 171–183-

26 Field trip guidebook

Deep-water Triassic to end-Cretaceous sedimentary succession
of the Budva Zone (Montenegro)

Špela Goričan, Duje Kukoč, Martin Đaković, Anja Kocjančič, Tim Cifer
and Aleksander Horvat

FIELD TRIP A2
Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

Deep-water Triassic to end-Cretaceous sedimentary succession of

the Budva Zone (Montenegro)

Špela Goričan1, 2, Duje Kukoč3, Martin Đaković4, Anja Kocjančič1, 2, Tim Cifer1, 2
and Aleksander Horvat1,2
1
ZRC SAZU, Paleontološki inštitut Ivana Rakovca, Novi trg 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia. [email protected]
2
Podiplomska šola ZRC SAZU, Novi trg 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
3
Croatian Geological Survey, Ul. Milana Sachsa 2, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
4
Geological Survey of Montenegro, Jaglike Adžić bb, 81000 Podgorica, Montenegro

Abstract
This field trip will examine the excellently preserved continuous Mesozoic successions of the Budva Zone in the External
Dinarides of Montenegro. The Budva Basin was a wedge-shaped termination of the much wider Pindos Basin and was
bounded by two carbonate platforms, the Dalmatian Carbonate Platform to the SW, and the High Karst Carbonate Plat-
form to the NE. Different localities across the Budva Zone preserve fully pelagic Mesozoic sequences as well as carbonate
gravity-flow deposits. Pelagic sedimentation in the Budva Basin was influenced by Tethyan-wide palaeoceanographical
conditions affecting plankton productivity, as well as local factors controlling the carbonate supply from the High Karst
Carbonate Platform. Radiolarites characterize the Middle Triassic, Hettangian–Sinemurian, Aalenian to Tithonian, and
Hauterivian–Barremian to lower Turonian periods. Pelagic limestones prevail in the Upper Triassic, Berriasian–Val-
anginian and upper Turonian to Maastrichtian deposits. Calcareous turbidites are interstratified in all units and com-
pletely replace radiolarites in the Pliensbachian. The composition and spatio-temporal distribution of resedimented
carbonates were determined by the mode and rate of production on the High Karst Carbonate Platform, the potential of
these platform sediments for off-shore transport and by the erosion of the platform margin due to regional tectonic events
and local sea-level fall. The stratigraphic correlation between the Budva and the High Karst zones will thus be emphasized.

Introduction ing carbonate gravity-flow deposits supplied from

The Budva Zone is a narrow belt of deep-marine Mes- the High Karst Carbonate Platform.
ozoic deposits in the External Dinarides of coastal The aim of this excursion is to examine the ex-
Montenegro (Figs. 1, 2). The Mesozoic Budva Basin cellently preserved continuous Mesozoic succession
was a wedge-shaped termination of the much wider of this basin and to discuss the occurrence of pelag-
Pindos Basin and was bounded by two carbonate ic sediments in terms of Tethyan-wide changes in
platforms, the Dalmatian Carbonate Platform to the plankton productivity. The composition and spa-
SW and the High Karst Carbonate Platform to the tio-temporal distribution of resedimented car-
NE. The Dinaridic basins were initiated during the bonates were determined by the mode and rate of
Middle Triassic rifting phase that led to the oceani- production on the adjacent platform, the potential of
sation of the Maliac branch of Neotethys in the Late these platform sediments for off-shore transport and
Anisian. During the subsequent change from a di- by the erosion of the platform margin due to region-
vergent to convergent regime in the late Middle Ju- al tectonic events and local sea-level fall. The strati-
rassic, only the internal Dinaridic zones were sub- graphic correlation between the Budva and the High
jected to contraction whereas the Budva Basin Karst zones will thus be emphasized.
remained a relatively stable deep-water trough that
received the first synorogenic siliciclastic sediments Geological setting
as late as at the beginning of the Palaeogene and was The Dinarides, together with the Albanides and Hel-
through the entire Mesozoic, well connected with lenides, preserve stratigraphic successions derived
the open ocean of central Neotethys. The strati- from the eastern margin of the Adriatic microplate
graphic succession is characterized by radiolarian and remnants of ophiolites obducted from the Mali-
cherts, pelagic limestones and shales, and interven- ac–Vardar branch of the Neotethys Ocean (Figs. 3, 4).

Field trip guidebook 29

 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

43°30´

43°00´

42°30´

1
2

6
30 km
4
5
1 Bijela
2 Gornja Lastva
42°00´
3 Markovići
4 Petrovac
MONTENEGRO
road map with 5 Čanj
excursion stops 6 Mali Raš

18°30´ 19°00´ 19°30´ 20°00´

Fig. 1. Road map of Montenegro with the locations of field-trip sections 1–6.

The main stages in the Mesozoic geodynamic history of young supra-subduction ophiolites in the Middle–
were: 1) rifting leading to opening of the Maliac Late Jurassic and accumulation of flysch-type depos-
Ocean in the Late Anisian, 2) onset of an east-dipping its in foreland basins in the latest Jurassic to Early
intra-oceanic subduction in the Early–Middle Juras- Cretaceous, 4) subaerial exposure of the newly
sic and sea-floor spreading in a supra-subduction formed nappes followed by a middle to Late Creta-
setting (Vardar Ocean), 3) formation of ophiolitic ceous transgression, and 5) continental collision in
mélanges in trench-like basins, westward obduction the Maastrichtian to Eocene.

30 Field trip guidebook

 Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

Ljubljana

Verona Trieste Zagreb

Beograd
Banja Luka

Sarajevo

Sofia
Dubrovnik

L. Skoder

Skopje

Budva Zone

Skutari–Peć Line
Tirana L. Ohrid
Napoli Kavala
L. Prespes
Ophiolites
Thessaloniki
Eastern Vardar

Sava-Izmir-Ankara suture
Ty r r h e n i a n S e a Western Vardar

Adria-derived thrust sheets

Ionian Zone
Dalmatian, Kruja,
Gavrovo-Tripolitza Zones
Budva-Cukali, Krasta,
Pindos Zones
Palermo
High Karst & Parnass Units Patra
Athina
Pre-Karst Unit, Bosnian Flysch
& Boeotian Zone
East Bosnian-Durmitor, lower Pelagonian

Drina–Ivanjica, Korab, upper Pelagonian

Bükk, Jadar-Kopaonik units

0 200 km

Ionian Sea
Fig. 2. Tectonic map of the Dinarides–Hellenides after Schmid et al. (2008, 2020, polygons courtesy of S. Schmid), showing the continuity of
large scale tectonic/palaeogeographic units. The arrows point to the Budva Zone and to the Skutari–Peć Line, which separates the Dinarides
Chania

from the Albanides–Hellenides.

On the continental margin, the Middle Triassic Whereas the Dalmatian and Budva zones contin-
to Early Jurassic extension created a complex horst- ue to the southeast to Albania and Greece, the High
Hellenic trench
and-graben geometry that is apparent in the strati- Karst Zone abruptly ends at the Skutari–Peć Line.
graphic record. The present-day NW-SE striking tec- This line now separates the Dinarides from the Alba-
tonic units (Fig. 2) are in rough accordance with the nides–Hellenides but its location is palaeogeograph-
Mesozoic palaeogeography and allow for a relatively ically predetermined (Dercourt, 1968; Bernoulli &
onary prisms
easy palinspasticALCAPA
restoration.
Mega-Unit:
Classically, each tec- Laubscher, 1972), possibly associated with an ancient
Thrust sheets derived from the Adria–
tonic unit was defined by particularCarpathians,
Austroalpine & Western Mesozoic facies Anatolides–Taurides
transform fault that microcontinent
affected the Mesozoic margin
Adria-derived far-travelled nappes
etionary prisms
and palaeogeography Lower (“zones isopiques”
Austroalpine
of Aubouin (Aubouin
Southern&Alps
Dercourt, 1975). A possible southern
, Magura et al., 1970; Rampnoux, 1974; Blanchet, 1975; Cadet,
& Tatricum equivalent of the
Pre-Apulian ZoneHigh Karst Zone is a relatively small
1978; Charvet, 1978). northern
This ismargin
stillof aMeliata
valid first order isolated
Ionian Zone platform carbonates of the Parnassos
unit of
concept, best applicable in tectonically
Eoalpine less disturbed
high-pressure belt Zone in Greece
Dalmatian, (Aubouin
Kruja, et al., 1970).
Gavrovo-Tripolitza The fact
Zones, Menderes, Beythat the
Dağları
external
ure (incl. Piemont-Liguria,
zones. The Budva Zone (Petković,
southern margin of Meliata 1956) tec- High Budva-Cukali,
Karst Carbonate Platform bordered only
Krasta, Pindos Zones, Cycladic blueschists
the
nok oceanic domains) tonically overlies the Dalmatian Zone and is in turn BudvaHighbutKarst
not&the Pindos Basin is well marked in sed-
Parnass Units
Adria and Appennines
overlain by the High Karst Zone (Fig. 2). imentary successions. First, the resedimented car-
Pre-Karst Unit, Bosnian Flysch & Beotian Zone
Adriatic microplate
osite nappes,
ing obducted

tic Unit
East Bosnian-Durmitor, lower Pelagonian
irdita, Pindos & Almopias ophiolites)
Field trip guidebookdeformed Adriatic margin
phiolites

Drina–Ivanjica, Korab, upper Pelagonian, 31

Turkey Afyon–Ören Units
Ligurian ophiolites
 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

Fig. 3. Palaeogeographic reconstructions for the Late Triassic a) and the Late Jurassic b). (from Stampfli & Borel, 2004). Palaeogeographic
location of the Budva Zone is marked with a red circle. Note that in this reconstruction the Budva Basin, a deeply rifted trough on the continental
margin, continues southwards into the Pindos Basin, characterized by oceanic basement. Other interpretations recognize only the eastern
domain (Maliac in Fig. 3a, Vardar in Fig. 3b) as an oceanic basin (e.g. Schmid et al., 2008, 2020). Nevertheless, the majority of authors agree
that all ophiolites in the Dinarides and Hellenides (see Fig. 2 for their distribution) were derived from the eastern ocean (Fig. 3b) (Bernoulli &
Laubscher, 1972; Bortolotti et al., 2013, Schmid et al., 2008; Gawlick & Missoni, 2019 etc.). The oceanic basement of the Pindos Basin could
be entirely consumed by underthrusting (Stampfli & Borel, 2002; Ferrière et al., 2012; Argnani, 2018).

bonates of eastern provenance, abundantly pre-

served in the Budva Zone, were in the Pindos Zone
documented only close to the Parnassos Unit. Sec-
ond, the intercalations of siliciclastic sediments with
ophiolite debris (“Premier flysch du Pinde” of Au-
bouin, 1957; Fleury, 1975) are characteristic in the
Cenomanian to Santonian interval of the Pindos Zone
(Neumann & Zacher, 2004), but are missing in the co-
eval deposits of the Budva Zone.
To the northwest, the Budva Zone wedges out
near the Montenegro-Croatian border (Fig. 2) so that
the Dalmatian Zone is northwards in a direct thrust
contact with the High Karst Zone as far as Split, Fig. 4. Geodynamic evolution between the Adria and the Eurasian
plates from Triassic to Middle Jurassic (modified after Bortolotti et al.,
where it runs offshore. Also palaeogeographically, 2013, their fig. 10). The upper left shows a simplified sketch of the rifted
the basin presumably disappeared (Chorowicz, 1975; Adria margin, with the location of the Dalmatian Platform (D), Budva
Basin (Bu), and High Karst Platform (HK). Note that in the Budva
also see discussion in Korbar, 2009). Based on facies Basin, rifting must have thinned the continental crust. The Triassic
distribution within the Budva Zone, several authors ocean-floor ophiolites (TOFO) are here termed “Maliac” (Ferrière et
al., 2016). During initial intra-oceanic subduction, an accretionary
similarly concluded that the basin was V-shaped, nar- wedge (AW) developed. During the Early–Middle Jurassic fore-arc
rower towards its present tectonic wedge-out (Antoni- (JFO), and intra-oceanic-arc (JIAO) ophiolites formed, here termed
“Vardar” (Stampfli & Borel, 2004). Jurassic back-arc basin ophiolites
jević et al., 1973; Radoičić, 1982; Goričan, 1994). (JBO, Guevgueli) formed within the Eurasian margin. During the late
The Budva Zone is composed of several thrust Middle to Late Jurassic the AW reached and incorporated the Adria
margin. Obduction initiated.
sheets. In the Kotor area, two tectonic subunits are
clearly distinguished. The central part between
Kotor and Petrovac is more complex, composed of (Dimitrijević, 1967). These observations imply that
several smaller discontinuous recumbent folds. In only the eastern part of the Budva Basin, which was
general, a subdivision between a lower and an upper supplied from the High Karst Carbonate Platform is
tectonic subunit is possible. Stratigraphic research in now preserved in the Budva Zone.
these units revealed that the Jurassic–Cretaceous re-
deposited carbonates are thicker and have a more A note on the names of carbonate
proximal character in the upper than in the lower platforms in the External Dinarides
unit (Goričan, 1994). A similar NE to SW direction to- The tectonic subdivision of SW Montenegro into the
ward a more distal depositional setting was recog- Dalmatian, Budva and High Karst zones is well estab-
nized in Middle Triassic limestone conglomerates lished and has been in use since the publication of

32 Field trip guidebook

Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

Aubouin et al. (1970). It is also generally accepted that of this “flysch” sequence but conglomerates also oc-
in the area, palaeogeographically speaking, the two cur within or on top of the finer-grained turbidites.
carbonate platform segments are separated by the Nodular red cephalopod limestone in places overlies
Budva Basin. The problematic issue is the differenti- these turbidites but more commonly occurs directly
ation between these two platform segments north- on top of lower Anisian platform limestones; ammo-
westwards, since the deep-water Mesozoic succes- noids from the uppermost parts of “flysch” sedi-
sions of the Budva Zone disappear (at least on the ments are characteristic of a Pelsonian age (Đaković,
surface) alongstrike of the External Dinarides. Most 2018). The uppermost Anisian to Ladinian unit is a
researchers consider that the region of the External thick volcano-sedimentary sequence, which consists
Dinarides from Slovenia to Montenegro belongs to a of volcanic and volcanoclastic rocks (Pietra Verde),
single but differentiated carbonate platform, which alternating with radiolarian chert and limestone.
was named the Adriatic Carbonate Platform (Vla- Cafiero & De Capoa Bonardi (1980) described bi-
hović et al., 2002, 2005). Other authors, aiming to pre- valves of latest Ladinian age from the uppermost
serve the distinction between two platform seg- part of this sequence at Bečići.
ments, use the name Adriatic Carbonate Platform for The Upper Triassic to Maastrichtian succession
the southwestern and Dinaric Carbonate Platform for displays an alternation of pelagic limestones, radi-
the northeastern platform domain (D’Argenio et al., olarites, and resedimented carbonates (Fig. 5). The
1971; Radoičić, 1982; Črne & Goričan, 2008). The description of lithostratigraphic units up to the
name Adriatic–Dinaridic Carbonate Platform s.l. di- mid-Cretaceous Bijela Radiolarite Formation is sum-
vided into the Adriatic Carbonate Platform s. str. and marized according to Goričan (1994), unless other-
the Dinaridic Carbonate Platform s.str. (Korbar, 2009) wise specified. The description of the Upper Creta-
has also been used. For the purpose of this paper only ceous rock units is based on current studies by A.
the platform segments that bordered the Budva Basin Kocjančič (unpubl).
in the area of SW Montenegro are relevant. To avoid The Halobia limestone is an approximately
confusion, we here use the names Dalmatian=Adri- 150 m thick succession of bedded limestone with re-
atic and High Karst=Dinaric carbonate platforms, as placement chert nodules and layers, and in places
local tectonostratigraphic=palaeogeographic terms. marly intercalations. The Carnian and Norian age is
determined from halobiids and conodonts (Cafiero &
Stratigraphy of the Budva Zone De Capoa Bonardi 1980, 1981). From the topmost beds
The oldest rocks of the Budva Zone are Middle Per- in the Čanj section (see Stop 5 below) radiolarians of
mian dark grey shales, sandstones and calcarenites the upper Rhaetian Globolaxtorum tozeri Zone were
overlain by Middle to Upper Permian dark grey bio- identified (Črne et al., 2011).
clastic limestone with algae, brachiopods, bivalves, The “Passée Jaspeuse” is a unit of bedded calcar-
gastropods, ammonoids and crinoids (Horacek et al., eous chert alternating with shale or marl. Light grey
2020). The overlying Lower Triassic deposits are siliceous micrite beds are intercalated. The unit is 30
sandstones, marls and calcarenites, and laterally to 40 m thick. It contains higher proportions of silica
also dolomites. The facies associations show consid- and clay constituents than the Halobia limestone and
erable lateral variability and a general vertical can easily be distinguished by its characteristic dark
change from a shallow mixed siliciclastic and car- brownish red and green colours. Siliceous fossils are
bonate Werfen-type sedimentation to deeper-water present in all chert and limestone beds. Sponge
marly layers and calcareous turbidites (Krystyn et spicules prevail over radiolarians, which are very
al., 2019). The lower Anisian is represented by calcar- poorly preserved; only a few rock samples with iden-
eous turbidites or in places by platform limestone. tifiable specimens were found. At the base of the for-
The overlying Pelsonian and Illyrian deposits are mation, radiolarians of the lowermost Hettangian
limestone conglomerates (including reworked Pale- Canoptum merum Zone were determined (Črne et al.,
ozoic rocks) and mixed siliciclastic-carbonate tur- 2011). The top of the formation was placed near the
bidites traditionally known as the Anisian flysch Sinemurian–Pliensbachian boundary.
(Dimitrijević, 1967). The conglomerates are now The Bar Limestone is a succession of carbonate
named the Crmnica Formation and the turbidites the gravity-flow deposits. In contrast with the underlying
Tuđemili Formation (Čadjenović & Radulović, 2018). “Passée Jaspeuse” the colour is light grey and the
The Crmnica Formation is defined as the basal part limestone beds contain only a minor amount of silica

Field trip guidebook 33

 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

(10 – 20 %) in the form of replacement chert layers The grain constituents in both members of the
and nodules. The age is constrained by radiolarians Bar Limestone show the same sedimentary origin –
from underlying and overlying strata and confirmed penecontemporaneous platform-derived debris
by rare benthic foraminifera. The formation is sub- mixed with semi-lithified coeval pelagic limestone
divided into two members. The Lower Bar Limestone clasts. The main difference in composition is the
Member is 50 m to 170 m thick and occurs in the low- amount of ooids. At the base of the Lower Bar Lime-
er as well as in the upper tectonic unit of the Budva stone Member, the ooids are rare and relatively
Zone. The Upper Bar Limestone Member can be more small; from the middle part to the top of the Lower
than 200 m thick and is practically restricted to the Member their proportion increases but does not ex-
upper tectonic unit. The transition between the two ceed 40 % of shallow-water grains. In the Upper
members is covered, but shales and marls that over- Member, in contrast, ooid packstone facies contain-
lie the Lower Member in the distal sections suggest ing only about 10 % of other grains are common. Oo-
that this transition probably correlates with wide- lites occur as part of a turbidite sequence or as inde-
spread clay-rich deposits of the lower Toarcian. pendent deposits. Pure oolite beds show no grading

Chronostratigraphic chart:
Cohen et al., 2013
(ICS updated v. 2022/10)
Budva Zone High Karst Zone Tectonic events
System

Age
Series Stage
(Ma) distal proximal LEGEND
Bx bauxite
40
Pa le o g e n e

Eocene hiatus
50

siliciclastic deposits
60 Paleocene (flysch)

70 Maastrichtian shale
continental collision

Campanian
80 GL radiolarite
Upper
Santonian tectonic quiescence
Coniacian
90
Turonian
pelagic limestone
Cenomanian
Cre t a ce o u s

100
resedimented
Albian Bx limestone
110 BR

Aptian carbonate breccia

120
Lower
Barremian
conglomerate
130 Hauterivian
Valanginian
PL bedded
140
Berriasian platform carbonates
Tithonian
150
Bx ophiolite obduction
Kimmeridgian oolitic limestone
Upper LR LR
Oxfordian
intraoceanic subduction

160
Callovian reef limestone
Bathonian Guevgueli backarc
Middle
Ju ra s s i c

170 Bajocian BLU

Aalenian SSZ Vardar opening volcanic and volcaniclastic
Toarcian rocks (pietra verde)
180

Lower Pliensbachian Abbreviations of the

190 BLL BLL lithostratigraphic units
Sinemurian BLL Bar Limestone - Lower Member
PJ PJ
200 Hettangian BLU Bar Limestone - Upper Member
BR Bijela Radiolarite
Rhaetian
GL Globotruncana limestone
210
HL Halobia limestone
HL HL LR Lastva Radiolarite
220 Upper Norian
PJ »Passée Jaspeuse«
Tri a s s i c

PL Praevalis Limestone
230
RC resedimented carbonates
Carnian Bx

Ladinian Anisian–Ladinian rifting &

240
Middle oceanization (Maliac opening)
Anisian

Fig. 5. Chronostratigraphic synopsis of the Budva and High Karst zones, and main tectonic events affecting the Adriatic continental margin.

34 Field trip guidebook

Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

and can be more than 20 m thick. Compared to the The greenish-red (GR) knobby radiolarite is
Lower Bar Limestone Member, the overall succession characterized by 3 cm to 15 cm thick undulating chert
of the Upper Member exhibits a coarser grained com- beds alternating with a maximum of 5 % shale. This
position, thicker bedding and proportionally fewer facies is only a few metres thick and always inter-
associated lime mudstone beds. stratified between the green radiolarite and the red
The Lastva Radiolarite is a sequence of rhyth- knobby radiolarite. Chert beds are red in the middle
mically alternating chert and shale layers; beds of part and green at the margins. Radiolarians are
silicified calcarenites are interstratified. The forma- abundant, diverse and well preserved.
tion includes the supposedly lower Toarcian shales, The red knobby radiolarite (Rk) facies consists
which directly overlie the Lower Bar Limestone of decimetre-sized nodular chert beds with a high
Member but are too poorly exposed to be defined as pinch to swell ratio. No shale is interlayered. At Čanj
a separate lithostratigraphic unit. The oldest age de- (Stop 5), where this facies is best exposed, it changes
termined from radiolarians is late Aalenian. The top from orange-red through dark red to brick-red upsec-
of the formation is characterized by a transition to tion. Radiolarians are well preserved.
pelagic limestone and is dated to the middle Tithoni- The red ribbon (Rr) radiolarite displays a very
an. The Lastva Radiolarite is partly the lateral equiv- regular alternation of dark brownish-red argillaceous
alent of carbonate gravity-flow deposits hence, the chert (beds 3 to 6 cm) and centimetre-sized shale in-
thickness and the time span of this formation can terlayers. The content of chert beds varies from 80 %
vary considerably across and along the basin. to 90 %. Radiolarians are abundant but moderately
Considering the colour, shale content and bed- well preserved and usually compressed because of
ding style, several radiolarite facies can be distin- compaction of the relatively clay-rich sediment.
guished. In all sections, these facies occur in the same In addition to radiolarians, sponge spicules and
stratigraphic order but are laterally diachronous and rhaxes occur through all the radiolarite succession.
their sequence is rarely complete (see fig. 9 in Goričan They are especially abundant in the lower variegated
et al., 2022). From base to top these facies are: facies, where they are dominant over radiolarians.
The variegated facies (V) is in the lower part Carbonate gravity-flow deposits are intercalated
(V1) characterized by a very high proportion of dark throughout the Lastva Radiolarite. Calcarenite beds
green or brownish shale alternating with thin, about are silicified, generally 5 – 20 cm thick, rarely up to
5 cm thick grey laminated sandstone consisting of 30 – 40 cm. A few thicker graded turbidites, which
densely packed sponge spicules and radiolarians and weren’t completely silicified are interstratified.
centimetre-thick layers of dark variegated argilla- The Praevalis Limestone is composed of bedded
ceous chert. Chert beds do not comprise more than marly micrite (beds 10 – 20 cm) with replacement
30 % of the sequence. Higher in the sections (V2) the chert nodules and layers. The general colour of lime-
shale constituent gradually decreases. Dark red- stone is light red to violet red, rarely white to pale
dish-green chert beds are thicker (5 – 10 cm), some- green; cherts are vivid red. Bedding planes are undu-
times nodular, and are progressively less argilla- lating. In the upper part of the formation, reddish
ceous. Siliceous sandstone beds disappear. Cherts marls are intercalated. The limestone beds contain a
represent 60–90 % of the sequence. The preservation maximum of 15 % calcified radiolarians in a mud
of radiolarians is poor in the lower and moderate in matrix. Very rare calpionellids were found in the low-
the upper part. Some slightly argillaceous chert beds er part of the formation. Relatively abundant and
contain a very well-preserved and diverse fauna. well-preserved radiolarians were extracted from
The green radiolarite (G) generally consists of chert nodules. The formation is up to 50 m thick and
thicker (average 10 cm) unevenly bedded, sometimes ranges in age from the Late Tithonian to the Hauteriv-
laminated greyish-green chert. Thin interlayers of ian–Barremian; in the SE part of the basin (see sec-
slightly argillaceous yellowish-green chert are pres- tion Bar in figs. 8 and 9 of Goričan et al., 2022) the
ent at joints. These layers can yield pyritized radiolar- formation ranges in age up to the Aptian–early Albi-
ians but the average preservation is poor. The content an. The entire formation locally consists of chaotic
of chert varies from 95 % to 100 % of the sequence. beds interpreted as highly evolved slump to de-
Where the green radiolarite extends to the Kim- bris-flow deposits (Petrovac section, Stop 4).
meridgian (e.g. Bijela section, Stop 1), up to 20 % of The transition from the Praevalis Limestone to
the sequence is represented by shale interlayers. the overlying Bijela Radiolarite is gradual, marked

Field trip guidebook 35

 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

by a progressive increase in clay and silica content. Description of field-trip stops

The base of the radiolarite is defined as where the The localities are described in a NW to SE direction
sequence has a typical radiolarite aspect of thin sili- (Fig. 1) regardless of the age of the exposed rocks. All
ceous beds alternating with clayey marls. The pre- localities (except Stop 6 at Mali Raš) are part of the
dominant Bijela Radiolarite consists of thin-bedded lower tectonic unit of the Budva Zone. For details on
(1 – 3 cm) dark red chert and a very high proportion radiolarian dating and correlation with some other
of shale that comprises up to 80 % of the sequence. Jurassic to Lower Cretaceous sections of the Budva
Several levels, ranging in thickness from 0.5 to 1.5 m, Zone the reader is referred to Goričan (1994). Locali-
of green radiolarite are interstratified. Chert beds in ties 2 to 5 (Gornja Lastva, Markovići, Petrovac and
these green levels are also thin (1–3 cm) but the per- Čanj) were part of a field trip organized as part of the
centage of shale interlayers is much lower (5 – 20%) 16th InterRad – International Conference on Fossil and
than in the red radiolarite. The maximum estimated Living Radiolaria, in September 2022. The guide book
thickness of the formation is 60 m. Cherts yield abun- published on that occasion (Goričan et al., 2022) con-
dant but moderately preserved radiolarians and tains several additional field photographs not includ-
sponge spicules. The base of the Bijela Radiolarite is ed here.
assigned to the Hauterivian–lower Barremian. The The Budva Zone is covered by three sheets of the
youngest age obtained for the top is early Turonian. Basic Geological Map 1:100,000: Kotor, Budva (Antoni-
The Mesozoic succession ends with Scaglia-type jević et al., 1969, 1973), and Bar (Mirković et al., 1976,
pelagic limestones that gradually pass into marls and 1978), and by an integral map of Montenegro at the
sandstones around the Maastrichtian–Danian bounda- scale of 1:200,000 (Mirković et al., 1985). The maps are
ry (Pavić, 1970). The limestones contain chert nodules available at the Geological Survey of Montenegro. For
and layers, and planktonic foraminifera are abundant each locality, the coordinates are given and the cor-
in certain horizons. According to their colour and silica responding sheet of the Basic Geological Map is cited.
content, the pelagic limestones can be divided into sev-
eral sharply bounded dark and light red intervals with Stop 1: Bijela
a decametric interval of white pelagic limestone in be- Lower tectonic unit, Hettangian to Campanian.
tween. These sub-units are best exposed at the Čanj Location: The entire succession from the Trias-
section (Stop 5) where the succession is entirely pelagic, sic–Jurassic boundary to the Campanian is exposed
without intercalations of coarser-grained calcareous on the slope north of Bijela. The small church about
turbidites. The presented sedimentological and palae- 1 km north of the town is built on the Bar Limestone
ontological results on Upper Cretaceous sections in this Formation. The Middle Jurassic part of the Lastva
guidebook represent current research by Kocjančič and Radiolarite was measured along the path north of the
are presented here for the first time. church and the Kimmeridgian to Campanian section
Tithonian and Cretaceous resedimented car- along the road from Bijelske Kruševice to Kamenari.
bonates are commonly interstratified in pelagic se- The junction at the Kimmeridgian radiolarite is locat-
quences and may, in the proximal sections, complete- ed at N 42°27’52”, E 18°39’32”, Basic Geological Map
ly replace radiolarite and micritic limestone. The sheet Kotor (Antonijević et al., 1969).
predominant deposits are turbidites consisting of The Lower Jurassic part of the section is poorly
graded fine breccia or calcarenite, to calcisiltite se- exposed and will not be visited during the field trip.
quences, occasionally with thin marl interbeds. De- The continuation is fairly complete and consists of
bris-flow breccias up to several metres thick, are about 100 m of the Lastva Radiolarite, 50 m of car-
characteristic of the NW part of the Budva Zone. In bonate gravity-flow deposits and Praevalis Lime-
contrast to the Bar Limestone, which contains pene- stone, 40 m of the Bijela Radiolarite and 200 m of car-
contemporaneous platform-derived material, the bonate gravity-flow deposits and Globotruncana
Tithonian–Maastrichtian resedimented limestones limestone (Fig. 6A–D).
are mostly composed of angular lithoclasts derived The Lastva Radiolarite at this section is divided
from erosion of the somewhat older platform lime- in two parts, the variegated facies in the lower and
stones. Subrounded carbonate-mudstone clasts with the green chert in the upper part. In the variegated
pelagic fauna are rare. Fine-grained beds are often facies the proportion of siliceous beds (spicule/radi-
silicified; the overall succession contains 15 – 25 % of olarian sandstone in the lowermost part) to shale is
replacement chert. at first very low, representing approximately 15 % of

36 Field trip guidebook

Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

the succession. The proportion of chert increases up- shale interlayers (Fig. 7A). In contrast with other sec-
wards to 30 % and then to 70 – 80%. The radiolarian tions of the lower tectonic unit, the Oxfordian–Kim-
samples in the upper part of the variegated facies are meridgian part of the Lastva Radiolarite is character-
assigned to the upper Aalenian and lower Bajocian ized here by green instead of red knobby and red
(Fig. 6A). Up-section, in the green radiolarite, the ribbon radiolarites. The topmost part of the Lastva
shale intercalations disappear but silicified car- Radiolarite and the lower part of the Praevalis Lime-
bonate turbidites are abundant and may account for stone are replaced by carbonate gravity-flow deposits
up to 50 % of the succession. The topmost radiolarite, (Fig. 7B) that transition up-section to typical pelagic
assigned to the Kimmeridgian, again contains thin reddish-violet micrite with chert.

A C D
Bj 15 (9)
M.-U. Oxf.

Bj 14 (7)
Callovian
RC

300m
50m
G

Bj 13 (5)

0m in section D

Bj 12 (5) Bj 21 U. Alb.
Bathonian
275m Bj 20+4.6
Bj 20+3.1
Bj 11 (4)
Bj 20
Bj 10 (3) U. Apt.–L. Alb.
V2

L. Bajocian
Bj 19
BR

Bj 9 (2) Bj 18+1.5
U. Aalenian Bj 18 L. Apt.

250m
V1

Bj 17
Haut.-Barr.
PL

0m
225m

B
BLL

50m
RC

5m

Bj 3.00 (10-11)
G

Kimmeridgian

Fig. 6. Lithological columns of the Bijela section (Stop 1). A) Lastva Radiolarite, B) topmost Lastva Radiolarite and Tithonian – lowermost
Cretaceous resedimented carbonates, C) Praevalis Limestone, Bijela Radiolarite and base of Upper Cretaceous resedimented carbonates,
D) Upper Cretaceous resedimented carbonates and Globotruncana limestone. Legend same as Fig. 9. Abbreviations of different radiolarite
facies: V1 – lower variegated, V2 – upper variegated, G – green. Note that the columns are not drawn at the same scale. Numbers in brackets
in columns A and B refer to UA Zones of Baumgartner et al. (1995). Colours in columns D on the right indicate the colour of the background
pelagic sediment.

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 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

Fig. 7. Upper Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous facies of the Bijela section (columns B and C in Fig. 6). A) Kimmeridgian green radiolarite with
thicker beds (white) of silicified calcarenite, Lastva Radiolarite Formation. B) Thin-section image of the Tithonian–Berriasian resedimented
limestone showing reef debris, oncoids and echinoderms. C) Aptian part of the Bijela Radiolarite with silicified calcarenite beds clearly visible
on the right of the outcrop. The hammer lies on green radiolarites that were dated to the lower Aptian and correspond to OAE1a. D) Upper
part of the Bijela Radiolarite with high proportion of shale. Late Albian radiolarians near the top suggest that the two yellowish-green levels
correspond to OAE1b and OAE1c.

This section is the type section of the Bijela Ra- shales occur between the thicker event beds (Fig.
diolarite, composed of generally red radiolarite and 8B). A 9 m thick unit composed exclusively of green
a high proportion of shale. The first radiolarian sam- chert, shale and some silicified calcarenite beds oc-
ple above the base is Hauterivian-Barremian in age. curs in the middle of this part of the section. Higher
The Aptian to Albian part of the formation is espe- in the section, calcarenite beds reaching up to 3 m
cially well exposed (Fig. 7A–B). Three levels of yel- in thickness are organized in a thickening-upward
lowish green radiolarite are clearly visible and, ac- sequence, abruptly followed by a 2 m thick unit of
cording to our radiolarian dating, correspond to the fine-grained turbidites and red marls (Fig. 8C). The
Ocean Anoxic Events (OAE) 1a, 1b and 1c. Several upper half of the succession of resedimented car-
beds of silicified calcarenites are interstratified in bonates is mostly composed of fine-grained turbidi-
the Aptian part of the section. tes (Figs. 8 D–F). Slumps are rare and occur as small-
The Upper Cretaceous succession is divided into scale events. Thicker calcarenite beds and a breccia
a 137 m thick unit dominated by resedimented car- with rip-up clasts of pelagic limestone occur near the
bonates and 61 m of typical Scaglia-type pelagic top of this unit. The sequence of resedimented car-
limestone with Globotruncana (Fig. 6D). The first bonates terminates with fine-grained calcarenites
50 m of the succession are characterized by up to 2 m interbedded with micritic limestones and laminated
thick graded beds of coarse-grained breccias capped reddish chert. So far we have found rare (rather frag-
by calcarenite. Orbitolina and rudist fragments are mented) planktonic foraminifera only in a thicker
common constituents (Fig. 8A). Finer-grained, bed of white micritic limestone (Sample KA22-34), in
thin-bedded calcarenites and greenish or reddish which the possible presence of Dicarinella concavata

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Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

Fig. 8. Upper Cretaceous facies of the Bijela section (columns D in Fig. 6). A) Microfacies in the lower part of the Upper Cretaceous section
with Orbitolina sp. and rudist fragments (sample KA22 18). B) Coarse-grained carbonate turbidites with marly interlayers (around samples
KA22 17–18). C) Thick calcarenite beds overlain by an alternation of thin-bedded calcarenite and reddish marly limestone (with samples
KA22 22–25). D) Field photograph and (E) microfacies of fine-grained turbidites (sample KA22 25). F) Silt sequence with convolute lamination
in a predominantly micritic interval (near sample KA22 34).

(Brotzen) suggests a Coniacian to Late Santonian cur together with red laminated chert (up to 15 cm
age. thick). Alternating packages of reddish to pinkish
Resedimented carbonates pass upwards in a 61 m (RGL – Red Globotruncana Limestone) and white (WGL
thick unit of Globotruncana-bearing limestone (WGL – White Globotruncana Limestone) micritic limestones
and RGL in Fig. 6). At the beginning of this unit layers generally contain planktonic foraminifera, but unfos-
of fine-grained calcarenites up to 80 cm thick are still siliferous limestones also occur. The micritic lime-
present. Towards the top, the resedimented lime- stone beds are between 5 and 60 cm thick and become
stones (from 2 to 38 cm) become rarer and mostly oc- more marly and dark red in the last 20 metres of the

Field trip guidebook 39

 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

section. Preliminary analyses revealed the presence A continuous Jurassic and Cretaceous section
of fragmented planktonic foraminifera throughout consists of 40 m of the “Passée Jaspeuse”, 150 m of the
the section. From this material, some good samples Bar Limestone, 150 m of the Lastva Radiolarite, 50 m
with a large abundance of Globotruncanita elevata of the Praevalis Limestone, 35 m of the Bijela Radiolar-
(Brotzen) suggest an early Campanian age for the first ite and continues with 170 m of carbonate gravity-flow
part of the succession. This species becomes rarer deposits and Globotruncana limestone (Figs. 9, 11).
after the middle part of the Globotruncana limestone. The “Passée Jaspeuse” overlies grey micritic
In addition, the increased occurrence of Globotrunca- limestone (bed thickness 10 – 15 cm) with chert nod-
na ventricosa (White), Globotruncanita atlantica (Ca- ules with a sharp contact. In the lowermost part,
ron), Rugoglobigerina rugosa (Plummer), and Glo- some silicified calcarenites are interstratified; the
botruncanita plummere (Gandolfi) suggests a middle to remaining “Passée Jaspeuse” consists of thin-bedded
late Campanian age for the second part of the section. brownish to greenish highly siliceous limestone. The
Bio- and also chemostratigraphy of the Upper Creta- internal part of beds usually contains replacement
ceous succession is currently under study. chert. Some beds contain less silica and are light
grey in colour. The proportion of shale/marl inter-
Stop 2: Gornja Lastva near Tivat layers is high; in the middle part of the section, these
Lower tectonic unit, Hettangian to Upper Campanian. interlayers comprise up to 60 % of the sequence. Rare
Location: near Tivat, along the road from Donja decimetre-sized beds of intra-formational breccia
Lastva to Gornja Lastva, the section starts at occur in the lower half of the section. Three poorly
N 42°27’08”, E 18°42’01”, Basic Geological Map sheet preserved radiolarian assemblages were analyzed
Kotor (Antonijević et al., 1969). from this section (Fig. 9A; Goričan, 1994). The sam-

Fig. 9. Lithological columns of the Gornja Lastva section (Stop 2). A) “Passée Jaspeuse” Formation, B) Bar Limestone, C) Lastva Radiolarite
and transition to the Praevalis Limestone, D) Praevalis Limestone and Bijela Radiolarite. Abbreviations of different radiolarite facies: V1 – lower
variegated, V2 – upper variegated, G – green, GR – greenish red knobby, Rk – red knobby, Rr – red ribbon. Note that the columns are not drawn
at the same scale. Numbers in brackets refer to UA Zones of Baumgartner et al. (1995).

40 Field trip guidebook

Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

ples GL 105 and GL 109 contain Pantanellium tanuense GL 123, located 40 m above the top of the Bar Lime-
Pessagno & Blome, which is regarded as a Hettangi- stone (5 m above an 80 cm thick bed of resedimented
an index (Pessagno et al., 1987; Carter et al., 1998). oolitic limestone, Fig. 10B), correlates with UA Zone
Sample GL 4 contains the genus Wrangellium, the 2 (Upper Aalenian) of Baumgartner et al. (1995). The
first appearance of which is documented in the Late uppermost sample GL 138, collected 8 m below the
Sinemurian (O’Dogherty et al., 2009). boundary with the Praevalis Limestone is assigned
The overlying Bar Limestone (Fig. 9B) mostly to UA Zone 12 (Lower – lower Upper Tithonian). The
consists of classical turbidites that start with a grad- age assignments of all other productive samples, ex-
ed calcarenite unit. A few tens of centimetres thick pressed in UA zones of Baumgartner et al. (1995), are
bed of clast-supported conglomerate to pebbly cal- indicated in Fig. 9C.
carenite (Fig. 10A) rarely occurs at the base. Alterna- The contact with the overlying Praevalis Lime-
tively, fine-grained turbidites composed of base-ab- stone (Fig. 9C–D) is sharp. Only the lowermost beds
sent Bouma sequences are common and make up of micritic limestone with replacement chert nodules
packages more than 10-metres thick (Fig. 10C). The still contain some marly interlayers and also a thin
entire succession is organized in roughly three larg- bed of carbonate breccia. The remaining 30 m of the
er fining-upward sequences. Praevalis Limestone are free of resedimented car-
This section is the type section of the Lastva Ra- bonates and consist of 5 – 15 cm thick beds of white
diolarite, which consists here of the complete se- or light reddish to greenish micrite and up to 5 cm
quence of different facies from the lower variegated thick beds, lenses and nodules of dark red replace-
facies at the base to the red ribbon radiolarite at the ment chert. The replacement chert forms approxi-
top (Figs. 9C, 10D). The lowermost productive sample mately 30 % of the succession. Radiolarians in sample

Fig. 10. Jurassic facies of the Gornja Lastva section. A) Thin section of fine-grained conglomerate with radiolarian-mudstone intraclasts and
shallow-water debris (at 135 m in column B of Fig. 9). B) Densely packed ooids in a partly dolomitized matrix. Calcarenite bed interstratified in
the Lastva Radiolarite Formation (at 225 m in column C of Fig. 9). C) Lime-mud dominated turbidites in the Lower Bar Limestone Member. D)
Variegated facies of the Lastva Radiolarite.

Field trip guidebook 41

 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

GL 139 at the base of the formation correlate to UA

Zone 13 of Baumgartner et al. (1995).
The boundary with the Bijela Radiolarite (Fig.
9D) is transitional and poorly exposed. The thickness
of beds decreases, the silica content is higher and
marly interlayers are present once again. Sample
GL 214 contains Aurisaturnalis variabilis (Squinabol)
that is characteristic of the Hauterivian to early Bar-
remian age. Higher up, the section consists of
thin-bedded chert and 40 – 60 % shale. Silicified cal-
carenites are interstratified in the upper 8 metres of
the formation. Based on Thanarla spoletoensis
O’Dogherty, sample GL 215 near the top of the radi-
olarite is assigned to the Albian–lowermost Cenoma-
nian Spoletoensis Zone of O’Dogherty (1994).
The 170 m thick Upper Cretaceous succession is
similar to that of the Bijela section (Stop 1) and is
divided into a lower unit dominated by calcareous
turbidites and an upper Scaglia-type unit (Fig. 11).
The first part of the section consists mainly of
coarse-grained resedimented limestones that in-
clude breccia beds up to 30 cm thick grading to mi-
crobreccia and calcarenite (Fig. 12A). Fine-grained
calcarenites dominate the sequence, forming isolat-
ed layers ranging in thickness from 10 cm to 1 m or
more. They commonly bear chert nodules of varying
sizes and alternate with layers of chert and marl. In
the first 70 metres of the section, slumps are com-
mon and consist mostly of fine-grained calcarenite
beds. The size of the slumps reaches up to 2 m. A
decrease in coarse-grained resedimented material
is observed towards the central part of the section,
where the succession can be divided into red and
white/grey coloured packages. These are mainly
composed of micritic limestones (10 cm to 20 cm
thick) that are pink/red and marly in the red por-
tions. The first red fine-grained package (16 metres
thick) has a chert and marl content of about 25 %. In
the white to grey packages, the micritic limestones
have intercalations of dark grey recrystallized cal-
cisiltite that form a zebra-like pattern (Fig. 12B). Nor-
mally, the micritic layers do not contain fossils. The
first layers, in which fragments of planktonic fo-
raminifera were discovered are in the second white, Fig. 11. Lithological columns of Upper Cretaceous limestones at
the Gornja Lastva section (Stop 2). Legend same as Fig. 9. Colours
13-m-thick package of fine-grained sediments (Fig. indicate the colour of the background pelagic sediment. The section
12C–D). The fragments belong predominantly to starts at 428 m of section D in Fig. 9.
Marginotruncana suggesting a Turonian to Santonian
age. Thin layers of black laminated chert (up to 5 cm ent above. Here calcarenite layers of varying thick-
thick) are also observed here and are associated with ness alternate with beds of red micrite (from 5 cm to
dark grey to black micrite. A second, thinner pack- 10 cm in thickness) and red laminated chert (up to 10
age of coarser-grained turbidites (17 m thick) is pres- cm thick).

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Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

The lower turbiditic unit gradually passes to main- chert layers and calcarenite. Micritic limestone with-
ly micritic Scaglia-type limestone with a rather con- out fossils is also common. Higher in the section, red-
stant presence of layers with planktonic foraminifera. dish Globotruncana limestone prevails. The section is
The first planktonic foraminifera were found in light divided into several red (RGL) and white to light ochre
pink micrite approximately 2 m above the last cal- (WGL) units. The preliminary analysis of the plankton-
carenite bed (Fig. 11, sample GL 1; Fig. 12F). The re- ic foraminifera suggests that the age of the lower RGL
maining part of the section consists of an alternation part (Fig. 11) is Early Campanian based on rare occur-
of Globotruncana-bearing micrite, marly limestone, rences of Globotruncanita stuartiformis (Dalbiez), abun-

Fig. 12. Upper Cretaceous facies of the Gornja Lastva section. A) Calcarenite with abundant rudist fragments and rare benthic foraminifera
(sample GL22 10). B) Fine-grained turbidites with darker laminae of silt and lighter lime mudstone (below sample GL22 14). C, D) Thin-section
and reflected-light slab image of densely-packed planktonic foraminifera occurring as laminae in lime mudstone (sample GL22 17). E) Transition
from thin-bedded reddish to white pelagic limestone (around sample GL22 15). F) Calcarenite overlain by reddish micrite with chert (Campanian,
below sample GL 1).

Field trip guidebook 43

 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

dant Contusotruncana fornicata (Plummer), Globotrun- The Gornja Lastva village is built on the Glo-
cana linneiana (d‘Orbigny), Globotruncanita elevata botruncana limestone, which is the uppermost strati-
(Brotzen), abundant specimens of the genus Planohet- graphic unit at this locality. Vrmac Mountain above
erohelix, and the absence of marginotruncanids. Plan- the village is part of the upper thrust sheet of the
ispiral forms are also very common. The uppermost Budva Zone.
RGL towards the end of the section has abundant Glo-
botruncanita plummere (Gandolfi), Globotruncana bulloi- Stop 3: Markovići
des (Vogler) and a lesser amount of G. elevata (Brotzen). Lower tectonic unit, Middle Triassic.
Contusotruncana walfischensis (Todd) and Radotruncana Location: on the road from Budva to Cetinje,
subspinosa (Pessagno) are also present in some sam- about 8.5 km NE of Budva (N 42°18’06”, E 18°51’25”,
ples, suggesting a Late Campanian age. Further and Basic Geological Map sheet Budva (Antonijević et al.,
more detailed analyses are in progress (by A. Koc- 1969).
jančič).

Fig. 13. Lithological column of the Markovići section (Stop 3) and field photographs of the three stratigraphic units. A) Pietra Verde, B, C)
ammonoids in a limestone block of the megabreccia, D) calcarenites and marls of the Tuđemili Formation in contact with the megabreccia.

44 Field trip guidebook

Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

The section consists of three units – the Tuđemi- Location: near Petrovac, along the road from
li Formation in the lower part, a megabreccia in the Petrovac to Podgorica, at the junction with the litto-
middle, and tuffitic layers of Pietra Verde in the up- ral road Budva – Bar; the section starts at N 42°12’39”,
per part of the section (Fig. 13). E 18°56’41”, Basic Geological Map sheet Budva (An-
The Tuđemili Formation in this section is repre- tonijević et al., 1969).
sented by the alternation of fine calcarenites with The measured section consists of 35 m of the
marly layers, 19 metres in thickness, representing the “Passée Jaspeuse”, 50 m of the Bar Limestone, ap-
distal part of this formation. Otherwise very fossilif- proximately 30 m of the Lastva Radiolarite and ap-
erous, the outcrop of this formation in Markovići con- proximately 50 m of the Praevalis Limestone in con-
tains only rare, poorly preserved megafossils in the tact with the Bijela Radiolarite (Figs. 14A–D). This
middle of the section. Besides brachiopods and cri- succession is part of the reverse limb of a syncline,
noid ossicles (Encrinidae gen. indet.), one fragment which, in addition, is folded internally.
of an ammonoid species Balatonites ottonis (Buch) has The Triassic cherty limestone at this section is
been identified, indicating a latest Bithynian to Pelso- well exposed in a thickness of nearly 150 m and rang-
nian age. In other localities, the formation is well dat- es from the Middle Triassic to the Rhaetian (Cafiero
ed with crinoids, bivalves and brachiopods (Dimitri- & De Capoa Bonardi 1980, 1981; Goričan 1994). The
jević, 1967), and recently with ammonoids (Đaković, “Passée Jaspeuse” contains a relatively high propor-
2018) of Pelsonian age. tion of carbonate and is lighter in colour than in the
The Tuđemili Formation is overlain by an other sections (Fig. 15A). The transition with both
8-m-thick megabreccia (Fig. 13D). The matrix of this the underlying and also the overlying formations is
bed is a grey clayey-marly sediment, similar to the thus more gradual. Sample PK 20 near the top of the
marls of the underlying Tuđemili Formation. Blocks formation (Fig. 14A) includes the genus Gigi, the FAD
in this bed are composed of Permian reef limestones of which is in the Lower Pliensbachian (O’Dogherty
(Krystyn, pers. comm.), along with crinoidal and bra- et al., 2009). It is thus possible that the “Passée Jas-
chiopod limestones, nodular limestones with ammo- peuse” ranges to the base of the Pliensbachian.
noids (Fig. 13 B–C), shallow water limestones etc., all The Bar Limestone is only 50 m thick and con-
of Anisian age. A block of nodular limestone contains sists of fine, often faintly laminated cherty lime-
the ammonoid species Gymnites toulai, Metasturia gra- stone with thin interbeds of marl. In the slightly
cilis, Acrochordiceras sp. etc., of Pelsonian age (Đak- reddish upper part, bioturbation is frequent. The
ović, unpublished). Considering that the limestone entire sequence is characterized by a uniform ba-
blocks from this megabreccia do not contain any fos- sin-plain facies association.
sils younger than the Pelsonian, the assumed age of The overlying green and violet shale is supposed-
the matrix is Illyrian. ly Early Toarcian in age (Fig. 15B). A breccia, consist-
The upper part of the succession is separated by ing of large blocks of limestone, radiolarite and shale
a subvertical fault from the underlying breccia and is follows up-section. It wedges out over a distance of a
composed of green tuffs, the so-called Pietra Verde, few metres. Blocks and clasts of Upper Triassic lime-
approximately 30 m thick (Fig. 13A). This generally stones are the most abundant and evoke the Hallstatt
uniform series contains rare interlayers of chert or Limestone succession known from the Northern Cal-
limestone, but without recognizable fossils in the careous Alps and the whole western Tethys realm
Markovići section. As already indicated, Cafiero & De (Krystyn, 2008). Grey siliceous-limestone clasts rich
Capoa Bonardi (1980) described bivalves of latest Lad- in sponge spicules are most likely to be of Early Juras-
inian age from the uppermost part of this sequence sic age. Redeposition of this Hallstatt Limestone se-
in Bečići. quence is age equivalent with the Hallstatt Mélanges
The section ends at a fault contact with the Bijela known in all mountain ranges in the eastern Mediter-
Radiolarite. A sample in this radiolarite contained ranean (Gawlick & Missoni, 2019 and references
Pseudodictyomitra pseudomacrocephala (Squinabol) therein). Similar Hallstatt Limestone successions are
and other typical mid-Cretaceous radiolarians. also known in the Budva unit, e.g. in the Čanj embay-
ment (Gawlick & Missoni, 2015). Below the mass trans-
Stop 4: Petrovac port deposit with the Hallstatt-Limestone clasts, tur-
Lower tectonic unit, Upper Triassic to upper Aptian– biditic layers with ooids and other shallow-water
lower Albian. grains, including Protopeneroplis sp., occur.

Field trip guidebook 45

 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

A D

U. Apt.-L. Alb.

Sin.–L. Pliens. B C

M.–U. Oxfordian

125m
M. Call.–L. Oxfordian

Hettangian

L. Toarcian
105m L. Tith.

U. Tith.–Berr.

M.–U. Oxfordian

Fig. 14. Lithological columns of the Petrovac section (Stop 4). A) “Passée Jaspeuse” Formation, B) Bar Limestone, C) Lastva Radiolarite and
base of the Praevalis Limestone, D) Praevalis Limestone and base of the Bijela Radiolarite. Legend same as Fig. 9. Abbreviations of different
radiolarite facies: V1 – lower variegated, G – green, GR – greenish red knobby, Rk – red knobby. Note that the columns are not drawn at the
same scale. Numbers in brackets refer to UA Zones of Baumgartner et al. (1995).

The Lastva Radiolarite consists of three facies: Stop 5: Čanj

green, green-red knobby and red knobby radiolarite Lower tectonic unit, Rhaetian to Campanian.
and ranges from UA Zone 8 (middle Callovian–early Location: two closely associated localities near
Oxfordian) in sample PK 12 to UA Zone 9 (middle– the tourist village of Čanj: Pečinj Bay (N 42°09’40”,
late Oxfordian) in sample PK 7 (Fig. 14B). These data E 18°59’30” E) for the Rhaetian to Pliensbachian, Čanj
clearly show that the base and the top of the radiolar- Beach (N 42°09’45”, E 18°59’43”) for the Middle Jurassic
ite sequence are truncated. to Upper Cretaceous; Basic Geological Map sheets
The most conspicuous feature of the Petrovac Budva (Antonijević et al., 1969) and Bar (Mirković et
section is thick chaotic beds of the Praevalis Lime- al., 1976).
stone (Fig. 14D). They are 1 m to several metres thick, The section consists of the Halobia limestone,
separated by a few tens of centimetres of undis- 30 m of the “Passée Jaspeuse”, 150 m of the Bar Lime-
turbed bedded limestone. The encompassed cherts stone, 80 m of the Lastva Radiolarite (including a
show considerable deformation; they have a form of 20 m thick unit of resedimented carbonates), 20 m of
ruptured, folded layers or rotated nodules (Figs. the Praevalis Limestone, approximately 50 m of the
15C–D). In the lower part of the section, up to 1 m Bijela Radiolarite, and more than 40 m of the Glo-
large clasts of Tithonian ribbon radiolarite are incor- botruncana limestone (Figs. 16A–D, 19).
porated into these megabeds (Fig. 15C). The chaotic The Halobia limestone consists of cherty micrite
beds at Petrovac are interpreted as highly evolved and fine-grained resedimented limestone beds.
slumps to debris-f low deposits, which moving Slump and intra-formational debris-flow deposits
downslope eroded the underlying sediments. The containing clasts of red chert occur in the upper part.
base of the overlying Bijela Radiolarite (sample PK 1) Thin marly intercalations are common between pe-
is assigned to the upper Aptian–lower Albian based lagic limestone beds. The overlying “Passee Jaspeu-
on the occurrence of Turbocapsula costata (Wu). se” is an easily mappable dark brownish-reddish unit

46 Field trip guidebook

Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

Fig. 15. Lower Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous formations of the Petrovac section. The entire section is in an overturned position. A) Thin-bedded
limestone with chert, “Passée Jaspeuse”. B) Sharp stratigraphic boundary between fine-grained turbidites of the Bar Limestone and violet-green
to red Toarcian shales. C) Large clasts of Tithonian ribbon radiolarite in the lower part of the Praevalis limestone (at 152 m in the lithological
column, Fig. 14D). D) Folded chert layers and rotated nodules float in a deformed micritic matrix (at 160 m in the lithological column, Fig. 14D).

of siliceous limestone alternating with shale (Fig. recognized in Haida Gwaii, British Columbia, and in
17 A–C). Texturally, these highly siliceous limestones Japan (Carter & Hori, 2005; Longridge et al., 2007). A
are mostly calcisiltites or mudstones to packstones negative spike in the stable carbon isotope curve,
containing radiolarians. A few beds with clasts of si- measured in bulk carbonate and in bulk organic mat-
liceous limestone are present in the middle part of ter, was detected at the very base, in the boundary
the formation where slump folds also occur and the shales of the “Passée Jaspeuse”, and is coincident
amount of interstratified shale is the highest (Fig. with the rapid drop in carbonate content from >80 %
16A). Near the top of the “Passée Jaspeuse”, the lime- to <10 % (Fig. 18). The contemporaneous negative
stone beds are thicker and the carbonate content is anomaly in both bulk carbonates and bulk organic
higher. matter, as well as the comparison with other stable
A detailed 20 m thick section across the bounda- carbon isotope records across the Triassic–Jurassic
ry between the Halobia limestone and the “Passée boundary, confirm that the anomaly reflects a global
Jaspeuse” was measured and sampled bed-by-bed for perturbation of the carbon cycle. The simultaneous
radiolarians and stable carbon isotope analyses drop in carbonate content can be a result of acceler-
(Črne et al., 2011). The sharp lithological boundary ated carbonate dissolution, or more probably a con-
coincides with the Triassic–Jurassic boundary as de- sequence of reduced carbonate input due to a biocal-
termined from radiolarians of the Globolaxtorum to- cification crisis. A biocalcification crisis sensu lato
zeri Zone near the top of the Halobia limestone and includes not only a lowered production of shallow-wa-
radiolarians of the Canoptum merum Zone at the base ter carbonate but also a change in the carbonate pro-
of the “Passée Jaspeuse” (see Fig. 18 for the position duction mode from skeletal to microbial, which
of productive radiolarian samples). Faunal changes would have equally led to reduced offshore shedding.
across the system boundary are comparable to those Both scenarios are compatible with increased CO2,

Field trip guidebook 47

 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

UPC 18 (7) Callovian

LR
BLL

UPC 13 (3) L. Bajocian

PL
UPC 29 (12) L. Tithonian
UPC 28 (12)
L. Turonian
UPC 27 (12)
BLU

Rr
UPC 26 (12)
UPC 41.60 UPC 25 (12) L. Tithonian
UPC 262.70 (11) Kimm.-Tith.
PJ

UPC 257.10 (9-10)

Rk
UPC 251.50 (9) M.-U. Oxf.
UPC 23 (8)
UPC 22 (8)

GR
UPC 21 (8) U. Call.- L. Oxf.

UPC 20 (7) Albian

G
TJB Callovian
UPC 18 (7)
BLL

L. Aptian
HL

UPC 16 (3-4)
UPC 15 (3) Valang.
V2

UPC 14 (3)
UPC 13 (3) L. Bajocian
V1

conodonts
BLU
PJ

L. Tithonian

Fig. 16. Lithological columns of the Čanj section (Stop 5). A) “Passée Jaspeuse”, B) Bar Limestone, C) Lastva Radiolarite, D) Praevalis Limestone
and Bijela Radiolarite. Legend same as Figure 9. Abbreviations of different radiolarite facies: V1 – lower variegated, V2 – upper variegated,
G – green, GR – greenish red knobby, Rk – red knobby, Rr – red ribbon. Note that the columns are not drawn at the same scale. Numbers in
brackets refer to UA Zones of Baumgartner et al. (1995)

SO2 and CH4 fluxes due to the Central Atlantic mag- conglomerate unit are nicely exposed on the beach,
matic province volcanism causing undersaturation of Fig. 17D). These conglomerate levels are distal equiv-
the ocean with respect to calcium carbonate (see Črne alents of disorganized debris-flow breccias exposed
et al., 2011, for more details). More recent geochemical at the Sutomore section, which is located in the close
analyses in the Čanj section further revealed that the vicinity but is part of the upper tectonic unit (see fig.
6 cm thick boundary laminated clay layer is charac- 2.2 in Goričan, 1994, for the correlation of these two
terized by enrichment in heavy rare earth elements sections).
(HREE) and highly siderophile elements (HSE), an Hg The Upper Bar Limestone Member, well distin-
increase, and a sharp shift to unradiogenic osmi- guished by its pure oolitic limestone beds constitutes
um-isotopic ratios (de Graaff et al., 2022). a unit, a few-metres in thickness, above a covered
The lower half of the Lower Bar Limestone Mem- interval and below the first outcropping radiolarian
ber (Fig. 16B) is dominated by fine-grained turbidites chert (Fig. 16B). Another 20 m thick unit of oolite,
organized in base-cut-out Bouma sequences. Medi- coarse-grained graded conglomerate and calcaren-
um-grained turbidites dominate in the upper part. ite is interstratified in the Lastva Radiolarite (Figs.
Four levels of clast-supported conglomerates capped 16B–C); this unit was interpreted as a single com-
by normally graded pebbly mudstone are intercalat- pound gravity-flow deposit. Middle–late Bajocian
ed. The thickest conglomerate bed (Fig. 17C) reaches radiolarians (UA Zone 3 of Baumgartner et al., 1995)
16 m and consists of large (up to 20x50 cm) densely were discovered in the variegated radiolarite below
packed calcilutite clasts (when visiting this stop, note the oolite. Radiolarians of the latest Bathonian–Call-
that some plurimetric blocks broken off the thickest ovian age (UA Zone 7) were found in the overlying

48 Field trip guidebook

Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

green radiolarite. The remaining few metres of and Afens liriodes Riedel & Sanfilippo that first appear
green radiolarites, also assigned to UA Zone 7, in- in the lower Turonian (O’Dogherty, 1994) together
clude beds of silicified calcarenite, but the following with abundant Pseudodictyomitra pseudomacrocephala
red-green and red radiolarites are devoid of resedi- (Squinabol) that last appears in the Turonian (Pessa-
mented carbonates. The uppermost sample collected gno, 1977). The Turonian age is the youngest age re-
in the red ribbon radiolarite 0.5 m below the bound- corded in the Bijela Radiolarite.
ary with the Praevalis Limestone belongs to the Low- The overlying Scaglia-type limestone is subdi-
er to lower Upper Tithonian UA Zone 12. For the age vided into several reddish to light pink and white
assignments of all productive radiolarian samples, units (Figs. 19, 20). The studied section is 42 m thick
expressed in UA zones see Fig. 16C. and consists of thin-bedded micritic and marly lime-
The Praevalis Limestone consists of reddish mic- stones (thickness from 5 cm to 15 cm), thin laminat-
rite with red replacement chert lenses. The overlying ed chert layers (up to 5 cm thick) and marl intercala-
Bijela Radiolarite is poorly exposed; its thickness was tions. Chert nodules are rare. The first 11 m of the
estimated at 50 metres (Fig. 16D). The radiolarian as- section are red and, in the upper darker red portion
semblage in sample 298.60 near the base of the forma- (Fig. 20A), contain a higher proportion of clay and
tion contains Aurisaturnalis carinatus perforatus Du- replacement chert, and up to 30 % of dispersed silica
mitrica & Dumitrica Jud, the range of which is in micrite beds. No fossils have been found in the
restricted to the Upper Barremian–Lower Aptian pe- limestones and chert layers. The red sequence ends
riod (Dumitrica & Dumitrica Jud, 1995). The topmost with an 80 cm thick package of wine-red marly lime-
sample contains Hemicryptocapsa polyhedra Dumitrica stones (Fig. 20B) and is overlain with a sharp bound-

Fig. 17. Lower Jurassic formations of the Čanj section. A) Clearly-marked lithological boundaries of the “Passée Jaspeuse” lying between
the Halobia limestone below and the Bar Limestone above. The section in Fig. 18 was measured at this outcrop. B) Siliceous limestone and
marl of the “Passée Jaspeuse”. C) Upper Triassic to Lower Jurassic succession in a cliff at Uvala Pećinj near Čanj. The arrow points to a thick
conglomerate bed occurring within the Lower Member of the Bar Limestone Formation (at 120 m in column B of Fig. 16). The Halobia limestone
in the foreground is separated from this succession by a fault. D) Conglomerate with mostly pelagic-limestone clasts. Detail of a plurimetric
fallen block on the beach, broken off the thickest conglomerate unit indicated in Fig. 17C.

Field trip guidebook 49

 0 1 2 -28 -27 -26 -25 -24 -23 -32 -30 -28 -26

stable
Hettangian rads.

Hettangian rads.

Hett.
3 + b2

36th International Meeting of++ Sedimentology

b
a
1

2 
stable C-isotope
excursions within

Rhaetian rads.
the Hettangian

Rhaetian rads.

Rhaetian
unsmoothed
13
20 m + positive CIEs:
δ Corg curve 10 m b2: main positive CIE
2m 3-point-average in lower-middle Hett.
smoothed 0m b1: ?

δ18Ocarb
13

δ13Ccarb
δ Corg curve a: lowermost Hett.

Čanj
1m
extremely heavy  main negative CIE
[‰VPDB] [‰VPDB] CaCO3 [%wt]
1 0m 13
δ Corg values
Williford et al., 2007
0 1 2 -3 -2 -1 0 30 100
age
δ13Ccarb British Columbia
5 δ13Corg [‰VPDB]

CIEs
δ13Corg [‰VPDB]

Sin.
[‰VPDB]
0 1 2 -28 -27 -26 -25 -24 -23 -32 -30 -28 -26

stable
Hettangian rads.

Hettangian rads.
15

Hett.
3 + b2
4
+ b1
meters

+a
Jurassic

2 
stable C-isotope
excursions within

Rhaetian rads.
the Hettangian

Rhaetian rads.

Rhaetian
unsmoothed + positive CIEs:
3
20 m

10
13
δ Corg curve 10 m b2: main positive CIE
2m 3-point-average in lower-middle Hett.
C 9.39 smoothed 0m b 1: ?
13
1m δ Corg curve a: lowermost Hett.
C 8.63 2 extremely heavy  main negative CIE
1 0m 13
δ Corg values
Williford et al., 2007
C 7.40

5
Triassic

siliceous limestones position of radiolarian

and shales
Jaspeuse”
1 samples (Hettangian)
“Passée

channelized calcisiltites or
calcarenites with siliceous highlighted boundary
limestone clasts shales, only present at
boundary shales Čanj
0
limestones with chert position of radiolarian
layers and nodules samples (Rhaetian)
limestone

inferred Hettangian-
Halobia

limestones with Sinemurian boundary

marly intercala-
tions boundaries between different
stages of C-isotope curves
slump biostratigraphically dated
-4 Triassic-Jurassic boundary
C -4.43

Fig. 18. (reproduced from Črne et al., 2011): Detailed stratigraphic log of the Triassic–Jurassic boundary section with stable carbon and oxygen
isotope curves, carbonate content curves and marked positions of the radiolarian samples (red and blue bars with sample numbers). The intervals
of the carbon isotope curve (1–5) were correlated with the published curves; the position of the Hettangian–Sinemurian boundary, 5.5 m above
the Triassic–Jurassic boundary is based on this correlation. Upper right frame: Stable carbon isotope curves for bulk carbonate (δ13Ccarb) and
bulk organic matter (δ13Corg) from Čanj section and comparison with stable carbon isotope curve from bulk organic matter in British Columbia
(Williford et al., 2007). The Triassic–Jurassic boundary of both sections is precisely dated with radiolarians.

ary by a package of white micritic limestones (white/ (Brotzen), suggesting a Late Campanian age. Re-
gray sequences). This package includes several levels search on the Upper Cretaceous of the Budva Zone is
of dark grey limestone and black chert (Figs. 20A, B) in progress (by A. Kocjančič).
that probably reflect the OAE. Foraminifera from In comparison with other sections studied to
this part of the section have not yet been studied in date in the Budva Zone, the Čanj section is the only
detail, but based on the stratigraphic position and section where the entire Berriasian to Campanian
characteristic colours we tentatively correlate this succession consists exclusively of distal pelagic faci-
white/dark grey sequence with the Coniacian–San- es (radiolarite and pelagic limestone) without car-
tonian OAE3 (review in Mansour & Wagreich, 2022). bonate gravity-flow deposits that would have been
The remaining part of the section is predominantly derived from a carbonate platform.
red, composed of reddish to light pink Globotruncana
limestones (RGL), red chert beds and pink calcaren- Stop 6: Mali Raš
ite layers with red grains. This RGL section is inter- Upper tectonic unit (?), Lower and Middle Triassic.
rupted by a 1.5 m thick sequence of white-grey to Location: along the road from the coast to Vir-
light ochre Globotruncana limestone and chert pazar, near the junction with the Petrovac – Podgor-
(WGL). The first occurrence of Globotruncanita atlan- ica road, the Spathian to Pelsonian rocks crop out at
tica (Caron) in the lower RGL unit (Fig. 19; ČN-6) in- N 42°14’01”, E 19°04’04”, Basic Geological Map sheet
dicates an Early to Middle Campanian age. In the Bar (Mirković et al., 1976).
WGL beds (Fig. 19; ČN-8) the zonal marker Contu- The section consists of approximatively 70 m of
sotruncana plummerae (Gandolfi) appears for the first Lower Triassic sediments and 200 m of Crmnica con-
time and is present throughout the upper RGL sec- glomerates (Fig. 21). The overlying sediments of the
tion, along with abundant Globotruncanita stuartifor- Tuđemili Formation are not visible today because
mis (Dalbiez) and decreased amounts of G. elevata they are covered by a stone wall.

50 Field trip guidebook

Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

42 m The thickness of the Lower Triassic sequence is

ČN-16
tentatively estimated at 70 m, since it is represented
ČN-15
by highly folded series of turbiditic calcarenites and
thin laminated marls. Bottom marks, mainly repre-
ČN-14
sented with pot casts indicating storm events, are
ČN-13 well preserved in the calcarenites. These are mostly
11,5+ m

graded sediments, starting with coarse-grained

RGL

sandstones to fine-grained sandstones and marl-

ČN-12
stones. This part of the section has been dated as
Spathian based on the conodont species Neospathodus
homeri (Krystyn et al., 2014). Recently, the foraminif-
ČN-11 era Gandiella silensis (Dağer) and Hoyanella sinensis
ČN-10
(Ho), indicating Spathian age have also been discov-
ČN-9 ered in the middle of the Lower Triassic part of this
section (Figs. 21B, C). The upper part contains mo-
1,5 m
WGL

ČN-8

ČN-7
nomictic conglomerate intercalated with marlstone,
ČN-6 and the Lower Triassic ends with gray marls interca-
ČN-5
lated with light coloured micrites. Krystyn et al.
2,5 m

ČN-4
RGL

ČN-3 (2019) interpret this series as a flyschoid facies with

ČN-2 finely layered marlstones, without bioturbation and
sandy turbidites, and marly conglomerates in the up-
Red sequences

per part of the series.

5m

The Lower Triassic sediments are unconforma-

ČN22-21 bly overlain by a thick series of Middle Triassic (Pel-
ČN22-20
ČN22-19 sonian) Crmnica conglomerates. The area between
White/gray sequences (9,5m)

ČN22-18
ČN22-17 Mali Raš and Sotonići represents one of the type lo-
ČN22-16
calities for this formation, as described by Dimitrije-
ČN22-15
vić & Dimitrijević (1989). Here the conglomerates are
ČN22-14
ČN22-13 mostly unsorted, without grading or imbrication,
ČN22-12
ČN22-11 and with a small percentage of calcareous cement.
ČN22-10
ČN22-9
The dimension of the clasts varies from 2 to 100 cm,
ČN22-8 most commonly being between 10 and 20 cm. The
ČN-1, ČN22-7
ČN22-6 clasts mostly comprise Permian reef or fusulinid
ČN22-5
limestones, and Lower Triassic sandstones, whereas
cherts and micritic limestones of unknown age are a
minor component. Following Dimitrijević & Dimitri-
ČN22-4 (RAD) jević (1989), this area would represent the most prox-
imal part of the formation, from which the palae-
otransport would indicate a direction from NE to SW,
Red sequences

with the Crmnica fan being the most pronounced.

ČN22-3
Previous reconstructions (e.g. Mirković et al., 1978;
11 m

Dimitrijević & Dimitrijević, 1989) considered that this

area between the Budva and High Karst zones had the
same development during Early and Middle Triassic,
with Crmnica conglomerates being developed in both
ČN22-2 units. However, Krystyn et al. (2019), describing the
ČN22-1 Lower Triassic sediments in the area, consider that
0m
they can only belong to the Budva Zone, because they
are fundamentally different from Lower Triassic de-
Fig. 19. Lithological column of Upper Cretaceous limestones at Čanj posits elsewhere in the High Karst unit (e.g. Aljinović
(Stop 5). Legend same as Fig. 9. Colours indicate the colour of pelagic
limestone (compare Fig. 20A). et al., 2018). This opinion is tentatively accepted in this

Field trip guidebook 51

 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

Fig. 20. Upper Cretaceous pelagic limestone at Čanj. A) Field view of the entire succession as depicted in Fig. 19. The middle white unit with
black “stripes” (dark grey limestone and black replacement chert layers) is 9.5 m thick and may correspond to the Coniacian–Santonian OAE3.
The underlying Bijela Radiolarite Formation (Barremian to Lower Turonian) is covered here by Spartium bushes. B) Transition from red through
purple to white micrite. Close-up of Fig. 20A. C) Transition from white to red micrite. The level of dark grey limestone and chert below the
boundary may correspond to OAE3c subevent. Close-up of Fig. 20A.

guide, placing the Mali Raš section within the upper During the Early Triassic, the areas of the pres-
tectonic subunit of the Budva Zone. Together with col- ent Budva and High Karst zones were the location of
leagues from Austria, M. Đaković is currently revising a uniform sedimentation of red marine sandstones,
the stratigraphy and structural position of the so-called dolomites and marly limestones (Živaljević, 1989).
Anisian flysch that actually comprises several Lower The differentiation of this palaeogeographic realm
and Middle Triassic formations. started in the Anisian with the deposition of lime-
stone conglomerates (the Crmnica Formation) and
Sedimentary evolution of the Budva Basin the mixed carbonate-siliciclastic Tuđemili Formation
and correlation with the High Karst formerly known by the name “Anisian flysch”. These
Carbonate Platform deposits are overlain by volcanic and volcaniclastic
Different localities across the Budva Zone preserve rocks associated with limestone and chert.
Mesozoic carbonate gravity-flow deposits as well as A different opinion on the onset of subsidence
fully pelagic sequences. The correlation among was recently proposed by Krystyn et al. (2019) de-
these successions allows us to make inferences on scribing deeper water facies in the Lower Triassic of
local factors controlling the carbonate supply from the Budva Zone, containing conodonts and ammo-
the adjacent platform, and on regional Tethyan-wide noids (Đaković et al., 2022). These sediments differ
palaeoceanographical conditions affecting pelagic from time equivalent Werfen type deposits that can
sedimentation. be found within the High Karst in Brajići (Antonijević

52 Field trip guidebook

Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

Fig. 21. Lower and Middle Triassic of the Mali Raš section (Stop 6). A) Well-exposed Lower Triassic flyschoid sediments in contact with Middle
Triassic Crmnica conglomerates. B, C) Foraminifera from thin section MR-4/23 taken from a graded calcarenite in the middle part of Lower
Triassic section, showing Gandiella silensis (Dağer) (B) and Hoyanella sinensis (Ho) (C). D) Thick-bedded unsorted Crmnica conglomerates.

Field trip guidebook 53

 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

et al., 1969) or elsewhere in the Dinarides (e.g. Alji- The Budva Basin remained a deep-sea trough
nović et al., 2018). This would imply that the Budva through the entire Mesozoic (Fig. 22). In the Triassic
Basin was already differentiated from the High Karst and Jurassic, the great majority of carbonate mud in
Zone in the Smithian and that Crmnica and the deep-sea sediments was of platform origin. It was not
Tuđemili formations belong exclusively to the Budva until the latest Jurassic that calcareous nannoplank-
Zone (Krystyn et al., 2019). Cherty limestones of ton had their first bloom and not until the early Late
Bithynian age, containing ammonoids and cono- Cretaceous that planktonic foraminifera became an
donts, have also been described from the Budva Zone important component of pelagic limestones. The pro-
(Đaković et al., 2018), representing a deeper water portion of biogenic silica in sediments of deep conti-
facies than the time equivalent rocks of the High nental-margin basins was thus primarily determined
Karst Zone (e.g. Čađenović et al., 2014). by the amount of lime mud shed from the adjacent

Chronostratigraphic chart: NW SE
Cohen et al., 2013
Bijela Gornja Petrovac Čanj
(ICS updated v. 2022/10)
Lastva
System

Age
(Ma) Series Stage

60 Paleocene
Pg

70 Maastrichtian

Campanian Globotruncana
80 limestone
Upper
Santonian
Coniacian
90
Turonian

Cenomanian
Cretaceo u s

100

Albian
110
Bijela
Radiolarite
Aptian
120
Lower
Barremian
130 Hauterivian
Valanginian Praevalis
140 Limestone
Berriasian

Tithonian
150 ERODED
Kimmeridgian
Upper
Oxfordian
160
Lastva
Callovian Radiolarite
Bathonian
Middle
Ju ra ss ic

170 Bajocian
Aalenian

180 Toarcian

Lower Pliensbachian
Bar Limestone
190 Lower Member
Sinemurian
»Passée Jaspeuse«
200 Hettangian

Rhaetian Halobia limestone

LEGEND

shale radiolarite pelagic resedimented carbonates

limestone calcarenite conglomerate breccia

Fig. 22. Chronostratigraphic view of Rhaetian to Campanian lithofacies at excursion stops. The rocks are coloured according to their natural
colour.

54 Field trip guidebook

Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

platforms; this platform/basin correlation is well er slopes, and allowed the accumulation of lime-free
perceived in Mesozoic deposits of the Budva Zone radiolarite (Lastva Radiolarite) distally.
(Fig. 5). A radical change in platform margin architec-
The prominent Rhaetian–Hettangian facies ture took place at the beginning of the Late Jurassic
change from pelagic limestones to carbonate-poor si- with the development of a coral-stromatoporoid reef
liceous deposits is correlated with the facies change complex (Radoičić, 1982). Early cementation welded
on the margin of the High Karst Carbonate Platform, the reef margin into a rigid wave-resistant mass,
where the thick-bedded Upper Triassic Dachstein which efficiently blocked the offshore sediment
limestone with abundant Rhaetian fauna is overlain transport. The Oxfordian–Kimmeridgian time inter-
by medium-bedded Lower Jurassic micritic limestones val was therefore a period of most widely expanded
containing almost exclusively peloids and only rare radiolarite sedimentation. Distal sequences, charac-
foraminifera (Črne & Goričan, 2008). This facies terized by lime-free deposition from the Middle Juras-
change marks the drowning of the southwestern part sic, recorded a drastic reduction of interstratified
of the High Karst Carbonate Platform. The drowning calcarenites.
event on the platform margin was possibly amplified Green radiolarites, wide-spread in the Budva Ba-
by accelerated tectonic subsidence and a sea-level rise. sin before the Oxfordian, were replaced by red radi-
Carbonate production on the platform was re- olarites in Late Jurassic times. This facies change was
stored by the end of the Sinemurian. The margin of diachronous; oxygen depleted conditions persisted
the High Karst Carbonate Platform was a southwest longer in near-platform areas (Fig. 22; Goričan et al.,
dipping ramp with lithiotid limestones in the inner 2022, their fig. 9). The Budva Basin is comparable to
ramp, peloidal packstones in mid-ramp and peloidal the Recent Guaymas Basin, Gulf of California, with
packstones with abundant chert in the outer ramp; the basin sill situated below the core of oxygen mini-
ooid banks formed in the mid-ramp setting in times mum layer (Ingle, 1981). The progressive change to
of warm climate and high sea temperatures, i.e. in more expanded oxygenated conditions through the
the late Early Pliensbachian (Črne, 2009). During the Late Jurassic may have been a result of progressively
Early Toarcian, the platform margin was flooded increasing bottom water circulation or lowered pro-
again; marls and marly limestones accumulated. The ductivity and hence a thinner oxygen minimum layer.
recovery phase from the middle Toarcian to the Aale- In the Late Jurassic, the composition and distri-
nian was marked by deposition of bioclastic lime- butional pattern of resedimented carbonates changed
stone with echinoderm fragments, brachiopods and significantly. Prior to that time, carbonate gravi-
filaments (Črne & Goričan, 2008; Črne, 2009). ty-flow deposits were composed of remobilized pe-
The Early Toarcian flooding corresponds to the lagic sediments and penecontemporaneous platform
boundary between the Lower and the Upper Bar debris. In contrast, since the Tithonian the bulk of
Limestone members. The Upper Member differs the resedimented carbonates were derived from ero-
from the Lower Member by having a higher propor- sion of the lithified shallow water limestones. This
tion of ooids, coarser grain-size, thicker bedding and facies change is related to the evolution from an ex-
fewer associated lime-mudstone beds. Thick, pure tensional to a compressive regime, which, in the ex-
oolitic beds are present. Laterally, it is less extensive ternal zones of the foreland system induced a differ-
than the Lower Member (Fig. 5). The differences in ential uplift of the High Karst Carbonate Platform.
composition and lateral distribution were caused by The uplift is inferred from several charophyte-bear-
a reorganization of the platform margin after the ing horizons and well documented Upper Jurassic
Toarcian. The Pliensbachian low relief carbonate and mid-Cretaceous bauxite deposits (Fig. 5).
ramp with smaller discontinuous oolitic shoals sup- During the Jurassic and Cretaceous, two differ-
plied large volumes of detritus to the relatively gentle ent depositional areas could be recognized along the
slope and to the basin. The Middle Jurassic platform axis of the Budva Basin and, since the Tithonian, the
margin, in contrast, was dominated by oolitic bars discrepancies between the north-western and the
(Radoičić, 1982), which provided the major platform south-eastern areas were more pronounced. Abun-
component displaced to the basin. In addition, they dant coarse-grained resedimented carbonates be-
seem to have trapped and hampered the transport of came restricted to the north-western depositional
lagoonal mud offshore. As a consequence, the gravi- area, whereas in the south-eastern area, pelagic to
ty flows travelled shorter distances, produced steep- hemipelagic carbonates prevailed even in the envi-

Field trip guidebook 55

 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

ronment close to the carbonate platform. These dif- basins of the western Tethys by its higher proportion
ferences along the basin axis correlate well with the of silica in Jurassic and Cretaceous pelagic sedi-
distribution of bauxite deposits, which are limited to ments. In addition, the Cretaceous shifts in car-
only a part of the High Karst Zone NW of Podgorica bonate/silica ratio are not exactly synchronous
(Burić, 1966) and suggest that the tectonic uplift was across different basins; in the Budva Basin, siliceous
more pronounced in the NW than in the SE part of sediments were dominant over longer time inter-
the High Karst Platform. vals. Namely, the Bijela Radiolarite, which extends
Facies changes in distal successions of the Bud- up to the Turonian, is time equivalent of the Scisti a
va Basin reflect regional palaeoceanographic condi- Fucoidi (Aptian–lower Albian) and also of the Scaglia
tions. In the late Tithonian, radiolarian cherts were Bianca (upper Albian–lower Turonian). The high
replaced by pelagic limestones (Praevalis Lime- proportion of biogenic silica clearly shows that the
stone). In the Hauterivian–Barremian, inversely, Budva Basin was connected with the central Neote-
radiolarite sedimentation (Bijela Radiolarite) re- thys, where the high fertility of surface waters ena-
placed pelagic carbonates and persisted to the Turo- bled radiolarite formation from the oceanisation
nian. Metre-scale green levels in the generally red (Anisian or earlier) until the early Late Cretaceous,
Bijela Radiolarite were most probably related to when planktonic foraminifera and calcareous nan-
mid-Cretaceous oceanic anoxic events (Fig. 22). In noplank ton began to dominate worldw ide
the Turonian, pelagic sedimentation returned to car- (Baumgartner, 1987, 2013; De Wever et al., 1994, 2014).
bonate with the Scaglia-type limestone. Comparable
facies changes occur in the Southern Alps and Apen- Acknowledgements
nines. The first is the mid-Tithonian shift from radi- This study was for the most part financed by the Slo-
olarites to the Maiolica (or Biancone) limestone, fol- venian Research Agency, through the program P1-
lowed by a shift to lime-poor and clay-rich Scisti a 0008 Paleontology and Sedimentary Geology. We
Fucoidi (or Scaglia Variegata Alpina), and then a shift thank Maja Martinuš and Tvrtko Korbar for careful
back to limestones of the Scaglia Bianca and Scaglia reading and useful comments which helped improve
Rossa. The Budva Basin, however, differs from other the paper. ■

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Pavić, A. (1970) Marinski paleogen Crne Gore (Paléogène marin Vlahović, I., Tišljar, J., Velić, I. and Matičec, D., (2002) The
du Monténégro). Zavod za geološka istraživanja Crne Karst Dinarides are composed of relics of a single Meso-
Gore, 1–192, 5 figs. in foldouts, 20 pls. zoic platform: facts and consequences. Geol. Croat., 55,
Pessagno, E.A. (1977) Lower Cretaceous radiolarian biostratig- 171–183.
raphy of the Great Valley Sequence and Franciscan Com- Vlahović, I., Tišljar, J., Velić, I. and Matičec, D. (2005) Evolu-
plex, California Coast Ranges. Cushman Foundation for fo- tion of the Adriatic Carbonate Platform: Palaeogeogra-
raminiferal Research, Special Publication 15, 1–87. phy, main events and depositional dynamics. Palaeogeog-
Pessagno, E.A.Jr., Blome, C.D., Carter, E.S., MacLeod, N., raphy, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 220, 333–360.
Whalen, P. and Yeh, K.-Y. (1987) Studies of North Ameri- Williford, K.H., Ward, P.D., Garrison, G.H. and Buick, R.
can Jurassic Radiolaria. Part II. Preliminary radiolarian (2007) An extended organic carbon-isotope record across
zonation for the Jurassic of North America. Cushman the Triassic-Jurassic boundary in the Queen Charlotte Is-
Foundation for foraminiferal Research, Special Publication lands, British Columbia, Canada. Palaeogeogr., Palaeocli-
23, 1–18. matol., Palaeoecol., 244, 290–296.
Petković, K.V. (1956) Yougoslavie. In: Lexique stratigraphique Živaljević, M. (1989) Explanations for Geological Map of SR
international. Centre National de la Recherche Scienti- Montenegro, Scale 1: 200,000 (In Serbo-Croatian, English
fique, Paris, vol. 1 (Europe), no 12a (Yougoslavie), 1–54. summary). Geological Survey of Montenegro, 62 p.

58 Field trip guidebook

Oligocene to Pliocene depositional systems in the southern Panno-
nian Basin and the Dinarides Intramontane Basins

Oleg Mandic, Marijan Kovačić, Nevena Andrić-Tomašević

FIELD TRIP A3
Oligocene to Pliocene depositional systems in the southern
Pannonian Basin and the Dinarides Intramontane Basins

Oleg Mandic1, Marijan Kovačić2, Nevena Andrić-Tomašević3

1
 eological-Paleontological Department, Natural History Museum Vienna, Burgring 7, 1010 Vienna, Austria,
G
[email protected]
2
Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Horvatovac 95, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
3
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Adenauerring 20a, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany

Abstract
The Dinarides fold and thrust belt of Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina is positioned between the foreland Adriatic
and the backarc Pannonian Basin. A gradual switch from contraction to extension during the Late Oligocene resulted in
formation of the first lacustrine intra-mountain basins along the reactivated thrusts in the internal Dinarides. The ex-
tension reached the external Dinarides in the Early Miocene, when the combined effects of tectonic subsidence and the
extended humid and warm climate of the Miocene Climate Optimum initiated the formation of the Dinaride Lake System.
At the same time, the rifting in the Pannonian Basin and the related tectonic collapse of the internal Dinarides culminat-
ed in the Middle Miocene in their marine flooding by the Paratethys Sea.
The present excursion will provide an overview of the Late Oligocene to Pliocene sedimentary evolution on different
structural units along the transect from the southern Pannonian Basin to the external Dinarides. The first day of the
excursion will be dedicated to the southern Pannonian Basin Neogene megasequence in the Slavonian Mountains region
in northeastern Croatia. The second day will continue with the megasequence exposed in the Ugljevik coalpit in north-
eastern Bosnia and overlying the Oligocene lacustrine deposits of the Dinarides Intramontane Basins. In the afternoon
the corresponding Oligocene-Miocene sediments of the Zenica-Sarajevo basin will be introduced. Finally, the third day
will deal with the Miocene-Pliocene successions of the Bugojno and Livno-Tomislavgrad basins in southern Bosnia.

Part 1 – Pannonian Basin al., 2005; Horváth et al., 2015; Matenco & Radivojević,
The Evolution of the Pannonian Basin 2012; Balázs, 2017).
Marijan Kovačić, Tomislav Kurečić, Davor Pavelić, The PB is surrounded by mountain chains of the
Oleg Mandic Alps, Carpathians and Dinarides (Fig 1b). Palaeobioge-
The Pannonian Basin (PB) is a back-arc type of basin ographically, it belongs to the area of Central Parateth-
the formation of which commenced in the Early Mi- ys (Fig. 1b). The Paratethys Sea was an intercontinental
ocene, generated by continental collision and sub- bioprovince, which began to evolve in the Oligocene
duction of the Euroasian Plate beneath the Pannoni- due to the counterclockwise rotation of Africa that
an crustal fragment. Its development is divided into caused the closure of the Tethys Ocean. It extended
two successive phases: the syn-rift and post-rift phas- from the western Molasse Basin in Switzerland and the
es. The syn-rift phase was characterized by the as- Rhone Basin in France towards Lake Aral in Asia. The
thenosphere rising, extensional tectonic thinning of Paratethys is subdivided into Western Paratethys, Cen-
the crust and isostatic subsidence, while the post-rift tral Paratethys and Eastern Paratethys. The Central
phase was marked by basin subsidence due to the Paratethys extended from Bavaria to the Carpathian
cooling of the lithosphere (Royden, 1988; Tari et al., mountain chain (Laskarev, 1924; Steininger & Rögl,
1992). The development was complex and heteroge- 1984; Rögl & Steininger, 1983, 1984; Rögl, 1998, 1999)
neous as reflected in the individual evolution of sev- (Fig. 1). During the Miocene, a connection between the
eral sub-basins, and the different stratigraphic posi- Central Paratethys and the Mediterranean and the In-
tion of the boundary between syn-rift and post-rift do-Pacific Ocean was repeatedly established and then
deposits (e.g. Ebner & Sachsenhofer, 1995; Horváth, disrupted (Steininger et al., 1988; Rögl, 1996, Popov et
1995; Fodor et al., 1999; Tari et al., 1999; Cloetingh et al., 2004; Harzhauser & Piller, 2007; Kováč et al., 2018).

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 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

Fig. 1. A) Location map of the Pannonian Basin. B) Simplified

palaeogeography of the Paratethys Sea during the Early to Middle
Miocene. Map redrawn from Sremac et al. (2022), modified after
Harzhauser et al. (2019), Popov et al. (2004) and Neubauer et al.
(2015).

Marine transgressions, especially during the

Early Miocene, did not flood the entire basin. There- Fig. 2. Correlation of the Central Paratethys stratigraphic scheme
(Piller et al., 2007, updated after Mandic et al., 2015, 2019) to the
fore, the basement was disconformably covered by International Geological Time Scale (Cohen et al. 2013, updated
deposits of different ages, ranging from the Early to 2022/10).

the Late Miocene, formed in marine, brackish and

fresh-water environments, while some parts of the Dinarides fold-and-thrust belt (Fig. 3). NCB-NNB rep-
basin were characterized by temporary emersions. resent an elongate, rift-type basin formed by passive
The final isolation of Central Paratethys commenced continental rifting that commenced in the Early Mio-
some 11.6 Ma ago (Magyar et al., 1999; Piller et al., cene when normal listric faulting generated S-ward
2007). The geodynamic nature of Central Paratethyan backstepping of the fault escarpment, and extension
evolution and the occurrences of endemic faunas of the basin (Pavelić, 2001). The extensional tectonics
have necessitated the establishment of regional Mio- formed four half-grabens as elongated sub-basins
cene stages (Fig. 2). that were the main depocenters: the Drava Depres-
sion, the Bjelovar-Požega Depression, the Sava De-
The Evolution of the North Croatian and pression, and the Karlovac Depression (Fig. 1a)
North Bosnian Basins (Pavelić, 2001).
Marijan Kovačić, Tomislav Kurečić, Davor Pavelić, Two phases of basin evolution that formed a
Oleg Mandic large-scale transgressive-regressive cycle are distin-
The Neogene North Croatian Basin (NCB) is situated guished: the syn-rift phase, which lasted from the
in the southwestern part of the Pannonian Basin (PB), Ottnangian to the middle Badenian, and the late Bad-
and except for its northwesternmost segment, geo- enian to Quaternary post-rift phase (Pavelić, 2001;
graphically covers the entire area of Pannonian Cro- Pavelić & Kovačić, 2018). The syn-rift phase was char-
atia (Figs 1a and 3). Southwards, the NCB segues to the acterized by depositional environments that changed
Northern Bosnian Basin (NBB) where the southern from continental to marine environments (Fig. 4). The
margin of the Pannonian Basin is delineated by the environments were strongly controlled by listric nor-

62 Field trip guidebook

Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

Fig. 3. The North Croatian Basin. The main depocenters and faults are indicated (partly modified after Pavelić & Kovačić, 2018).

mal faulting, rotation of hanging wall blocks, alterna- that caused basin inversions and structural block up-
tion of arid to humid climatic changes, increasing lift (Jamičić, 1995; Márton et al., 1999, 2002; Pavelić,
volcanic activity, and marine transgressions and re- 2001; Tomljenović & Csontos, 2001; Pavelić et al., 2003;
gressions as consequences of eustasy. The post-rift Saftić et al., 2003; Ustaszewski et al., 2014; van Gelder
phase was characterized by a shift from marine to et al., 2015; Pavelić & Kovačić, 2018). The consequence
continental depositional environments, rapidly de- of the specific evolution of the NCB is the modern
creasing volcanism, and two compressional phases structural pattern characterized by WNW-ESE, elon-
gated and tectonically subsided zones with a maxi-
mum thickness of the Ng-Q basin fill of about 7000 m
in the Drava Depression (Saftić et al., 2003; Sebe et al.,
2020) (Fig. 3).
Deposition within the NCB commenced in the
Early Miocene with terrestrial sedimentary environ-
ments which were under the strong influence of cy-
clic shifts between arid and humid climate condi-
tions. Alluvial sediments were deposited over an
unconformity above basement rocks of the NCB, and
are in places interlayered with pyroclastics and loess
deposits, while sediments deposited in a salina type
lake have also been documented (Figs. 4 and 5) (Man-
dic et al., 2015; Pavelić et al., 2015; Kovačić & Pavelić,
2017; Pavelić & Kovačić, 2018; Brlek et al., 2020, 2023;
Pavelić et al., 2022). A fossil assemblage from the
marginal parts of the NCB indicates deposition in
terrestrial, freshwater or brackish lacustrine envi-
ronments without any marine connection until 14.5
Ma, i.e. the middle Badenian, when they were final-
ly inundated (Ćorić et al., 2009; Marković et al., 2021).
The central parts of the NCB became a part of the
Central Paratethys Sea in the early Badenian (Brlek
Fig. 4. A sedimentological and stratigraphic scheme of the North et al., 2020; Kopecká et al., 2022) or tentatively, as ear-
Croatian Basin (from Kovačić and Pavelić, 2017; Pavelić and Kovačić,
2018; partly modified). ly as the Karpatian (Premec Fuček et al., 2023).

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 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

Fig. 5. A geological sketch map of the Slavonian Mountains located in the eastern part of the NCB (after Hrvatski geološki institut, 2009,
modified after Kovačić & Pavelić, 2017).

The marine phase of the NCB spans the Badeni- tions of strongly reduced volcanic activity and weak-
an and Sarmatian time period, during which the ening connections between the CP and surrounding
area represented the southwestern marginal seg- marine realms (Fig. 4). Gradual isolation of the CP
ment of the Central Paratethys (CP) (Pavelić & and a reduction in water salinity led to an extinction
Kovačić, 2018; Kopecká et al., 2022). During the Bad- of stenohaline marine organisms at the Badenian/
enian, diverse pelitic, carbonate and carbonate-clas- Sarmatian boundary, and allowed the development
tic sediments with pyroclastic interlayers were de- of a new community adapted to the life in a marine
posited continuously onto lacustrine deposits or environment of reduced salinity (Vrsaljko et al.,
above an unconformity, covering various basement 2006; Pezelj et al., 2016; Galović, 2020).
rocks (Vrsaljko et al., 2006; Brlek et al., 2018; Pavelić The continuing trend of Central Paratethys iso-
& Kovačić, 2018). Following the late Badenian trans- lation led to the complete isolation of the PB from the
gression, which marks the peak of the transgressive surrounding marine realms, the termination of ma-
cycle in the NCB, a general regressive sedimentary rine sedimentation and the formation of the brackish
succession began. Within it, different Sarmatian Lake Pannon (Magyar et al., 1999; Magyar, 2021). In
clastic and carbonate sediments were deposited over the newly formed lake, a stratigraphically ambiguous
the upper Badenian carbonate sediments in condi- endemic community of organisms developed. This

64 Field trip guidebook

Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

circumstance, together with a lack of pyroclastics, (Fig. 5). Their stratigraphic position is indicated on
has caused problems in the subdivision of the thick the stratigraphic scheme of the North Croatian Basin
succession of the Upper Miocene lacustrine deposits in Fig. 4.
in the NCB area, and their correlation with neigh-
bouring regions (Fig. 2). The deposition of the Upper Stop 1. POLJANSKA
Miocene lacustrine sediments in the NCB is charac- Marijan Kovačić & Davor Pavelić
terized by a transgressive-regressive cycle. In the Locality: Poljanska
older, transgressive part of the cycle, limestones pre- WGS84 coordinates: 45.454008° N, 17.569245° E
dominate (Fig. 4). These deposits are overlain by Age: Burdigalian-Langhian; Karpatian-(?)Early Badenian
marly sediments with rare interlayers of sand and
gravel while the younger, regressive part of the cycle, Description of the section
is characterized by deposition of sandy-silty clastic The investigated Poljanska section is situated in an
detritus supplied into the lake by deltaic systems active quarry located west of the village of Poljanska
(Pavelić & Kovačić, 2018). These systems prograded on the south-western slopes of Mt. Papuk (Figs. 5 & 6).
into the area of the NCB from the north and the A 38 m thick depositional succession is com-
northwest that generated a gradual shallowing of the posed of well-bedded mixed, carbonate-siliciclastic
lake and final infilling (Kovačić et al., 2004; Sebe et deposits with pyroclastics (Fig. 7). Four facies are
al., 2020). Notably, before the end of the Miocene the distinguished: tuffites (F1), marls (F2), dolomites and
north and northwest part of the NCB were trans- dolomitic analcimolites (F3), sandstones (F4).
formed into an alluvial plain (Sebe et al., 2020). In the Tuffites (F1) only occur in the lowest part of the
southeastern part of the basin Lake Pannon persisted section where they intercalate with marls and dolo-
into the early Pliocene, when it was replaced by the mites (Fig. 7). They form 5-30 cm thick horizontal
freshwater Lake Slavonia. Within it, from the middle beds composed of altered vitroclasts, feldspar crys-
Pliocene to the Early Pleistocene, a variety of clastic taloclasts, carbonate minerals, analcime, and detri-
sediments were deposited, previously known as the tal grains of quartz, lithic fragments, feldspar, chlo-
Viviparus beds, which have been found to represent rite, amphibole and mica (Fig. 8).
a new independent phase of the development of the Marls (F2) are present only in the lowest part of
basin, and have accordingly been defined as the new- the section where they occur in association with
ly proposed regional Cernikian stage (Mandic et al., tuffites and dolomites (Figs 7 and 8a, b). They are
2015). Since the Early Pleistocene, the entire area of thin-bedded and horizontally laminated. The marls
the NCB was once again represented by terrestrial consist of cryptocrystalline to microcrystalline cal-
sedimentary environments. cite, analcime, muscovite, feldspars and smectite and
A detailed description of the sedimentological contain fragments of carbonized terrestrial plant
features and stratigraphy of the NCB is presented in detritus (Fig. 8c).
the review article by Pavelić & Kovačić (2018). Dolomites and dolomitic analcimolites (F3) are
cumulatively the thickest facies in the section, and
are intercalated with tuffites, marls and sandstones
EXCURSION STOPS
(Fig. 7). They are well bedded, frequently horizontal-
1st day – NORTH CROATIAN BASIN ly laminated (Fig. 9a, b). Small fragments of carbon-
The excursion points are located in the eastern part ized terrestrial flora are dispersed within the facies.
of the NCB in the area of the Slavonian Mountains Massive dolomites and dolomitic analcimolites are

Fig. 6. Panorama photograph of the Poljanska quarry (photo by M. Kovačić).

Field trip guidebook 65

 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

composed of cryptocrystalline dolomite or hydrous

Ca-bearing magnesium carbonate (HCMC), and ho-
mogenously dispersed microcrystalline and cryp-
tocrystalline analcime with lenses of pyrite, while
laminated dolomites and dolomitic analcimolites are
characterized by the alternation of dolomite- and
analcime-rich laminae (Figs. 9c, d & 10). Natrolite,
another zeolite group mineral characteristic of closed
lake deposits, is present as a minor constituent in the
sample with the highest analcime content. Car-
bonates are represented by dolomite, Fe-dolomite or
ankerite and hydrous Ca-bearing magnesium car-
bonate (HCMC) (Fig. 10).
Sandstones (F4) occur only in the upper part of
the section where they intercalate with dolomite beds
(Fig. 7). They are horizontally bedded. The bed usu-
ally varies between 1 and 15 cm in thickness, but
thicker sandstone beds occur in two horizons (Figs.
7 & 11a). The sandstones are coarse-grained, poorly
sorted and structureless (Fig. 11b). The lower and up-
per bedding planes of the thick sandstone beds are
sharp and non-erosive. The carbonized terrestrial
Fig. 7. The stratigraphic section at the Poljanska quarry showing
intercalations of the late Early Miocene pyroclastics, carbonates and vegetation content of the sandstones significantly
siliciclastics, lake type interpretation, facies association and general increases upwards. Accumulations of small bivalves
climate (from Pavelić et al., 2022, partly modified).

Fig. 8. Tuffites (F1) and

marls (F2). A) Intercala-
tion of bedded tuffites
and marls in the lower
part of the Poljanska
section. Tuffite beds
are up to 30 cm thick,
while marls show thin-
ner beds. Hammer
is 32 cm long. B) A
brownish tuffite bed in
the middle of the photo
is underlain and over-
lain by greyish marls.
Pen is 14 cm long. C)
Fragments of carbon-
ized terrestrial plant
detritus in marl. D, E)
Photomicrographs of
tuffite composed of
analcime, altered vit-
roclasts, clastic detri-
tus and dolomite (D –
plane polarised light, E
– crossed polars) (from
Pavelić et al., 2022).

66 Field trip guidebook

Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

Fig. 9. Dolomites and dolomitic analcimolites (F3). A) Horizontally bedded and laminated dolomites. The lamination is irregular in places. Hammer
head is 14 cm long. B) Completely deformed horizontal lamination in dolomites, probably caused by seismic shocks. C, D) Photomicrographs
of horizontally laminated dolomite with analcime and organic matter (C – plane polarised light, D – crossed polars) (from Pavelić et al., 2022).

precipitated directly from the water body and accu-

mulated in a very shallow zone up to a few metres
deep in the lake, as a result of a change in the water
supply to the lake, probably due to minor atmospher-
ic humidity changes. Thinner sandstone beds were
probably deposited from sustained high-density tur-
bidity currents as a consequence of sliding of previ-
ously deposited sand in the shallower lake, or by un-
derflows (hyperpycnal flows) that were emanating
Fig. 10. Typical XRD pattern (CuKα radiation) of sample from F3
facies containing dolomite (D), HCMC (H), analcime (A), feldspars from delta channels during periods of fluvial flood-
(plagioclase and K-feldspar, F), mica (M) and chlorite, and pyrite as ing on land. Thicker sandstone beds indicate resedi-
minor constituents (from Pavelić et al., 2022).
mented deposits of a grain flow type. Both types of
sandstone suggest deposition in a relatively deeper
were observed on the upper surfaces of the sand- part of the lake.
stones (Fig. 11c). The modal composition of the sand-
stone is dominated by detrital quartz grains together The vertical facies and lake-type change
with fragments of metamorphic and granitoid base- In the vertical succession of the Poljanska section,
ment rocks (Fig. 11d, e). two main facies associations (Fig. 7) are distin-
According to Pavelić et al. (2022) the tuffites (F1) guished. Facies association A occupies the lower part
formed by the mixing of pyroclastic material, gener- of the section. It is represented by tuffites, marls and
ated by explosive volcanic activity, and clastic mate- dolomites. Facies association B is composed of mixed
rial, derived by erosion of locally uplifted basement carbonate-siliciclastic deposits and occupies the up-
rocks, and were deposited within the shallow lake per part of the section. The facies change enables
deposits as indicated by their association with marls three stages of the Early-Middle Miocene continental
and dolomites. Marls (F2) were probably deposited evolution in the NCB (Fig. 12) to be distinguished.
from suspension in a calm lacustrine environment Marls of the lowest portion of facies association
under a terrestrial influence as indicated by the clay A were deposited in a shallow, marginal zone of an
content and presence of plant fragments. The early isolated closed lake, while the presence of tuffite
diagenetic calcium-rich dolomite (F3) was probably beds indicates strong synsedimentary explosive vol-

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 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

Fig. 11. Sandstones (F4). A) The upper part of the section that shows the intercalation of dolomites and sandstones. In the lower left part of the
photo note the brownish gravelly sandstone bed, 100 cm in thickness, deposited by grain flow. B) Dispersed sub-angular to rounded pebbles
up to 3 cm in diameter occur in the structureless sandstone bed. C) Small bivalves with fragments of terrestrial plant detritus occur on the upper
surfaces of sandstones. Coin is 20 mm in diameter. D, E) poorly sorted lithic arenite sandstone predominantly composed of angular and sub
angular quartz grains and metamorphic rock fragments (D – plane polarised light, E – crossed polars) (from Pavelić et al., 2022).

canism. As the volcanism abruptly decreased, the the generally arid climate controls on the evolution
environment was dominated by a dolomite accumu- of the closed lake, which together with alluvial depos-
lation, indicating the evolution of a shallow closed its and desert loess (Pavelić & Kovačić, 1999; Pavelić
carbonate-dominated lake. The presence of desicca- et al., 2001, 2016; Mandic et al., 2012) represents Stage
tion cracks in some dolomite beds (Šćavnićar et al., 1 of the Early-Middle Miocene continental evolution
1983) suggest temporary emersion indicating water in the NCB (Fig. 12).
level oscillations, probably due to minor atmospher- The sandstones of facies B association (Fig. 7),
ic humidity changes. The presence of analcime in the were deposited by gravity flows in the offshore zone
whole dolomite unit proves weak volcanic activity, of an open lake. They indicate an increasing terres-
while the clay component and dispersed terrestrial trial sediment supply, deepening of the lake and ex-
floral remnants in both the marls and dolomites sug- tension of its surface, probably due to a change to a
gest a weak terrestrial influence during deposition of more humid climate. The intercalation of dolomites
the facies A association. These characteristics reflect and sandstones probably suggests cyclical variations

68 Field trip guidebook

Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

no et al., 2008, 2009; Mandic et al., 2009; de Leeuw et

al., 2012; Sant et al., 2018). However, there are also
Dinaridic lacustrine basins, more distal to the Adri-
atic Sea, i. e. in northern Bosnia and central Serbia,
that indicate periods of a significantly arid climate in
the Early Miocene (Obradović et al., 1997; Šajnović et
al., 2020; Andrić-Tomašević et al., 2021). Their depos-
Fig. 12. Depositional environments and continental stages of the its partly correlate with the deposits at the Poljanska
North Croatian Basin related to the Miocene Climatic Optimum (MCO, section and are associated with alluvial red beds in
Holbourn et al., 2014). Open lake data after Pavelić et al. (1998) and
Ćorić et al. (2009). For chronostratigraphy see Fig. 4. (from Pavelić places. In the lower part of the Poljanska section, a
et al., 2022). thick homogenous dolomitic unit was deposited in
the relatively shallow closed lake that was not affect-
in lake hydrology as a consequence of the alternation ed by any significant terrestrial sediment supply,
of relatively short arid and humid climatic intervals suggesting the lack of fluvial erosion and flooding on
that had controls on the deposition. In such a sedi- land and feeding of the lake with siliciclastics, prob-
mentary style, the onset of siliciclastic deposition ably due to a relatively long period of the prevailing
after a relatively long period of the carbonate depo- arid climate in the late Early Miocene (Fig. 12). This
sition probably indicates a change of lake type, i.e. is correlative with similar deposits and the deposi-
the transition of a closed to an open lake as a result tional style of the early Miocene closed lakes in
of the change of the arid climate into a more humid northern Bosnia and central Serbia. In a palaeogeo-
one. The changed depositional style reflects a mixed graphic sense, this correlation, together with the con-
carbonate/clastic lacustrine deposition, and Stage 2 temporaneous alluvial red beds and desert loess,
of the Early-Middle Miocene continental evolution in indicates the existence of an Early Miocene Arid Zone
the NCB (Fig. 12). Deposits of the facies B association, (EMAZ) in the southern PB – northern Bosnia – cen-
that belong to the late Early Miocene (Karpatian), are tral Serbia, that was confined by a more humid cli-
overlain by several tens of metres of early Middle Mi- mate in Central Europe, and by areas in relative prox-
ocene (early Badenian) deposits, a succession com- imity to the Adriatic Sea (Fig. 13). The Early Miocene
posed of siltstones that are sporadically tuffaceous, climatic distribution in the Dinarides was attributed
and sandstones indicative of the deep open lake. So, to the assumed orographic rain shadow effect gener-
deposits of facies association B probably represent ated by the tectonically uplifted Dinaridic orogen
the general depositional transition from the closed (Andrić-Tomašević et al., 2021).
lake to the relatively long-lived, mostly open lake at These morphological and climatic characteris-
the Early/Middle Miocene boundary (eg. Hajek-Ta- tics might have affected the PSL, as the lake evolved
desse et al., 2009; Pavelić & Kovačić, 2018; Mandic et
al., 2019a) (Fig. 12). The early Middle Miocene open
lake deposition was clastics-dominated and repre-
sents Stage 3 of the Early-Middle Miocene continental
evolution in the NCB (Fig. 12).
The change of the lake type at the onset of the
second stage of the Early-Middle Miocene continental
evolution occurred in the middle of the Miocene Cli-
matic Optimum (MCO), which was generally charac-
terized by a period of global warming (Zachos et al.,
2001; Holbourn et al., 2014). In Central Europe the
climate was also characterized by an increase in pre-
cipitation and humidity (eg. Böhme et al., 2011; Kováč
et al., 2017; Hudáčková et al., 2020; Dolákova et al.,
2021). In the Early Miocene, the prevailing humid cli- Fig. 13. The tentative modern position of the late Early Miocene Arid
Zone (EMAZ) in South-Eastern Europe, based on the occurrence
mate also partially controlled the evolution of in- of alluvial red beds, desert loess and closed lake deposits. PSL
tramountain lacustrine basins in the Dinarides that – Poljanska salina lake locality. Irregular reddish spots represent
localities of the surface occurrences of alluvial red beds (from Pavelić
are relatively close to the Adriatic Sea (Jiménez-More- et al., 2022).

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 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

relatively close to the Dinarides. Gradually, the Pol- last twenty years the depositional succession at Buk-
janska section deposits were overlain by early Middle ova Glava hill has been described by Pavelić et al.
Miocene strata, characterized by siliciclastic deposits (2003), Zečević et al. (2010) and Kovačić et al. (2017a),
of a long-lived, extensive and deep, mostly open lake. but due to intensive exploitation, the visage of the
Deposition in the open lake, together with the in- profile is constantly changing. Today, it is an approx-
crease in the organic matter content, indicates fre- imately 300 metres wide and more than 120 metres
quent high levels of precipitation and the prevalence high quarry (Fig. 14).
of a generally humid climate in the early Middle Mi-
ocene. The climate change to a more humid one could Description of the section
be a result of the absence of a rain shadow effect due In a 100 m thick depositional succession the fossilif-
to denudation of the assumed orographic rain shad- erous carbonate rocks of the Middle Miocene age
ow zone generated by the tectonically uplifted Di- dominate, but many thin layers of pyroclastic sedi-
naridic orogene. The climate is correlative with the ments were also noted in the middle and upper parts
early Middle Miocene regional climate characteris- of the section (Fig. 15). The deposits are divided into
tics of Central and South-Eastern Europe. This indi- four main lithofacies: algal limestones (F1), biocal-
cates severe climatic perturbations that affected the carenites and biocalcirudites (F2), marls (F3) and py-
southern PB in the beginning of the Middle Miocene. roclastics (F4).
The algal limestones (F1) are located in the lower
Stop 2. BUKOVA GLAVA – Middle Miocene part of the section in a unit about 20 m thick (Fig. 15).
marine deposits with pyroclastics They are horizontally bedded and dominantly com-
Marijan Kovačić, Frane Marković, Stella Šušnjar, posed of whole or fragmented Corallinaceae (Fig.
Patricija Keča & Iva Olić 16a). Other biogenic particles include molluscs, bry-
Locality: Bukova Glava, Našice ozoans and benthic foraminifera. The faunal associ-
WGS84 coordinates: 45.448604° N, 18.032244° E ation suggests a shallow-water marine depositional
Age: Serravallian, Middle Miocene; Late Badenian– environment and the existence of small reefs and
Sarmatian banks growing in a shallow sea without any supply of
terrestrial siliciclastic detritus, similar to a small-
The description of the locality is taken from Kovačić et al. scale carbonate platform that belonged to an archi-
(2017a), partially modified and updated with new data pelago (Pavelić & Kovačić, 2018).
on pyroclastics. Biocalcarenites and biocalcirudites (F2) are hori-
zontally bedded to structureless, and mostly concen-
Introduction trated in the middle and upper parts of the section
The Bukova Glava section is located at Bukova Glava (Fig. 15). They appear in one of two forms; either units
hill on the northern slopes of Mt. Krndija, in the vi- up to 20 m thick units or several thin layers interca-
cinity of the town of Našice (Fig. 5). The section is lated with marls (Fig. 16b). The thin layers usually
situated in the southern part of a large active quarry show normal grading. Densely packed bioclasts most-
for cement production by „Našicecement d.d.“. In the ly represent fragments of Corallinaceae, bryozoans

Fig. 14. Panoramic view of the quarry at Bukova Glava hill. The Middle Miocene marine deposits are exposed on the surface (photo by M.
Kovačić).

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and benthic foraminifera. They were very probably

products of the erosion of algal banks and small reefs,
material reworked by waves and storms. Thick units
of biocalcarenites and biocalcirudites, according to
the foraminiferal assemblage, were deposited in a
shallow sea, while the thin beds intercalated with
marls could have been deposited by gravity flows in a
deeper, offshore environment. The position of the
lower thick unit in the upper part of the Badenian suc-
cession, and the upper thick unit in the lower part of
the Sarmatian succession suggests a sea-level fall at
the end of the Late Badenian, subsequent erosion of
the Upper Badenian shallow-water sediments, and
reworking in the Early Sarmatian (Pavelić et al., 2003).
The marls (F3) form beds or units from a few dm
up to 7 m thick. They have been detected in the lower
part of the section, but are mostly concentrated in the
middle and upper parts (Fig. 15). In the lower part, the
marls are massive, rarely horizontally laminated,
while in the middle and upper parts they are distinctly
horizontally laminated (Fig. 16c, d). According to their
fossil assemblage, the marls from the lower half of the
section are of Late Badenian age, while those from the
upper half belong to the Sarmatian (Fig. 16f). The marls
from the bottom part of the section containing only
small benthic taxa (Elphidium, Cibicides) are deposited
in a shallow marine environment. The gradual in-
crease of planktonic individuals, comprising up to 90%
of the material and the presence of some deep-water
benthic forms in the marls from the middle part of the
section, indicate deposition in a deeper offshore envi-
ronment. The very low number of planktonic fo-
raminifera, and the presence of small benthic forms
in the marls from the middle part of the section indi-
cate the shallowing trend at the end of the Badenian.
The shallow environment was also present during the
onset of the Sarmatian (Kovačić et al., 2017a).
The tuff layers (F4) are 2–30 cm thick (Fig. 15).
They are noted in the middle and upper part of the sec-
tion and represent pure volcanic material, subsequent-
ly altered into bentonite clay (Fig. 16e). Mineralogical
analyses have shown that tuff layers mainly consist of
clay minerals i. e. montmorillonite and beidellite (Fig.
17a) which are alteration products of volcanic glass de-
vitrification in a marine environment. Partly devitri-
fied volcanic glass particles are also present as well as
typical volcanogenic minerals: biotite, apatite, sani-
dine, tridymite and zircon but also gypsum, barite and
jarosite as secondary alteration products. According to
the results of geochemical analyses, most of the tuffs
Fig. 15. Geological column of the Bukova Glava section (partly
modified after Pavelić et al., 2003. and Kovačić et al., 2017a). have been classified as dacite/rhyolite (Fig. 17b).

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 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

Fig. 16. Typical lithofacies in the Bukova Glava section. A) The algal limestones (F1) from the lower part of the section dominantly composed of
whole or fragmented Corallinaceae. B) Horizontally bedded biocalcarenites (F2) from the middle part of the section. Densely packed bioclasts
mostly representing fragments of Corallinaceae, bryozoans and benthic foraminifera. C) Upper Badenian structureless marl (F3) from the bottom
part of the section. D) Horizontally laminated marl (F3) of Sarmatian age from the upper part of the section; E) Altered tuff layer (F4) from the
middle part of the section. F) The position of the contact between the Badenian and Sarmatian deposits marked by black line in the middle
part of the Bukova Glava section.

Fig. 17. A) Diffractogram of the < 2 µm fraction of altered tuff sample

from the middle part of the Bukova Glava section after various
treatments (AD – air dried; EG – treated with ethylene glycol; 400 –
heated at 400°C; 550 – heated at 550°C). B) Classification diagram
for some of the analysed tuffs according to (Hastie et al. 2007).

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Stop 3. VRANOVIĆ – Disintegration of the

Central Paratethys and the origin of Lake
Pannon
Marijan Kovačić & Frane Marković

Locality: Vranović, Našice

WGS84 coordinates: 45.451760° N, 18.029569° E
Age: Serravallian-Tortonian, Middle-Late Miocene
(Sarmatian-Early Pannonian)

The description of the locality is partially modified from

Kovačić et al. (2017b), and updated with new data on
pyroclastics.

Introduction
The Vranović section is situated in the active quarry
near the town of Našice on the northern slopes of Mt.
Krndija, 200 m north of the Bukova Glava section (Fig.
5). Due to intensive exploitation, the exposure in the
quarry is constantly changing. At present, at Vranović,
a section around 100 metres thick, comprising the
youngest Middle Miocene (Sarmatian) and oldest Upper
Miocene (Pannonian) deposits is exposed (Fig. 18). De-
posits at this location were also described earlier by
Pavelić et al. (2003), Vasilijev et al. (2007) and Kovačić et
al. (2015).

Sarmatian interval
The Sarmatian deposits exposed at the surface in the
lower part of the section are about 20 metres thick. They
are represented by horizontally laminated fossiliferous
marl, limestone, sand and clay (Fig. 19). The marls pre-
dominate in the succession. They consist of varve-like
rhythmical alternations of dark and light laminae with Fig. 19. Geological column of the Sarmatian and Pannonian deposits
thin lenses of carbonate sand (Fig. 20a, b). The dark at the Vranović section (modified after Kovačić et al., 2017b).

Fig. 18. Panoramic view of the Vranović section with the marked Sarmatian-Pannonian boundary (photo by M. Kovačić).

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 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

Fig. 20. Photographs showing details of different Sarmatian (A, B, C) and Pannonian (E, F)), sedimentary facies of the Vranović section.
A) Horizontally laminated marl with rhythmic alternation of dark, organic matter rich laminae and carbonate rich, light laminae typical of the
Sarmatian. B) Horizontally laminated marls with a carbonate sand lens. C) Altered tuff layer. D) The boundary between Central Paratethys
marine deposits of Sarmatian age and the brackish Lake Pannon deposits of Pannonian age. E) Platy limestone from the lower part of the
Pannonian succession. F) The intercalation of platy limestones and calcite rich marls characteristic for the transitional zone from the lower part
of the Pannonian part of the section (from Kovačić et al., 2017b).

Fig. 21. The fossil assemblage from the lower part of the Vranović section which documents the Sarmatian age and a shallow, restricted marine
depositional environment. A) Replidacna politioanei (Jekelius, 1944). B, C) Ervilia dissita dissita (Eichwald, 1830). D) Cymatiosphaera miocaenica
Sutő-Szentai, 1982. E) Cymatiosphaera undulata Sutő-Szentai. F) Mecsekia spinosa Hajos, 1966. G) Sphenolithus moriformis (Bronnimann &
Stradner, 1960) Bramlette & Wilcoxon, 1967. H) Discoasphaera jerkovici Muller, 1974. I) Acanthoica cohenii (Jerković, 1971) Aubry, 1999. J, K,
L) Elphidium foraminiferal assemblage (from Kovačić et al., 2015).

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laminae contain an increased amount of organic mat- Sarmatian – Pannonian transition

ter, while the light laminae are rich in carbonates. The The Sarmatian-Pannonian transition is characterized
marls were deposited from suspension, while the varve- by a gradual change in the lithology and an abrupt
like lamination suggests seasonal changes in sedimen- change in the fossil assemblage. Namely, the five me-
tation. The fossil assemblage of molluscs, benthic fo- tre thick horizontally laminated marls, characteristic
raminifera, ostracods, calcareous nannoplankton and for the upper part of the Middle Miocene, are interca-
palynomorphs indicates both the Sarmatian age and a lated with the platy limestone typical for the lower
shallow restricted marine depositional environment part of the Late Miocene (Fig 19). In contrast, between
(Fig. 19, Fig. 21). The limestone beds are 2–5 cm thick the marls with a typical Sarmatian fossil assemblage
and consist of micrite and microsparite. A 10–20 cm and limestones containing a mollusc fauna of early
thick layer of green coloured montmorillonite clay is Pannonian age, a fossil-sterile layer, only a few deci-
detected 8 m below the abrupt lithological change from metres thick can be seen (Fig. 20d). Such an abrupt
laminated marls to thin layered limestone (Fig. 20c). change in the fossil assemblage points to the disinte-
This clay layer is an alteration product of intermediate gration of the marine area of the Central Paratethys
volcanic ash. According to the microelements content, and the formation of the brackish Lake Pannon.
it has a tephryphonolic composition (Kovačić et al.,
2015). It represents the first recorded evidence of vol- Pannonian interval
canic activity close to the Sarmatian-Pannonian bound- The exposed succession of Pannonian deposits is
ary in the Slavonian Mts. 40Ar/39Ar dating on glass about 80 m thick (Fig. 19). The lower part of this suc-
fragments indicated an age of 12 Ma. Even though radi- cession consists of horizontally bedded marly lime-
oisotope dating result is inconclusive; it’s in accordance stones and massive calcite rich marls (Fig. 20e). The
with biostratigraphic data. thickness of the limestone beds varies between sev-

Fig. 22. The fossil assemblage of the middle and upper part of the Vranović section. A) Radix croatica (Gorjanović-Kramberger, 1890).
B) Gyraulus praeponticus (Gorjanović-Kramberger, 1890). C) Congeria banatica Hörnes, 1875. D) monospheric assemblage of calcareous
nannoplankton with Noelaerhabdus spp. E) Spiniferites bentorii (Rossignol 1964) Wall & Dale, 1970. F) Mecsekia ultima Sütő-Szentai, 1982. G)
Hungarocypris auriculata (Reuss). H) Candona postsarmatica Krstić. I) Loxoconcha porosa (Mehes). Congeria banatica (C) found in the upper
part of the section indicates a deep-water lacustrine environment and represents the Banatica beds. Other fossils are from the middle part of
the section. They are typical of the oldest Late Miocene Croatica beds and indicate a shallow brackish to freshwater lacustrine depositional
environment (from Kovačić et al., 2015).

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 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

eral and 30 cm, while the thickness of the marl layers This region represents the marginal area of the
varies from a few decimetres to a few metres (Fig. southern Pannonian Basin towards the Internal Di-
20f). The limestones and marls contain plant frag- narides. There, the Oligocene lacustrine, coal bear-
ments and an association of endemic, lacustrine mol- ing deposits of the intramontane Ugljevik Basin are
luscs, ostracods, calcareous nannoplankton and pal- overlain by the Middle Miocene marine deposits of
ynomorphs (Fig. 22), typical of the Croatica beds, that the Pannonian Basin (Fig. 23B).
imply deposition at the littoral-sublittoral depth of
Lake Pannon characterized by very low water salin- Stop 4. UGLJEVIK – from the Oligocene
ity. The transition from the Croatica beds to the Ba- Dinarides palaeolake to the Middle
natica beds is gradual and characterized by a litho- Miocene Paratethys Sea
logical transition from limestone into marls. The Locality: Coalmine Bogutovo Selo S of Ugljevik
maximum thickness of the Banatica beds is a few WGS84 coordinates: 44.674756° N, 18.983807° E
hundred metres (Kovačić, 2004), but only the lowest Age: Chattian, Late Oligocene (Egerian); Langhian-
50 metres are exposed at the Vranović section. Ac- Serravallian, Middle Miocene (Badenian to Sarmatian)
cording to their fauna, the Banatica beds (Fig. 22c)
were deposited in a sublittoral to profundal brack- The description of the locality is adapted and updated
ish-water, lacustrine environment. The vertical suc- from Mandic et al. (2019b)
cession and the replacement of the Radix croatica
fossil assemblage typical of the Croatica beds with the The Ugljevik section (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Congeria banatica assemblage characteristic of the represents the southernmost part of the Central Pa-
Banatica beds, indicates an upward deepening and ratethys (Figs 1B and 23A-B). The quarry section is
increasing salinity trend, from an almost freshwater unique, because it is the only continuous outcrop
littoral environment to a deeper-basin brackish-la- from the Central Paratethys that covers the Badenian
custrine environment. marine flooding, the Mi-3b induced sea-level low-
stand and the BSEE (Pezelj et al., 2013). Such a contin-
2nd day, morning – NORTH BOSNIAN BASIN uous succession has previously only been available
The excursion points are located in the eastern part from a drill core (Báldi, 2006), therfore this section
of the NBB in northeastern Bosnia and Herzegovina. provides an exceptional opportunity to study the pal-

Fig. 23. Regional geological setting of the Ugljevik area. A) Geographic position of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Europe. B) Geotectonic setting
of the Pannonian Basin (modified after Schmid et al., 2008). C) Geological map (modified after Geological map of former Yugoslavia, M 1:
500,000) with indicated position of the Ugljevik coal mine.

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Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

aeoenvironmental changes during the Badenian in carbonates are in turn overlain by Palaeocene to Up-
the southern part of the Central Paratethys Sea. We per Eocene deposits composed of corallinacean lime-
carried out an integrated stratigraphic and palaeoen- stones, shallow water sandstones with gastropods,
vironmental study including lithofacies, magneto- paralic coal and flysch-like deposits (Čičić et al., 1991,
stratigraphic, natural gamma ray, magnetic suscepti- 1990; Mojsilović et al., 1975; Malez & Thenius, 1985).
bility, stable isotope, calcareous nannofossil, mollusc The subsequent emersion of the northern Dinarides
and foraminiferal analyses to produce a high-resolu- is reflected by Oligocene terrestrial and alluvial
tion age and depositional model for the Ugljevik sec- clays, sandstones and conglomerates (Fig. 23C).
tion. The main palaeoenvironmental changes are In the late Oligocene, lacustrine basins devel-
compared to regional Paratethys and global events. oped containing a coal succession with small and
large mammal remains, followed by a perennial la-
Geological setting and regional geology custrine marl with numerous ostracods (de Leeuw et
Ugljevik is located in the Sava depression at the south- al., 2011b; Hrvatović, 2006). At the Ugljevik locality,
ern margin of the Pannonian Basin (Figs 23B-C). The the continental basin infill ends with that late Oligo-
underlying basement belongs to the Dinarides and cene coal-bearing series, separated from the overly-
includes the tectonic contact between the Ja- ing Middle Miocene marine Central Paratethys sedi-
dar-Kopaonik thrust sheet and the Jurassic obducted ments by an angular unconformity (de Bruijn et al.,
Western Vardar Ophiolitic Unit (Schmid et al., 2008; 2013; Pezelj et al., 2013; Wessels et al., 2008).
Ustaszewski et al., 2008). The Jadar-Kopaonik terrane The Sava depression formed as the result of back-
derives from the Adriatic passive margin and com- arc extension of the Pannonian Basin that had been
prises a Palaeozoic non-metamorphosed basement active since ~18 Ma (Fodor et al., 1999; Horváth et al.,
overlain by Permian to Triassic marine carbonates 2015; Mandic et al., 2012; Lukacs et al, 2018), and most
(Balázs et al., 2016; Tari & Pamić, 1998; Ustaszewski likely accelerated during Middle Miocene times (Ma-
et al., 2014). Transgressive upper Cretaceous marine tenco & Radivojević, 2012; Stojadinović et al., 2013).

Fig. 24. Lithologic section and index fossils from the Oligocene coal bearing lacustrine series of the Ugljevik mine.

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The Miocene succession in Ugljevik begins with 137 indicating a late Oligocene age of about 26 Ma (Weerd
m of marine deposits of the Badenian stage (Langhi- et al., 2022). Additionally, they also bear the tapiroid
an-lower Serravallian) continuing with restricted large mammal remains including Microbunodon mi-
marine deposits of the Sarmatian stage. nus and Cadurotherium rakoveci, supporting such an
age determination (Malez & Thenius, 1985).
Description of the section The marine sediments start with a sandy unit
Oligocene lacustrine deposits in the base of the sec- with a shell accumulation at its base (3 m; unit 1a)
tion are composed of more than 250 m of lacustrine (Figs 25, 26 and 27). This grades into monotonous
clays and marls intercalated with three coal seams marl (15 m thick; units 1b-d) with alternating light
(Fig. 24). The first coal seam bears small rodent fauna and dark intervals and increased silt content in the

Fig. 25. Detailed lithologic section of the Miocene marine deposits of the Ugljevik mine.

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Fig. 26. Photographs of the section with lithological details. Bed numbers indicated by white triangles; sequence boundaries marked by blue
arrows (Ba1 – first Badenian transgression, Ba2 – second Badenian transgression, Sa1 – first Sarmatian transgression). A) Overview of the
section in July, 2019. B) Badenian-Sarmatian boundary. C) Interval between the platform carbonates (Unit 3) and the debris beds of Unit 5
intercalated by one ash layer (bed #33). D) Basal part of the section with the position of the Badenian lower boundary indicated; bottom right
of the picture shows a coal seam intercalated in the Oligocene terrestrial-lacustrine succession. E) Sarmatian sand with mollusc debris in
erosive contact with Badenian green-gray undulated clay; dark laminae within the sand are coalified plant accumulations. F) Whitish debris
bed (#104) dominated by siliceous sponge spicules intercalated with laminated marl; in the upper part a thin volcanic ash layer is intercalated.
G) Diatomites of Units 6b and 6c. H – Marine shell accumulation on top of brecciated terrestrial green marl marking the marine transgression
surface of the Badenian Sea.

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Fig. 27. Integrated stratigraphy and palaeoenvironment of the Ugljevik section: magnetostratigraphic correlation, lithology, Transgressive-
Regressive (T-R) cycles, magnetic susceptibility and gamma ray curves, lithofacies, mollusc facies, calcareous nannofossil assemblages,
ecozones based on benthic foraminiferal assemblages and δ18O isotope data.

lower and upper thirds. It is topped by a 6 cm-thick stone with basal rhodolith accumulations. The mid-
marker bed of dark, organic rich clay. Above, clayey, dle part consists of an upwards thinning (2.0-0.5 m)
silty and sandy marls follow (8.5 m, unit 2), interca- succession of rhodolith-bearing corallinacean cal-
lated with two carbonate beds up to 50 cm-thick in carenite. The bedding planes are undulating and
their upper part. The subsequent carbonate interval marked by an increased clay content. The upper part
(13 m, unit 3) begins with sandy corallinacean lime- of the carbonate interval (4 m, unit 3c) consists of

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silty nodular corallinacean limestone with rhodo- More strongly lithified beds are common in unit
liths and mollusc remains. It has irregular bedding 11. The lower interval (5 m, unit 11a) is a fining up-
at a 1 m scale, with bedding plains marked by in- ward sequence dominated by laminated silty marl
creased clay content. The clay component increases ending with a dark clay bed. It contains silicified beds
in the very top providing a gradual transition to the and volcanic ash layers and includes mollusc and fish
next unit. remains.
The following unit (9 m, unit 4) is composed of The following interval (8 m, unit 11b) consists of
green, gray and brown marls rich in mollusc accumu- laminated light gray silty marl with a dm-thick debris
lations, occasionally intercalated with thin biodetrital bed with scattered microgastropods. It is overlain by
silty sand, in addition to one dark clay layer and one an interval with alternating gray, brown and yellow-
bentonite layer. The intercalations are intensively bi- ish lithified beds, silty marls and clays with frequent
oturbated. The amount of dark sediment rich in or- molluscs (debris), some serpulids and plant remains
ganic material decreases upwards. The subsequent (4 m, unit 11c). The top (4.5 m, unit 11d) is dominated
unit consists of two limestone beds intercalated with by laminated gray silty marl bearing molluscs and
marl (2.2 m, unit 5) and has a sharp lower boundary serpulids. At its very top the marl becomes lithified
marked by load structures. The carbonates bear rho- and brownish in colour and grades into a blue-green-
doliths and mollusc fragments. The marls show indis- ish clay. It exhibits burrows going down from the
tinct lamination and contain rip-up clasts. The next overlying unit. Spicules of siliceous sponges are com-
unit (20 m, unit 6) again begins with a greenish clayey mon in the biodetrital beds and distributed in the
marl and is dominated by diatomites. It is generally sediment matrix throughout the topmost Badenian
laminated and except for the very basal part, interca- deposits (unit 11).
lated at regular intervals with thirteen 1 to 3 cm thick The basal Sarmatian deposits consist of
bentonite layers of volcanic origin. Two intervals in cross-bedded biogenic sand, rich in mollusc shell
the middle and at the very top of the unit bear intense fragments (3 m, unit 12a), and overlie an erosive
biodetrital sand intercalations. Fish remains are com- boundary forming a relief about 10 cm high. The basal
mon in most parts of the unit. It is overlain by an or- bed bears rounded mud clasts and laminae with coali-
ganic rich clay and gray marl with bentonites in the fied plant remains. The sand grades upwards into
base and middle part (4.5 m, unit 7). The next unit (14 laminated gray silty marls bearing floating molluscs.
m, unit 8) consists of a mollusc and fish bearing gray Rare silicified and coalified wood remains up to 10 cm
marl. The lower part (8a) begins with two organic ma- in diameter are present throughout the interval. The
terial rich intercalations followed by one biodetrital succession continues with laminated silty marl, marly
sandy bed. It ends with a laminated interval bearing siltstone with mollusc lenses, dark clay with sand in-
diatomites. The overlying monotonous gray marl (8b) tercalations and shell accumulations ending with red-
bears fish and plant remains, while the very top is dish-brown laminated silt with clay interlayers. The
laminated. uppermost part of the section (2 m, unit 12b) is dom-
The following interval (7 m, unit 9a) is composed inated by a whitish, variegated ooid limestone con-
of alternating grayish and brownish marls with fish taining benthic foraminifera (miliolids), serpulids
and mollusc remains and few biodetrital intercala- and molluscs. Unit 12b begins with a 23 cm interval
tions. The middle part bears a few biodetrital inter- of detrital limestone with ooids at the base, followed
calations and some intervals with increased organic by brownish mudstone with reddish undulations on
matter. The top consists of marls with mollusc re- top. Above the ooid interval, a 30 cm-thick beige clay
mains (6.5 m, unit 9b) and contains a distinctive with carbonate concretions follows, topped by a 5 cm
brown lithified layer. The next unit (8 m, unit 10a) thick greenish to whitish bentonite with tiny mica
starts with a bioturbated interval with 10 and 15 cm minerals. The Sarmatian interval continues upwards
thick biodetrital fine sand beds intercalated with with a carbonate succession at least 10 m thick.
marl and organic rich clay. These are overlain by a
brownish and grayish marl, partly laminated and Palaeoenvironmental evolution and event
with common molluscs. The topmost interval in the stratigraphy
monotonous marls starts with biodetrital silt interca- Ugljevik is a reference section for the Badenian (mid-
lations and is followed by a laminated dark gray clay- dle Miocene) marine palaeoenvironmental evolution
ey silty marl (4.5 m, unit 10b). of the southern part of the Central Paratethys and

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 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

Fig. 28. International timescale after

Hilgen et al. (2012) showing the in-
ferred age-interval covered by the Ug-
ljevik section and correlation with the
main Early-Middle Miocene events,
global δ18O benthic foraminifera re-
cord (Zachos et al., 2001), and the
orbital solution for the insolation quan-
tities of the Earth (Laskar et al., 2004).
Abbreviations: PB = Pannonian Basin,
MCO = Miocene Climatic Optimum,
MMCT = Middle Miocene Climatic
Transition, BSC = Badenian Salinity
Crisis, BSEE = Badenian-Sarmatian
Extinction Event.

Pannonian Basin. The continuous succession corre- Eastern Paratethys brackish water spillover that pre-
lates with the late Langhian and early Serravallian sumably triggered the BSC evaporite deposition in the
interval, coinciding with the Middle Miocene Climat- Carpathian foredeep. Water was nevertheless strati-
ic Optimum (MMCT) global cooling event and the fied to a certain degree in the Southern Pannonian
environmental perturbations leading to the Badeni- Basin, as marked by blooms of planktonic gastropods
an Salinity Crisis (BSC) in the eastern Central Para- and diatoms in the lower part of the late Badenian
tethys. The complete lack of evaporites in the section interval overlapping with the timing of the BSC. The
suggests a different palaeoenvironmental evolution high primary production ceased with the decreasing
from that in the eastern Central Paratethys. Faunal volcanism and the sea level fall clearly noted between
assemblages indicate an uninterrupted connectivity ~13.5 and 13.35 Ma by the beginning of the Umbilicos-
between the western Central Paratethys and the phaera jafari nannoplankton assemblage.
Mediterranean during the BSC. An irregular omission surface at the B/S bounda-
The whole Ugljevik section is bio-magnetostrati- ry with transgressive lag, bearing lithified mud clasts
graphically dated between ~14.2 and 12.5 Ma (Chrons and silicified or coalified trunks, and reworked Bade-
C5ACr to C5Ar.1r). The present age model relates the nian molluscs at the base of the Sarmatian, point to
late Badenian (early Serravallian) transgression-regres- some erosion. The presented age model (option 1) plac-
sion sequence to a single 1.2-My-obliquity cycle, with es the B/S boundary and corresponding major Parate-
minimum values of both the 400- and 100-kyr cycle ec- thys palaeoenvironmental and faunal turnover event
centricity cycle roughly correlating with the sea-level (BSEE) at ~12.6 Ma. The endemic benthic fauna of the
low stands. The calcareous nannoplankton bio-events Sarmatian interval indicates a restriction of the con-
in the section correspond well to those dated in the nection to the Mediterranean and increased faunal
Mediterranean, indicating a well established marine exchange with the Eastern Paratethys, which might
connection at least until the NN5/NN6 boundary. have been enhanced by a relative sea level lowstand or
The age of the Badenian marine flooding (~14.2 tectonic processes restricting the connection between
Ma) in Ugljevik is slightly delayed compared to many the Pannonian Basin and the Mediterranean.
other Pannonian sub-basins, suggesting a strong re-
lationship with tectonically controlled subsidence.
Part 2 – Dinarides Lake System
The end of the MMCT and the Mi-3b sea level fall are
expressed by a lowstand of about 150 m-magnitude, Dinarides Intramontane Basins
associated with an abrupt shift to carbonate deposi- after Mandic et al. 2016
tion (~13.8-13.7 Ma), followed by a gradual base level
rise of ~200 m. Presumably, the Pannonian Basin was During the period of substantial Miocene climatic
semi-separated from the eastern Central Paratethys changes, a series of long-lived lakes occupied the in-
by a sill, restricting the long-distance influence of the tramontane basins (Figs. 29 & 30) of the Dinaric Alps

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Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

Fig. 29. Distribution of Mio-

cene lacustrine deposits at-
tributed to the Dinaride Lake
System (data from basic ge-
ological map M 1:100,000 of
former Yugoslavia). Positions
of excursion sites are indicat-
ed: 1 – Ugljevik, 2 – Greben, 3
– Janjići, 4 – Lašva, 5 – Gračan-
ica, 6 – Tušnica, 7 – Mandek,
8 – Cebara.

in Southeastern Europe (Harzhauser & Mandic, 2008, an seas (Fig. 1b), in an area known to be highly sen-
2010; Jiménez Moreno et al., 2008; De Leeuw et al., sitive to climatic changes (Rögl, 1999; Harzhauser &
2010, 2011, 2012a; Mandic et al., 2011, 2012). Estab- Piller, 2007). The origin and disintegration of lacus-
lished on the western margin of the Dinaride–Anato- trine settings were bound to the post-collisional tec-
lian Island landmass, they occupied a highly inter- tonic evolution of the Dinaride fold and thrust belt
esting palaeogeographic position sandwiched (Fig. 23; Schmid et al., 2008). After the southwest-
between the Paratethys and the proto- Mediterrane- wards backstepping of wedgetop molasse basins in

Fig. 30. MCO, MMCT and their stratigraphic correlation with DLS successions. Coal seams and detrital beds in the sections from the Dinaride
intramontane basins are indicated. The DLS stratigraphy is based on results from integrated Ar/Ar geochronology and magnetostratigraphy
(modified after De Leeuw et al., 2011, Sant et al., 2018, Mandic et al., 2020).

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 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

the Early Oligocene (Korbar, 2009), dextral strike-slip In particular, the early and the middle DLS stag-
movement on the Periadriatic and mid-Hungarian es (Fig. 29) coinciding with the MCO are partly com-
sutures during the Late Oligocene were compensated prised of vast coal deposits. Its late DLS stage is char-
in the Dinarides by tectonic wrenching (Hrvatović, acterized in contrast by either a depositional hiatus
2006). Accommodating the extension from the back- or the introduction of coarse clastic sedimentation.
arc rifting in the Pannonian Basin, the longitudinal Yet, whereas in the northern DLS, thick successions
strike-slip faults became reactivated in the Early Mi- of fluvial conglomerates are known from the Saraje-
ocene allowing the subsidence and accumulation of vo Basin (Hrvatović, 2006; Andrić et al 2017; Sant et
large sediment piles (Fig. 30) in the intramontane al., 2018), such conglomerates are missing in the
basins (Ilić & Neubauer, 2005; De Leeuw et al., 2012). southern DLS including the Tomislavgrad–Livno and
The Dinaride Lake System (DLS) formed in the Sinj basins (Fig. 29). There, local debris flow deposits
Early Miocene in the present day NW–SE trending (sandstones and breccia-conglomerates) are record-
intramountain basins, between the slowly rising Di- ed between ~15.2 and ~15.0 Ma in the Sinj Basin (Man-
narides mountain chains (De Leeuw et al., 2012). The dic et al., 2009; De Leeuw et al., 2010) and between 14.8
comparatively low terrigenous input supported the and ~13.0 Ma in the Tomislavgrad–Livno Basin (De
diversification of lacustrine environments, including Leeuw et al., 2011). In all three basins the coarse clas-
both deep and shallow-water habitats. This habitat tic deposition coincides with the terminal phase of
diversification sparked the spectacular Miocene ra- the main DLS depositional sequence, indicating
diation of the benthic fauna (Harzhauser & Mandic, synsedimentary tectonics and relief building as a
2008, 2010). Subsequent rifting in the Pannonian Ba- cause for basinal inversion, terminating the lacus-
sin System triggered marine flooding of the northern trine deposition in the late Middle Miocene. Three
DLS area and reduced its extension to the External intramontane basins of the Dinarides will be visited
Dinarides. Geographically, the deposits of the DLS to show the late syn to postorogenic sedimentation
cover parts of Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mon- within the orogenic belt.
tenegro, Serbia, Hungary and Slovenia (Fig. 29). Dur-
ing its maximum extent, the lake system covered an 2nd day – afternoon – ZENICA-SARAJEVO
area of c. 75,000 km2. BASIN
The long-lived lakes left sedimentary successions
up to 2000-m-thick distributed across the Dinaric Alps Lake Sarajevo – the Largest Dinarides
(Fig. 29). The current investigations provided a deep- palaeolake
time window to the DLS in constructing the integra- after Mandic et al. 2016
tive Ar/Ar geochronologic and palaeomagnetic age
model for its key basins (De Leeuw et al., 2012; Sant et Introduction
al., 2018). Those results supported the establishment The Sarajevo-Zenica Basin (Fig. 31) is the largest in-
of a powerful biomagnetostratigraphic tool allowing tra-montane basin of the Dinaride Lake System (DLS,
the stratigraphic correlations and a precise insight Krstić et al., 2001, 2003; Harzhauser et al., 2008). The
into the complex environmental history of that previ- basin was formed near the inherited nappe contact be-
ously lesser known region. In particular it could be tween the pre-Karst and East Bosnian – Durmitor units,
demonstrated that the lakes recorded a suite of cli- the so-called Busovača Fault, on the northern flank of
matic parameters (Jiménez-Moreno et al., 2008, 2009; the Mid-Bosnian Schist Mountains. Its present-day Ne-
Mandic et al., 2009, 2011; Harzhauser et al., 2012). ogene basin infill covers an area over 1500 km2. The
Moreover, the lake level changes in the Pag (Jimén- basin margins are the Mid-Bosnian Schist Mountains
ez-Moreno et al., 2009) and Gacko (Mandic et al., 2011) to the south-west, and Cretaceous limestones of the Bos-
basins were proven as cyclic and presumably driven nian Flysch to the north-east. Because of infrastructure
by astronomical forces. The captured fluctuations and mining activities, the basin bears plenty of inter-
therein actually provide a high-resolution archive, esting outcrops, which have been reported on in many
that considering its length, allows not only establish- local and regional studies (e.g., Hrvatović, 2006 and
ing relations between global warming and its region- references therein). Recently, an intensive field study
al effects, but also the weighting of the potential effect was performed to unravel the interplay between tecton-
of the MMCT (Holbourn et al., 2005; Lewis et al., 2008) ics, sedimentation and climate in this basin (Andrić et
and regional geodynamics on its disintegration. al., 2017; Sant et al., 2018).

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Fig. 31. Overview of the Zenica-Sarajevo Basin with the main geological units in map view, zoom in view of the area with indicated excursion
stops, and a schematic cross-section of an asymmetric basin. Map after Milojević (1964).

Stratigraphy and sedimentology unit 2M2 to the Lašva unit M2,3. The cycle is com-
The deposition in the Sarajevo-Zenica Basin during pleted by (coarse) clastic deltaic facies followed by
Oligocene–Miocene times was predominantly con- alluvial and fluvial conglomerates. The most com-
trolled by the tectonically induced changes affecting mon fossils are molluscs Lymnaea sp., Fossarulus sp.
the accommodation space geometry and source and Unio sp. (Milojević, 1964), and the mammal Pro-
area. The basin infill can be divided into three main deinotherium bavaricum (found in the Kakanj coal
depositional cycles, which are most likely related to mine; Milojković, 1929).
three distinct tectonic phases (Fig. 32, Andrić et al., The third, post-Middle Miocene, depositional
2017). The ages were estimated by pollen analysis cycle is very poorly exposed, and is composed of
(Pantić et al., 1966). The lacustrine fossil assemblage shales, coals and limestones that indicate a gradual
is very low in diversity and numbers of individuals drowning of a swamp environment and the creation
and includes some endemic mollusc species, ostra- of a perennial lake (Milojević, 1964). These deposits
cods, characea, plant fragments and pollen are locally overlain by the Orlac conglomerates, and
The first, Oligocene–Early Miocene deposition- by the ‘Pliocene’ alluvial sediments that were depos-
al cycle started with red alluvial clastics deposited ited over a larger area, transgressing over the
over the Bosnian Flysch. This was followed by car- Mid-Bosnian Shist Mountains (Milojević, 1964).
bonate deposits with a coal sequence (i.e., Košćan
coal seam) interbedded with alluvial sediments (Mi- Tectonic evolution and dating
lojević, 1964). The general regression resulted in the The Oligocene–Early Miocene depositional cycle was
deposition of red alluvial clastic sediments which associated with NE-SW oriented thrusts showing a
are locally overlain by porous bituminous lime- dominantly SW transport direction. The basin
stones (Muftić, 1965). The fauna includes the mol- formed as a wedge top basin in the footwall of the
luscs Lymnaea sp. and Helix? sp. (Milojević, 1964). coeval thrusts which were active during the final
A new transgressional cycle (i.e., second, Early– collisional stage in the Dinarides (Andrić et al., in
Middle Miocene depositional cycle) began with a prep).
relatively quiet environment with deposition of la- The subsequent Early–Middle Miocene exten-
custrine carbonates, coals (i. e., nine coal seams) sion resulted in the deposition of a new tectono-sed-
intercalated with shaly sandstones and mudstones imentary cycle. The deposition is driven by a system
(Milojević, 1964; Muftić, 1965). Gradually, they were of NE-dipping normal faults which gradually ex-
replaced by siltstones, sandstones and conglomer- humed Mid-Bosnian Schist Mountains along the
ates. The first appearance of Mid-Bosnian Schist south-western margin creating the asymmetric ba-
Mts. clasts marks the shift from the ‘transitional’ sin geometry. This is evidenced by the northeast-

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 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

ward pinching alluvial clastic wedges aligned along Stop 5. GREBEN – Deep lake organic rich
the south-western basin margin. The main source limestone
area for the alluvial-deltaic clastic sediments was the after Mandic et al. 2016
Mid-Bosnian Schist Mountains. The overall fill is or-
ganized into one coarsening-upward low-order dep- Locality: Greben / Kakanj
ositional cycle. The temporal and spatial migration WGS84 coordinates: 44.140301° N, 18.120600° E
of the normal faults in the footwall direction (i.e., Age: Burdigalian (Early Miocene)
SW-wards) progressively enlarged the basin and led
to a retrogradational depositional trend. The proxi- The fine-grained carbonate rocks of the Greben sec-
mal facies were buried by distal facies during sub- tion (Figs 31, 32 and 33) are representative of the low
sidence created by the following normal faulting energy, lacustrine environment that existed during
event. There were three subsequent normal faulting the beginning of the ‘second cycle’, after deposition
events, where each was associated with deposition of the main coal seam. The section is dominated by
of transgressive-regressive higher-order cycles with mudstones and marlstones. It bears rare remains of
a SW-ward younging trend. The cycles are bounded gymnosperm plants (Fig. 34), fishes and molluscs
by sub-areal unconformities and maximum regres- (spaeriid bivalves). The lowermost 8 m of the partial
sive surfaces in the proximal and distal parts of the section 1 are the most bioturbated. Upwards in the
basin, respectively. Internally, the cycles reflect the section more silts and clays appear.
evolution of each major fault event. After the Middle Characteristic lithological features are a high
Miocene, the basin was inverted (Andrić et al., 2017). organic matter content and the internally banded
A detailed magnetostratigraphic study was per- limestones with regular and irregular alternations of
formed on a composite section of the fine-grained dark and lighter grey bands (1–5 cm thickness). Mi-
basin infill of M1,2 – M2,3. The preliminary results cro-analyses revealed that bioturbations are concen-
suggest that deposition took place between ~18 and trated in the lighter coloured bands. Moreover, hae-
15 Ma, which is similar to the Sinj and Livno Basin matite/pyrite spots are concentrated around the
(De Leeuw et al., 2010). The ‘deepest’, most quiet lake bioturbated parts. This suggests that the lighter
phase existed around 17 Ma. The major extensional coloured parts were well-oxygenated, whereas the
rifting phase started between 16 and 15 Ma, which darker parts were (almost) anoxic. In the lowermost
may be similar to the erosive phase in the Livno Ba- part of the section almost no quartz particles are vis-
sin. No clear sign of climatic forcing was observed in ible in thin-sections, while in the upper part (>20 m)
the sections (Sant et al., 2018). more quartz particles are observed. They are too

Fig. 32. Generalized basin infill of the Sarajevo-Zenica Basin, and interpreted tectonic phases. Modified after Milojević (1964) and Andrić et al.
(2017).

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Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

Fig. 33. Overview of the

Greben section with lithology
and magnetostratigraphy. Os-
tracod-rich layers are marked
in partial section 2.

small to determine the source area. In general, the

facies of the Greben section indicates calm lacustrine
conditions with almost no external sediment input.

Magnetostratigraphy and biostratigraphy

The magnetostratigraphic study yielded straight-for-
ward magnetic directions with two reversals. A corre-
lation of this pattern to the Global Polarity Time Scale
(Hilgen et al., 2012) is not yet possible due to a lack of tie
points. When we follow the preliminary age correla-
tion of the whole basin infill, the age of the Greben
section is between 17.5 and 16.5 Ma. This partly over-
laps with the Middle Miocene Climatic Optimum
(MMCO) and might correlate with the similar open lake
profundal facies from the Livno-Tomislavgrad Basin
Ar/Ar dated to ~17 Ma (De Leeuw et al., 2011).
From the corresponding interval near Zenica
(referred to there as a 90-m-thick marl overlying the
topmost coal seam), Kochansky-Devidé & Slišković
(1972) reported the presence of Clivunella sp. The lat-
ter deep-water gastropod is a marker fossil for the
uppermost Lower Miocene in the Dinaride Lake Sys-
tem (~16.7 and 16.0 Ma; De Leeuw et al., 2011). Its pres-
ence in the present interval remains in accordance
Fig. 34. Taxodium-related gymnosperm plant Glyptostrobus euro-
paeus found in the Greben section. with the previous inference.

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 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

Stop 6. JANJIĆI – Lacustrine delta in a lacustrine environment. The thin intercalations

deposits of the „transitional unit“ originated from dilute turbidity currents feeding the
after Mandic et al. 2016 terminal lobe in the prodelta environment. Further
on in the section, the number of turbiditic layers in-
Locality: Janjića Vrh / Janjići creases. The sheet-like to lenticular high- and
WGS84 coordinates: 44.148444° N, 17.951676° E low-density turbidites are often intercalated with
Age: Middle Miocene slumps and mass flow deposits (cohesionless and
Formation: „Transitional unit“ (2M2) cohesive debris flows, Figs 35a and 36). The turbidi-
tes usually contain a bipartite geometry with the
The road-cut on the left bank of the Bosna River ex- lower part composed of granular to medium sand-
poses an Early to Middle Miocene fill (over 100m stones (Ta, Tb) capped by fine-grained sandstones,
thick), of the Sarajevo-Zenica Basin (i. e., Transitional siltstones and mudstones (Tc, Td, Te). The debris
unit 2M2 sensu Milojević, 1964). The section repre- flow conglomerates mainly comprise granular to
sents an excellent example of a prograding river dom- cobble size sub-angular to sub-rounded clasts. Most
inated delta into a lacustrine environment (Figs 31, 32, clasts are metariolites, quarzites, various schists and
35a and 36). carbonates sourced from the Mid-Bosnian Schist
Mountains.
Description and interpretation The increase in high frequency of gravity depos-
The succession starts with laminated calcareous its, especially slumps in the lower part of the section
mudstones intercalated with laminae to thin layers/ imply steeper gradients and slope instability which
lenses of siltstones and sandstones (Fig. 35a). The might be triggered by the activity of normal faults.
mudstones contain dispersed organic matter and The numerous plant remains, coal fragments, imma-
traces of ostracods; the latter is suggestive of depo- ture clasts (angular, derived from Mid-Bosnian Schist
sition by fallout from the “background” suspension Mountains) and coarsening upwards succession, sug-

Fig. 35. Sedimentary logs of the Janjića Vrh section (A) and Lašva section (B). The thick black line represents diachronous progradation of a
river dominated delta into the lake environment.

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Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

Fig. 36. The migration of channels in the turbidite sequence of the Janjića Vrh section.

gest an increase of land derived material prograding calated with thin beds of red fine-grained sandstones
into the deeper water environment or isolated granular to coarse sand channels. These
This section is a good example of gradually deposits engulfed beige to yellow mudstone with trac-
forced regression in a river-dominated deltaic succes- es of ostracods. Deposition is associated with ostra-
sion. It is characterized by a conformable shift of fa- cods indicating suspension settling in a shallow lacus-
cies from lacustrine and prodelta deposits to the trine/ lagoon environment. Up-section, the
overlaying delta front sediments. The forced regres- amalgamation of the channels and channel/flood-
sion occurred during a stage of base level fall induced plain sediments ratio increases, creating an overall
by a decrease in accommodation space creation rate coarsening-upwards trend (Fig. 35b). The amalgamat-
as a response to cessation of normal fault activity. ed packages are partly eroded and overlain by more
The sediment supply exceeded accommodation space proximal alluvial deposits supplying the pro-grading
which caused the bypassing of terrigenous material delta front. The upper part of the section is dominated
in a shallow water setting and deposition in more dis- by matrix-to clast-supported pebble to cobble con-
tal setting as seen in the final depositional packages glomerates. The clasts are sub-angular to sub-round-
of Janjića Vrh log (Fig. 35a; Andrić et al., 2015). ed, poorly sorted, and predominantly sourced from
the Mid-Bosnian Schist Mountains. Conglomeratic
Stop 7. LAŠVA – Lacustrine delta deposits packages up to 5 m thick are sealed by thin parallel to
of the Lašva Formation ripple-laminated fine sandstone-siltstone couplets.
after Mandic et al. 2016 This “bipartite” geometry most likely represents the
Locality: Lašva higher-order progradational-retrogradational cycles
WGS84 coordinates: 44.133401° N, 17.937542° E at the river mouth (Fig. 37).
Age: Middle Miocene The shallow water lacustrine carbonates with
Formation: Lašva Formation (M2,3) ostracods dividing floodplain deposits mark the max-
imum flooding surface formed during the rapid in-
The impressive Lašva section is located near the con- crease of accommodation space most probably during
fluence of the Lašva and Bosna rivers (Figs 31, 35b and a period of the highest displacement rate along the
37). It shows 25 m of coarse-grained alluvial-deltaic normal fault. The overlying facies associations typi-
sediments of the Lower to Middle Miocene (i.e., Lašva cally display progradational stacking patterns and
unit sensu Milojević, 1964). This is an example of the coarsening upwards trends accompanied by low rates
rapid transition from floodplain deposits into braided of aggradation. The erosion of delta plain deposits and
channels of the braid-delta plain and delta front (Fig. an abrupt shift to the alluvial fan deposits attest to the
35b). It most likely represents a more proximal equiv- forced regressive surface at the mouth of the river
alent to the Janjića vrh section. dominated delta (Andrić et al., 2017).
Andrić et al. (2017) concluded that both the Jan-
Description and interpretation jića Vrh and Lašva sections represent regressive sys-
The succession starts with floodplain deposits repre- tem tracts deposited during the final stage of normal
sented by the alternation of (dark) grey parallel lam- fault activity. The exhumation of normal fault foot-
inated siltstone and organic rich claystone pairs inter- walls increased the profile of the source area and

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 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

Fig. 37. High-frequency prograding-retrograding depositional trends in the Lašva section resulting from rapid changes in sedimentation rates
and/or accommodation space formed in the overall prograding style in the delta front setting (orange lines). The red wavy line represents the
surface of forced regression, the yellow line marks the maximum flooding surface, orange lines delineate bedding planes (Andrić et al., 2017).

produced bedload dominated rivers carrying coarse km wide, drop-shaped in outline pointed to the SSE
grained material into the basin further away from (Čičić, 1976).
the source, filling up the basin. Hereby a diachro- The basin stretches along the Ruduša Nappe
nous basal progradation surface (forced regressive dominated by Upper Triassic platform carbonates
surface) was created, which is younger in a distal di- (dolomites and limestone) representing the NE mar-
rection (Sweet et al., 2003). The over-filled nature of gin of the External Dinarides. In its NE part, the ba-
the basin during this period was caused by the pre- sin extends into the Bosnian Schists Mountains,
dominance of sediment supply rates resulting from which is a Miocene exhumed core complex dominat-
the exhumation of the footwall over rates of accom- ed by Palaeozoic schists and sandstones. There are
modation space creation (e. g., Carroll & Bohacs, accompanying Permian limestones with gastropod
1999; Withjack et al., 2002). Belerophon sp., Early Triassic shale and sandstones,
and Middle Triassic volcanogenic sedimentary se-
ries. The Vrbas fault, largely covered by lacustrine
3rd day – morning – BUGOJNO BASIN deposits, separates the Ruduša Nappe from the core
Lake Bugojno – three lacustrine cycles complex and stretches for several hundred kilo-
updated after Mandic et al. 2016 metres to the NW to the Banja Luka region (Hrva-
tović, 2006).
The Bugojno Basin is situated in Western Bosnia and The infill deposits of the Bugojno Basin (Fig. 38)
Herzegovina, between Donji Vakuf and Gornji Vakuf are about 900-m-thick and comprise three lacustrine
(Fig. 38). With a total surface of 125 km2, it belongs depositional cycles (from base to top: ~250 m / ~300
to the larger intra-mountain basins of the Dinarides. m / ~300 m) covered by up to 100 m of alluvial sands
In its central part, it accommodates the Vrbas River. (Čičić, 1976). The basal zone of the first cycle (50 m)
The latter flows in a NNW direction and belongs to comprises conglomerates, sandy and gravel bearing
the Black Sea catchment area. The mean elevation of clay, intercalated with lenses of marl and limestones.
the Vrbas alluvial plain is about 620 m asl, the moun- The main coal seam (35 m thick) follows, intercalat-
tain peaks are about 2 km high in the SW and 1.5 km ed by clay and marl, bearing large mammal remains.
in the NE. The elongated basin shows a Dinaridic Finally, a 150-m-thick succession of marl and sandy
strike and a total length of 28 km; the lacustrine de- to marly limestone with sphaeriid and dreissenid
posits extend for about 22 km. It varies from 1.4 – 9 bivalve remains closes the interval. The second cycle

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Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

Fig. 38. Geological map showing the Neogene to Quaternary infill

of the Bugojno intramountain basin (after Čičić, 1976). The white ring
indicates the position of the Gračanica mine.
Fig. 39. Selection of mammalian fossils and taxa from the Miocene
starts with a 5-m-thick coal seam intercalated by clay of Gračanica, Bugojno, Bosnia-Hercegovina: A) Prodeinotherium
sp., maxillary toothrow P3–M3 (SNSM–BSPG, Munich), B) Carnivora
and marl. It is overlain by a series of clay and sand- mandible with dentition (c, p2–m1), C) suoid Bunolistriodon sp.
maxillary canine, D) suoid Bunolistriodon sp. maxillary tooth row P4–
stones. The upper cycle begins a 40-m-thick interval M3, E) Palaeomerycidae indet. Upper molar (M2/3), F) three-toed
with large scale lignite lenses in clay, grading up- horse Anchitherium sp., premolars (p2–p4), G) rhino Brachypotherium
sp., upper molar (M2), H) Rhinocerotidae indet., upper molars (M2–
ward into a 250-m-thick interval composed of gray M3), I) Chalicotheriidae indet., upper molar (M2/3). All material (except
clay. A) is stored in Natural History Museum Vienna, Austria.
The general structure of the basin is a syncline
with the limbs dipping by 5°-30° toward the basin
axis. It is apparently asymmetric with the oldest de-
Stop 8. GRAČANICA – Swamp lignite and
posits concentrated at the southern and southwest-
profundal open-lake marl
ern margin of the basin. To the north and northeast, updated after Mandic et al. (2016)
ever younger cycles become transgressive to the Locality: Gračanica coal mine, 10 km SSE Bugojno
basement, indicating a gradual shift of the deposi- WGS84 coordinates: 43.997662° N, 17.518516° E
tional center in that direction (Čičić, 1976). Age: late Langhian (Middle Miocene)

In general, the lower and middle cycles are con- The coal mine is located near the village of Gračan-
sidered as Miocene in age, the upper one as Pliocene ica about 10 km SSE from the centre of Bugojno,
in age. This stratigraphic correlation is ambiguous, northeast of the main road to Gornji Vakuf-Uskopje
because the only relevant fossil remains in the basin (Fig. 38). Coal exploitation started underground in
are restricted to the lower lacustrine cycle. There, 1939. Today it is a large opencast mine providing
the diverse large mammal assemblage with abun- good outcrop conditions for investigation of the ver-
dant Prodeinotherium bavaricum allows correlation tical and lateral facies changes in transgressive la-
with the MN5 and MN6 zones and correlation with custrine successions. Besides, the pit is well known
the late Langhian (Middle Miocene) (Fig. 39; Göhlich for its mammal remains occasionally found in the
& Mandic, 2020 and references therein). lower part of the coal interval (Fig. 39). Muftić & Be-

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 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

hlilović (1966) carried out a detailed exploration intercalated with coal seams <1 m thick. The upper 4
study in the mine. The coal mine exposes the lower m are dominated by coal. The overlying 1 m thick
lacustrine deposition cycle of Čičić (1976). It super- whitish marl, alternating with coal, shows the first
poses the Upper Triassic dolomite basement rocks occurrence of melanopsids and hydrobiids and
with the transgressive contact exposed in the north- marks the first shift of depositional settings into
ern part of the mine area. open-lake littoral conditions. Indeed, after a short
The succession originally logged in 2008 is 40 m retreat marked by the last coal seam (2 m in thick-
thick (Fig. 40). The lower half is represented by coal ness), the cross-bedded sand (2 m thick) rich in mel-
deposits exploited by the mine company. The upper anopsids introduces the transition into the open lake
part of the succession is dominated by marly sedi- conditions persisting to the top of the section.
ment, representing the open lake environment. The The lower part of the lacustrine interval (13 m)
beds dip 10° to 15° to the south (~180°). represents a single transgression-regression cycle.
The initial 5 m of the coal interval shows a ter- The fossil-rich littoral sand and marl (3.5 m) grade up-
restrial influence, bearing common tree trunks and ward into laminated and banded dark marl (3 m)
intercalations of coloured clay. Also, lymnaeid snails marking the initiation of profundal depositional set-
are very frequent indicating a very shallow, tings. The deepening trend stops with one contorted
swamp-related sub-aquatic environment. The lym- bed indicating the start of the synsedimentary seismic
naeids are present for the next 4 m, after the last tree activity in the area. An immediate shallowing trend is
trunk occurrence. marked by the re-appearance of gastropods and dre-
The following 9-m-thick interval is barren of fos- issenid bivalves in banded limestone (1.5 m) and marl
sils. Its lower part is composed of whitish silty marl (3 m). The final 2 m of the cycle shows molluscs accu-
mulated in shell-beds and in cross-bedded sands indi-
cating the re-establishment of shallow littoral set-
tings.
The top interval of the section (5 m thick) shows
a renewed transgression-regression trend. It is a
coarsening upward succession from clay to silt,bar-
ren of macro-fossils and intensively laminated for the
initial 2 m. The latter indicates a short-term recur-
rence of profundal settings. The increasing impor-
tance of the silt component towards the top clearly
indicates the shallowing upwards trend.

3rd day – afternoon – LIVNO-

TOMISLAVGRAD BASIN
Lake Livno-Tomislavgrad – the second largest
Dinarides palaeolake
after Mandic et al. 2016

The Livno and Tomislavgrad (=Duvno) Basins (Fig. 41)

are located in SW Bosnia and Herzegovina. They rep-
resent two different, tectonically-disconnected karst
poljes developed at about 1000 m a.s.l. During DLS
deposition, they formed a single basin with an area of
about 590 km2, the second largest intramontane basin
in the Dinarides after the Sarajevo-Zenica Basin.
The basin-fill succession is more than 2000 m
thick, comprising two depositional sequences
Fig. 40. The Gračanica section from the S Bugojno open-cast
bounded by an angular unconformity. The lower se-
coal mine. The facies succession reflects a gradual deepening of quence is ~1700 m thick, composed of Early to Middle
depositional environments, culminating at 35-m-height with the
installation of an open lake profundal setting. Miocene freshwater deposits that commence with a

92 Field trip guidebook

Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

Fig. 41. A generalized stratigraphic column and geological map of the Livno and Tomislavgrad Basins with the positions of the excursion sites
indicated (modified after De Leeuw et al., 2011).

coal bed ~10 m thick containing elephant remains Stop 9. TUŠNICA – The lake formation –
and passing upwards into a monotonous, lime- brown coal and open-lake limestone
stone-dominated lacustrine succession. At a strati- after Mandic et al. 2016
graphic height of ~850 m the first intercalation of Locality: Tušnica coal mine, 11 km SE Livno
margin-derived debris-flow deposits occurs. The WGS84 coordinates: 43.741771° N, 17.086560° E
successive coarse-clastic intercalations are thicken- Age: 17.0 Ma (late Burdigalian, Early Miocene)
ing and coarsening upwards, including up to
10-m-thick volcaniclastic beds. The succession cul- The 45 m thick Tušnica section is located in the Drage
minates in a megabreccia bed, ~26 m thick, near the opencast coal mine situated at the foot of Tušnica
top, which suggests strongly that active tectonics Mountain near the eastern boundary of the Livno
was the main cause for the cessation of deposition in Basin (Figs 41, 42 and 43). It was logged along the SSE–
the large original basin. NNW striking wall of the quarry in 2007.
The basin subsequently became divided into The lower 10.5 m of the section are dominated by
two parts and the second cycle of sedimentation fol- coal subdivided into three seams (Fig. 42). The lower
lowed above an angular unconformity overlain by two seams are separated by a ~1-m-thick organic ma-
lacustrine claystones passing upwards into lig- terial rich, sandy limestone interval with lymnaeid
nite-dominated deposits. The Holocene witnessed an snails and plant remains. A volcanic ash bed sepa-
expansion of peat deposition. The Livno Basin, with rates the middle and upper coal seams (Fig. 43a). The
an area of 410 km2, is the largest karst peatland basin ash layer is ~20 cm thick, laterally continuous, gray-
of the Dinarides. ish-whitish in colour, and consists of sandy and silty

Field trip guidebook 93

 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

dark brown and grayish well bedded limestones (Fig.

43b) rich in organic matter that dominate the remain-
ing 30 m of the section. These beds belong to interval
M2 (Milojević & Sunarić, 1964) and contain scattered
fish and plant remains.
In the main coal seam, remains of Gomphoterium
angustidens were discovered and Malez & Slišković
(1976) therefore considered it to be of Middle Miocene
age. The same level was, in contrast, thought to per-
tain to the upper part of the Early Miocene based on
its pollen content (Pantić, 1961). 40Ar/39Ar measure-
ments reveal that the Tušnica volcanic ash, located
between the coal seams at the base of the basin infill,
is 17.0 ± 0.17 Ma old (De Leeuw et al., 2011). Milojević
& Sunarić (1964) described coal seams and organic
matter rich limestone beds of the Tušnica type from
the abandoned Vučipolje coal mine at 1 km lateral
distance from the base of the Ostrožac section. They
apparently belong to the same coal bed disturbed tec-
tonically due to rise of the Tušnica mountain block.
The coals exposed in the Tušnica and Vučipolje
locations testify to swamp conditions during the ini-
tial phase of basin formation. Coal formation was
terminated when the basin flooded and a long-lived
lake was established. As the lake deepened suboxic

Fig. 42. Lithostratigraphy and lithology (see text for explanation)

of three sections (Tušnica, Mandek and Ostrožac) representing
the main (DLS related) cycle of the basinal infill in the Livno and
Tomislavgrad Basins accompanied by magnetostratigraphic and
geochronological results by De Leeuw et al. (2011). Abbreviations:
ATNTS – Astronomically Tuned Neogene Time Scale.

clay with dark mica flakes. The transition from coal

to ash and vice versa is very sharp. A transitional Fig. 43. Outcrops in the Tušnica open cast coal mine. A) coal interval
zone with clayey and coaly inter-layers begins above intercalated with the Ar/Ar dated white ash layer showing the remains
of an old underground work, B) the open lake profundal limestone
the upper coal seam. It is followed by dominantly series at the top of the coal.

94 Field trip guidebook

Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

bottom conditions developed, as indicated by the or-

ganic matter rich limestones of the Tušnica mine and
overlying clivunellid limestones (Unit M2). Although
the clivunellid bearing interval M2 is in general bad-
ly exposed in the Livno as well as the Tomislavgrad
Basin, fragments crop out at the Drage West site lo-
cated about 300 m W of the main entrance to the
Tušnica coalmine (N43°44’29.0’’ E17°04’55.6’’).
The small quarry there displays light and dark
brownish bedded limestones with the endemic
deep-water gastropod Clivunella katzeri, small dreis-
senid bivalves and plant remains such as Taxodi-
um-related Glyptostrobus europaeus and pertains to
the upper part of interval M2. The clivunellid lime-
stone interval is about 300 m thick (Milojević & Suna-
rić, 1964) and reaches up to the base of the Ostrožac
section (De Leeuw et al., 2011).

Stop 10. MANDEK – The Sedimentary record

of tectonic inversion in the Dinarides
Nevena Andrić-Tomašević and Oleg Mandic
Fig. 44. Overview of the Mandek section, Lake Mandek section. A)
(from left to right) above the lake, a thick breccia-conglomerate interval
Locality: Lake Mandek, 10 km SSE Livno forms a step in the landscape (grayish brown; see Fig. 45 for the close
WGS84 coordinates: 43. 730639° N, 17. 022426° E ups); the superposing lacustrine deposits (orange) include in the lower
part, a thick ash fall layer (small whitish area). B) detail of the later
Age: Middle Langhian (Middle Miocene) bentonite succession representing the diagenetically altered volcanic
ash fall sediments (whitish gray) overlain by a lacustrine marl (orange).
The Mandek section (Figs 41, 42, 44 and 45) is located
10 km south of Livno, just E of the village of Mandek, otic slumped limestones (Fig. 45d). Furthermore,
on the shore of the artificial lake Mandek and be- underlying limestones are rarely intercalated with
longs to stratigraphic unit M4. The outcrop was pre- thin (up to 20 cm thick) pebbly sandstones and sand-
viously mentioned by Luburić (1963). The Mandek stone layers (Fig 45c). Breccia-conglomerates are
section was logged by De Leeuw et al. (2011) from topped by about 14 m intervals of presumably lacus-
North to South along the gulley of the Vojvodinac trine limestone completely covered by vegetation.
brook which runs normal to the bedding. The section According to De Leeuw et al. (2011) a coarse-grained
starts with about 15 m of lacustrine limestone begin- volcanic ash bed approvimately 6m thick, weakly
ning with a 30 cm thick bentonitic tephra layer over- lithified and whitish in colour follows in succession.
lain by a prominent 8 m thick breccia-conglomerate Finally, up-section the ash grades into lacustrine
horizon. The recent road cuts revealed the lateral and carbonates, dominated by fine-bedded limestone.
vertical extent, geometry, and the relationship be- Ash horizons of the Lake Mandek section are indi-
tween coarse-grained breccia-conglomerates and cated on the geological map by Papeš (1972). A sam-
lacustrine carbonates (Fig. 45). ple of the 6-m-thick main ash layer was collected in
The coarse-grained breccia-conglomerates rep- a small pit (Fig. 44b) about 100 m E of the gulley. The
resent the stacked channels incising the underlying lowermost tephra analyzed by Luburić (1963) repre-
limestones (Fig. 45ab). The orientation of the chan- sents vitroclastic volcanic ash composed mostly of
nels is roughly SW-NE. Breccia-conglomerates in- volcanic glass (~80%) calcite (~18.5%) quartz (~1%)
clude grain sizes ranging from pebbles (a few cm) to and biotiote (~0.5%). The glass particles are elongat-
blocks (of up to 1-2 m, Fig. 45b) derived from the sur- ed, angular and filled with gas inclusions. The ash is
rounding carbonate basement. Distally, they grade well sorted fine sand to silt.
into pebbly sandstones to sandstones of which some The absence of larger grains, together with the
show ripple marks and weak horizontal bedding. In angular grain shape indicates transport over a larger
some locations, breccia-conglomerates overlie cha- distance. This coincides with the fact that no Miocene

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 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

Fig. 45. Overview of the Mandek section – continuation. A) breccia-conglomerate channel succession revealed in the new road cut; B) limestone
blocks within the channels, C) debris flow intercalated with the limestone succession; D) chaotic slumped limestone layers (black lines) overlain
by horizontally bedded breccia-conglomerate (delineated by orange lines).

volcanic rocks have been detected in a radius of at least itial marine flooding of the southern Pannonian Ba-
100 km. The extreme depth of the main ash horizon sin (Ćorić et al., 2009; Mandic et al., 2012) and could
however provides a mystery about the transportation reflect compensation of the extensional tectonics
of such a sediment quantity over a long distance. therein (De Leeuw et al., 2012). Indeed, the new mag-
40Ar/39Ar dating on feldspar crystals found in netostratigraphic and geochronologic data could
the main tephra bed of Mandek delivered an age of prove complete synchronous cessation of lacustrine
14.68 ± 0.16 Ma providing correlation with the middle sedimentation with these movements for the smaller
Langhian of the standard geological scale and lower Dinaride basins such as the Gacko (Mandic et al.,
Badenian of the Central Paratethys scale (Middle Mi- 2011) or Sinj Basins (De Leeuw et al., 2010).
ocene). The detailed mineralogical and geochemical
analysis of Badurina et al. (2021) suggests that this ash Stop 11. CEBARA – The final act – large
layer likely originated in the Western Carpathians, terrestrial mammals in karst-sinkholes
(the Bükkalja volcanic field) overcoming a distance after Mandic et al. 2016
of more than 400 km. Considering its association Locality: Cebara quarry, 7 km S of Tomislavgrad
with the mega-breccia beds this datum allows the WGS84 coordinates: 43.650897° N, 17.216894° E
dating of important tectonic events for the Dinarides. Age: Pliocene
This event marks the start of the disintegration of the
Dinaride Lake System due to extensive relief building The new late Neogene proboscidean site of Cebara
and exhumation, recorded throughout the Dinarides. (Figs 41 and 46) was currently discovered by local fos-
For example, in the Zenica–Sarajevo Basin, massive sil collector Vinko Ljubas, south of Tomislavgrad in
fluvial Orlac conglomerates (Hrvatović, 2006) likely Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is located in one ~40 m
mark both basin inversion (Andrić et al., 2017), and deep, ~20 m high and ~17 m wide incision of the es-
an overall change from extensional to the dominant carpment at the southwestern margin of Duvanjsko
dextral transpressive stress regime in the Dinarides polje, a typical Dinarides karst polje. The latter repre-
following N- to NE-wards Adriatic indentation (van sents a ~240 km² large and NW-SE striking intramoun-
Unen et al., 2019). It seems that this inversion event tainous basin that was initiated in the early Miocene
began in the external Dinarides by the Middle Mio- (~17 Ma) as the eastern part of the Livno-Tomislavgrad
cene, reaching the internal Dinarides further to the Basin. The two sedimentary cycles accumulated more
east by the Late Miocene (~ 10-8 Ma, Andrić et al., than 2500 m of coal bearing lacustrine deposits until
2015). Furthermore, this event coincides with the in- the latest Miocene (~6 Ma), (Fig. 41).

96 Field trip guidebook

Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

The posterior wall of the distally narrowing in- debris and the top unreachable under present out-
cision shows a coarsening upward succession of crop conditions. It comprises two units of equal
clays, fluvial gravels and block-breccia including up thickness. The lower unit is characterized by depo-
to 5 m diameter boulders developed through reoc- sition of brownish clay that can include sand lenses
curring cave roof collapses (Fig. 46). Upwards, the and/or laterally grade to block-breccia. Beyond that,
incision is unroofed passing into a ~35 m wide and up to 1 m thick sand, gravel and boulder intercala-
~10 m deep funnel-shaped doline. The logged succes- tions are present. The upper unit is composed of two
sion (Fig. 46) is 10 m thick with the base covered by conglomerate packages both topped by cave-in brec-
cia. The lower gravel shows through- and cross-bed-
ding, and at its base operculi accumulations of the
freshwater snail Bithynia occur, supporting the in-
ference of a riverine and/or lacustrine origin for the
sediment.
The bone bed interval is about 1.5 m thick (Fig. 46)
and marks the middle part of the lower unit. The bones,
tusks and teeth oriented horizontally to the bedding
plane, are disarticulated and concentrated in three 10
to 30 cm thick horizons. The lower one appears on top
of one 30 cm thick gravel bed, the other two mark the
lower and upper parts of one 90 cm thick sandy layer.
Strongly increased magnetic susceptibility values (>100
x 10-6 SI) detected the black colour of the bones and
matrix sediments as containing iron-bearing miner-
als. The inspection of currently available fossil re-
mains allows their tentative classification with Anan-
cus arvernensis, representing a gomphothere
proboscidean characterized by two oversized straight-
ened tusks in the upper jaw and a body-size reminis-
cent of present day elephants (Fig. 47).
This European gomphothere was a browser with
a peak distribution in the late Pliocene, and a strati-
graphic range from the latest Miocene MN 11 to the
early Pleistocene MN 17. Its extinction correlates
with the decimation of the wood cover in Europe
during the early Ice Age period. Although widely dis-
tributed in the Pliocene of SE Europe from Slovenia
through Croatia, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, to
Greece this is the first discovery from southern Bos-
nia and Herzegovina and the High Karst Dinarides.
Although the stratigraphic data does not yet al-
low a precise inference of the age, the lithostrati-
graphic evidence supports correlation with the Plio-
cene in a phase post-dating the Miocene long-lived
lake conditions.
The studied site at 920 m a.s.l. probably repre-
sents the topographically highest known proboscid-
Fig. 46. Photograph and log of the Cebara section, S Tomislavgrad.
Clastic sediments of various grain sizes infill a cavern in the Cretaceous ean locality. In particular, their mass occurrence in
limestones (log position is indicated on photograph). The cavern several fossiliferous layers indicates the presence of
passes upwards into a sinkhole. The log shows the lithological column,
sample positions and gamma ray (GR) and magnetic susceptibility a well settled gomphothere population in the study
(MS) measurements. The latter show increasing values in the mammal area over many generations. This is the most striking
bone accumulation interval. Three boulder horizons (units 11, 12, and
16) mark the roof collapse events. feature of the new locality because the gomphoth-

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 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

former habitats in the Dinarides High Karst during

deposition of the studied succession is well support-
ed by tectonic reconstructions placing the main
mountain elevation phase into the Pliocene–Pleisto-
cene transition interval.

Acknowledgments
We thank the companies Velički kamen d.o.o., Nexe
d.d., RiTE a.d. Ugljevik, Hidrogradnja d.d. – Sarajevo,
Coal mine „Gračanica“ d.o.o. – Gornji Vakuf-Uskopl-
je, and Vran-Dukić d.o.o. – Tomislavgrad for permis-
sion to research, publish the results and visit the
quarries and coal pits, respectively, Poljanska,
Fig. 47. Selection of mammalian fossils and taxa from the Late
Miocene/(Early Pliocene) of Cebara, Bosnia-Herzegovina: A–C)
Našice, Bogutovo selo, Greben, Rosulje, and Cebara.
molars of Anancus arvernensis, A) left M3 sup., B) left M1 sup., C) Furthermore, we cordially thank Vedad Demir (Fed-
left m1 inf. D–E) cheek teeth of Rhinocerotidae indet., D) P2 sup. sin.,
E) p/m inf., F) m3 inf. of a Bovidae indet. All material is stored in the eral Geological Survey Sarajevo) and Vinko Ljubas
Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Zagreb. Jablan (Tomislavgrad) for help with the organization
of the excursion in Bosnia and Herzegovina. We also
thank Anita Grizelj for her careful revision of the
eres, considering their huge size preferred rather manuscript. This fieldtrip was partly supported by
low-land settings rich in woodland vegetation rather the Croatian Science Foundation under the project
than the mountainous regions. Yet, the presence of IP-2019-04-7042 (SEDBAS).■

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(2003) Tertiary subsurface facies, source rocks and hy- nian Basin. Tectonophysics, 297, 269–281.
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K. (2008) The Alpine-Carpathian-Dinaridic orogenic sys- Gruić, A. (2015) The tectonic evolution of a critical seg-
tem: correlation and evolution of tectonic units. Swiss J. ment of the Dinarides-Alps connection: kinematic and
Geosci., 101, 139–183. geochronological inferences from the Medvednica Moun-
Sebe, K., Kovačić, M., Magyar, I., Krizmanić, K., Špelić, M., tains, NE Croatia. Tectonics, 34, 1952–1978
Bigunac, D., Sütő-Szentai, M., Kovács, A., Szuromi-Ko- Vasiliev, I., Bakrač, K., Kovačić, M., Abdul Aziz, H. and Krijg-
recz, A., Bakrač, K., Hajek-Tadesse, V., Troskot-Čorbić, sman, W. (2007) Paleomagnetic results from the Sarma-
T. and Sztanó, O. (2020) Correlation of upper Miocene-Pli- tian/Pannonian boundary in north-eastern Croatia
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atia and Hungary. Geologia Croatica, 73, 177-195. 151–163.
Sremac, J., Bošnjak, M., Velić, J., Malvić, T. and Bakrač, K. Vrsaljko, D., Pavelić, D., Miknić, M., Brkić, M., Kovačić, M.,
(2022) Nearshore Pelagic Influence at the SW Margin of Hećimović, I., Hajek-Tadesse, V., Avanić, R. and Kurtan-
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nean and Paratethys. In: The geological evolution of the Weerd, A.A. van de, de Bruijn, H., Wessels, W. and Marković,
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Steininger, F.F., Müller, C. and Rögl, F. (1988) Correlation of 102, 465–492.
Central Paratethys, Eastern Paratethys and Mediterrane- Wessels, W., Markovic, Z., de Bruijn, H., Daxner-Hock, G.,
an Neogene Stages. In: Royden, L.H. and Horváth, F. Mandic, O. and Sisic, E. (2008) Paleogeography of Late
(Eds.), The Pannonian Basin. A Study in Basin Evolution. Oligocene to Miocene rodent assemblages from the west-
AAPG Mem., 45, 79–87. ern Dinaride-Anatolian Land. Geophysical Research Ab-
Stojadinović, U., Matenco, L., Andriessen, P.A.M., Toljić, M. stracts, 10, EGU2008-A-07018.
and Foeken, J.P.T. (2013) The balance between orogenic Withjack, M.O., Schlische, R.W. and Olsen, P.E. (2002) Rift ba-
building and subsequent extension during the Tertiary sin structure and its influence on sedi-mentary systems.
evolution of the NE Dinarides: Constraints from low-tem- In: Sedimentation in Continental Rifts (Eds Renaut, R.W.
perature thermochronology. Glob. Planet. Change, 103, and Ashley, G.M.). SEPM Spec. Pub., 73, 57–81.
19–38. Zachos, J.C., Pegani, M., Stone, L., Thomas, E. and Billups, K.
Sweet, A.R., Long, D.G.F. and Catuneanu, O., (2003) Sequence (2001) Trends, rhythms, and aberrations in global cli-
boundaries in finegrained terrestrial facies: biostrati- mates 65 Ma to present. Science, 292, 686–693.  
graphic time control is key to their recognition. Abstracts Zečević, M., Velić, J., Sremac, J., Troskot-Čorbić, T. and Ga-
Geological Association of Canada-Mineralogical Association rašić, V. (2010) Significance of the Badennian potroleum
of Canada joint annual meeting, Vancouver, May 25–28, 28, source rocks from the Krndija Mt. (Pannonian Basin, Cro-
165. atia). Geol. Croatica, 63, 225–239.

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 Quaternary glaciations of the Alps-Dinarides junction

Manja Žebre, Petra Jamšek Rupnik, Jernej Jež, Giovanni Monegato,

Uroš Stepišnik

FIELD TRIP A4
Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

Quaternary glaciations of the Alps-Dinarides junction

Manja Žebre1, Petra Jamšek Rupnik1, Jernej Jež1, Giovanni Monegato2, Uroš Stepišnik3
1
Geological Survey of Slovenia, Dimičeva ulica 14, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; [email protected]
2
Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources, CNR – National research Council, Via Gradenigo 6, 35131 Padova, Italy
3
Department of Geography, University of Ljubljana, Aškerčeva 2, 1000 Ljubljana

Abstract
Formerly glaciated mountain landscapes are important archives for the study of Quaternary climate change. This landscape
type is widespread both in the European Alps and in the mountains around the Mediterranean, where much new geomor-
phological and geochronological data has been collected in the last decade. This field trip will provide an overview of the
latest findings on glacial chronology, ice extent and past climate, focusing on the transition area between the Alps and the
Dinarides, stretching from Slovenia and Croatia to Bosnia and Herzegovina. The first day will be dedicated to the Soča
valley and the Trnovski gozd plateau at the Alps- Dinarides junction, where deformed glacial deposits in a profile near Most
na Soči, the sedimentary succession in the Renče clay pit with one of the best-preserved palaeobotanical records of the
Alpine Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), and the moraine chronology of Smrekova draga will be discussed in detail. The second
day will focus on the northern part of the Dinarides (Snežnik and Velebit mountains) and will cover glacial geomorphology
and chronology with three main stops in Gomance, Krasno and Veliki Alan. On the third and fourth day, the glacial chro-
nology of the Čvrsnica and Velež Mountains in the central part of the Dinarides will be presented at two stops on each day.

Introduction from the Alpine ice sheet, namely the Soča, Sava
This field trip is dedicated to the latest findings about Dolinka and Sava Bohinjka glaciers in the Julian Alps
glacial chronology, ice extent and past climate in the (Bavec & Verbič, 2011). Cirque and valley glaciers
transition area between the Alps and the Dinarides, were present in the Kamnik-Savinja Alps and the Kar-
stretching from Slovenia and Croatia to Bosnia and avanke Mountains (Bavec & Verbič, 2011), whereas
Herzegovina (Fig. 1). In particular, we will focus on small ice fields, independent of the large alpine val-
the Soča Valley in the Julian Alps and individual ley glaciers, covered the Snežnik and Trnovski gozd
mountains of the Karst Dinarides. plateaux in the northern Dinaric sector (Žebre et al.,
The Soča valley lies within the nappe system of 2013; Žebre & Stepišnik, 2016). In the Dinarides of
the Julian Alps (South-eastern Alps) and is mainly Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, several small
composed of Mesozoic carbonate rocks while rare ice fields covered the highest parts of the mountains
patches of Cretaceous clastic rocks are exposed in (e.g., Çiner et al., 2019; Žebre et al., 2019, 2021; Žebre
some intramontane basins and valleys (Buser, 1987; & Stepišnik, 2016). While in the Alps most of the gla-
Jurkovšek, 1987). The Karst Dinarides or External cial features remaining in the foreland today present
Dinarides (Korbar, 2009) are the southwestern part evidence of the last major glaciation (Ivy-Ochs, 2015),
of the Dinaric Mts., an orogenic belt formed along correlating to the global LGM ([30-17 ka BP]; Lambeck
the eastern margin of the Adriatic microplate that et al., 2014), the record of glacier fluctuations in the
extends in a NW–SE direction from the Alps to the Dinarides appears to be asynchronous between dif-
Albanides–Hellenides, and between the Adriatic Sea ferent areas (e.g., Hughes & Woodward, 2017; Žebre
in the southwest and the Pannonian Basin in the et al., 2019). There is geomorphological evidence for
northeast (Schmid et al., 2008). The Karst Dinarides much more extensive glaciation in the Middle Pleis-
consist mainly of a thick succession of shallow ma- tocene (773-126 ka) compared to the Late Pleistocene
rine platform carbonates (Vlahović et al., 2005; see (126–11.7 ka) in the southern Dinarides (Hughes et al.,
also field trip A1, this volume), where typical karst 2010, 2011) and greater or similar extensive glaciation
(Cvijić, 1893) and glaciokarst landscape (Žebre & in the Late Pleistocene in the central (Žebre et al.,
Stepišnik, 2015; Veress, 2017) now prevail. 2019) and northern Dinarides (Žebre & Stepišnik,
During the last glacial cycle (120-0 ka), the Slove- 2016; Žebre et al., 2021). The seemingly asynchronous
nian Alps hosted three main outlet glaciers flowing glacial events in the wider Dinarides could be due to

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 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

the application of different dating techniques, uncer- chronology of Čvrsnica Mt. in the central part of the
tainties in preservation potential and postdeposition- Dinarides, with two stops in Blidinje. In addition, we
al modification of glacial features, or are in turn in- will briefly discuss the extent of the glaciers on Di-
dicative of significantly different (from today) climate nara Mt. from a viewpoint. On the fourth day, the
patterns during the Pleistocene that are not yet un- glacial geomorphology and chronology of Velež Mt.
derstood. in the central part of the Dinarides will be presented
The first day of this field trip is dedicated to the with two stops near Nevesinje.
Soča valley and the Trnovski gozd plateau at the
Alps-Dinarides junction, where deformed glacial de- Day 1
posits in a profile near Most na Soči, the sedimentary
succession in the Renče clay pit, (with one of the Stop 1: Renče clay pit sedimentological and
best-preserved palaeobotanical records of the Alpine palaeobotanical records (Vipava valley)
LGM), and the moraine chronology of Smrekova dra- Renče is located in western Slovenia, near the nation-
ga will be discussed in detail. The second day will al border with Italy, where the Julian Alps merge
focus on the northern part of the Dinarides (Snežnik southwards into the Northern Dinarides. The study
and Velebit Mts.) and will deal with the glacial geo- area lies on the lower course of the Vipava River,
morphology and chronology with three main stops about 15 km upstream from the confluence with the
in Gomance, Krasno and Veliki Alan. On the third Soča River, at the foot of the northern slope of the
day, we will focus on the glacial geomorphology and Karst.

Fig. 1. Field trip route with stops. Ice

extent (modified after Ehlers et al.,
2011; Krklec et al., 2015; Žebre, 2015;
Žebre et al., 2013, 2019, 2021; Žebre &
Stepišnik, 2016) refers to the maximum
extent during the last glacial cycle.

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Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

The outlet of the Soča valley at Gorizia is charac- 25,336 cal a BP. The subsequent sediments are finer
terized by the LGM glaciofluvial fan that buried the with massive silt and clay decimetric beds (Fm), rich
previous topography under a gravel body up to 25 m in plant debris and root tracks. In trench 2, the mid-
thoick (Monegato et al., 2015; Accaino et al., 2019). The dle portion of the succession is described (Fig. 2,
aggradation of the Soča glaciof luvial fan also trench 2): 3.5-m thick basal part shows lenses of mas-
dammed the lower reach of the Vipava River valley sive sand bodies (Sm), silty-sandy layers (Sl-Sm) and
establishing an area of slow discharge with fine- a 50-cm thick massive clay layer (Fm). Locally, hard
grained sedimentation during the LGM as estab- concretions with carbonate cement occur. This basal
lished in Renče. At the Renče clay pit, a 12.5 m thick sequence is capped by a massive sandy body (Sm),
sequence is exposed made up of fine-grained sedi- ca. 1 m thick, containing conifer cones, ending with
ments rich in organic debris. Three trenches dug a 10-cm thick poorly developed peat (C) layer which
along a 500-m-long transect allowed the reconstruc- is very compressed and contains fresh-water mollusc
tion of the stratigraphic succession and palaeovege- shells. The peat layer was dated at 23,800-23,163 cal
tation (Monegato et al., 2015). a BP and is buried by a 50-cm thick grey clay interval
The succession (Fig. 2, trench 3) starts at the bot- (Fl), exhibiting traces of bioturbation and containing
tom with laminated silty sand (Sl) and massive sand fresh-water mollusc shells. The upper portion of the
(Sm), 70 cm thick, rich in plant debris and twigs (Fig. section exposes brown massive silty-clay (Fm) with
3). This layer provided a radiocarbon age of 25,941- a 2-cm thick cemented horizon at the top. The suc-

Fig. 2. Stratigraphic logs of the trenches dug in the clay pit (modified after Monegato et al., 2015). Relative depth in the logs is relative to the
top of trench 2. Facies code is according to Miall (2006).

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The facies associations of the succession indi-

cate an alluvial environment interpreted as deposi-
tion of the Vipava River floodplain that received
coarse contributions from small alluvial fans from
the northern slope of the Karst. The occurrence of
layers of thin hard concretions indicates groundwa-
ter oscillations. The single peat layer represents an
interval of stagnant water at the surface. According
to the available chronology, the aggradation started
before 26 ka driven by the aggrading threshold relat-
ed to the development of the Soča megafan (Fontana
et al., 2008). The lack of weathering surfaces suggests
continuous sedimentation, mostly related to season-
al discharge, which ended at about 22 ka, as testified
by the development of a thick weathered horizon.
The chronology is in agreement with the maximum
advance of glaciers in the southeastern Alps (Mon-
egato et al., 2007) and the beginning of the glacial
withdrawal and river trenching (Fontana et al., 2014).
The fine-grained deposits burying the palaeosol are
associated with colluvial deposition.
The palaeobotanical studies available for the
Renče clay pit (Monegato et al., 2015) and the sur-
rounding area (Šercelj, 1981) provided evidence for
the persistence of boreal trees and of different types
of open boreal forest throughout the Last Glacial
Fig. 3. The lower portion of trench 3 is dominated by blue-grey silt Maximum at the south-eastern mountain fringe be-
and clay. Location of pollen samples is marked.
tween the Alps and the Northern Dinarides. The eco-
system reconstruction was based on a high-resolu-
cession passes to a 3-m thick interval made up of tion pollen record and supported by a rich
massive grey clay (Fm). Here, the lower part contains macrofossil flora.
thin lenses of fine massive sands (Sm). A spruce cone The values of Equilibrium Line Altitude and tree
remnant yielded a radiocarbon age of 22,939-22,453 line altitudes estimated for the mountain ranges fac-
cal a BP. Towards the top, the body is intersected by ing the Adriatic Plain constrain a large belt of open
vertical, orange-coloured soft concretions, the thick- boreal forests in the lower mountain altitudinal belts.
ness of which decreases from top to bottom. Hori- Palaeobotanical evidence from the proximal fluvio-
zontal orange concretions, 1-2 cm thick and weakly glacial megafans suggests that boreal forests also ex-
cemented, occur at regular intervals of 40-50 cm. tended over stable areas in the plain. Arid pedocli-
The abundance of orange concretions indicate a wa- mates on limestone bedrock limited forest
terlogged weathering phase. At the top, they indicate development on the slopes. The overall boreal climate
that the end of aggradation occurred at about 22 ka. reconstructed at the Alpine–Dinaric piedmont im-
The palaeosol was also described in trench 1, where plies a steep moisture gradient from the forested
the succession is coarser because of the presence of mountain fringe to the semiarid alluvial plains which
layers of crudely bedded matrix-supported gravels extended further south in the Adriatic Plain (Fig. 4).
(Gsm), showing a monogenic composition (arenites Viewed in a wider perspective of the northern
of the Palaeogene flysch). Adriatic biogeographic region, the fossil evidence
The palaeosol was buried by massive to laminat- suggests a number of cryptic refugia related to mi-
ed clays (Fm-Fl), which crop out at the top of the es- crohabitats, but mesophytic broadleaved trees did
carpment. In trench 1, a 50 cm thick massive grey not withstand the LGM temperature extremes in
clay (Fm) and gyttja (P) yielded a radiocarbon age of zonal ecosystems at least at the Alpine–Dinaric
12,900-12,700 cal a BP (Fig. 2, trench 1). fringe.

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Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

Fig. 4. A palaeogeographic map of the Adriatic Plain (AP) and the Venetian – Friulian Plain (VFP) in the Last Glacial Maximum (cut from Fig. 2
of Peresani et al., 2021). Main physiographic units at the last glacier culmination in the piedmont at the southern side of the Alps, 26 to 22 ka
cal BP (LGM p.p.). Red star shows the location of Renče. Key (references in Peresani et al., 2021): 1. Glaciers; 2. Lakes; 3. megafan bodies
above the current sea level (B Mgf, Brenta megafan; P Mgf, Piave megafan; T Mgf, Tagliamento megafan); 4. megafan bodies below current
sea level; 5. Upper proximal megafan belt; 6. Po River floodplain; 7. Po River delta; 8. stable surfaces supporting deeply weathered soils and
loess; 9. DEM (colour scale from 130 to 4.808 m).

Stop 2: Late Quaternary Sedimentary includes glaciofluvial, glaciolacustrine, glacial, and

Succession and its Deformation in Modrejce, slope deposits from two glacial advances of the Soča
Most na Soči (Soča valley): Implications for Glacier (Jamšek Rupnik et al., 2020). The glacier
Glacial and Tectonic Processes reached the Most na Soči area during the Penultimate
The Late Quaternary sedimentary succession in Glaciation and the Last Glacial Maximum. A stair-
Modrejce near Most na Soči (Julian Alps, Western case-shaped slope formed during and after the Last
Slovenia) represents an ice-marginal area during the Glacial Maximum, when glacial and post-glacial pro-
Last Glacial Maximum and within the deformation cesses were carved into older deposits (Fig. 6). Slope
zone of the Idrija Fault (Fig. 5). The Idrija Fault is an deposition was established during the Holocene.
important regional dextral strike-slip fault, which The older glaciofluvial succession, which is tilted
has been active with a slip rate of 1.15 ± 0.15 mm/year and cut by a series of faults and joints, and includes
(Moulin et al., 2014, 2016) and has a significant seis- glaciolacustrine layers exhibiting soft-sediment defor-
mogenic potential (Atanackov et al., 2021) as demon- mations, was studied through photogrammetric and
strated by historical and palaeoseismic history levelling surveys, palaeoseismological techniques,
(Grützner et al., 2021). The sedimentary succession in and ground penetrating radar surveys (Fig. 7) (Jamšek
Modrejce holds evidence of palaeoenvironmental Rupnik et al., 2022). The analysis revealed at least five
changes and deformations, studied using geomor- deformation events that occurred during deposition
phological and structural geological mapping, sedi- of the studied succession of the Penultimate Glacia-
mentary facies analysis, and optically stimulated tion. An anticline with an N-S to NE-SW oriented axis,
luminescence dating to understand the landforms dissected with NE-SW striking faults that are approx-
and sediments. Findings show that the succession imately perpendicular to the primary Idrija Fault, was

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 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

identified from ground penetrating radar profiles and Stop 3: Smrekova draga moraine chronology
outcrop observations. Considering the local geologic and ice extent (Trnovski gozd)
setting there are three possible mechanisms that The Trnovski Gozd plateau is located in western Slo-
could have caused these deformations: glaciotecton- venia in the northern part of the Karst Dinarides.
ics, gravitational faulting due to ice-decay or slope in- This high karst plateau stretches over a length of 25
stability, and tectonic faulting. Following a detailed km and a width of 11 km. The highest peak is Mali
structural analysis, the observed deformations were Golak (1495 m asl; above sea level).
interpreted as secondary structures resulting from The Trnovski Gozd area consists of Mesozoic shal-
palaeoseismic activity of the Idrija Fault and as struc- low marine carbonate rocks overlying Eocene flysch
tures resulting from glaciotectonics and gravitational formations. In the northern part of the Trnovski Gozd,
faulting. The transtensional nature of the deforma- the oldest lithostratigraphic horizon is the Upper Juras-
tions at the studied site indicates the local character of sic Main dolomite, which passes upwards into strati-
the Idrija Fault, which can be explained by a local re- fied dolomite and Dachstein limestone. The Triassic
leasing bend in the Modrejce Valley. strata pass continuously into the Jurassic strata, which
The study of the succession in Modrejce reveals dominate in Trnovski Gozd and consist of various lime-
the late Quaternary glacial history of the Most na Soči stones and dolomites (Buser, 1965, 1968, 1987; Janež et
area and seismic activity of the Idrija Fault and sug- al., 1997). The entire area of Trnovski Gozd is deep
gests a highly dynamic environment resulting from karst. The depth of the unsaturated zone in this area is
climatic changes and tectonic activity. It also pro- more than 500 m, and the authigenic water flows un-
vides valuable new data for understanding the seis- derground to numerous springs in the foothills of the
mic hazard of this important fault, including the first plateau. The vadose shafts thus dominate the under-
palaeoseismic evidence from the Penultimate Glaci- ground and the surface is typically karstic with all the
ation. characteristic morphologies (Mihevc, 1995).

Fig. 5. Quaternary deposits and Idrija Fault

traces in the Tolmin and Most na Soči areas
(modified after Jamšek Rupnik et al., 2022).
D48 coordinate system.

110 Field trip guidebook

Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

Fig. 6. Landforms, deposits and structural

features of the Modrejce Valley (modified after
Jamšek Rupnik et al., 2022). A) Geomorphic
and structural map including lower hemisphere
stereographic projections of the fault and joint
planes. B) A stacked cross-section of landforms
and deposits.

Fig. 7. Digital orthophoto and profile log of deformed Quaternary deposits in Modrejce with lower hemisphere stereographic projections of the
bedding and faulting measurements (modified after Jamšek Rupnik et al., 2022). Bedding/fault planes (left projections), bedding/fault plane poles
with contours showing the distribution of the poles (middle projections) and rose diagram of bedding plane poles or fault planes (right projections).

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 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

Fig. 8. Photo of Smrekova draga facing NW.

Smrekova Draga is a large karst depression (Fig. ported, unconsolidated sediments dominated by
8) and is called a konta. Kontas are large karst depres- semi-rounded clasts of Main dolomite and Dachstein
sions typical of high mountain karst and are there- limestone (Kodelja et al., 2013).
fore considered glaciokarst forms due to their loca- The Smrekova draga karst depression was com-
tion in or near formerly glaciated areas. Glacial pletely filled with glacier ice and was part of a small-
deposits were found in Smrekova Draga (Fig. 9). The er ice field with an area of 4.8 km2 (Žebre, 2015). Five
entire northern margin is covered by till up to 1250 boulders sitting on the crest of the Smrekova draga
m asl. On the eastern edge there is a lateral moraine moraine were sampled for cosmogenic 36Cl surface
that starts at 1300 m asl and ends above the steep exposure dating (Fig. 10).
slopes of the Trebuša valley. It consists of clast-sup-

Fig. 9. Glacial geomorphology of Smrekova draga, cosmogenic surface exposure dating sampling sites and geomorphological reconstruction
of the maximum ice extent.

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Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

tudes in the Gomance karst depression on the south-

ern slopes of Snežnik (900 m asl) (Žebre & Stepišnik,
2016).
Gomance is a karst polje (Fig. 11a) in the south-
ern Snežnik Mt. on the border between Slovenia and
Croatia. The polje is 2.2 km long and 1.4 km wide and
covers a flat area of 1.9 km2. The lowest point of the
polje is 900 m asl. The flat floor of the polje is sur-
rounded by steep slopes to the northwest and south-
east with peaks of over 1100 m asl (Fig. 11b). The for-
mation of the polje was strongly influenced by the
nearby Snežnik and Gorski Kotar ice fields, from
where two outlet glaciers reached Gomance. During
the largest Pleistocene glaciation, the ice fields cov-
ered a total area of at least 140 km2 (Žebre & Stepišnik,
2016) (Fig. 12). The morphogenesis of the polje was
reconstructed with the help of geomorphological
mapping, sedimentological survey, and ground pen-
etrating radar (GPR) measurements supported by
hand drilling.
Almost the entire Gomance polje floor is flat-
tened by Quaternary deposits. The north-eastern
part of the polje is covered by two fans (Fig. 11b). The
sedimentary characteristics of the two fans were de-
termined from vast outcrops in gravel pits (Fig. 13).
Fig. 10. Photo of one of the sampled boulders on the rim of Smrekova These deposits consist mainly of clast-supported,
draga.
weakly cemented, and subrounded gravels. The bed-
ding of the gravels is horizontal (Gh) with interbed-
Day 2
Stop 4: Evolution of the Gomance karst polje
influenced by glaciation (Snežnik Mt.)
The Snežnik area belongs to the northwestern part of
the Karst Dinarides and consists mainly of Mesozoic
carbonates. The Veliki Snežnik area (the highest peak
of the Snežnik Mt.; 1796 m asl) is mainly composed of
bedded to thin-bedded Upper Jurassic to Lower Cre-
taceous limestone, while bedded dolomite and lime-
stone-dolomite breccias also occur locally (Šikić et
al., 1972; Savić & Dozet, 1985). The limestone in the
Snežnik area is subject to karstification, which re-
sults in numerous karst phenomena. However, the
karst surface has been significantly reshaped by gla-
cial activity. The western part of Snežnik is dominat-
ed by hummocky moraines that reach down to 1060
m asl. The moraines on the north-eastern side are
mainly located around the Praprotna draga karst de-
pression, while surprisingly no glacial traces were
found north of the highest peak. Most glacial deposits
in the form of up to ~50 m high lateral and frontal
moraines are distributed on the southern and eastern
Fig. 11. (a) Photo of Gomance karst polje facing E. (b) Glacial
slopes at 900-1200 m asl. They reach their lowest alti- geomorphology of Gomance (modified after Žebre et al., 2016).

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 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

ded lenses of cross-laminated sands or silty sands

(St). No major erosional discontinuities were ob-
served in the vertical stack. According to the geomor-
phological and sedimentological characteristics,
both fan systems originated from the meltwaters and
are therefore considered as outwash fans (Žebre et
al., 2016).
In the proximal part of the fans, two ridges rise
from the plain (Fig. 12B). While one ridge consists of
the bedrock and is partially covered by scattered
boulders, the other is a 2 m high and 100 m long mo-
raine characterised by matrix-supported diamicton
(Dmm). The matrix is silty sand, while the clasts are
subrounded to subangular and reach up to 1 m in di-
ameter. Striated and faceted clasts are common.
Three GPR profiles over this ridge also indicate that
it consists of deposits with till characteristics (Žebre
et al., 2016).
A scapula of Bos primigenius found in the prox-
imal outwash deposits in a 13 m deep quarry, 4 m
Fig. 12. Geomorphological reconstruction of the maximum ice extent
below the surface, yielded a radiocarbon age of in Snežnik (modified after Žebre & Stepišnik, 2016).
17.1±0.4 14C ka BP (Marjanac et al., 2001), correspond-
ing to a calibrated age of 19,770-21,772 cal a BP least 800 m, while the Gorski Kotar outlet glacier was
(2σ-range) (Reimer et al., 2020). This age indicates still confined to the karst depression east of Go-
activity of the outwash system at the end of the ag- mance. At this time, the outwash deposits almost
gradation phase in the LGM (Žebre et al., 2016). completely buried the glacial deposits of the first
Based on the results of sedimentological, geo- phase in the polje, and only a moraine ridge remained
morphological, geophysical and dating methods, two partially uncovered by 2 m. Both phases can be dated
distinct sedimentary phases were identified in the to the Last Glaciation as suggested by radiocarbon
polje. The first phase was characterised by the pres- dating of the outwash deposits (Žebre et al., 2016).
ence of the Snežnik outlet glacier in the entire north-
eastern part of the polje, while the rest of the polje Stop 5: Geomorphology and age of the Krasno
was influenced by the outwash system of the Snežnik lateral-frontal moraine (Northern Velebit Mt.)
and Gorski Kotar outlet glaciers. In the second phase, Velebit Mt. is the most prominent geomorphological
the front of the Snežnik outlet glacier retreated by at structure in the central part of the Karst Dinarides.

Fig. 13. Outwash sediments in gravel pit q1, showing horizontally bedded gravels (Gh) with interbedded lenses of cross-laminated sands or
silty sands (St).

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The oldest rocks in the northern Velebit Mt. are Mid- tal side, i.e., on the north-eastern side of the northern
dle Triassic thick-bedded to massive limestones de- Velebit Mt., where they reach as low as 850 m asl. On
posited in lagoonal environments (Mamužić et al., the coastal, western and southwestern side, they ap-
1969; Velić et al., 1974; Vlahović et al., 2005). The suc- pear only as small patches down to 1240 m asl (Žebre
cession of an overlying 250 m thick layer of Upper et al., 2021).
Triassic dolomites is conformably overlain by a ~650 Krasno polje is a karst polje (Fig. 14) on the north-
m thick succession of Lower Jurassic alternating eastern side of the northern Velebit Mt. in Croatia.
limestones and dolomites, Lithiotid limestones and The polje is 1700 m long and 800 m wide and covers a
spotted-limestones (‘fleckenkalk’). The 700 m thick flat area of 1.7 km2. The altitude of the polje's floor is
Middle Jurassic limestones are thick-bedded to mas- between 660 and 850 m asl. It consists of three sepa-
sive and are overlain by up to 1500 m of well bedded rate enlargements oriented in a northwest–southeast
Upper Jurassic limestones. A significant part of the direction (Stepišnik, 2015). Krasno polje was located
northern Velebit area is covered by the Velebit brec- on the edge of the largest glaciation during the Last
cia (also known as the Jelar breccia; see Bahun, 1963, Glaciation on northern Velebit (Žebre et al., 2021). The
1974), a massive, clast-supported, well-lithified car- entire area of the northern Velebit Mt. was studied by
bonate breccia (Vlahović et al., 2012), the origin of means of geomorphological and sedimentological
which is still a matter of debate (Korbar, 2009). surveys, cosmogenic 36Cl surface exposure dating of
The northern Velebit Mt. is intensely karstified moraine boulders, and palaeoicefield simulations
due to the predominance of carbonate rocks and is using the Parallel Ice Sheet Model (PISM).
characterised as deep karst, where the vadose zone On the steep north-eastern slopes above Krasno
reaches a depth of almost 1500 m (Bakšić, 2003; Polje, a pair of ~80 m high lateral moraines is located
Bakšić et al., 2013; Stroj, 2017). The highest parts of between 850–1100 m asl. This pair of moraines rep-
the northern Velebit Mt. (~1450–1699 m asl) are dis- resents the lowest glacial landform in the area of the
sected by large karst depressions the size of uvalas. northern Velebit Mt. The lateral moraines consist of
Below the highest peaks and plateaus are valleys or a matrix-supported massive diamicton (Dmm) char-
elongated depressions (~3–6 km long) that follow tec- acterised by a silty matrix and subangular to sub-
tonic and structural boundaries. These depressions rounded clasts of Lower Jurassic lithiotid limestones
used to function as glacial valleys, and their slopes and spotty limestones intercalated with dolomites.
and floors are covered with glacial deposits. Most Boulders of < 1.5 m in diameter are scattered along
glacial deposits have been identified on the continen- the two moraine crests. Further down the moraines,

Fig. 14. Photo of Krasno polje facing W.

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 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

Fig. 15. Glacial geomorphology of

the wider Krasno Polje area showing
the cosmogenic surface exposure
dating sampling sites and 36 Cl
exposure ages (modified after Žebre
et al., 2021).

an outwash fan covers the Krasno Polje depression referred to as “Mirovo Depressions”) host moraines
(Fig. 15) (Žebre et al., 2021). of different sizes and shapes on their floors and rims
On the slopes above Krasno Polje in the NE part (Fig. 17). A relatively large moraine covers the saddle
of the northern Velebit Mt., three samples of lime- between the Tudorevo and Dundović Mirovo depres-
stone boulders were collected on the crest of a left sions at ~1350 m asl, while a series of hummocky-like
lateral moraine between 1005 and 1023 m asl (Fig. 16). moraines with Lower Jurassic limestone boulders
All samples originate from Jurassic limestones. All measuring up to 0.5 m in diameter cover the floor of
three boulders yielded unexpectedly young 36Cl expo- the Dundović Mirovo depression (~1330 m asl). The
sure ages of 16.5 ± 1.6 ka (VLB18-10), 11.0 ± 1.0 ka southern rim of the Bilensko Mirovo depression, the
(VLB18-11) and 14.8 ± 1.3 ka (VLB18-12), considering so-called “Bilo”, is also covered by a moraine at 1400–
that they are located on the lowest moraine in the en- 1430 m asl. The latter is dominated by a matrix-sup-
tire northern Velebit area. All boulder ages are cor- ported massive diamicton (Dmm) with a sandy–silty
rected for 15 mm ka−1 denudation. The oldest age was matrix and subrounded clasts of Lower Jurassic lime-
determined from the tallest (0.9 m) and overall largest stones and dolomites. The largest boulders on the
boulder (L × W × H = 0.9 × 1.7 × 0.9 m). An extensive ice moraine have a diameter of up to 2 m (Žebre et al.,
field during the Lateglacial period is not consistent 2021).
with either the geomorphological evidence or past In the Mirovo depressions, four samples of lime-
climate variability (NGRIP members, 2004, 2007). It stone boulders were collected (Fig. 18), from two sets
is, therefore likely that it does not reflect the true age of moraines. Samples VLB18-04, VLB18-06 and
of the moraine deposition. Instead, the 36Cl exposure VLB18-07 are from thick-bedded and massive Middle
ages are more likely the result of the exhumation of Jurassic limestones, while VLB18-05 is from the Lith-
boulders due to moraine degradation. This lateral mo- iotid Lower Jurassic limestone. Three samples were
raine pair is located on a relatively steep slope, indi- taken from the southern terminal moraine, called
cating that the moraine was probably intensively re- Bilo, which covers the rim of the depression between
worked after the glaciation (Žebre et al., 2021). 1404 and 1410 m asl. The three limestone boulders
between 0.4 and 1.1 m tall yielded 36Cl exposure ages
Stop 6: Age of the Mirovo moraines and the of 26.5 ± 2.9 ka (VLB18-05), 27.4 ± 2.9 ka (VLB18-06)
ice extent on the Northern Velebit Mt. and 57.0 ± 11.0 ka (VLB18-07). All boulder ages are
A series of elongated depressions called Tudore- corrected for 15 mm ka−1 denudation. Surprisingly,
vo, Dundović Mirovo and Bilensko Mirovo (hereafter the youngest age was attained from, by far, the larg-

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Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

Fig. 16. Photos of the sampled boulders and their 36Cl exposure ages in the Krasno Polje area (modified after Žebre et al., 2021).

est boulder (LxWxH=1.5x2.2x1.1 m) in the group of tion of the boulder within the depression, the expla-
sampled boulders. Although two of the samples nation for such a young age could be that the
(VLB18-05 and VLB18-06) yielded similar ages, we depression was filled with stationary ice even after
argue that inheritance does not contribute to the old- the glacier retreat until the early Holocene (Žebre et
est age (VLB18-07) of this moraine because the mo- al., 2021).
raine was far from the slope walls and the denudation Seventeen boulders from five different moraine
rate was high. Therefore, we assume that the oldest sets were dated on the northern Velebit Mt. with 36Cl
age is probably closest to the true age of the moraine, cosmogenic surface exposure dating (see Žebre et al.,
while the younger ages could be the result of moraine 2021). The dating results show that the northern Vel-
degradation, toppling and/or boulder exhumation ebit glaciers reached their maximum extent during
(Žebre et al., 2021). the last glacial cycle before the global LGM. Consid-
Another sample (VLB18-04) was collected from ering all uncertainties relevant to the study area and
a hill on a hummocky moraine surface within a de- assuming that the oldest boulder age is the true age
pression, previously interpreted as a drumlin (Velić of the moraine, the ages correlate with MIS 4 to MIS
& Velić, 2009; Velić et al., 2011). The sample at 1335 m 5. The empirical reconstruction of the maximum ex-
asl, ~75 m lower than the terminal moraine boulders, tent suggests that the area covered by glaciers was
yielded a much younger 36Cl exposure age (9.0 ± 0.8 ~116 km2. The PISM simulation, which best matches
ka). Although stratigraphically younger than the age the empirically reconstructed ice extent (Fig. 19),
of the terminal moraine, this age probably provides suggests that the most likely palaeoclimate scenario
an unreliable (i.e. too young) retreat age for the gla- for the formation of glaciers of this size is a cooling
cier in the Mirovo Depressions. Considering the loca- of ~8 °C and a 10% decrease in precipitation com-

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 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

Fig. 17. Glacial geomorphology of the Mirovo Depressions showing

cosmogenic surface exposure, dating sampling sites and 36Cl
exposure ages (modified after Žebre et al., 2021).

pared to present-day values. The maximum extent

during MIS 5–4 on the Balkan Peninsula has not been
recorded before, making the glacier record from the
northern Velebit Mt. unique. This discrepancy with
other records on the Balkan Peninsula could be due
to differences in local sensitivity to temperature fluc-
tuations or variations in moisture availability. The
latter can be explained by fluctuations in sea level
and the associated expansion of the Adriatic Plain
during the last glacial cycle (Žebre et al., 2021).

Day 3
Stop 7: Glacial history of Dinara Mt. from a
viewpoint location
Dinara is a 60 km long and up to 17 km wide mountain
massif in the Karst Dinarides on the border between
Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. In its northern
part, it is divided into two morphological units. The
western unit is mainly located on the Croatian side
and reaches its highest point with the peak Dinara
Fig. 18. Photos of the sampled boulders and their 36Cl exposure ages
(1831 m), which is also the highest peak in Croatia. in Mirovo Depressions (modified after Žebre et al., 2021).

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Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

depressions and in places on the edges of the plateau

(Fig. 20). The highest glacial deposits are at 1700 m asl
on the western edge of the plateau. Most glacial de-
posits are below 1500 m asl, the lowest being at 880 m
asl on the eastern slopes of Dinara (Fig. 21). Glacial
deposits in the Dinara area consist entirely of car-
bonate till dominated by various types of Cretaceous
limestone clasts. Only the moraines on the eastern
slopes also contain Jurassic limestone and dolomite
clasts (Žebre, 2015).
According to the geomorphological reconstruc-
tion, in the highest parts of the Dinara there was an ice
field from which several outlet glaciers flowed in dif-
ferent directions. The lowest outlet glacier, which
flowed to the east, reached 920 m asl. The maximum
area covered by ice was 68 km2 (Žebre, 2015). No age
dating of glacial deposits has been carried out in this
area.

Stop 8: Age of the Svinjača hummocky

moraines (Čvrsnica Mt.)
In the southwest of Bosnia and Herzegovina lies the
Blidinje area in the central Karst Dinarides. The area
includes Blidinje Polje (or Dugo Polje), a SW-NE elon-
gated polje about 20 km long and 2-5 km wide. The
polje is surrounded by Mount Vran (2074 m asl) to the
Fig. 19. Ice topography based on a cooling of 8 °C and a 10%
reduction in precipitation compared to present-day values, which is northeast, Mount Čvrsnica (2226 m asl) to the south-
closest to the empirically reconstructed ice limit (modified after Žebre
et al., 2021). The locations of Krasno Polje and Mirovo Depressions
east, and Mount Čabulja (1776 m asl) to the southwest.
are marked on the map. The area consists mainly of permeable Cretaceous and
Jurassic carbonate rocks and their Quaternary depos-
The highest peak of the eastern unit is Veliki Troglav its (Sofilj & Živanović, 1979; Stepišnik et al., 2016).
(1912 m), located in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Svinjača area southwest of Blidinje Polje has
The oldest rocks in the study area are Upper Tri- a flat bottom with an elevation of ~1170 m asl and is 3.5
assic bedded dolomites, observed in the northern- km long and up to 1.5 km wide. A ~6 km long palae-
most part and on the eastern slopes of Dinara. The oglacier, originating from a small ice cap above 1400
north-eastern and south-western slopes of Dinara are m asl, occupied the glacial valley in the southwestern
dominated by Jurassic rocks, including Lower Juras- part of the Čvrsnica Mountains and led to the deposi-
sic dolomites, Lower to Upper Jurassic limestones tion of hummocky moraines in the Svinjača area (Fig.
and Upper Jurassic thick-bedded fossiliferous lime- 22 and 23). The hummocky moraine morphology was
stones interbedded with dolomites. The most wide- formed by the gradual melting of the piedmont glacier
spread are Cretaceous fossiliferous limestones with and is characterised by randomly distributed chaotic
rare dolomite lenses and carbonate breccias forming mounds and depressions without specific organisa-
the entire upper part of the Dinara massif, including tion (Gravenor & Kupsch, 1959, describe this as knob
its western, northern and southern slopes (Grimani and kettle topography). The mounds are up to 10 m
et al., 1972; Ahac et al., 1976; Ivanović et al., 1977; Pa- high and 10-50 m wide, with a slope of about 20°, and
peš et al., 1982). are separated by irregular karstic depressions 10-50 m
Dinara is a deglaciated high karst plateau char- wide and several metres deep. The hummocky mo-
acterised by numerous depressions and conical hills. raines consist mainly of Cretaceous limestone pebbles
Typical glacial erosional features have not been rec- and cobbles (10-50 cm in diameter). Larger boulders,
ognized on the plateau. Glacial deposits on the pla- 1 to 3 m in diameter, showing signs of surface weath-
teau are rare. They only occur in some of the karst ering, were also observed and preferred for sampling.

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 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

The depressions are filled with finer material, and a

thin layer of black soil with grass vegetation covers the
area (Çiner et al., 2019).
At the exit of the glacial valley, there is a left lat-
eral moraine that is about 400 m long and 30 m high,
reaching 1265 m asl. The lateral moraine extends
from 1300 m asl to 1265 m asl and consists of a diam-
icton characterised by an unsorted and unstratified
sandy-silty matrix with subangular to subrounded
limestone boulders (Çiner et al., 2019).
At the northwestern boundary of the palaeopied-
mont lobe, represented by the hummocky morphol-
ogy, an outwash fan covers a significant part of the
Svinjača floor. The fan has a flatter topography and
finer-grained sediments. As no surface streams were
observed in the Svinjača depression, Stepišnik et al.
Fig. 20. A) Glacial deposits covering the Velike Poljanice karst (2016) concluded that the area is a combination of a
depression in the southern part of Dinara. B) Outcrop showing the
characteristics of carbonate till in Velike Poljanice. piedmont and a border-type polje due to the presence
of fluviokarst and outwash deposits filling the polje
(Gams, 1978; Ford & Williams, 2007).
At the exit of the glacial valley, five samples were
collected from the hummocky moraines and three
samples from the left lateral moraine. Five boulders
from the hummocky moraines yielded 36Cl ages of
12.2 ± 1.4 ka (SV16-01), 22.7 ± 3.8 ka (SV16-02), 16.6 ±
2.4 ka (SV16-03), 16.4 ± 2.4 ka (SV16-04) and 22.5 ± 3.8
ka (SV16-05). The oldest age of the moraine boulders
is 22.7 ± 3.8 ka, suggesting that the LGM was the time
of retreat of the piedmont glacier. In contrast, the
boulders of the left lateral moraine yielded 36Cl ages
of 10.6 ± 1.3 ka (SV16-06), 11.5 ± 1.5 ka (SV16-07) and
13.2 ± 1.8 ka (SV16-08). The oldest age of the moraine
boulders is 13.2 ± 1.8 ka, indicating deglaciation dur-
ing the Younger Dryas. The left lateral moraine is
younger than the hummocky moraines, as expected
because it is located at a higher elevation at the exit
of the glacial valley. The age of all samples was cor-
rected for 40 mm ka-1 denudation (Çiner et al., 2019).

Stop 9: Age of the Glavice morainic

amphitheatre (Čvrsnica Mt.)
The largest moraine complex in Blidinje Polje, the
Glavice moraine, is located in the central part and
has the typical shape of an amphitheatre (Fig. 24).
The moraine extends over ~3 km in diameter and is
oriented in a direction from SE to NW. Two cirques at
altitudes between ~1400 and 1500 m asl are responsi-
ble for the formation of this complex, which drops to
1260 m asl at its lowest northeastern extension. De-
spite its excellent preservation, the dense pine cover
Fig. 21. Glacial geomorphology of the northern A), middle B), and
southern C) sections of Dinara Mt. (modified after Žebre, 2015). and black soil make observation and sampling diffi-

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Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

Fig. 22. Glacial geomorphology

of the Svinjača area (modified after
Çiner et al., 2019) showing cosmo-
genic surface exposure dating sam-
pling sites and 36Cl exposure ages
from the hummocky (SV16–01 to
SL16–05) and left lateral (SV16–06
to SL16–08) moraines.

cult. Large boulders (1 to 3 m in diameter) of Creta- loop. Parts of Blidinje Polje in the northwest and
ceous and Jurassic limestone and dolomite can be north of the moraine are now covered by outwash
seen among the trees and were sampled where pos- fans (Stepišnik et al., 2016; Çiner et al., 2019).
sible. Two large river beds formed by proglacial or Four samples were collected in the terminal mo-
postglacial streams, now inactive, flow to the north- raine in the Glavice area (Fig. 25). Four boulders from
west and cut through the outer edge of the moraine the terminal moraine complex were analysed and

Fig. 23. Photo of the Svinjača hummocky moraines facing NE (modified after Çiner et al., 2019).

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 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

yielded 36Cl ages of 9.7 ± 1.1 ka (GL16-01), 8.2 ± 1.5 ka Tomić, 1981). Due to the predominant carbonate li-
(GL16-02), 9.0 ± 1.0 ka (GL16-03) and 13.5 ± 1.8 ka thology, a well-developed karst aquifer functions in
(GL16-04). The age of all samples was corrected for 40 this area. The subsurface drainage is directed to-
mm ka-1 denudation. The age of the oldest boulder wards the springs at Nevesinjsko polje and other
(13.5 ± 1.8 ka) from the terminal moraine was select- deeply incised valleys around the mountain, so that
ed as the most representative date for the moraine the vadose zone reaches a depth of at least several
deposition. This age indicates a Younger Dryas stadi- hundred metres.
al event in the Glavice area (Çiner et al., 2019). The glacial landscape is very characteristic of Ve-
It should be noted that the proposed boulder and lež Mt. (Fig. 26). While the south-facing slopes show
moraine ages should be considered as minimum only minor glacial reshaping of the surface with only
ages, as suggested by other studies (e.g., Ivy-Ochs & three cirques below the highest peak, the north-facing
Schaller, 2009; Lukas, 2011; Lüthgens et al., 2011). slopes are cliffs, characterised by a series of cirques
Çiner et al. (2019) concluded that the dated left lateral and extensive glacial deposits down to 950 m asl (Fig.
and terminal moraines in both areas belong to the 27a). Cirque floors on the northern side of Velež are
same glacial period (Younger Dryas), not only be- much lower (1400-1500 m asl) than those on the south-
cause they have very similar cosmogenic ages (13.2 ± ern side (1620-1790 m asl). Below the cirques, polished
1.8 ka and 13.5 ± 1.8 ka, respectively), but also be- limestone pavements and arêtes occur between indi-
cause they are at similar elevations (~1300 m asl). vidual glacial valleys. Less than 5 km from the main
mountain crest lateral-terminal moraine complexes
occur at 1300-1200 m asl (Žebre et al., 2019). Geomor-
Day 4
phological mapping, cosmogenic 36Cl surface exposure
Stop 10: Glacial geomorphology of Velež dating of moraine boulders, glacier reconstruction and
Mt. from a viewpoint on the Donje Zijemlje equilibrium line altitude estimation were carried out
outwash fan to study the Velež glacial landscape.
Velež Mt. is located in the Karst Dinarides in southern Five large lateral moraine pairs, up to 2.7 km
Bosnia and Herzegovina between the Mostar Basin long and rising more than 100 m above the valley
in the west and the Nevesinjsko polje in the south. floor, and two smaller moraine complexes, 1.1 km
The main ridge of Velež above 1700 m asl is 12 km long and no higher than 50 m, are located on the
long and oriented towards the NW-SE. The highest northern slopes of Velež Mt The moraines extend to
peak is Botin (1965 m asl). The north-facing slopes of a minimum altitude of 940 m asl, where they are cou-
Velež consist mainly of Cretaceous limestone and do- pled with outwash fans. Breach-lobe moraines,
lomite (Mojićević & Laušević, 1970; Mojićević & formed by the glacier cutting through the main lat-

Fig. 24. Photo of the Glavice amphitheatre-shaped terminal moraine facing SW (modified after Çiner et al., 2019).

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Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

Fig. 25. Glacial geomorphology

of the Glavice area (modified after
Çiner et al., 2019) showing cosmo-
genic surface exposure dating sam-
pling sites and 36Cl exposure ages
from the terminal moraine complex
(GL16–01 to GL16–04).

eral moraines, are present on the external parts of The average size of the clasts ranges from 1 to 7 cm,
some lateral terminal moraine complexes. Much while the maximum is 17 cm (Žebre et al., 2019).
smaller moraines occur 1 km up the valley from the
furthermost limits of the glaciation. The large lateral Stop 11: Characteristics and age of the
moraines consist of a diamicton (Dmm) character- Budijevača lateral-terminal moraine complex
ised by a sandy-silty matrix and subangular to sub- (Velež Mt.)
rounded, cobble to boulder-sized clasts of Cretaceous Budijevača is the largest moraine complex on Velež
limestone and dolomite. Along the moraine ridges, Mt., starting at 1300 m asl and ending after 2.7 km at
boulders with a diameter of ~1 m are scattered, but 980 m asl (Fig. 28). It rises up to 130 m above the lake,
also those with a diameter of up to 3 m can be found. which is located in the middle of the moraine com-
Further along the moraines, below 1000 m asl, there plex (Žebre et al., 2019). The glacial deposits of Budi-
are two larger areas with outwash deposits. The melt- jevača are organised into specific types of glacial
waters from the glacial valleys west of the Botin peak depositional landforms, referred to as the lateral-ter-
were directed towards the Donje Zijemlje karst de- minal moraine complexes (Benn et al., 2014). They
pression (Fig. 27b), while the meltwaters from the increase in height down-glacier, where they separate
valleys east of the highest peak drained towards Ne- from the valley walls and converge towards the valley
vesinjsko polje. However, a bifurcation of the melt- ends, forming lateral-terminal moraine complexes.
waters beneath the glaciers in the karst underground The formation of extensive lateral-terminal moraine
system cannot be ruled out. The outwash fans are complexes is the result of a large accumulation of de-
slightly inclined, from 1.5° in the proximal zones to bris at the ice margin. They form when debris rises
only 0.5° in the distal zones. They consist of horizon- from the bed by compressive flow near the ice mar-
tally bedded, clast supported gravels with rare sandy gin (Benn & Evans, 2010).
lenses (Gh). The clasts are subrounded to rounded, Ten samples for cosmogenic 36Cl surface expo-
composed of Cretaceous limestone and dolostone. sure dating were collected from the crest of this mo-

Field trip guidebook 123

 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

(BU16-03), 8.8 ± 1.1 ka (BU16-04) and 9.0 ± 1.0 ka (BU16-

05). Boulders from the left lateral moraine gave ages
of 15.7 ± 2.1 ka (BU16-06), 9.0 ± 1.0 ka (BU16-07), 6.3 ±
0.6 ka (BU16- 08), 10.7 ± 1.3 ka (BU16-09) and 11.5 ± 1.4
ka (BU16-10). The ages of all samples were corrected
for 40 mm ka-1 denudation. The two largest and tallest
boulders (BU16-01, BU16-06) had the oldest ages of the
samples from this moraine complex, indicating that
exhumation caused by erosion of the moraines prob-
ably has a major influence on the age of the samples.
Assuming that inheritance is not a relevant process
due to the position and characteristics of the moraine,
the oldest ages are probably the best estimate of the
true depositional age, indicating the Oldest Dryas gla-
ciation in Velež Mt. (Žebre et al., 2019).
Geomorphological evidence suggests that the
Velež glaciers covered an area of ~28 km2 (Fig. 29)
during the maximum phase of glaciation with a mean
equilibrium line altitude at 1388 m (Žebre et al., 2019)
calculated using the balance ratio of 1.9 ± 0.81 (Rea,
2009). With modern precipitation values accounting
Fig. 26. Glacial geomorphology of the Velež Mt. Budijevača moraine for ~2000 mm, a temperature decrease between 9 and
complex is marked with a red square (modified after Žebre et al.,
2019). 10 °C is required to sustain the palaeoglaciers with
reconstructed equilibrium line altitudes. Glaciers of
raine, which also marks the largest extent of glaciers similar size with such low equilibrium line altitudes
in Velež Mt. The lithology of all boulders taken from during the Late glacial have not been previously re-
this moraine complex is limestone. Five boulders ported for the Balkan Peninsula. It is very likely that
from the right lateral moraine yielded 36Cl ages of 14.1 the boulder ages reflect a complex exhumation and
± 1.8 ka (BU16-01), 7.8 ± 0.9 ka (BU16-02), 10.9 ± 1.4 ka denudation history that does not allow for a more pre-

Fig. 27. A) Steep north-facing slopes of Velež Mt. showing a series Fig. 28. A) Google Earth image of the Budijevača lateral-terminal
of cirques in the upper parts and moraines entirely covered by forest moraine complex with sampling locations marked with yellow points.
below them. B) The westernmost outwash fan filling the floor of the B) Photo of the Budijevača eastern lateral moraine (modified after
Donje Zijemlje karst depression. Žebre et al., 2019; Žebre & Stepišnik, 2015).

124 Field trip guidebook

Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

Bahun, S. (1963) Geological relations of the surroundings of

Donje Pazarište in Lika (Triassic and Tertiary Jelar-de-
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The authors acknowledge the financial support from nology Volume 15: A closer look. Elsevier, 1126 pp.
the Slovenian Research Agency (research core fund- Fontana, A., Monegato, G., Zavagno, E., Devoto, S., Burla, I.
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Lara Wacha for her constructive comments and tak- ly): Evidence of sedimentary and erosive phases during
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Field trip guidebook 127

 Geology of the Old Town of Dubrovnik

Tvrtko Korbar, Tonći Grgasović and Ladislav Fuček

FIELD TRIP B1
Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

Geology of the Old Town of Dubrovnik

Tvrtko Korbar, Tonći Grgasović and Ladislav Fuček

Croatian Geological Survey, Department of Geology, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia [email protected]

Abstract
The Old City of Dubrovnik is on the UNESCO World Heritage list and is recognized as the “Pearl of the Adriatic” that
adorns the southern coastal part of the Dinaric Karst. Both the southern and northern elevated parts of the Old Town are
built on Mesozoic carbonate rocks deposited on the Adriatic Carbonate Platform (AdCP). The carbonate bedrock is strong-
ly deformed since major compressional deformations of the AdCP succession began in the Eocene during the early oro-
genic thrusting and formation of the External Dinarides fold and thrust belt. The late orogenic complex tectonic defor-
mations are still ongoing, and the area is characterized by occasional strong seismicity. The deformed packages of
stratified limestones and dolomites of the Old Town bedrock show sedimentological features typical of peritidal subtrop-
ical sedimentation on the AdCP, while rare key microfossils allow age determination. The northern part of the Old City
is situated on the Lower Cretaceous limestones while the southern part is built on the Upper Cretaceous dolomites. The
central low-lying part of the town is built on anthropogenic infill of a narrow late Holocene embayment characterized
by superficial Quaternary sediments overlying the heavily fractured carbonate bedrock. The exposed karst cavities are
mostly filled with speleothems, indicating long-term karstification and denudation. The southern rocky shore is in patch-
es covered by thin recent supratidal aragonitic encrustations known as pelagosite. Since geodetic data and coastal geo-
morphological features indicate recent surface deformations, the newly discovered geological structure of the Old Town
of Dubrovnik should be taken into consideration during regional seismo-tectonic investigations.

Introduction and geological setting ic thin-skinned phase of the Alpine orogeny in the
The Old Town of Dubrovnik is an iconic old city situ- region (Schmid et al., 2008).
ated on the eastern Adriatic coast in southern Croatia One of the regional tectonic models imply a main
(Fig. 1). Since 1979, the Old City of Dubrovnik has regional, late orogenic, right-lateral (dextral) fault
been included on the UNESCO World Heritage list, zone striking NW–SE along the coastal mountain belt
recognized as the “Pearl of the Adriatic” (https://whc. of the external Dinarides, while left-lateral (sinistral)
unesco.org/en/list/95/). The Old Town is not only built WNW–ESE striking faults are conjugated to the main
mostly of various types of stone that originated from one (Picha, 2002). The system could be active, at least
the surrounding area (Belamarić, 2015), but also of closer to the main Dinaric fault zone, as documented
imported dimension stone from the broader Mediter- in the area NW of Dubrovnik (Govorčin et al., 2020),
ranean region, since the city has a millennial history. although the authors did not connect the seismic
Such an exceptional architectural masterpiece cer- event with the left-lateral faults proposed earlier (Pi-
tainly deserves a comprehensive detailed study on cha, 2002). The fault system could accommodate up
the origin of the building stone in the future. to 5 mm/year northward movement of Adria (Bennett
Geomorphologically, the area belongs to the Di- et al., 2008), and is either derived from a basal thrust
naric Karst (Mihevc et al., 2010; Pikelj & Juračić, 2013). (Schmitz et al., 2020), or dissects the thin-skinned
Tectonically, the area belongs to the External Dinar- structures along the regional thick-skinned crustal
ides (Korbar, 2009; Fig. 1), a NW–SE striking fold-and- transpressional zones (Picha, 2002; Korbar, 2009).
thrust belt built of deformed, exhumed and eroded However, the two active tectonic patterns are not nec-
Palaeozoic to Cenozoic predominantly carbonate essarily mutually exclusive, but may rather coexist
rocks, most of which represent deposits of the Adri- laterally along the strike of the External Dinarides.
atic Carbonate Platform (AdCP, Vlahović et al., 2005; Regardless of which active tectonic regime pre-
see also field trip A1, this volume). The carbonate vails in the area, it occasionally causes strong earth-
successions were detached from the Adriatic mi- quakes (Herak et al., 1996; Kuk et al., 2000; Markušić
croplate (Adria) upper crust during the early orogen- et al., 2017). Besides, active surface deformations are

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 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

Fig. 1. A) Overview map of the central–northern Mediterranean showing the main orogenic fronts of the indicated fold-and-thrust belts, and the
location of Dubrovnik. B) Panoramic view of the Old Town of Dubrovnik from the north (Srđ hill): 1 – southern bedrock ridge, 2 – central filled
and flattened part, and 3 – northern bedrock ridge (cf. Stanko et al., 2023; see Fig. 2).

reported from the wider area in the Old Town of map. The local geotechnical research (Građevinski
Dubrovnik. While uplifted tidal notches indicate his- institut, 1981) included numerous boreholes, drilled
torical co-seismic uplift (Faivre et al., 2021), geodetic through the superficial deposits down to the bedrock
data indicate recent (inter-seismic) subsidence of the in the central flatten part of the Old Town, thus im-
area (Grgić et al., 2020). Therefore, further terrestrial proving the knowledge of the local geology.
geological mapping and analyses of subsurface geo- The latest geological research in the Old Town
logical data in the wider area (e.g., Šolaja et al., 2022) (Stanko et al., 2023) resulted in the recognition of
are crucial for a better definition of the active faults known regional lithostratigraphic units and their
and the kinematics in the region. more complex geological relationships than shown
The general geological structure of the on the official geological map (Fig. 2). The results im-
Dubrovnik area is shown on the "Dubrovnik" sheet of ply a more complex tectonic structure in the wider
the Basic Geological Map of the former Yugoslavia at area of Dubrovnik than previously considered. Fur-
1:100,000 scale (Marković, 1971). This is the only sheet thermore, the newly discovered faults are very im-
covering predominantly the territory of Croatia that portant for regional structural-tectonic and seismo-
was compiled by Serbian geologists, without collab- tectonic investigations in the area. This guide
oration with Croatian experts. Later regional inves- includes important new Micropalaeontological evi-
tigations and local studies that included geology were dence and a description of the general sedimentolog-
based mostly on the geological data from the official ical characteristics of the lithostratigraphic units, as

Fig. 2. A schematic geological map of the Old Town of Dubrovnik (modified after Stanko et al., 2023) and field trip stops (yellow highlight):
1 – Lovrijenac, 2 – Buža, 3 – The Old Town Port, 4 – Revelin, 5 – Minčeta. Topographic background: World Topo Map.

132 Field trip guidebook

Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

Fig. 3. A) The view from the west (from the Lovrijenac Fortress) to the southern bedrock ridge of the Old Town of Dubrovnik. Note the heavily
fractured reddish-coloured bedrock dolomites along the WNW–ESE striking fault zone and the steeply inclined fault planes (indicated by red
arrows). Thick-bedded Maastrichtian dolomite south of the fault zone (bedding planes are marked by black lines). B) Coastline west of Lovrijenac
Fortress. Note the tidal notch that is above the mean sea level (white arrows).

well as other geological and geomorphological fea- et al., 2014; Fig. 3B), although geodetic data show clear
tures of this historic urban area. recent inter-seismic subsidence of the area (Grgić et
al., 2020). The discrepancy implies a potentially sig-
Description of the stops nificant historic co-seismic uplift of the bedrock.
the Old Town of Dubrovnik is built on three geomor-
phological and geological entities: the southern bed- Stop 2. Buža: Bedrock dolomites,
rock ridge, a central filled and flattened part (former speleothems and pelagosite
embayment), and the northern bedrock ridge (Fig. 2; There are passages (buža in the local dialect means a
Stanko et al., 2023). The bedrock carbonates were de- hole) through the Old Town walls that allow access to
posited during the Cretaceous as part of the Adriatic the southern coast built of the well-bedded dolomite
Carbonate Platform (AdCP) succession (Gušić & Jelas- bedrock that is inclined generally to the NE (Figs. 3A
ka, 1990; Vlahović et al., 2005), and were strongly de- and 4). A succession of thick-bedded, brownish-grey
formed during the Dinaric orogeny (Korbar, 2009). dolomite more than 50 m thick is characterized mostly
The superficial deposits cover the bedrock palaeore- by a microcrystalline structure with numerous fenes-
lief in the central part of the Old Town, and represent trae and bioturbated horizons. Light-grey horizons
the Quaternary infill of a former small valley striking (bands) are dolomites characterized by preserved
E–W. The valley was initially filled by (lacustrine?) structures (Fig. 4C), e.g. dolowackestones and dol-
clay that is overlain by sand. The sand was once at the opackstones rich in shallow-water microfossils: ben-
bottom of the embayment that was formed during late thic foraminifera and algae. Synsedimentary, in situ
Holocene sea level rise. The embayment was finally disintegration of some thin layers led to the formation
flattened by anthropogenic deposits for the purpose of intraformational breccia that are observed in plac-
of extension of the city area (Jelić, 1994). es (Fig. 4D).
The exposed formerly open fractures and karst
Stop 1. Lovrijenac: Southern bedrock ridge caverns within the dolomites are filled by red-
The southern bedrock ridge is built of brownish-grey, dish-brown speleothems (Fig. 4B). The fractures were
thick-layered predominantly crystalline dolomites thus formed during the older palaeotectonic events,
(Fig. 2). A few steeply NNE dipping fault planes strike while former karst cavities indicate long-term karsti-
along the northern belt of the ridge and delimit the fication and surface denudation (corrosion).
northern heavily tectonically fractured crystalline do- The southern rocky shore is in patches covered
lomites on the north from the succession of well-bed- by recent, black, microstromatolitic encrustations
ded dolomites along the southern coast (Fig. 3A). known as pelagosite, up to a few metres above the
The coastline around the Lovrijenac Fortress is mean sea-level, (Figs. 4E–F). Pelagosite is a type of
characterized by a well-preserved tidal notch that is microbialite – specific morphological and sedimen-
tens of centimetres above the mean sea-level (Surić tological form of aragonite with up to 2% of organic

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 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

Fig. 4. A) Dubrovnik Old Town walls and a succession of peritidal dolomites at Buža (southern bedrock ridge). B) Reddish-brown speleothems fill
the former karst cavern in dolomites. C) Thick-bedded grey dolomites. The light-grey bands are dolomites characterized by preserved structures.
D) Intraformational synsedimentary breccia composed of fragmented thin layers of light-grey dolomites. E) Black patches of supratidal aragonite
crusts known as pelagosite. F) Close-up of the pelagosite.

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Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

Fig. 5. Photomicrographs of the upper Campanian to lower Maastrichtian microfossils from the dolomite with preserved structures (Buža,
southern coast of the Old Town Dubrovnik). A–D) Rhapydionina sp. E–F) Sigalveolina renzi (Fleury). G–I) Pseudocymopolia anadyomenea
(Elliott). J–L) Cymopolia sp.

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 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

matter. Pelagosite crusts form in the supratidal zone Stop 3. The Old Town Port: Quaternary
(supralitoral) on the warmed rocky substrate ex- superficial deposits
posed to the marine waves (splash zone). Specific According to the borehole and geophysical data
biogeochemical processes that are supported by cy- (Građevinski institut, 1981; Fig. 2), the central, flat-
anobacteria led to the precipitation of aragonite on tened part of the Old Town of Dubrovnik is filled by
the places exposed to the sunlight that are frequently the Quaternary superficial deposits, which cover un-
wetted by abundant sea spray (Montanari et al., 2019). even and heavily fractured carbonate bedrock
The bedrock dolomite is sampled in the lower (Stanko et al., 2023). The natural Quaternary sedi-
(coastal) part of the exposed succession at Buža (Fig. ments are up to 20 m thick in the central part of the
4A). Micropalaeontological analyses of thin-sections city port (Fig. 6A), and are overlain by up to a few
revealed a relatively rich microfossil association of metres of anthropogenic deposit that fill the former,
foraminifera and calcareous algae (Fig. 5). We deter- shallow, east–west trending embayment, which was
mined the foraminifera Rhapydionina sp. and Sigal- open to the sea to the east (Jelić, 1994). The lower part
veolina renzi (Fleury). The genus Rhapydionina (Figs. of the natural sedimentary infill is predominantly
5A–D) is widely known from the peri-Adriatic upper clay while in the upper part sand prevails (Građevin-
Campanian to Maastrichtian inner-platform facies ski institut, 1981). The sand crops out along the coast
(Fleury, 2014), and is also proven in the biostratigra- north of the Old Town port (Fig. 6B).
phy of the AdCP (Stache, 1889; Gušić & Jelaska, 1990;
Velić, 2007). However, our material do not allow de- Stop 4. Revelin: Lower Aptian limestones
termination to species level. The genus Sigalveolina In the eastern part of the northern bedrock ridge, in
(Fleury, 2018), along with the species S. renzi (Figs. the basement of the Revelin Fortress, there is an out-
5E–F; former Murciella renzi) is considered as a guide crop of massive yellowish-grey limestone more than
fossil for the “CsB6b” zone that has a stratigraphic 20 m long (Fig. 7A). The massive limestone is com-
range from the upper Campanian to the (?) lower posed predominantly of skeletal wackestones to pack-
Maastrichtian (Fleury, 2014). The species also ap- stones and oncoid floatstones that contain requieniid
pears in the lower part of the Sumartin formation on rudists as well as a rich microfossil assemblage.
the island of Brač (Gušić & Jelaska, 1990) that is upper The massive yellowish-brown micritic lime-
Campanian to lower Maastrichtian in age (Steuber et stones contain a relatively rich microfossil associa-
al., 2005). tion of benthic foraminifera, calcareous algae and
We also determined the Dasycladalian calcare- fragments of rudist bivalves. Numerous sections of
ous algae Pseudocymopolia anadyomenea (Elliott) and Lithocodium–Bacinella aggregates (Fig. 7B) as well as
Cymopolia sp. (Figs. 5G–I). This is the first report of P. the foraminifera Praechrysalidina infracretacea Luper-
anadyomenea outside the Middle East where it is de- to Sinni, Voloshinoides murgensis Luperto Sinni and
scribed from the Maastrichtian Tanjero Formation of Masse, miliolids and other benthic foraminifera
Iraq (Elliott, 1959), and from the Late Maastrichtian were found (Fig. 7C), along with rare low-conical or-
Tarbur Formation of Iran (Rashidi & Schlagintweit, bitolinid foraminifera that most likely belong to the
2019). Relatively numerous sections of algae with ve- benthic foraminiferal species Palorbitolina lenticula-
siculiferous branches could be determined only at the ris (Blumenbach) (Figs. 7D–E). The microfossil asso-
generic level as Cymopolia sp. (Figs. 5J–L), since the ciation indicates an upper Barremian to lower Aptian
material is mostly not well preserved and insuffi- age (Velić, 2007).
ciently abundant for more precise determination. It Thus, the massive rock unit represents one of the
seems, however that this is a new species, since it dif- most significant lithostratigraphic units within the
fers from the upper Maastrichtian representatives of Lower Cretaceous succession of the AdCP – the
the genus Cymopolia (Parente, 1994, 1997). Kanfanar formation (Vlahović et al., 2005). This unit
According to the aforementioned microfossil as- marks the onset of the early Aptian oceanic anoxic
sociation, the age of the well-bedded dolomites along event OAE-1a, and is used for correlation of the strata
the southern bedrock ridge is determined as upper in the Tethyan realm (Huck et al., 2010). The outcrop
Campanian to lower Maastrichtian. Thus, the succes- is probably conformably underlain by Barremian
sion of the peritidal dolomites at Buža is referred to limestones cropping out west of Revelin, along the
the lower part of the Sumartin formation where do- northern bedrock ridge, although the succession is
lomite prevails (Gušić & Jelaska, 1990). not continuously exposed (Fig. 2; see Stop 5).

136 Field trip guidebook

Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

Fig. 6. A) Central part of the Old Town of Dubrovnik port. B) Outcrop of Quaternary sand along the northern coast of the port.

Fig. 7. A) Outcrop of massive yellowish-grey limestone in the basement of the Revelin Fortress (black arrow). B) Photomicrograph of a
typical Lithocodium–Bacinella biogenic structure. C) Photomicrograph of Praechrysalidina infracretacea and Voloshinoides murgensis. D–E)
Photomicrographs of low-conical orbitolinid foraminifera, the most probably Palorbitolina lenticularis.

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 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

Fig. 8. A) NE dipping thin to medium-thick bedded Lower Cretaceous peritidal limestones that comprise the northern bedrock ridge. Iza Grada
Street is cut into the rock. Minčeta Tower is in the background. B) SW–NE striking anticline of the locally folded Lower Cretaceous peritidal
limestones. Minčeta Tower is in the background.

Stop 5. Minčeta (Iza Grada Street): Town is undetermined, although it could be tentative-
Northern bedrock ridge ly referred to the Lower Cretaceous Babino polje for-
mation (Husinec, 2002). However, the geological sit-
The northern bedrock ridge is composed of bedded uation is complicated by a fault at the contact with the
crystalline dolomites to the south and the well-bed- overlying limestones (Fig. 2).
ded limestone to the north, and the layers of both
units are generally inclined to the NE (Fig. 2). The Acknowledgements
lighter brownish-grey limestone succession is char- TK would like to thank to the SeisRICHerCRO project
acterized by alternations of thicker layers of peloidal team (the Croatian Science Foundation project "Seis-
packstones and thinner layers of microbial laminites, mic Risk Assessment of Cultural Heritage Buildings in
and are referred to as the Lower Cretaceous (Barre- Croatia", HRZZ IP-2020-02-3531) for the support during
mian) Goveđari formation (Husinec, 2002; Husinec et the fieldwork. The authors thank the Croatian Geolog-
al., 2016). Locally, in the basement of the Minčeta ical Society for additional financial support and the
Tower, the limestone succession is strongly folded Croatian Geological Survey (HGI) Lab's technical staff
perpendicular to the Dinaric strike (folds are of de- for preparing the thin sections. Igor Vlahović provided
cametere amplitudes, Fig. 8). the final comments that improved this guide. ■
The darker brownish-grey dolomite unit along
the contact with the central flattened part of the Old

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earthquake – some new insights. Stud. Geophys. Geod., 61, Vlahović, I., Tišljar, J., Velić, I. and Matičec, D. (2005) Evolu-
587–600. tion of the Adriatic Carbonate Platform: palaeogeogra-
Mihevc, A., Prelovšek, M. and Zupan Hajna, N. (2010, eds) In- phy, main events and depositional dynamics. Palaeogeog-
troduction to the Dinaric Karst, Postojna: Karst Research raphy, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 220/3–4, 333–360.
Institute at ZRC SAZU, Postojna, 71 pp., ISBN 978-961-254-
198-9

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Volcano-sedimentary-evaporitic rocks from an aborted Triassic rift

and Cretaceous to Palaeogene Adriatic Carbonate Platform succes-
sions: OAEs, K–Pg boundary and the Palaeocene platform top (cen-
tral Dalmatian islands, Croatia)

Tvrtko Korbar, Mirko Belak, Ladislav Fuček, Jelena Španiček, Thomas Steuber

FIELD TRIP C1

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Volcano-sedimentary-evaporitic rocks from an aborted Triassic rift

and Cretaceous to Palaeogene Adriatic Carbonate Platform
successions: OAEs, K–Pg boundary and the Palaeocene platform
top (central Dalmatian islands, Croatia)

Tvrtko Korbar1, Mirko Belak1, Ladislav Fuček1, Jelena Španiček1, Thomas Steuber2

Croatian Geological Survey, Milana Sachsa 2, Zagreb, Croatia, [email protected]

1

Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, UAE

2

Abstract
The central Adriatic Vis archipelago was in 2019 recognized as a UNESCO Global Geopark. The islands are characterized
by the oldest and the youngest rocks in the Adriatic, owing to salt tectonics that characterize the area. Salt diapirs are the
most prominent subsurface tectonic structures in the central part of the Adriatic, built of once deeply buried volcano-sed-
imentary-evaporitic rocks deposited during the middle Triassic rifting stage of the Adriatic microplate (Adria). The
subtropical Adriatic Carbonate Platform (AdCP) existed during most of the Mesozoic in the central part of the then more
spacious Adria. The NE part of the AdCP has been incorporated into the Dinarides fold-and-thrust belt during the Palae-
ogene while the SW part remained relatively undeformed within the Adriatic foreland, which is mostly covered by the
Neogene clastic deposits and by the sea since the Holocene. The diapirs include complexes of various Triassic rocks,
which in places uplifted, and even pierced, a few kilometres thick AdCP succession, e.g., Komiža Bay on the island of Vis.
As a consequence, an up to 1500 m-thick succession of the Cretaceous shallow-water carbonates is exposed on the flanks
of the Komiža diapir. While pre- and post-Aptian successions are characterized by monotonous peritidal cycles, the
Lower Aptian is marked by prominent facies diversification because of the perturbations related to the onset of the Ocean
Anoxic Event 1a (OAE 1a), and the upper part is characterized by a regional subaerial exposure. OAE 2 is only incomplete-
ly recorded within the Cenomanian–Turonian succession on the islands of Vis and Biševo, as a consequence of local
emergence of the platform top during the event, that is followed by a relatively short period of deposition until the Coni-
acian, when the SW part of the AdCP emerged. In the NE part of the platform the deposition continued until the Maas-
trichtian, and in places even into the Palaeocene. Thus, the Cretaceous–Palaeogene (K–Pg) boundary event is recorded
within rare successions deposited on tidal flats (Hvar island) or in inner-platform lagoons (Brač island), but there is still
debate on the origin of the specific boundary layer. The AdCP top is characterized by a major subaerial exposure, during
which distinct discontinuity surfaces have been formed, and it is unconformably overlain by diachronous Eocene Fo-
raminiferal Limestones that were deposited on a distal ramp of the once migrating Dinaric foreland basin.

Introduction and geological setting Central Adriatic is characterized by huge mass-

es of Triassic salt and associated rocks (Fig. 1B) that
The central Adriatic is a common foreland of two oro- are buried under a few kilometres thick successions
genic systems (Fig. 1A) – Dinarides in the northeast of carbonates and clastic deposits (Grandić et al.,
(Korbar, 2009) and Apennines in the southwest (Scis- 2001, 2010; Velić et al., 2015; Saftić et al., 2019). The
ciani & Calamita, 2009). The Mesozoic Adriatic Car- salt diapirs of the central Adriatic are distinct sub-
bonate Platform (AdCP) successions (Vlahović et al., surface tectonic structures recognized on deep seis-
2005, see also field trip A1, this volume) are mostly mic images that only in places pierced the overlying
buried within the central Adriatic below Cenozoic de- successions and appear as the offshore islands or
posits, but also crop out along the eastern Adriatic is- seamounts. The shallow parts of the salt structures
lands (Dalmatia, Croatia). The NE part of the AdCP has have been confirmed also by shallow geoacoustic
been incorporated into the Dinarides fold-and-thrust surveys (Gelletti et al., 2008), and by geological map-
belt during the Palaeogene while the SW part remained ping (Korbar et al., 2012). It is assumed that the onset
relatively undeformed within the Adriatic foreland of salt movement is related to a neotectonic reactiva-
(Korbar, 2009), which is mostly covered by the Neogene tion of Mesozoic extensional faults (Grandić et al.,
clastic deposits, and by the sea since the Holocene. 2002), while the evacuated salt could be protruded

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Fig. 1. A) Location map of the central Adriatic (rectangle is location of Fig. 1B) within the central-northern Mediterranean tectonic sketch (modified
after Korbar, 2009). B) Bathymetric map of the Central Adriatic (isobaths in metres) with highlighted salt structures (yellow=salt diapirs, ocher=salt
domes), and the main paleogeographic and tectonic lineaments (map modified after Geletti et al. (2008) and Pikelj et al. (2015), and references
therein). Green lines: platforms margin; brown lines: thrust fronts.

through the seabed since the Miocene (Pikelj et al., form are characterized by oligospecific associations
2015). Some salt structures are still active today, as of Toucasia and Requienia. More diverse, Offner-
evidenced by seismicity (Herak et al., 1996, 2005) and ia-bearing deposits are to date reported from only a
by the uplift of some offshore islands (Babić et al., few localities (Masse et al., 2004).
2012). A prominent stratigraphic package within the
The Early Aptian (Early Cretaceous) was a time AdCP succession is the Cenomanian–Turonian (Ce–
of significant environmental change affecting Tu) succession, related to the onset of OAE 2 that
low-latitude Tethyan carbonate platforms (Huck et strongly influenced shallow-water deposition and
al., 2010), many of which are characterized by incom- caused flooding of large parts of the AdCP (Gušić &
plete successions related to emergence and/or Jelaska¸ 1990, 1993; Jenkins, 1991). The succession
drowning, and only a few have preserved a more was reported in detail from the neighbouring islands
complete record of the OAE 1a (Steuber et al., 2022). of Hvar (Davey & Jenkyns, 1999) and Brač (Korbar et
While pre- and post-Aptian successions of the AdCP al., 2012). Although the record of the OAE 2 on the
are dominated by peritidal environments, the begin- island of Vis and Biševo is incomplete because of the
ning of the Aptian is marked by the onset of subtidal, local emergence of the platform top, and a local hi-
more open-platform environments, characterized atus that is probably related to synsedimentary tec-
either by Lithocodium–Bacinella or skeletal, rud- tonics, the Ce–Tu package is a good stratigraphical
ist-rich facies. Apart from the northern (marginal) marker since it is more massive than the underlying
part of the AdCP that is characterized by rudist-cor- and overlying well-bedded peritidal carbonates, and
al-stromatoporoid communities, which flourished characterized by prominent lithological and bi-
within a high-energy belt, other areas of the plat- ostratigraphical changes.

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Late Cretaceous synsedimentary tectonics debate on the origin of the specific boundary layer
strongly influenced the significant differentiation of (Font et al., 2017; Korbar et al., 2017b; Korbar, 2019;
the depositional environments within the AdCP Cvetko Tešović et al., 2020). Peritidal deposition con-
(Vlahović et al., 2005), visible in various Creta- tinued during the Early Palaeocene (Danian), and
ceous-to-Palaeogene depositional records (Korbar, the AdCP top is characterized by a major subaerial
2009). A continuous Cretaceous–Palaeogene (K–Pg) exposure during which distinct discontinuity surfac-
shallow-water succession is reported from the island es formed (Brlek et al., 2014). Subaerial exposure cor-
of Hvar (Korbar et al., 2015), and the deeper water responds to a hiatus representing at least 10 million
equivalent from the island of Svetac (Korbar et al., years of platform emergence. The palaeokarstified
2020). However, the Cretaceous–Palaeogene (K–Pg) Palaeocene platform top is unconformably overlain
boundary event is only recorded in two localities, by diachronous Eocene Foraminiferal Limestones
one succession deposited on a tidal flat (Hvar island, (Marjanac et al., 1998) that were deposited during the
Korbar et al., 2015) and another in a lagoon (Brač Eocene transgression on a distal ramp of the once
island, Korbar et al., 2017a). However, there is still migrating Dinaric foreland basin (Korbar, 2009).

Fig. 2. Geological maps and cross-sections of the island of Vis and the Bay of Komiža (simplified from Korbar et al., 2012a).

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Fig. 3. Geological map and geological sections of the island of Biševo (after Korbar et al., 2012a).

(Koch & Belak, 2003; Belak et al, 2005), while the re-
Description of the stops sults of geochronological analysis indicates Carnian
The island of Vis is a generally E-W trending antiform intrusions in the area (De Min et al., 2009).
plunging to the east (Korbar et al., 2012). The oldest Owing to the specific tectonic style in the area of
deposits are exposed in the western part of the is- the Bay of Komiža that is related to a diapir pierce-
land, in the Bay of Komiža (STOPS 1‒3), which repre- ment, relatively undisturbed successions of Creta-
sents the eroded head of a salt diapir (Fig. 2). The ceous platform carbonates are exposed on the west-
Komiža diapir complex is built of volcano-sedimen- ern part of the island. A succession more than 1500
tary-evaporitic rocks deposited during the middle m thick is exposed along the NW and SW coasts
Triassic rifting stage (Belak & Koch, 2009) and break- (STOPS 4 and 5), while the contact of Cretaceous and
up of Pangea, that led to the separation of the Adriat- Palaeogene carbonates, characterized by an approx.
ic microplate – the Adria (van Hinsbergen et al., 2020). 50 million years hiatus, is exposed only on the neigh-
Micropalaeontological analyzes indicate Ladinian bouring island of Biševo, (between STOPS 6 and 7 on
sedimentation and contemporaneous volcanism Fig. 3; Korbar et al., 2012a).

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Stop 1. Komiža (Vis island): UNESCO Geopark in size from one to tens of centimetres. The polymic-
Vis Archipelago (GVA) visitor center tic breccia consists of various Triassic lithoclasts (Be-
Owing to the variety of exposed rocks and significant lak et al., 2005) among which are laminated evapo-
geomorphological features, many of which are pro- rites, nodular evaporites, dolostones, limestones,
tected as monuments of nature and significant land- bituminous laminated carbonates and clasts of vol-
scapes, the Vis archipelago was declared by UNESCO canic rocks. The matrix is clay and gypsum. A nodu-
as a Global Geopark in 2019 [https://www.geopark- lar evaporite with a dolomite matrix indicates a pri-
vis.com/]. Most of the rocks and sediments that ap- mary sabkha environment. The breccia was formed
pear all around the archipelago are exhibited in the by diapiric uplift, enterolithic folding and hydration
visitor center. of anhydrite within the Komiža diapir complex. The
process of anhydrite hydration in the subsoil is re-
Stop 2. Gusarica: Komiža diapir complex and cent, which in combination with rapid surface weath-
talus breccia ering results in rapid geomorphological changes on
The western coast of the city beach of Gusarica is outcrops of the gypsum breccia.
composed of a chaotic mélange that consists of vari- The Quaternary talus (colluvial) breccia of the
ous Triassic rocks, predominantly gypsum breccia Gusarica locality is related to the steep relief of
which is partially covered by quaternary colluvium Komiža Bay, formed by intense erosion of the diapir-
and eluvium (Fig. 4). The gypsum breccia is clast to ic salt complex. The talus breccia is composed of
matrix-supported, poorly sorted, with clasts ranging unsorted greyish angular fragments of the sur-

Fig. 4. Stop 2. Gusarica. Komiža diapir complex and talus breccia. A) Outcrop of chaotic gypsum breccia and collapsed blocks on the beach.
B) Close-up view of gypsum breccia with various Triassic lithoclasts (andesite, sedimentary rocks, strongly deformed gypsum, etc.). C) Erosional
remnants of talus (colluvial) breccia with Gusarica beach and church in the background. E) Close up view of talus breccia showing abundant
reddish matrix.

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rounding carbonate rocks (Lower Cretaceous) and Aptian facies stacking within a ca. 90 m thick succes-
various amounts of reddish matrix. The material is sion is probably the most lithologically diverse in-
widely used as local cheap building stone for tradi- tra-platform succession in the peri-Adriatic region. It is
tional houses in Komiža. characterized by thick-bedded dolostones with rem-
nants of Lithocodium–Bacinella oncoids, thin-bedded
Stop 3. Kamenice: volcanic and volcaniclastic marly limestones, (dolomitized) slump?-mounds, rud-
rocks – andesite and agglomerates ist- and chondrodontid-rich sedimentary bodies includ-
In the bay (beach) of Kamenice there is a unique suc- ing Offneria floatstones, Chondrodonta and Palorbitolina
cession of Triassic volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks tempestites, chert horizons, and algal-rich subtidal fa-
(Fig. 5). Autoclastic andesite breccia is overlain by cies. Transitions between the facies are mostly sharp.
coherent andesite lava, on which a thick sequence of A thick-bedded dolostone unit comprises the low-
volcanic agglomerates was deposited – the primary ermost 30 m of the Lower Aptian succession. Lithocodi-
eruptive pyroclastic deposit. um–Bacinella and Palorbitolina are observed in lime-
The autoclastic breccia was formed as a result of stone lenses that escaped dolomitization. The
the non-explosive fragmentation of lava (McPhie et al., dolomitized unit is recognized as being equivalent to
1993), and consists of monomictic blocks of andesite the Lower Aptian Kanfanar unit reported from Istria
lava with some hyaloclastic matrix. Towards the north- (Vlahović et al., 2003; Huck et al., 2010). Above the do-
west, the breccia gradually changes into a coherent lostone unit, ca. 60 m of limestone with diverse facies
andesite lava. Autobreccia is a common product of sub- characterizes the rest of the Lower Aptian succession
aerial effusions (McPhie et al., 1993), but has also been at Barjaška. Integrated biostratigraphy and isotope che-
identified in submarine basalt effusions (Ballard et al., mostratigraphy (carbon, strontium) reveal the Lower
1979). The autobreccia and coherent lava are overlain Aptian age of the strata deposited during OAE 1a. Sr-iso-
by volcanic agglomerates, as primary volcaniclastic tope ratios of requieniid shells from 15 horizons within
deposits formed by explosive eruptions and deposited the limestone unit, indicate similar Early Aptian nu-
by syn-eruptive volcanic processes. Agglomerates are merical ages (Bedoulian, 123–124 Ma, timescale of
built from blocks of volcanic rocks and volcanic bombs Gradstein et al., 2004; unpublished data). This is slight-
up to 50 cm in size, supported by matrix, and poorly ly younger than the recently improved age of the Lithoc-
sorted. The matrix comprises fine pyroclastic materi- odium–Bacinella unit of the Istrian reference sections at
al, crystaloclasts and volcanic ash. Along with andesite Kanfanar (124–125 Ma; Huck et al., 2010), implying
blocks, there are also blocks of basalt and trachyande- greater accommodation space (approx. 70 m) during the
site. The primary magmatic minerals of the volcanic Early Aptian at the Vis locality, or less erosion during
rocks are plagioclase phenocrysts (andesine core, al- the subsequent Aptian–Albian subaerial exposure.
bite rim) and altered clinopyroxene. The major miner- The carbon and oxygen isotopic composition of
als includes plagioclase microlites with secondary con- bulk-rock samples (unpublished data) indicates a sig-
tent of quartz, K-feldspar, magnetite, sphene and nificant diagenetic overprint. The compact calcite of
apatite. In basaltic rocks, plagioclases are albites and rudist shells that has also been used for Sr-isotope stra-
do not contain K-feldspar. The vesicles are filled with tigraphy, yielded more reasonable ‘normal-marine’
prehnite, quartz and chlorite. values. These, however, show no obvious trends. Thus,
Chemical analyses of all rock varieties (unpub- the carbon-isotope stratigraphy does not allow for a
lished data) indicate middle Triassic calc-alkaline vol- confident recognition of C-segments that are typically
canism related to crustal extension. According to the used for a detailed subdivision of the Early Aptian.
data, there is a logical genetic link between the lava and Chondrontid accumulations on top of rudist lime-
intrusive, sub-volcanic counterparts of the magma that stones, as observed at Barjaška, are remarkably simi-
originated from older pre-Mesozoic subduction pro- lar to the succession observed at the Cenomanian/Tu-
cesses (De Min et al., 2009). ronian boundary of the AdCP (Gušić & Jelaska, 1990,
1993; Vlahović et al., 2005), and may be an indication of
Stop 4. Barjaška: Lower Aptian succession and increased nutrient fluxes. Coupled with an increase in
OAE 1a accommodation space, this may also be expressed in
An excellent exposure of various Lower Aptian shal- the following, thin bedded chert unit. The depositional
low-water carbonate facies at the Barjaška locality on environment subsequently shallowed in the overlying
the island of Vis (Dalmatia, Croatia, Fig. 6). The Lower Salpingoporella unit.

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Fig. 5. Stop 3. Kamenice: Triassic volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks. A) Panoramic photograph of Kamenice beach from the west, and indication
of the section. B) Stratigraphic column Kamenice. C) Agglomerates and volcanic bombs. D) Prehnite close up. E) Andesite and info-table
showing prehnite photomicrograph. F) Autoclastic andesite breccia.

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Fig. 6. Stop 4. Barjaška. Lower Aptian and OAE 1a. A) Panoramic photograph of the section from the west. B) Stratigraphic column Barjaška.
C) Ichnofossils and chert nodules. D) Echinoid in orbitolinid tempestite. E) Longitudinal section of rudist shell Offneria sp. F) Lower part of the
section. The Legend for the Vis and Biševo sections is shown on Fig. 7C).

Although the AdCP obviously experienced a that significant facies diversification is related to the
prominent relative sea-level rise at the beginning of onset of the OAE 1a, while the facies-stacking pattern
the Early Aptian, intraplatform thickness variations was driven by coeval sea-level changes. Subsequent
of up to 70 m are probably the result of synsedimen- shallow-water carbonate deposition is marked by
tary tectonics. Our data from the island of Vis show multiple marl horizons that are generally recognized

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as the regional Aptian–Albian emergence (Vlahović Stop 5. Stupišće and stop 6. Biševo: Ce–Tu
et al., 2005; Huck et al., 2010). succession and OAE 2
The depositional units observed at Barjaška thus At the Stupišće (SW Vis, Figs. 2 and 7) and Biševo
include typical Lower Aptian biofacies observed else- sections (Figs. 3 and 8) the OAE 2 influence on top of
where in southern Tethys, but a detailed correlation the Adriatic carbonate platform is reflected in facies
with other sections and sequences of events related variability. The Ce–Tu package is a good stratigraph-
to OAE 1a requires additional studies. ical marker since it is more massive than both un-

Fig. 7. Stop 5: Stupišće Ce–Tu section. A) Panoramic photograph of the section from the west. B) Stratigraphic column. C) Legend for all
Cretaceous sections from Vis and Biševo (Figs. 6, 7, 8).

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Fig. 8. Stop 6: Biševo Ce–Tu section. A) Panoramic photograph of the section from the west (originally recorded on the difficult-to-access eastern
coast of the island, but is similar to that at stop 6). B) Stratigraphic column Biševo. C) Close-up of the Ce–Tu interval. D) Ce–Tu emergence
horizon (hiatus). E) Transverse section of ?Caprinula sp. (Uppermost Cenomanian).

derlying and overlying well-bedded peritidal car- into a massive deeper subtidal facies characterized
bonates, and is morphologically expressed within by calcispheres, nodular bedding, and diversified
the succession, especially along the coasts. neritic fossil association, since various foraminifera
The Upper Cenomanian succession of shal- and rudists were determined within the Ce–Tu mas-
low-water carbonates is characterized by peritidal sive package. There is a prominent emersion horizon
cycles with monospecific radiolitid rudists and Chon- (hiatus) within the package at both sections that in-
drodonta biostromes. The succession passes upward dicates local emergence of the platform top. Accord-

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ing to the biostratigraphy, the horizon includes the Stop 7. Mezuporat (Biševo island): Modra
Ce–Tu boundary. The overlying Turonian succession špilja / Blue Cave
is characterized by monotonous fenestral mudstones The island of Biševo has a long-standing tradition as
with abundant but paucispecific shallow-water ben- a tourist destination and is also characterized by at-
thic microfossils. tractive geological sites. In 1884 Eugen Baron Ran-

Fig. 9. Stop 7: Blue Cave (Modra špilja). A) Plan and profile of the Blue Cave (Mišur et al., 2021). B) Interpreted satellite image of the Blue Cave
(Mišur et al., 2021). C) Panoramic photograph from the south to the entrance area of the cave and an indication of the main geological features
(see map on Fig. 3). D) Typical nodular bedding of the younger (Lower Oligocene) part of the Biševo formation. E) Close view of the typical
skeletal packstones to rudstones of the older (Late Eocene) Modra špilja member, with a transverse echinoid section. BI – Biševo formation;
MB – Modra špilja member.

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sonnet, a painter from Vienna, discovered a natural The middle part of the succession comprises a ~5
geomorphological luminous phenomenon on the m thick intraformational massive deposit, which is
island – the Blue Grotto (the Blue Cave, in English; deposited over the strongly eroded top of reddish mi-
Modra špilja, in Croatian). The Blue cave is famous crobial laminites. This is interpreted as the K–Pg
for its blue light effect, which occurs when morning boundary event deposit that in its lower part includes
sunlight enters the cave through its submerged east- a polygenic, matrix-supported, unsorted (chaotic)
ern entrance and reflects from the white sandy bot- carbonate breccia, characterized by ripped-up Maas-
tom creating a unique visual ambience (Mišur et al., trichtian platform-limestone lithoclasts, up to boul-
2021 and references therein). der sized, and a polygenic microbreccia in a muddy
Rocks hosting the Blue Cave (Modra špilja) are matrix. The microbreccia contains small, rare intra-
referred to as the homonymous lithological unit (MŠ clasts of pelagic mudstone containing terminal
on Fig. 2). These are thick-bedded skeletal limestones Maastrichtian planktonic foraminifera. The deposit
inclined to the NNE, predominantly foraminife- is overlain by mudstone containing a planktonic fo-
ral-bioclastic wackestones to rudstones. The Blue raminiferal association belonging to the basal Palae-
Cave Fault (Fig. 9) is the most prominent fault on the ogene.While facies suggest that the deposit was em-
island, characterized by a left-lateral strike-slip shift placed over the inner platform by a large tsunami,
of approximately 1 km (Fig. 3). The fault separates the biostratigraphic assessment of this section and
the Modra špilja member in the east from the Biševo the presence of enhanced concentrations of platinum
formation in the west, and the fault plane is visible group elements, such as iridium in the topmost part
at the main cave entrance (Fig. 9). The fault plane of the massive deposit, lend support to the hypothesis
borders the cave from the west, and delimits the old- that this tsunamite is related to the K–Pg event, trig-
er (Late Eocene) Modra špilja member (MŠ on Fig. 3) gered by the Chicxulub impact in Yucatán (Korbar et
and the younger (Early Oligocene) nodular beds of al., 2015, 2017a; Korbar, 2019).
the Biševo formation (BI on Fig. 3). In contrast to the The K–Pg event deposit is overlain by a ~30 m
thick-bedded skeletal limestones of the host rock of thick unit, predominantly mudstone, which in the
the cave (MŠ mb), the upper part of the Biševo for- lower part contains rare dwarf globigerinids typical
mation (BI) is characterized by poorly cemented nod- of t he ba sa l Pa laeocene (Da n ia n). Mud-
ular bioclastic limestones, probably deposited on the stones-wackestones with rare ostracods, small mil-
steepening distal ramp in the latest phase of the Di- iolids and discorbid benthic foraminifera, and very
naric foreland basin formation (Korbar, 2009). rare characean calcareous algae, are recognized
up-section (Fig. 11). The section terminates in a se-
Stop 8. Hvar: K–Pg boundary and Palaeocene ries of thick-bedded, recrystallized fenestral lime-
platform top stones characterized by distinct and deeply pene-
An exceptional 47-m-thick succession of Maastrichtian trating palaeokarstic features, pedogenic carbonates
to Palaeocene inner-platform carbonates is exposed on (calcretes), and some bauxites. The features mark a
the Dalmatian island of Hvar (Adriatic Sea, Croatia) in prominetnt subaerial exposure of the Palaeocene
a seaside locality called Majerovica (Fig. 10). platform top, during which distinct discontinuity
The lower part of the succession (Fig. 11) is charac- surfaces were formed (Brlek et al., 2014), represent-
terized by typical peritidal inner-platform carbonates ing a well-known regional unconformity (Vlahović
of the Sumartin formation (Gušić & Jelaska, 1990) that et al., 2005; Korbar, 2009). The unconformity is over-
in the town of Hvar overlies the regional Middle Cam- lain by a few beds of brackish-water limestones of
panian emersion (Korbar et al., 2010). The upper part of the Kozina member containing gastropods, which
the formation is predominantly composed of peritidal pass upward to the open-ramp limestones with pre-
limestones: mostly fenestral mudstones, microbial dominantly Nummulites and Discocyclina, forming
laminites, skeletal wackestone-packstone with ostra- the Eocene succession of the Foraminiferal Lime-
cods and benthic foraminifera (miliolids, rotaliids etc.), stones, which is eventually overlain by a thick suc-
and floatstones containing late Maastrichtian requie- cession of the Dalmatian Flysch (Marjanac et al.,
niid and radiolitid rudists (Fig. 11). Mean 87Sr/86Sr values 1998). The unstable outcrops of the marls in the low-
of 0.7078450 and 0.7078446 from the requieniid rudists er part of the flysch succession are artificially stabi-
indicate a terminal Maastrichtian age for this part of lized by concrete and are no longer available for ob-
the section (Korbar et al., 2015). servation at this locality (Podstine Cove).

154 Field trip guidebook

Field trip guidebook
Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

155
Fig. 10. A geological map and cross-section of the western part of the island of Hvar (from Oštrić et al., 2015).
 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

Fig. 11. Hvar K–Pg section at Majerovica – Kovač (see Korbar et al., 2015). A) Panoramic photograph from the south to Kovač Promontory,
Majerovica Cove (right), and Podstine Cove (background left), indicating the position of the measured section. B) Stratigraphic column Hvar
– Majerovica. C) Legend for B. D) Palaeocene platform top covered by reddish-brown calcrete and bauxite (right) and the overlying Eocene
Foraminiferal Limestones (left). E) Discontinuity surfaces and palaeokarst infillings by calcrete within the Palaeocene succession of peritidal
carbonates (see Brlek et al., 2014). F) K–Pg boundary event-bed (tsunamite?): polymictic, chaotic carbonate breccia characterized by abundant
muddy matrix. G) K–Pg boundary: uneven erosional contact of the underlying reddish microbial peritidal laminites and the overlying chaotic
carbonate breccia.

156 Field trip guidebook

Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

Acknowledgments tun Husinec, Damir Palenik and Igor Vlahović for

Most of the fieldwork was undertaken within the for- their collaboration during the measuring and logging
mer National projects “The basic geological map of of the Cretaceous sections on the islands of Vis and
the Republic of Croatia, scale 1:50.000” (181-1811096- Biševo. We thank Marko Budić (HGI) for adaptation
1093) and “Stratigraphy and Geodynamic Context of of the official geological maps. Many thanks to Blan-
Cretaceous Deposits in the NE Adriatic Region” (181- ka Cvetko Tešović for the critical review. ■
1191152-2697). We would like to thank colleagues An-

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and Pelješac Peninsula, Croatia). In: Hottinger, L., (Croatia). In: Evolution of Depositional Environments from
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Lower Aptian Rudist Faunas (Bivalvia, Hippuritoidea) tion of the Adriatic Carbonate Platform: Palaeogeogra-
From Croatia. Geologia Croatica, 57 (2), 117–137. phy, main events and depositional dynamics. Palaeogeog-
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guide to the Interpretation of Textures in Volcanic Rocks.

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 Mesozoic-Cenozoic Dinaric foreland basins

Borna Lužar-Oberiter, Katarina Gobo, Duje Kukoč, Krešimir Petrinjak,

Šimun Aščić, Robert Šamarija, Anja Kocjančič, Ervin Mrinjek, Lucija Markotić

FIELD TRIP C2
Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

Mesozoic-Cenozoic Dinaric foreland basins

Borna Lužar-Oberiter1, Katarina Gobo1, Duje Kukoč2, Krešimir Petrinjak2, Šimun Aščić1, Robert
Šamarija1, Anja Kocjančič3, Ervin Mrinjek4, Lucija Markotić1
1
Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Horvatovac 102b, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia. bluzar@geol.
pmf.unizg.hr
2
Croatian Geological Survey, Ulica Milana Sachsa 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia. [email protected]; [email protected]
3
Paleontološki inštitut Ivana Rakovca, ZRC SAZU, Novi trg 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
4
Vijenac Frane Gotovca 8, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract
Synorogenic basins record the long-lasting evolution of the Dinarides mountain chain, which developed along the Adria
margin, through multiple tectonic phases involving large scale ophiolite obduction and nappe stacking events. From
rugged mountain landscapes in the hinterland to the clear blue waters of the Adriatic seaside, the field trip explores
basin deposits ranging in age from the Jurassic to the Palaeogene, displaying a variety of sedimentary facies from deep-wa-
ter pelagics, various types of gravity deposits to shallow-marine and continental environments. Visited outcrops cover
the Late Jurassic-Cretaceous deep-water “Bosnian flysch", which initially formed in response to ophiolite nappe emplace-
ment. The field trip further follows outcrops recording later phases of flexural foreland basin advancement towards the
Adriatic foreland during the Cretaceous to Cenozoic orogeny. This involved major composite nappe stacking, including
thick sequences of Mesozoic and Palaeogene carbonates, giving rise to the calciclastic Promina beds which record syn-tec-
tonic sedimentation in thrust wedge-top "piggyback” basins.

Introduction Hellenides, stretching from Slovenia in the north-

Peripheral foreland basin systems are asymmetric west to Greece in the southeast. These mountain
basins formed in front of evolving orogens in colli- chains formed as a result of continental collision and
sional zones. Their sedimentary infill records an in- closure of oceanic basin(s) that existed during the
tricate relationship between the growth of the thrust Mesozoic between the Adriatic microplate (Adria)
wedge, isostatic adjustments to thrust loading, eus- and the southern continental margin of Eurasia (e.g.,
tasy, and sedimentation processes. Over time, fore- Pamić et al., 2002; Schmid et al., 2008, 2020, Robertson
land basin systems become increasingly complex and et al., 2009; Bortolotti et al., 2013). The number of oce-
four principal depozones may be distinguished: the anic basins that existed as well as their location and
wedge-top, foredeep, forebulge, and backbulge (Fig. evolution are a subject of an ongoing debate (e.g.,
1). During progressive plate convergence, foreland Saccani et al., 2011; Robertson, 2012). However, today,
basin systems evolve from an underfilled flysch most authors consider that a single ocean, the Neote-
stage to a filled and finally an overfilled molasse thys (sensu Schmid et al., 2008, 2020), opened in the
stage (Sinclair, 1997a, b). The underfilled flysch stage Middle Triassic and existed until the Late Cretaceous.
is characterized by low rates of sediment supply and Alternative interpretations include two or even more
significant subsidence, resulting in sedimentation oceans that evolved simultaneously, separated by
primarily in the foredeep zone, in progressively continental blocks (e.g., Robertson & Shallo, 2000;
deeper settings. As hinterland uplift continues, sed- Beccaluva et al., 2005; Karamata, 2006; Robertson et
iment supply increases, the basin becomes more di- al., 2009, 2013).
verse, and the wedge-top depozone is gradually filled The formation of the Dinaridic orogen was a
with shallow-marine and marginal-marine deposits. long-lasting polyphase process, which produced a
Finally, the overfilled stage is characterized by the thick series of syn-orogenic deposits of different ages
deposition of terrestrial “molasse” deposits. (Tari-Kovačić & Mrinjek, 1994; Korbar, 2009). The
The Dinarides, a mountain chain located on the evolution of Neotethys preserved in the Dinarides
eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea, are part of a larger started with initial rifting leading to the opening of
orogenic belt together with the Albanides and the the Maliac Ocean in the Late Anisian (e.g. Ferriere et

Field trip guidebook 161

 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

Fig. 1. A schematic cross-section of a foreland basin system, not to scale. Modified after De Celles & Giles, 1996.

al., 2016 and references therein). The change from a shore Adriatic (Tari-Kovačić, 1998; Tari-Kovačić et al.,
divergent to a convergent regime happened in the 1998). The wedge-top depozone in northern Dalmatia
Early – Middle Jurassic with the onset of the intraoc- and Herzegovina accumulated a thick succession of
eanic subduction of Adria beneath Eurasia (e.g. neritic to terrestrial deposits of middle Eocene to Ol-
Schmid et al., 2008, 2020; Bortolotti et al., 2013), and igocene age, referred to as the Promina Beds (Zu-
sea-floor spreading in a supra-subduction setting panič & Babić, 2011; Mrinjek et al., 2012; Ćosović et
(Vardar Ocean). The westward obduction of ophi- al., 2018 and references therein).
olites onto the Adria continental margin started in The aim of this field trip is to examine Dinaridic
the Late Jurassic and continued into the Early Creta- syn-orogenic deposits and their temporal and spatial
ceous (e.g., Pamić et al., 2002; Schmid et al., 2008, migration. The first two days of the field trip will fo-
2020; Bortolotti et al., 2013). At that time, the oldest cus on outcrops of the Mesozoic Bosnian Flysch in the
syn-orogenic sediments were deposited on internal part of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The field
the flexured continental margin (Blanchet et al., trip will start with the Mesozoic succession of the
1969; Mikes et al., 2008; Lužar-Oberiter et al., 2009, Bosnian Basin, which includes the Upper Jurassic to
2012; Goričan et al., 2018). In the central Dinarides, a Lower Cretaceous Vranduk Formation and the Upper
thick predominantly siliciclastic turbiditic sequence Cretaceous Ugar Formation. The second part will
of the Vranduk Formation was deposited from the comprise the Cenozoic Promina Beds and Dalmatian
Tithonian to the Aptian periods, with material de- Flysch of the external zones in northern Dalmatia.
rived from the obducted nappes, which included
ophiolites (Blanchet et al., 1969; Mikes et al., 2008). As Geological settings
convergence progressed, deformations and deposi- The Dinarides are classically subdivided into two tec-
tion of syn-orogenic sediments migrated towards the tonic domains – the External and the Internal Dinar-
external zones. In the Late Cretaceous, sediment ides. The External Dinarides are largely composed of
composition changed, and carbonate-dominated shallow-water carbonates originating from a large
clastic deposits of the Ugar Formation started to ac- Mesozoic Adriatic carbonate platform (AdCP), (Vla-
cumulate, with material largely supplied from the hović et al., 2005 and references therein, see also field
Adriatic Carbonate Platform margin (Mikeš et al., trip A1, this volume) that were strongly deformed
2008 and references therein). Deposits of the Vranduk during Cenozoic Alpine orogenesis in the region (Ko-
and Ugar formations are commonly known as the rbar, 2009).
Bosnian Flysch. In the Palaeogene, the orogenic front The Internal Dinarides comprise SW-verging su-
reached the carbonate platform. In the SW shifting perimposed composite nappes composed of forma-
diachronous foredeep zone of the outer foreland, a tions originating from the eastern passive continen-
thick succession of turbidites was deposited, known tal margin of Adria as well as ophiolites from the
as Dalmatian Flysch (Babić & Zupanič, 2008). The age Neotethys (Schmid et al., 2008, 2020). Most of the stud-
of the flysch ranges from the early Eocene in Slovenia ies on the Internal Dinarides focused on the ophi-
(Drobne & Pavlovec, 1991; Zamagni et al., 2008) to the olites and their origin, with only a few on the evolu-
late Eocene in southeastern Dalmatia (Marjanac et tion of the passive margin. Regional studies
al., 1998) and to the Oligocene-Miocene in the off- conducted by a group of French authors in the 1970s

162 Field trip guidebook

Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

(Aubouin et al., 1970; Rampnoux, 1974; Blanchet, matian and the High Karst zones can be regarded as
1975; Cadet, 1978; Charvet, 1978) provided a good a single large carbonate platform, i.e., the Adriatic
framework, as revised by Korbar (2009, and reference Carbonate Platform (cf. Vlahović et al., 2005). In this
therein). However, the terminology adopted in this case, the Budva Zone represents a narrow V-shaped
guidebook follows the terminology of review papers trough wedged into the platform. Some authors, how-
by Schmid et al. (2008, 2020). Readers are also re- ever, believe that two platform segments, separated
ferred to a recent paper by Goričan et al. (2022) with by a syn-sedimentary regional tectonic lineament,
a detailed summary about the passive margin evolu- strongly influenced the tectono-stratigraphy and oro-
tion. genic evolution along the strike of the whole External
The External Dinarides comprise several main Dinarides (e.g., Korbar, 2009). The Kruja Zone in Al-
tectonostratigraphic zones (Auboin et al., 1970 Kor- bania and the Gavrovo-Tripolitza Zone in Greece are
bar, 2009), that are simplified into three tectonic the southern equivalents of the Dalmatian Zone,
zones by Schmid et al., (2008, 2020): the Dalmatian while the Parnassos Zone in Greece can be regarded
Zone, the Budva Zone and the High Karst Zone (Fig. as the only possible southern equivalent of the High
2). The Dalmatian Zone consists of Mesozoic car- Karst Zone.
bonates, lower Palaeogene shallow-water carbonates, The lowermost thrust sheet of the Internal Di-
and Eocene flysch. Similarly, the High Karst Zone is narides (Fig. 2) is characterized by Triassic to Creta-
composed of Triassic to Upper Cretaceous carbonates ceous deep-marine deposits, including the Bosnian
and Palaeogene syn-orogenic deposits. The Budva Flysch. Schmid et al., (2008, 2020) also included in this
Zone, preserved mostly in Montenegro, is character- unit the Pre-Karst zone (Blanchet et al., 1970) with
ized by continuous deep-water sedimentation from preserved deposits from the margin of the Adriatic
the Middle Triassic to the Palaeogene (Goričan, 1994, Carbonate Platform. The Bosnian Flysch (“Flysch
Goričan et al., 2022). Palaeogeographically, the Dal- Bosniaque” of Blanchet, 1966 and Aubouin et al., 1970)

Fig. 2. A tectonic map of the Dinarides and adjacent areas from Schmid et al. (2020) with marked areas of focus of this field trip: a – internal
zones of Bosnia and Herzegovina (for details see Fig. 3); b – Dinaric Foreland Basin in northern Dalmatia (for details see Fig. 12).

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represents a thick, intensely folded series of the old- is characteristic of a morphological high, while the
est syn-orogenic deposits and is divided into the low- Jadar-Kopaonik thrust sheet is composed of metasedi-
er, mixed carbonate-siliciclastic Vranduk Formation ments exhibiting carbonate platform facies up to the
and the upper, predominantly carbonate Ugar For- Anisian, followed by Upper Triassic and Jurassic pelag-
mation (Rampnoux, 1974; Cadet, 1978; Mikes et al., ic metasediments (Scheffer et al., 2010). The Dri-
2008; Hrvatović, 2022). The Vermoshi Flysch in Alba- na-Ivanjica thrust sheet corresponds to the Korab and
nia (Marroni et al., 2009), and Boeotian Flysch in Pelagonian units in the south. The Jadar-Kopaonik has
Greece (Nirta et al., 2015) can be regarded as a south- its northern equivalent in the Medvednica Mountain
ern continuation of the Bosnian Flysch, however the in Croatia (Belak et al., 2022; Mišur et al., 2023) and the
evidence of the Triassic pelagic rocks in correspond- Bük Mountains in Hungary and extends to northern
ing zones are missing (Goričan et al., 2022). Greece to the south (Schmid et al., 2008, 2020).
The next structurally higher unit is the East-Bos-
nian Durmitor thrust sheet (Fig. 2), consisting of Pelagic deposits of the Pre-Karst and the
more internal units of the Adriatic margin overthrust Bosnian Flysch zones in southeastern
by the Neotethys ophiolites. Remnants of different Bosnia and Herzegovina
palaeogeographic units are preserved in this unit,
including deep-water basins and submarine highs Stop 1: Kalinovik
(Goričan et al., 2022 and references therein). The Pre-Karst unit and Bosnian Flysch zone of
The Drina Ivanjica and Jadar Kopaonik thrust (Schmid et al., 2008, 2020): Upper Triassic? to Lower
sheets (Fig. 2) represent the innermost composite nap- Cretaceous age.
pes of the Dinarides with the most distal parts of the Schmid et al. (2008, 2020) considered the Pre-
Adriatic margin preserved. The Triassic-Jurassic sedi- Karst unit and Bosnian flysch zone as a single first-or-
mentary succession of the Drina-Ivanjica thrust sheet der unit (Fig. 2), despite differences in stratigraphy

Fig. 3. A simplified geological map of the Gacko-Ulog area in the Dinarides with the location of planned stops during the first two days of the
excursion (Geološki zavod Sarajevo, 1969, Cadet, 1978, Buzaljko et. al. 1980, Mirković et al. 1979, Mojičević & Tomić, 1981, Jolović et al., 2016,
Schmid et al., 2020).

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between the two units. Blanchet et al,. 1970 described

the Pre-Karst unit as a subzone of the High Karst
Zone. This subzone is characterised by the Triassic
platform carbonates and Jurassic to Cretaceous slope
facies. The Bosnian Zone (Blanchet et al., 1969) com-
prises exclusively deep-water facies from the Middle
Triassic onwards (Cadet 1978). Another notable dif-
ference is the onset of the flysch-type sedimentation.
In the Bosnian Zone flysch-type sediments start to
accumulate in the latest Jurassic-early Cretaceous
(Blanchet et al. 1969; Cadet 1978), while the oldest
flysch-type deposits in the Pre-Karst unit are Late
Cretaceous in age (Cadet 1978).
The section described in this guide book belongs
to the Bosnian flysch zone.
The outcrop is located along the road from Kali-
novik to Nevesinje, near the village of Nedavić (Fig 3.
N 43°26’49.50’’; E 18°19’1.99’’). This area is shown on
the Kalinovik sheet of the Basic geological map of
Yugoslavia 1:100 000 (Mojićević & Tomić, 1981). In ad-
dition, the section at this stop was previously de-
scribed by Cadet (1978) and Kukoč (2014). New data
collected during preparation for this field trip are
also presented.
The lower part of the section is a succession of
limestones with chert, several tens of metres thick
(Figs. 4, 5A, B). Individual beds are up to 40 cm thick
and maybe folded. Cadet (1978) discovered Lower Ju-
rassic ammonites in this part of the section, however
the exact location of this discovery in the section is
not known. The limestones are overlain by approxi-
mately 10 m of red chert with shale interlayers (Fig.
5C). Chert beds are up to 15 cm thick and are occa-
sionally horizontally laminated. Shale constitutes
about 10% of the interval. Recently, a poorly pre-
served radiolarian fauna was extracted from two
samples at the bottom of this interval. Sponge
spicules are also present in the samples. The radi-
olarian assemblage is characteristic radiolarian
asemblages are characteristic of late Oxfordian to
early Tithonian age of late Oxfordian to early Titho- Fig. 4. Simplified sedimentological log of the Kalinovik section.
nian age, (UA Zones 10-11 of Baumgartner et al., 1995).
The uppermost interval of the measured section,
directly above the chert and shale interval, is com- cluding Cyclamminidea-type foraminifera and Bac-
posed of bedded calcarenites and microbreccia with cinela irregularis, are also recognized. Lithoclasts of
marly interlayers. Thin beds of marly limestones also glauconite, chert, and basalt are also present (Fig.
occur. The calcarenites and microbreccia are com- 6B). Preliminary results indicate an Early Cretaceous
posed of predominantly shallow-water carbonate age for these deposits based on microfossils. This is
material (Fig. 6A, B). Microbreccia is clast-supported in accordance with the findings of Cadet (1978), who
and poorly sorted, composed of different lithoclasts dated this part of the section as Berriasian based on
of shallow-water carbonates. Isolated bioclasts, in- calpionellids.

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Fig. 5. Field photographs of the Kalinovik section: A, B) Upper Triassic? – Lower Jurassic bedded limestones with chert intercalations; C) Upper
Jurassic bedded radiolarian cherts; D, E) the Lower Cretaceous Vranduk Formation composed of pelagic limestones, sandstones, and shale.

Fig. 6. Microfacies of the Lower Cretaceous calcarenites and microbreccia from the Kalinovik section: A) calcarenite with shallow-water
carbonate debris; B) microbreccia with clasts of shallow-water limestones and basalt with intersertial texture.

Higher in the section (not measured in detail), the phase. Due to extension, several deep-water basins
proportion of marl increases, and sandstone beds start separated by morphological highs formed at the conti-
to appear (Figs. 5D, E). The sandstones are lith-arenites nental margin (e.g., Goričan et al., 2022). Pelagic condi-
composed of mono- and poly-crystalline quartz grains, tions persisted in the Bosnian Basin throughout its
chert, plagioclase, ubiquitous mafic volcanic and ser- existence as is shown in this section. Thick successions
pentinite lithoclasts, as well as carbonate grains. The of pelagic limestones, often with chert, are character-
transparent heavy mineral fraction almost entirely istic of Upper Triassic and Lower Jurassic deposits in
consists of Cr-spinel, with minor amounts of euhedral different basins of the Adriatic margin (e.g., Ramp-
zircons. Nannoplankton from marls indicate an Early noux, 1974; Dimitrijević, 1997; Goričan et al., 2022).
Cretaceous age for these deposits. Radiolarian cherts are the dominant deposits in
The described succession was deposited in the the basins of western Tethys in the Middle and Late
Bosnian Basin, which formed on the eastern passive Jurassic, with the shift from carbonate to siliceous
margin of Adria during the Middle Triassic rifting deposition usually occurring around the Early Bajo-

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cian (e.g., Baumgartner, 2013; Goričan et al., 2022). from the latest Jurassic-earliest Cretaceous in age, have
This shift is linked to changes in the surface fertility been well documented throughout the orogen, but are
of the ocean attributed to palaeoclimatic changes sometimes known only from their erosional products
(Bartolini et al., 1999; Baumgartner, 2013). In the Ka- in deep-water successions (e.g., Schlagintweit & Gawl-
linovik section, the oldest dated chert sample is of ick, 2007; Schlagintweit et al., 2008; Kukoč et al., 2012;
Oxfordian age, indicating a possible stratigraphic Gawlick et al., 2020).
gap. However, because there are still no precise age The provenance study of the Vranduk Formation
data for the underlying limestones we can only spec- indicates that the sediment originated from the con-
ulate about the existence of this gap and its duration. tinental basement units of Adria, obducted ophiolites,
The complete latest Bajocian to Berriasian succession granitoids and redeposited coeval Urogonian facies
consisting of cherts and cherty limestones has been reefs grown on the thrust wedge complex (Mikes et
described from a locality further north in Bosnia and al., 2008). Palaeotransport indicators suggest S to
Hercegovina (Vishnevskaya et al., 2009). SE-directed transport for the Vranduk Formation
Calcarenites and microbreccia above the radiolar- (Mikes et al., 2008 and references therein). The age of
ian cherts represent the start of the turbiditic sequence the Vranduk Formation has been reported as Tithoni-
of the Vranduk Formation. The composition of cal- an to Aptian (Cadet, 1978; Rampnoux, 1974; Mikes et
carenites and microbreccia indicate a dual source for al., 2008; Nirta et al., 2020 and references therein).
the material. Clasts of basalt and chert originated from
erosion of the ophiolites, while shallow-water car- Stop 2: The Miholjača section
bonate clasts originated from a carbonate platform The stop is situated along the main road leading
that likely formed on top of the obducted nappe. Genet- northward from the town of Gacko (approximately 3
ically similar, small short-lived carbonate platforms, km from the town centre) towards Čemerno (Fig. 2).

Fig. 7. Provenance data for the Vranduk and Ugar formations from Mikes et al. 2008. The ophiolitic, continental, and carbonate detritus of the
Vranduk formation was eroded exclusively from the upper plate, while the sediments of the Ugar formation were derived from both sides of the
basin (the carbonate gravity flows and lateritic clay from the AdCP, the siliciclastic material from the upper plate).

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 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

This area is shown on the Gacko sheet of the Basic

geological map of Yugoslavia 1:100 000 (Mirković et
al., 1979). The location offers a view of the Neogene
intermontane Gacko basin below to the southwest,
while the rugged topography of the Durmitor nappe
is visible in the background to the northeast. This
area belongs to the Pre-Karst and Bosnian Flysch unit
of Schmid et al. (2008, 2020), a transitional palaeogeo-
graphic realm connecting the shallow marine car-
bonate platform environments of the High-Karst unit
on one side to the largely deep-water environments
of the subsided Adria passive margin on the other.
Jurassic and Cretaceous deposits in the Pre-karst sub-
zone are characterized by carbonate breccias shed
from the Adriatic carbonate platform environments
of the High-Karst unit, which taper out towards the
more internal areas in the direction of the present
day North-East (Blanchet et al., 1970). Subsequent tec-
tonic nappe stacking in the Dinarides due to the Adria
– Eurasia collision, involved large scale Latest Creta-
ceous thrusting and folding with shortening largely
concentrated in the Bosnian Flysch zone (van Unen
et al., 2019), resulting in foreland basin deposition
advancing towards the Pre-Karst area.
The road cut exposes a Cretaceous carbonate
succession of shallow marine to slope deposits (Fig.
8). The section at this stop was previously described
by Dimitrijević et al. (1968), while descriptions pre-
sented here are based on the authors observations
and new data.
The lower segment of the section consists of
Barremian – Aptian poorly bedded to massive lime-
stones dominated by carbonate breccia. These are
floatstone-rudstones composed of poorly sorted, 1
mm – several cm sized lithoclasts in a packstone –
grainstone matrix (Fig. 9A). The matrix consists of
pelloids, skeletal grains of shallow water organisms
(commonly echinoderms), benthic foraminifera,
Bacinella – Lithocodium structures, sporadic dasy-
cladalean algae, and bryozoans (Figs. 10A, 10B). Skel-
etal grains occasionally show evidence of micritiza-
Fig. 8. Simplified sedimentological log of the Miholjača section
tion. The grain size of the breccia matrix is usually
0.1-2 mm. Occasionally, micrite-supported intervals
occur, which contain sparse bioclasts. The middle is found throughout the upper half of this interval.
part of this breccia-dominated segment of the sec- Underlying the Early Cretaceous breccias there is a
tion displays indistinct wavy and lenticular bedding series of older breccias of possible Late Jurassic age
with intercalations of cross-bedded grainstone (Fig. with red recrystallized matrix devoid of fossils and
9B). Previously these breccias have been determined clasts of older Jurassic limestones. The Early Creta-
as Jurassic in age (Dimitrijević et al., 1968), however, ceous deposits are interpreted to have been formed
a Barremian – Aptian age is suggested here based on in a shallow-water carbonate ramp environment
the Orbitolinid genus Palorbitolina (Fig. 10C), which with variable bathymetry. Grain-supported intervals

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Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

Fig. 9. A) Lower Cretaceous carbonate breccia composed of lithoclasts in a packstone – grainstone matrix, B) wavy and lenticular intercalations
of cross-stratified grainstone within breccia C) massive bioclastic floatstone – rudstone composed mainly of fragments of rudist (Radiolitid)
bivalve shells D) Late Cretaceous sequence of alternating calcilutites, calcarenites, and calcirudites.

Fig. 10. A) Grainstone – floatstone with (a) peloids (b) echinoderm plates. B) Packstone – grainstone with (c) various skeletal grains, including (d)
echinoid spines. C) Packstone – grainstone with (e) Palorbitolina sp. D) Floatstone – rudstone with (f) fragments of Rudist (probably Radiolitid)
bivalve shells.

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 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

with lithoclasts and various bioclasts represent high- ing characteristic of slumps (Alsop & Marco, 2011; Fig.
er energy environments deposited on a steeper 11A). Calcarenites are coarse to fine-grained, often
slope, as opposed to micrite-supported intervals. normally graded, with planar and cross-lamination
The Early Cretaceous breccias are overlain by an forming parts of turbidite sequences (Fig. 11B). Cal-
approximately 16 m thick, massive bioclastic float- cirudites commonly make up the lower segments with-
stone – rudstone unit, composed mainly of fragments in sequences topped by calcarenites, consisting of nor-
of rudist (Radiolitid) bivalve shells (Figs. 9C, 10D). mally graded or massive fine gravel (locally inverse
The succession changes upwards into a well-bed- grading), with sharp erosive bases (Fig. 11C). An exam-
ded sequence of alternating calcilutites, calcarenites, ple of a complete Ta-Te sequence can be observed on
and calcirudites deposited in a slope apron environ- one of the well exposed 1.4 m thick beds (Fig. 9D). Al-
ment (Fig. 9D). Chert occurs regularly throughout the ternatively, calcirudites occur as distinct, approxi-
sequence as nodules or forming distinct layers. Calci- mately 0.5-1 m (up to 2.6 m) thick coarse-grained beds
lutites are thin bedded periplatform ooze wackestones deposited from hyperconcentrated density flows con-
consisting of clay and silt-sized particles, hosting Late sisting of poorly sorted, clast supported material host-
Cretaceous pelagic foraminifera indicating a Santoni- ing lithoclasts larger than 10 cm. They display sharp
an age. They are regularly interstratified with thin, planar bases and a massive texture, with occasional
densely packed packstone – rudstone alternations. inverse grading (Fig. 11D). Clast composition includes:
Interbedded with the calcilutites are calcarenite a) various bioclasts (benthic foraminifera, rudists), b)
– calcirudite beds displaying various well-exposed fea- clasts of pelagic wackestone-packstones hosting Late
tures of turbidity and concentrated density flows Cretaceous foraminifera, and c) lithoclasts of peloidal
(Mulder & Alexander, 2001). Several horizons within grainstone-packestones, wackestones with bivalves
the succession vividly display soft sediment deforma- and foraminifera (probably Jurassic), peloidal-bioclas-
tion features such as contractional folding and thrust- tic-ooid grainstones.

Fig. 11. A) Soft sediment deformation in calcilutites and calcarenites with contractional thrusting showing progressive back-rotation and
steepening of existing thrusts, B) coarse to fine, normally graded calcarenites, with planar and cross lamination interrupted by a chert layer,
C) calcirudite topped by calcarenite consisting of massive (locally inversely graded) fine gravel, with a sharp erosive base, D) composite set of
thick coarse-grained beds consisting of poorly sorted, clast supported material hosting lithoclasts larger than 10 cm, draped by a fine-grained
horizon and displaying soft sediment deformation.

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Stop 3: The surroundings of Klinje lake displaying planar and cross-lamination, and grade
Approximately 1.5 km northeast of Stop 2 (Fig. 2), in upwards into silt and marl intervals. The heavy min-
the dip direction of the strata, the lakes Klinje and eral fraction includes Cr-spinel, zircon, garnet, and
Ulinje are located. The older of the two, the lower tourmaline. Carbonate breccias make up thick mas-
Klinje lake (Fig. 12A), was filled between 1891 -1896., sive and inversely graded beds with sharp planar
during Austro-Hungarian times by the construction bases (Fig. 12C). This includes >10 metres thick
of a 26 metre high stone arch dam, the first of its kind megabeds (Fig. 12A) consisting of poorly sorted,
and size in the Balkan region. These two artificial clast-supported, angular carbonate clasts (up to 40
lakes were created on top of Upper Cretaceous cm in size) in their lower segments (Fig. 12D), topped
deep-water deposits dominated by calciclastics, but by several metre thick massive calcarenite upper
which also contain a substantial siliciclastic compo- segments. Excellent exposures allow the megabeds
nent. They are analogous to Upper Cretaceous flysch to be traced for several kilometres along the basin.
units known from other parts of the Dinarides as the Clast composition includes various Jurassic and Cre-
Ugar formation or the Durmitor flysch (Rampnoux, taceous lithoclasts, which together with E-NE-direct-
1969; Mikes et al., 2008). Here the deposits are char- ed palaeocurrent measurements suggest a dominant
acterized by an alternation of marls, sandstones, and derivation of material from the Adriatic carbonate
carbonate breccias (Fig. 12B). Calcareous nanno- platform realm to the SW (Dimitrijević et al., 1968).
plankton indicate their Maastrichtian – Palaeocene Lithoclasts include planktonic foraminiferal
age (Jolović et al., 2016 and own data). Sandstones are wackestones, ooid grainstones, and peloid wack-
relatively thin-bedded (usually up to 30-40 cm thick) stone-packstones. Bioclasts are mostly echinoderms
turbidites of mixed carbonate-siliciclastic composi- (crinoids), bivalve fragments, and benthic foraminif-
tion (Fig. 12C). They are medium to fine-grained, era (Orbitoides sp.).

Fig. 12. A) A view of Klinje lake surrounded by Maastrichtian-Palaeocene mixed calciclastic-siliciclastic deposits. A prominent megabed is visible
in the background. B) Alternation of marls, sandstones, and carbonate breccias. C) Sandstone beds topped by a thicker carbonate breccia
bed displaying inverse grading. D) A sharp planar basal surface of a prominent megabed with large angular clasts within the clast-supported
breccia lower segment.

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 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

The sedimentary infill of the North 2020; van Hinsbergen et al., 2020), while the collision
Dalmatian Foreland Basin in Croatia occurred at the end of the Cretaceous (Handy et al.,
2015), and structural shortening prevailed throughout
Introduction the Palaeogene (Stampfli, 2005; Korbar, 2009; Placer
This part of the excursion will focus on wedge-top et al., 2010; Ćosović et al., 2018; Balling et al., 2021). The
sediments of the North Dalmatian foreland basin central part of the Adriatic microplate comprised a
in Croatia, in an area that is about 80 km long and thick succession of pre-orogenic platform carbonates
20 km wide (Fig. 13). These deposits are better deposited on the Adriatic Carbonate Platform (AdCP;
known as the Promina Beds and they comprise a Vlahović et al., 2005), which – due to the distant colli-
~2000 m thick calciclastic succession of middle Eo- sion – emerged and were subjected to weathering,
cene to early Oligocene age, consisting of predom- karstification, and the local formation of bauxites in
inantly calcarenites and conglomerates, with sub- the orogen-proximal zone (Sakač, 1960, 1969; Vlahović
ordinate calcilutites, marls, breccias and coal et al., 2005; Mrinjek et al., 2012; Ćosović et al., 2018).
(Ivanović et al., 1976, 1978; Babić & Zupanič, 1983; Carbonate sedimentation continued during the early
Mrinjek, 1993, 2008; Mrinjek & Pencinger, 2008; Eocene distally, on a non-emergent forebulge (Stache,
Mrinjek et al., 2010, 2011, 2012; Pencinger, 2012). 1889; Ćosović et al., 2004; Korbar, 2009; Drobne et al.,
The Promina Beds are characterized by drastic lat- 2011; Babić & Zupanič, 2016; Ćosović et al., 2018). Fol-
eral and vertical changes in facies, resulting from lowing this phase, the foreland basin evolved from an
deposition in different shallow-marine and terres- early shallow-marine foredeep stage, to a deeper ba-
trial environments. Such marked differences in sin that progressively turned into a diversified wedge-
facies distribution stem from the tectonic develop- top depozone (Korbar, 2009) consisting of several
ment of the basin, i.e., the activity of blind thrusts thrust-top basins (Fig. 2; Mrinjek et al., 2012; Ćosović
that divided the wedge-top into several thrust-top et al., 2018; Gobo et al., 2020; Balling et al., 2021).
or piggyback basins (Fig. 13; Korbar, 2009; Babić &
Zupanič, 2012). One stop will also provide the op- Stratigraphy
portunity to see the Eocene flysch that pre-dates Following the end-Cretaceous collision, the foreland
the Promina Beds and was deposited in the fore- basin evolution in northern Dalmatia commenced
deep part of the foreland basin system (Fig. 1). with the deposition of a 250–280 m thick succession of
Foraminiferal Limestone that was deposited on the
General geological setting retreating forebulge during the late Ypresian
The NW-SE-trending Dinaric orogen and its foreland (Španiček et al., 2017; Ćosović et al., 2018; Fig. 14). In
basins developed due to the collision of the Eurasian the foredeep part of the foreland, the Foraminiferal
plate and the Adria microplate. Their convergence Limestone was conformably overlain by the ~50 m
commenced in the middle Jurassic (Schmid et al., thick Transitional Beds and ~850 m thick Dalmatian

Fig. 13. Map of the North Dalmatian foreland

basin, with the thrust-top basins outlined
by bounding anticlines and numbered as
follows: Korlat basin (1), Novigrad basin (2),
Ostrovica basin (3), Čikola basin (4) and Krka
basin (5). The inset simplified map shows the
external Dinarides fold and thrust belt and is
modified after Placer et al. (2010) and Balling
et al. (2021).

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Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

Fig. 14. Schematic correlation of Cretaceous and Palaeogene successions in northern Dalmatia, from the NW to the SE. For localities see
Fig. 13. The segmentation of the wedge-top depozone into several thrust-top basins resulted in different along-strike basin fills and hiatuses
of different duration.

Flysch comprising alternations of hemipelagic marls According to their lithostratigraphic features, age
and turbidites of middle Eocene age (Babić & Zupanič, and position within the basin, the Promina Beds have
2008; Ćosović et al., 2018; Fig. 3). The flysch reflects a traditionally been described as tripartite (distal-medi-
major deformation and subsidence phase in the evo- al-proximal), displaying a general, basin-wide shallow-
lution of the Dinaric foreland basins (Korbar, 2009). ing-upward trend (Šikić, 1969; Babić & Zupanič, 1983;
Proximally, the Foraminiferal Limestone is truncated Mrinjek, 1993). Although not entirely incorrect, the no-
by an end-Ypresian subaerial unconformity – marked tion of such a basin-wide trend in the Promina Beds is
by the local occurrence of a new generation of baux- currently considered to be an oversimplification
ites – which separates the Foraminiferal Limestone (Pencinger, 2012). Nowadays, the oldest and youngest
from the overlying Promina Beds (Sakač, 1960, 1969; units of the Promina Beds crop out along the southwest-
Mrinjek et al., 2012; Ćosović et al., 2018). ern and north-eastern basin margins, respectively.
During the Middle Eocene to the Oligocene, the Such distribution is considered to result from tectonic
inner part of the foreland developed into a wedge-top development rather than facies shifts. Namely, the ro-
depozone (sensu DeCelles & Giles, 1996) consisting of tation of the soling thrust, which also continued in the
several thrust-top or piggyback basins (sensu Ori & post-depositional phase of basin development (from the
Friend, 1984; Korbar, 2009), in which the Promina Beds Miocene onwards), caused uplift and erosion of the dis-
were deposited (Figs 13, 14). Those basins were asym- tal and medial parts of the wedge-top (Pencinger, 2012).
metrical and bounded by blind-thrust growth anticline Hence, the youngest deposits of Oligocene age have
ridges, which were areas of transient biogenic car- been eroded distally and are presently preserved only
bonate sedimentation, while calciclastic sediments in the orogen-proximal part of the basin.
accumulated in synclinal troughs (Mrinjek et al., 2012,
Ćosović et al., 2018). The steeper north-eastern basin Description of stops
margins were dominated by sediment gravity flows,
while the gentler southwestern margins were predom- Stop 4: the Čikola Canyon
inantly areas of littoral sedimentation (Fig. 15), with Location
the local occurrence of mass-transport deposits (Mrin- The stop is located ~100 m from the road Šibenik-Drniš
jek et al., 2012; Gobo et al., 2020; Gobo & Mrinjek, 2021). and offers a spectacular view of the Čikola Canyon
The youngest Promina Beds are of Oligocene age and and the opportunity to introduce the Promina Beds
comprise a thick “molasse” of alluvial and lacustrine as the sedimentary infill of the wedge-top part of the
origin (Mrinjek, 1993; Zupanič & Babić, 2011). North Dalmatian foreland basin.

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 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

Fig. 15. A schematic cross-section (not to scale), depicting the general distribution of facies in the thrust-top basins of the North Dalmatian
foreland basin. The basin’s asymmetrical shape resulted from the activity of blind-thrust growth anticlines, with gentler basin margins hosting
littoral sedimentation. In contrast, steeper basin margins were dominated by sediment gravity flows. Modified after Mrinjek et al. (2012).

Description and interpretation raminiferal Limestones of early Eocene age, which

The NW-SE-oriented Čikola basin is one of the inner are then conformably overlain by the Promina Beds
thrust-top basins of the Eocene Dinaric foreland ba- (Figs 14, 17; Mrinjek et al., 2012; Španiček et al., 2017).
sins (Figs 13, 16). It is about 50 km long and present- The Kozina Beds are generally in transgressive
ly, after its post-depositional tectonic contraction, up contact with the underlying Cretaceous bedrock.
to 4 km wide (Fig. 13). To the SW, it is bounded by the However, in the study section, there is no visible
Čikola growth anticline composed of upper Creta- angular unconformity or karstification surface. The
ceous limestones of the AdCP. These limestones are Kozina Beds in the Čikola Canyon are about 45 m
unconformably overlain by the Kozina Beds and Fo- thick (Fig. 18) and comprise palustrine and marginal-

Fig. 16. An overview map compiled from the Basic Geological Map of SFRY, sheets Silba, Gospić, Udbina, Drvar, Molat, Zadar, Obrovac, Knin,
Biograd, Šibenik and Drniš, with numbers marking the excursion stops. All stops comprise Eocene to Oligocene deposits (marked yellow).
Modified after Mamužić & Nedela-Devide (1968); Majcen et al. (1970); Mamužić et al. (1970); Mamužić (1970, 1971); Grimani et al. (1972); Šušnjar
et al. (1973); Sokač et al. (1974); Ivanović et al. (1973, 1977).

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Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

Fig. 17. A panoramic view of the Čikola Canyon showing the principal lithostratigraphic units. Modified after Španiček, 2017 and Španiček et
al., 2017.

marine carbonates deposited locally within The ~255 m thick Foraminiferal Limestone, as
restricted lagoons (Španiček et al., 2017). These the name suggests, contains abundant large benthic
deposits comprise alternations of well-bedded foraminifera (LBF), and was deposited during the
wackestones to packstones and thin-bedded early Eocene within carbonate ramp environments
mudstones to wackestones, which are locally (Španiček et al., 2017 and references therein).
intercalated with thin coal layers. The fossil content Miliolids dominate in the lower part, alveolinids,
includes gastropods, ostracods, and charophyceae. miliolids, agglutinated conical foraminifera, and
Fossil abundance decreases upwards, suggesting a Orbitolites sp. in the middle part, and nummulites,
gradual deepening of the depositional environment coral fragments, and corallinacean red algae in the
(Španiček et al., 2017). upper part (Španiček et al., 2017). Such a distribution
suggests continued basin deepening.
The Promina Beds in this part of the Čikola
Canyon are characterized by massive calcilutite beds
with thin calcisiltite and calcarenite streaks and
laminae, interpreted as subneritic deposits (Mrinjek
et al., 2012; Španiček et al., 2017). They conformably
overlie the Foraminiferal Limestone and display
progressive unconformities that suggest syn-
depositional blind-thrust activity (Mrinjek et al.,
2012).

Stop 5: Roški slap – marine and fluvial

deposits

Location
The Roški slap section crops out in the Krka River val-
ley, along the road connecting the Brištani and Lašk-
ovica villages and in the vicinity of the Roški slap wa-
terfall. Middle- to upper Eocene marine and fluvial
deposits are exposed on the left and right sides of the
valley, respectively. The sedimentary succession be-
longs to the NW-SE oriented Čikola basin (Figs 13, 16).

Description and interpretation

The sedimentary succession on the left side of the Krka
River valley is at least 140 m thick and comprises plane
parallel-stratified and ripple cross-laminated calcaren-
ites, along with massive or laminated calcilutites and
calcisiltite beds (Fig. 19). These deposits contain abun-
dant skeletal fragments of shallow-marine species and
are locally intensely bioturbated, to such a degree that
Fig. 18. Lithostratigraphic log of the Čikola section. Modified after
Španiček et al., (2017). any primary sedimentary structures were obliterated

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 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

Fig. 19. A sedimentary log of the Roški slap marine section on the left side of the Krka River valley.

Fig. 20. Facies details of marine deposits in the Roški slap section on the left side of the Krka River valley. A) Intense bioturbation in calcilutite
(white) and calcarenite (grey) deposits. The folded measuring stick is 23 cm long. B) Matrix-supported conglomerate in the upper part of the
Roški slap section. Hammer for scale is 28 cm long.

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Fig. 21. Sedimentary features of the event bed in the marine succession of the Roški slap unit. A) Panoramic overview of the bed showing a
fining-upward trend (FU). B) Close-up photo of the base of the event bed, showing the contact between fine-grained and very coarse-grained
calcarenite. Note the current-oriented skeletal remains. Lens cap is 58 mm in diameter. C) Isolated cobble in the lower part of the event bed.
Hammer for scale is 28 cm long.

(Fig. 20A). Plant remains and conglomerate beds occur part with an irregular surface, incising about 4 m
in the uppermost part of the succession (Fig. 20B), sug- into the underlying deposits, and comprises several
gesting a coarsening- and shallowing-upward trend extensive, sheet-like, and multi-storey conglomeratic
reflecting the progradation of a deltaic body into a shal- channels that were most likely deposited in a coarse-
low-marine environment. One event bed stands out in grained braided plain environment (Fig. 23). The low-
this succession, as it comprises normally graded very er part of this section is interpreted as representing
coarse-grained calcarenite, rich in skeletal remains a sandy to gravelly braided plain environment or
(Fig. 21A, B). Its base is sharp and slightly erosional, coastal plain (Mrinjek, 2008). Gravel imbrication and
while its top is flat to slightly wavy. Isolated pebbles and other structures suggest a southward palaeocurrent
cobbles occur locally (Fig. 21C). This bed is thought to direction (Fig. 22).
have been deposited from a dense turbulent flow re- A sequence boundary is interpreted based on the
flecting a major storm, tsunami, or basin-margin fail- high erosional relief and the marked change in fluvi-
ure event (Mrinjek, 2008). al facies character; the lower part of the fluvial suc-
About 5 km to the NW, the sedimentary succes- cession can thus be interpreted as a highstand sys-
sion comprises about 50 metres of fluvial deposits tems tract, whereas the upper part would correspond
consisting of two distinct intervals (Fig. 22). The low- to the falling stage systems tract (FSST) or early low-
ermost 12 metres consist of poorly inter-connected stand systems tract (LST). However, the interpreted
calcarenite to fine-grained conglomerate lenses en- sequence boundary is challenging to follow laterally
cased in relatively extensive and thin-bedded flood- due to a lack of good outcrops and because the chan-
plain deposits with scarce plant remains. The upper nels' erosive bases crosscut one another. Across-val-
part of this succession erosively overlies the lower ley stratigraphic correlation suggests that these sed-

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 iments were probably deposited in a braided-plain or
coastal plain environment feeding a delta front
(Mrinjek, 2008), as they are lateral equivalents of the
marine deposits described earlier.

Stop 6: Krka Monastery – shelf deposits

Location
The outcrop is located along the road that climbs
from the Krka Monastery to Kistanje town, offering
spectacular views of Upper Eocene to Oligocene shelf
deposits and several slumps that were deposited in
the Krka basin (Figs 13, 16).

Description and interpretation

The succession is about 170 m thick and comprises
alternating calcilutites and calcarenites that are
intensely bioturbated (Fig. 24A). Calcilutites con-
tain skeletal remains of small benthic foraminif-
era, planktonic foraminifera, bivalves, and plant
debris. Calcarenites are generally sharply based,
range in thickness from 1-30 cm, and are either
massive, hor izonta lly laminated, or r ipple
cross-laminated (Fig. 24B, C). Ripples are asymmet-
ric and locally symmetrical. Flame structures and
Fig. 22. A sedimentological log of the Roški slap fluvial section on the
right side of the Krka River valley. load casts are visible locally (Fig. 24D). Slumps oc-

Fig. 23. Fluvial deposits in the Roški slap section on the right side of the Krka River valley. A) Panoramic view of the roadcut outcrop section. B,
C) Close-up photos of channel-fill sediments displaying erosional bases, fining-upward (FU), and coarsening-upward (CU) intervals. Channels
are incised in floodplain deposits (FP).
Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

Fig. 24. Facies details of shelf deposits at the Krka Monastery locality. Hammer for scale in B and D is 33 cm long. A) Calcarenite-filled vertical
and horizontal burrows cross-cutting calcilutite deposits. B) Calcarenite with ripple forms in the upper right. C) Ripple cross-lamination visible
in calcarenite bed. Note the sharp, erosional base of the upper calcarenite bed and its flat top. D) Loading of calcarenite bed into the underlying
calcilutite deposits resulted in the formation of flame structures.

cur several times in the succession, range in thick- Stop 7: Karin Gornji – delta cycles
ness from 35 – 160 cm, and display folds and convo-
lutions (Fig. 25A), locally deformed pebble stringers Location
(Fig. 25B), and evidence of sediment torsion (Fig. The canyon of the Bijela River, located in the vicinity
25C). A few matrix-supported and chaotic conglom- of Karin Gornji (Figs 13, 16), offers spectacular views
erate beds occur locally, intercalated with calcilu- of Gilbert-type and shoal-water delta cycles, capped
tites and calcarenites. These conglomerates are up by coarse-grained alluvium. The name Bijela trans-
to 50 cm thick, and have a massive texture and an lates as White because of the white tufa that covers
irregular, lens-like shape. the seasonally dry river channel. A ~30-minute hike
The calcilutites with planktonic foraminifera to the outcrops is required.
suggest deposition in a deep and calm marine envi-
ronment, while calcarenites and conglomerates are Description and interpretation
interpreted as event beds – either tempestites or The sedimentary succession in the Bijela River canyon
hyperpycnites (Babić et al., 2010). The occurrence is more than 270 m thick and comprises three parts.
of laminated calcarenites suggests deposition from The lowermost ~40 m consist of two stacked Gil-
unidirectional, oscillatory, or combined flows re- bert-type deltas with distinct sub-horizontal bottomset
lated to storm processes in a shelf setting, namely and inclined foreset deposits. Fine-grained bottomset
between the storm and fair-weather wave bases deposits are mainly calcilutites and calcarenites with
(Myrow & Southard, 1991; Babić et al., 2010). The plane-parallel, wavy or ripple cross-lamination, and
presence of plant debris suggests the proximity to are locally bioturbated. Foreset beds are conglomerat-
a deltaic environment. Slumps and conglomerate ic and were deposited by various gravity-flow process-
beds may have resulted from delta-slope failures es, which also exerted shear and locally deformed bot-
stemming from syn-depositional tectonic activity tomset strata through a “bulldozer” effect (Postma et
along the basin margin (Babić et al., 2010). al., 1988). Both Gilbert-type deltas lack topset deposits.

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 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

Fig. 25. Slumps of the Krka Monastery succession. Hammer for scale is 33 cm long. A) Slumps alternate with calcilutites and calcarenites. B)
Deformed pebble stringers locally outline the slump fold geometry. C) Slump in the upper part of the succession with sediment torsion visible
to the right.

Fig. 26. The sedimentary succession in the Bijela River canyon. A) Panoramic view of the upper ~200 m of the 270 m thick succession. Gilbert-
type deltas are not visible. Note the numerous coarsening-upward cycles representative of shoal-water delta deposition. B-D) Shoal-water
delta units differ in thickness but show coarsening-upward and shallowing-upward trends, from calcilutites and/or calcarenites at the bottom
to conglomerates on top. Note the slump in (D), developed in fine-grained calcilutites and calcarenites. E, F) Facies details of fluvial deposits
that formed in braided rivers. Note the amalgamated conglomerates in (E) and trough cross-stratification in (F) typical for braid bars.

Instead, their foreset units are sharply truncated by a sion comprising at least 20 coarsening-upward and
transgressive surface (Babić et al., 2010). The second shallowing-upward shoal-water delta cycles, ranging
Gilbert-type delta is overlain by a ~170 m thick succes- in thickness from 3 – 16 m (Figs. 26A–D). Some delta

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Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

155 200
51 108 FS
154 199
FS
50 107
153
198
49 106
152
197
SFR 105
48 238
151 196
47 104
237
FS 150 195
103 FS
46 236
149
FS 194
45 102
235
148
193 gap = 3 m

44 101
gap = 0.6 m 147 231
192
43 100
146 191 230
42 99
145 229
190
41 98
FS
144 228
189
40 97
143 227
188
39 96
FS
142 187 226
gap = 6.3 m
38 89
141 FS 225
37 FS gap = 3 m

88 183
140 224
36 gap = 1 m
87
139 181
223
35 86
138 180 222
34
85
137 179
221
33 84 gap = 1.5 m
FS 135 178
gap = 3.4 m 220
32
gap = 1 m
134 174
82
KS

219
gap = 0.5 m
31
81 133 173
218
30
LITHOLOGY AND SEDIMENTARY
80 132 172 217 STRUCTURES
29 gap = 3 m

131 clast-supported conglomerate

FS 171
216
28
76 matrix-supported conglomerate
130 170 pinch & swell lamination
215
gap = 3 m
27 FS slump structures
72 129 169
214 swaley cross stratification
26
71 FS hummocky cross stratification
128 168
FS 213
25 trough cross stratification
70
127 167 planar parallel lamination
212
24 current ripple cross-lamination
69
126 166 FS ? 211 wave ripple cross-lamination
gap = 2 m FS
21 68
125 gap = 1 m
imbrication
210
FS 164 normal graded bedding
gap = 2.5 m 67
gap = 1 m 124 reversed graded bedding
FS FS 209
163
17
FOSSILS
123
65 208 plant material
162
16 gap = 0.5 m bioturbation
207
gap = 5 m
161 foraminifers
59 FS
15 SFR
119
gap = 2 m
206 FACIES ASSOCIATIONS
160
58 overbank sediments
14 gap = 3 m
gap = 10 m gap = 1 m
FS 205 channel fill sediments
FS 159 gap = 1 m
115
56 beachface/delta plain
3
gap = 1.3 m 158 203 shorface/delta front
FS 114 gap = 2.5 m

2 54 offshore-transition/proximal prodelta
FS 157
111 202
offshore/distal prodelta
1 53
156 FS flooding surface
110 201
SFR surface of forced regression
metres

gap = 1 m

0 M S vf f m c vc gr p co
52 M S vf f m c vc gr p co M S vf f m c vc gr p co M S vf f m c vc gr p co M S vf f m c vc gr p co

Fig. 27. A sedimentary log of the sedimentary succession exposed in the Bijela River canyon. Underlying Gilbert-type deltas are not shown.
Note the numerous shoal-water delta cycles (parasequences) separated by flooding surfaces. The uppermost ~60 m comprise fluvial deposits.

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Fig. 28. A schematic cross-section of the Novigrad basin, not to scale. The steeper NE limb hosted coarse-grained Gilbert-type deltas and
shoal-water deltas, whereas the gentler SW limb hosted wave-dominated littoral realms with gravelly foreshore, sandy shoreface, heterolithic
offshore-transition, and a muddy offshore zone. The offshore-transition and offshore deposits here are commonly intercalated with foreshore-
derived, gravelly debris-flow and slump deposits, which represent re-sedimentation pulses most probably triggered by normal faulting of the
syncline limb.

Fig. 29. Fluvial deposits at the Kruševo locality. A) Sedimentary log, modified after Babić et al. (1995). B) Roadcut section along the Karin-
Obrovac road, with sheet-like conglomerate bodies at the lower left and the uppermost parts of the outcrop. The middle part comprises
fine-grained floodplain deposits. C) Crudely cross-stratified pebble conglomerate incising into overbank fines. D) Plant remains (palm leaf) in
floodplain deposits.

cycles begin with distal prodelta calcilutites, passing peated delta cycles of variable thickness and extent,
upward to delta-front calcarenites and delta plain/ separated by flooding surfaces, indicate that trans-
coastal conglomerates (Fig. 27). Distal prodelta depos- gressive episodes generated accommodation for delta
its commonly record subaqueous slumps (Fig. 26D). progradation. Similar transgressive-regressive cycles
The delta cycles are overlain by ~60 m of fluvial depos- but involving shallow-marine (shelf) deposits are
its that include conglomeratic channel-fills and braid present on the other side of the Novigrad basin (Fig.
bars, plane parallel-stratified to cross-stratified over- 28; see stop 10 later). Hence, deposition within this
bank calcarenites, deposited by gravelly braided basin may be ascribed to a tectonic “seesaw” effect on
streams (Figs. 26A, E, F). opposite sides of the Novigrad basin. During the late
This sedimentary succession records the evolu- Palaeogene, the basin was filled with fluvial sedi-
tion of the north-eastern margin of the Novigrad ments, a balance between sedimentation and subsid-
thrust-top basin and suggests that the deltas were de- ence was reached, along with a tectonic steady state
posited while the basin was tectonically active. Re- within the foreland basin (Covey, 1986).

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Stop 8: Kruševo – fluvial deposits ble for exploitation and usage as building, architec-
tural, and decorative stone. Besides, the succession
Location preserves a remarkable trace fossil assemblage, with
The stop is located along the Karin-Obrovac main more than 50 different types of traces (Mikša, 2011).
road (Figs 13, 16), near the junction to Crna Punta.
The outcrop belongs to the lower part of a thick allu- Description and interpretation
vial succession of late Eocene to Oligocene age, which The Benkovac stone unit is a calciclastic succession
represents the uppermost “overfilled” or “molasse” about 120 m thick, consisting of calcarenite beds al-
unit of the Promina Beds (Babić et al., 2010). ternating with calcisiltites and calcilutites. Its late
Eocene age was determined based on benthic (num-
Description and interpretation mulitids and discocyclinids) and pelagic foraminif-
The outcrop comprises two distinct lithologies: era (globigerinids) (Mrinjek et al., 2005; Pencinger &
crudely cross-stratified conglomerates and laminat- Mrinjek, 2010). Calcarenites are fine to very fine-
ed fines rich in plant remains (Fig. 29). The conglom- grained, well sorted, ranging in thickness from 3 – 40
erates range in thickness from 1- 5 m and occur as cm, and display a variety of sedimentary structures
elongate lenses or extensive sheets with erosive, con- including: planar parallel-stratification, hummocky
cave-upward bases and flat tops, which locally show cross-stratification, ripple cross-lamination, climb-
evidence of pedogenesis. Some beds also show a ing ripples, pinch-and-swell lamination, and convo-
low-relief convex-up top. The gravel clasts are pre- lute lamination (Figs 30A, B, 31). Structureless beds
dominantly limestones, but sandstone clasts also oc- with normal grading also occur. Calcilutites are gen-
cur. Finer-grained deposits include planar paral- erally massive and structureless, and range in thick-
lel-la m inated a nd r ipple cross-la m inated ness from 5 – 30 cm. Calcisiltites occur as 1–3 cm thin
calcarenites, calcisiltites, and calcilutites with thin streaks intercalated with calcilutites and commonly
coal interlayers. These fine-grained deposits are rich display pinch-and-swell lamination. Where exposed,
in plant remains, including fossil roots, branches, bedding planes show a remarkable association of
palm leaves and trunks. Unfortunately, palm trunks, trace fossils, belonging both to the deep-water Nere-
that were once preserved in an upright position, were ites ichnofacies (e.g., Nereites, Paleodictyon) (Fig. 30C)
destroyed several years ago. and shallow-marine Cruziana / Skolithos ichnofacies
These deposits are of alluvial origin. Conglom- (e.g., Ophiomorpha, Skolithos, Thalassinoides, etc.).
erates were most likely deposited from sheet flows in Plant debris, mostly leaves, also occur (Fig. 30D).
shallow braided channels that frequently shifted po- Sand and mud volcanoes are locally visible, ranging
sition (Babić et al., 1995, 2010). The alluvial nature of in size from 15 – 36 cm in diameter and 2 – 6 cm in
these deposits is also confirmed by abundant plant height (Mrinjek et al., 2005; Mikša, 2011).
remains and coal preserved in floodplain fines, with The sedimentary features listed above suggest
the possible occurrence of crevasse splays. deposition in an offshore-transition zone, under the
influence of occasional storms. Calcarenite beds
Stop 9: Mejanica – Upper Eocene shelf with their various sedimentary structures represent
deposits of the Benkovac stone unit storm beds or tempestites, while calcilutites repre-
sent background suspension settling during
Location fair-weather conditions (Myrow & Southard, 1996;
The stop is located on Mejanica hill, near the village Mrinjek et al., 2005). The occurrence of sand and
of Lisičić and about 4 km SE from the town of Benk- mud volcanoes suggests that the seafloor was occa-
ovac (Figs 13, 16). The area is gently hilly and a ~ sionally affected by liquefaction, which could have
15-minute walk on a gravel/earthen road is required been triggered by rapid sedimentation, seafloor
to reach the outcrops, which are in abandoned (and loading by storm waves, or seismic perturbations
mostly illegal) quarries. Due to the non-regulated (Reineck & Singh, 1975; Mrinjek et al., 2005). The
exploitation and a considerable amount of tailing unique trace fossil assemblage, comprising both
surrounding the quarries, the area resembles “mole- deep-marine and shallow-marine ichnotaxa, sug-
hills”. The Benkovac stone is well known for its platy gests that hydraulic conditions, oxygen levels, water
splitting pattern stemming from the alternations of salinity, type of substrate, and the quantity and type
calcarenites and calcilutites, which renders it suita- of nutrients are more important ecological factors

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 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

Fig. 30. Sedimentary facies and some of the numerous trace fossil ichnospecies of the Benkovac stone unit. Lens cap is 58 mm in diameter.
A, B) Darker beds are calcarenites, commonly showing ripple forms or pinch-and-swell lamination indicative of starved ripples. Lighter beds
are calcilutites. C, D) Graphoglyptids preserved on bedding planes, along with plant remains. Coin for scale is 24.5 mm in diameter.

than water depth and distance from the shore. In

this case, the offshore-transition zone with sediment
incursions during storms somewhat resembles
deep-marine or slope settings (Pencinger & Mrinjek,
2010; Mikša, 2011). This area records an overall shal-
lowing-upward trend, starting with foredeep flysch,
followed by neritic hyperpycnites of the Korlat unit,
which is overlain by offshore deposits of the Debelo
Brdo unit, to the offshore-transition deposits of the
Benkovac stone unit (Fig. 14). Considering such
trends, it is a valid assumption that deep-marine
benthic communities adjusted relatively quickly to
similar, yet shallower environments.

Stop 10: Novigrad – shelf deposits and

mass-transport deposits (MTDs)

Location
The sedimentary succession crops out along the coast
of the Novigrad Sea, close to the town of Novigrad Fig. 31. Sedimentary log of the Benkovac Stone unit. The alternations
(Figs 13, 16). A leisurely walk is required to reach the of calcarenites and calcilutites, along with sedimentary structures and
trace fossils, suggest deposition in an offshore-transition environment
outcrop. on a storm-dominated shelf.

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Fig. 32. A sedimentary log of the Novigrad succession, with sequence-stratigraphic interpretation. Note the coarsening-upward cycles
separated by limestone units and mass-transport deposits intercalated with offshore and offshore-transition deposits in the left and right parts
of the log, respectively.

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 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

Description and interpretation heavily deformed or chaotic strata generated by var-

The Novigrad basin is about 40 km long and presently ious gravity-flow mechanisms, including slumps,
up to 5 km wide and is one of the inner thrust-top slump-debrites, debris-flow deposits, blocky-flow
basins of the North Dalmatian foreland basin (Figs 13, deposits (sensu Mutti et al., 2006) and rockfall deposits
16). The basin fill unconformably overlies bauxite de- (Fig. 34).
posits developed on lower Eocene Foraminiferal The diverse facies in the Novigrad sedimentary
Limestone (Fig. 14) and consists of coarsening-up- succession reflect syn-tectonic deposition in a shal-
ward shallow-marine calciclastic deposits alternating low-marine synclinal basin. Due to disharmonic
with limestone units (Fig. 32). The succession was thrusting and relative sea-level changes, the basin
deposited along the basin’s SW margin during the flanks underwent several transgressive-regressive
middle to late Eocene (Fig. 28; Babić & Zupanič, 2012; episodes (Babić & Zupanič, 2012; Ćosović et al.,
Ćosović et al., 2018). The middle to upper Eocene lime- 2018). Middle to upper Eocene limestones formed on
stone units comprise wackestones, packstones and transient ramps during episodes of relative sea-lev-
subordinate mudstones, and include skeletal frag- el rise, while episodes of relative sea-level fall
ments of small and large benthic foraminifera, bi- caused forced-regressive progradation of calciclas-
valves, gastropods, echinoids, corallinaceans, corals, tic beachface or shoreface deposits over off-
bryozoans and rare planktonic foraminifera (Babić & shore-transition and offshore facies (Ćosović et al.,
Zupanič, 2012; Ćosović et al., 2018) (Figs. 33A, B). The 2018). The occurrence of various types of mass-flow
calciclastic units separating skeletal limestones are deposits intercalated within offshore and off-
organized into coarsening-upward and shallow- shore-transition strata suggests that mass flows
ing-upward cycles, consisting of offshore calcilutites were triggered in shallow water due to the com-
at the base (Fig. 33C), grading upward to alternations bined effect of strong earthquakes, sediment dest-
of calcilutites with calcarenites with wave ripples of abilization due to pore water overpressure during
the offshore-transition zone (Fig. 33D), which are in regressive stages of basin development, and storm-
turn overlain by shoreface calcarenites (Fig. 33E) and wave loading affecting the shallow seabed (Gobo et
in most cases, capped by clast-supported and well al., in press). This presents an intriguing issue when
sorted beach-face conglomerates (Fig. 33F). These cal- it comes to sediment preservation in shallow envi-
ciclastic units are intensely bioturbated and bear ronments dominated by wave activity.

Fig. 33. Facies details of carbonate and calciclastic facies in the Novigrad succession. Measuring stick in photos D–F is 12 cm long. A, B)
Limestones with various skeletal remains, formed on transient carbonate ramps. Coin for scale is 24.5 mm in diameter. C) Intensely bioturbated
offshore calcilutites. D) Alternations of bioturbated calcilutites and storm-generated calcarenite beds of the offshore-transition zone. E) Shoreface
calcarenites with ripple forms. F) Clast-supported and well-sorted beachface conglomerate.

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Fig. 34. Facies details of mass-transport deposits in the Novigrad succession. A) Calcilutite slump. B) Chaotic bed showing features typical
for both slumps and debrites, as well as pervasive bioturbation. C) Debris-flow deposit with well-developed inverse grading. D) Blocky-flow
deposit, with blocks of clast-supported beachface conglomerate resting and sinking into matrix-supported conglomerate generated by a debris
flow of high competence.

Stop 11: Bošana (Pag Island) – Eocene Description and interpretation

flysch and Quaternary colluvium The island of Pag is in the northern Adriatic part of
the Outer Dinaric zone and it comprises Late Creta-
Location ceous to Lower-Middle Eocene platform carbonates,
The stop is located on the Rozin Bok beach, about 6 which are transgressively overlain by Eocene sand-
km NW from the town of Pag (Fig. 16). Here, partici- stones and marls (Sokač et al., 1967; Babić et al., 1993
pants will have the opportunity to see Eocene flysch and references therein). These deposits constitute
deposited in the foredeep part of the North Dalmatian the core of Palaeogene synclines, reach 350 m in
foreland basin and Quaternary colluvial deposits. thickness, and are predominantly composed of car-

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 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

Fig. 35. Sedimentological log of the

Eocene flysch cropping out on the
Rozin Bok beach.

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Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

bonate detritus, with subordinate quartz, chert, sand (Mamužić & Sokač, 1973), commonly show
quartzite, clay minerals, and mica (Sokač et al., 1976). crude stratification stemming from alternations in
Their middle to late Eocene age was determined grain size (Fig. 37B) and comprise angular limestone
based on planktonic foraminifera (Sokač et al., 1976; clasts of Cretaceous and Eocene age mixed with terra
Babić et al., 1993 and references therein) and later rossa, greyish-yellow soil, and sand (Fig. 37C). Their
confirmed by calcareous nannofossils (Persico et al., thickness varies in different parts of the island of
2019), thus disproving the Miocene age-attribution Pag, but commonly ranges from 6 – 14 m. Due to their
suggested by Mikes et al. (2008). The sedimentary suc- unconsolidated (“soft”) nature, they are commonly
cession comprises alternations of marl and sand- covered by vegetation and are also prone to
stone beds (Fig. 35). The marls are finely laminated mass-wasting processes.
and range in thickness from 1 – 350 cm. The thicker The alternation of marls and sandstones was
marl intervals are commonly intercalated with fine firstly interpreted as proximal f lysch deposits
sandstone beds ranging in thickness from 1 – 15 cm (Mamužić & Sokač, 1973; Marinčić, 1981), but was lat-
(Fig. 36A). These sandstone beds commonly have no- er reinterpreted as representing the distal part of a
ticeable sedimentary structures, including pla- deltaic system (Babić et al., 1993). Nonetheless, the
nar-parallel lamination and ripple cross-lamination sandstone beds are interpreted as products of sedi-
(Fig. 36B). However, the bulk of the succession com- ment gravity flows, namely turbidites of various flow
prises thick, massive, and commonly amalgamated capacities, while the marls predominantly represent
sandstone beds (Fig. 36C), which locally display ac- deposition from suspension. Compressional tectonic
cumulations of current-oriented foraminifera tests activity from the Eocene onwards resulted in folding
(Fig. 36D). Some of these massive beds show crude and formation of prominent NW-SE-oriented anti-
normal grading. Besides these Eocene deposits, Qua- clines and synclines.
ternary colluvium is also exposed on the Rozin Bok The Quaternary colluvium, on the other hand,
beach (Fig. 37A). These deposits are unconsolidated represents immature slope-waste material deposited
and structurally immature sandy gravel and gravelly by sediment gravity-processes at the foot of a moun-

Fig. 36. Flysch facies details on the Rozin Bok beach. A) Grey marls interlayered with thin sandstone beds. Measuring stick is 1 m long.
B) Sandstone bed with visible planar-parallel stratification and faint ripple cross-lamination on top, deposited from a turbidity current. C)
Amalgamated sandstone beds with signs of loading and flame structures. D) Amalgamated sandstone beds with visible intervals rich in
foraminifera tests.

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 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

Fig. 37. Colluvial deposits on the Rozin Bok beach. A) Panoramic view of colluvial deposits. Note the vegetation contrasting the barren limestones
in the upper part of the photo. B) Outcrop detail of colluvial deposits, with visible grain-size alternations resulting from flows of variable energy.
Measuring stick is 2 m long. C) Angular limestone clasts constitute the coarse fraction of colluvial deposits. Note the large clast of Foraminiferal
Limestone, with large foraminifera tests. Lens cap is 58 mm in diameter.

tain slope or topographic escarpment (Holmes, 1965; Acknowledgment

Blikra & Nemec, 1998; Nemec & Kazanci, 1999;
Nemec, 2015). Weathering and erosion of uplifted an- We sincerely thank Vlasta Ćosović and Ladislav
ticlines gradually exposed their limestone cores and Fuček for aiding with microscope analyses of the car-
sourced material that travelled a rather short dis- bonate samples. Robert Koščal is thanked for helping
tance to be deposited on steep “fans” or “cones” that with preparation of illustrations. We thank Tvrtko
coalesced into colluvial aprons draping the synclinal Korbar for his useful comments which helped im-
limbs. prove the text. ■

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flysch revisited: new constraints on ophiolite obduction postanak ležišta boksita. Geološki vjesnik, 23, 163–179. [In
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Nirta, G., Aberhan, M., Bortolotti, V., Carras, N., Menna, F. Schlagintweit, F. and Gawlick, H.-J. (2007) Analyses of Late Ju-
and Fazzuoli, M. (2020) Deciphering the geodynamic evo- rassic to Early Cretaceous algal debris-facies of the Plas-
lution of the Dinaric orogen through the study of the sen carbonate platform in the Northern Calcareous Alps
“overstepping” Cretaceous successions. Geol. Magaz., (Germany, Austria) and in Kurbnesh area of the Mirdita
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Pamić, J., Tomljenović, B. and Balen, D. (2002) Geodynamic and ogeography of eroded platforms. Facies, 53, 209–227.
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and NW Dinarides: an overview. Lithos, 65,113–142. R. and Frisch, W. (2008) The eroded Late Jurassic Kurb-
Pencinger, V. (2012) Sedimentološke i stratigrafske značajke nesh carbonate platform in the Mirdita Ophiolite Zone of
Prominskih naslaga sjeverozapadne Dalmacije, Disert- Albania and its bearing on the Jurassic orogeny of the Ne-
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[unpublished PhD Thesis, in Croatian.] Schefer, S., Egli, D., Missoni, S., Bernoulli, D., Fügenschuh,
Pencinger, V. and Mrinjek, E. (2010) Paleogenski boksiti pod- B., Gawlick, H.-J., Jovanović, D., Krystyn, L., Lein, R.,
ručja Obrovca i „Benkovački kamen“ Mejanice. Vodič ek- Schmid, S. and Sudar, M. (2010) Triassic metasediments
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tut, 122–128. [In Croatian] cance. Geol. Carpath., 61, 89–109.
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Placer, L., Vrabec, M. and Celarc, B. (2010) The bases for un- ergelt, P., Oberhänsli, R., Pleuger, J., Schefer, S., Schus-
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tectonics. Geologija, 53, 55–86. bergen, D.J.J. (2020) Tectonic units of the Alpine collision
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Sokač, B., Ščavničar, B. and Velić, I. (1976) Osnovna geološka Tari-Kovačić, V., Kalac, K., Lučić, D. and Benić, J. (1998) Strati-
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 Mass wasting deposits: From ancient catastrophic submarine col-
lapses to recent alluvial fans: Julian Alps, Soča Valley and the Adri-
atic coast

Andrej Šmuc, Boštjan Rožič, Andrej Novak, Krešimir Petrinjak, Željko Pogačnik,
Timotej Verbovšek, Marko Vrabec, Tomislav Popit

FIELD TRIP C3
Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

Mass wasting deposits: From ancient catastrophic submarine

collapses to recent alluvial fans: Julian Alps, Soča Valley and the
Adriatic coast

Andrej Šmuc1, Boštjan Rožič1, Andrej Novak2, Krešimir Petrinjak3, Željko Pogačnik4, Timotej
Verbovšek1, Marko Vrabec1, Tomislav Popit1
1
University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Natural sciences and Engineering, Aškerčeva 12, Ljubljana., SLOVENIA,
[email protected]
2
Geological Survey of Slovenia, Dimičeva 14, Ljubljana., SLOVENIA
3
Croatian Geological Survey, Milana Sachsa 2, Zagreb, CROATIA
3
Georudeko d.o.o., Anhovo 1, Anhovo, SLOVENIA

Abstract
Mass movements represent important processes that shape the surface of the Earth. This trip will present an overview
of recent and ancient mass movements in a variety of different settings: from recent slope processes to Mesozoic massive
submarine platform collapses (Fig. 1). Holocene: the Tamar and Soča valleys are alpine valleys filled with Holocene de-
posits of rock falls, landslides, debris-flows, mudflows and fluvial activity (Stops 1, 2). They form talus slopes, alluvial
and debris-flow fans, each of them with a complex history of sedimentation and erosion. Quaternary: the Vipava valley
represents a ‘’tectonic’’ topography with steeply dipping Mesozoic carbonates thrusted over gently-sloping Palaeogene
flysch. This facilitated the formation of a complex Quaternary sedimentary slope system: debris-flows, scree, mud-flows,
rock avalanches, rotational and translational landslide (Stop 5). At the Adriatic coast, ongoing cliff evolution will be ob-
served (Stop 6). Mesozoic-Cenozoic: In the middle Soča valley we will observe Middle Jurassic basinal blocky limestone
breccia that documents the transition to the compressional regime (Stop 3). Palaeogene breccias (up to 250 m thick),
massive and blocky, are related to thrusting and foreland basin formation and will be observed in the Anhovo quarry
(Stop 4) and Eocene carbonate megabeds in Istria (Stops 7, 8).

Fig. 1.
Geographical
location of the
stops.

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Geological evolution of Slovenia: a short In the Mesozoic, the area was part of the Adriat-
review (modified after Vrabec et al. 2009) ic-Apulian microcontinent bounded by the Alpine Te-
Andrej Šmuc, Marko Vrabec thys and the Vardar Ocean. It was part of the southern
Tethyan passive continental margin recording multi-
The territory of Slovenia represents a fold and thrust ple phases of extension and formation of basins and
system located at the interface of four major alpine topographic highs (platforms) that were preserved un-
structural units: the Dinarides, the Southern Alps, the til the Late Cretaceous. In the middle Cretaceous, the
Eastern Alps and the Pannonian Basin (Fig. 2). The tectonic regime changed from extensional to compres-
present assemblage and structure of these units orig- sional tectonics resulting in subduction of the Alpine
inated mainly in the Neogene, i.e. in the last 20 Ma of Tethys. In the Late Cretaceous, the northeastern mar-
the Earth's history. Tectonic processes related to the gin of Adria collided with the continental lithosphere
Alpine collision are still active today. Palaeogeograph- of the Tisza mega-unit, marking the beginning of
ically, all the structural units of Slovenia belong to the flysch sedimentation in a south-west migrating flexur-
Adria continental microplate. Before the Mesozoic, al foreland basin ahead of the low-angle thrusts. Sedi-
Adria was connected to the African plate. The collision mentation of flysch continued into the Palaeogene.
of Adria with Eurasia in the Cenozoic led to the Alpine In the Oligocene, sedimentation of the flysch
orogeny and was the tectonic driving force that shaped was terminated by thrusts, which deformed and par-
the present structure of the Slovenian territory. tially overthrust the flysch basins. At the same time,
In the Palaeozoic, present-day Slovenia was situ- the uplifting mountain ranges of the Alps, Dinarides,
ated either on the northern margin of Gondwana, or and Carpathians isolated the shallow-marine region
on an independent continental strip in the Palaeoteth- of the Paratethys Sea, which is interpreted as a ret-
ys ocean. Features of the Palaeozoic sedimentary suc- ro-arc flexural basin of the subduction collision. Sub-
cession indicate evolution from a rifting to a passive duction of the Alpine Tethys ended in the Palaeogene
margin and then to the active continental margin and and led to the continental collision of Adria and Eur-
Variscan continental collision resulting from the for- asia. In the eastern part of the Alpine orogen, the
mation of Pangea. post-collision convergence was largely accommodat-

Fig. 2. Simplified tectonic map of the wider area of Slovenia (Vrabec & Fodor, 2006)

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ed by the eastward extrusion of the Eastern Alps Rateče (Fig 3A). In the structural sense the valley be-
along the Periadriatic Fault system. The slab breakoff longs to the Southern Alps, which are composed of
and partial melting of the subducted plate resulted in several nappes (Fig 3C). The valley is glacially
Periadriatic magmatism during the Oligocene. U-shaped, with slopes composed of Upper Triassic
In the Middle Miocene, the slab retreat in the (Fig. 4), mainly carbonate bedrock (Ogorelec et al.,
Carpathian subduction zone led to significant litho- 1984; Celarc, 2004; Gale et al., 2015). The bedrock suc-
spheric extension and subsidence in the intra-oro- cession begins with a massive Julian Conzen Dolo-
genic area between the Carpathians, the Dinarides mite, followed by siltstone, marly limestone,
and the Eastern Alps and to the formation of the thin-bedded dolomite and limestone of the Tuvalian
structurally complex Pannonian Basin with a se- to Norian Tor Formation. It is overlain by the Lower
quence of predominantly clastic sediments several Tuvalian Portella Dolomite, followed by planar or
kilometres thick. During the extension, exhumation nodular dolomite beds of the Tuvalian Carnitza For-
of the Pohorje metamorphic rocks occurred, accom- mation. They are followed by dolomite beds with
panied by the intrusion of the Miocene granodiorite chert of the Bača Dolomite Formation which is over-
body and the associated dacitic volcanism. Neogene lain by Rhaetian Dovška Bab/Fraunkogel Formation
shortening in the Adria-Eurasia collision zone pro- containing marlstone and a few graded and laminat-
duced top-to-south thrusting of the Alps south of the ed rudstone and grainstone beds. The whole se-
Periadriatic fault system, known as the South- Alpine quence is in tectonic contact with Norian-Rhaetian
thrusting. The thrusting began in the Middle Mio- Dachstein Limestone (Gale et al., 2015). The lower
cene and ended largely in the Pliocene, but appears valley slopes and floor are covered by several types
to remain active in the Julian Alps and their foreland. of Quaternary sedimentary deposits intercalated
The South Alpine thrusts overrode and deformed the with one another (Fig 5), with their distinct morphol-
older Dinaric thrust structures. ogy and sedimentological characteristics (Bohinec,
At the transition from the Miocene to the Plio- 1935; Šmuc et al., 2015; Novak et al., 2018; Novak &
cene, the final closure of the oceanic embayment in Oštir, 2021). The oldest deposits are Pleistocene gla-
the Carpathians stopped the extrusion of the Eastern cial tills and lacustrine deposits, which are partly
Alps to the east and led to a fundamental reorganisa- covered by younger Holocene deposits (several collu-
tion of the tectonic regime in the region. Palaeomag- vial talus slope deposits, alluvial fans and debris-flow
netic data indicate that the Adriatic microplate began fans). Sediment is most actively deposited on alluvial
with its CCW rotation at about the same time. The fans in the form of debris flood deposits, sheetflood
Adria push caused the beginning of the inversion and deposits, fluvial deposits and sieve-lobe deposits dur-
the formation of the Sava folds. In central and north- ing intense rainfall events.
ern Slovenia, the inversion caused dextral transpres- There are two field trip sites. At the first site, the
sion. Locally, small intramontane basins formed spatio-temporal dynamics of the Ciprnik complex
along strike-slip faults, which were filled with conti- landslide event will be presented (Figs 3, 6). The dy-
nental sediments. In the Neogene, the underthrusting namics of sieve lobe evolution on a monitored alluvi-
of Adria beneath the Dinarides had begun. al fan will be presented at the second site (Figs 3, 7).
During the Pleistocene, alpine glaciers from the
Julian Alps, the Kamnik-Savinja Alps, and the Kara- The Ciprnik complex landslide event
vanke Mountains advanced into the foreland. Partial- The Ciprnik complex landslide (Fig. 6) occurred dur-
ly tectonically controlled depressions were filled ing the night between the 18th and 19th of November
with fluvial and lacustrine sediments. The compres- 2000 on the steep south-western slopes of Mt. Ciprnik
sional tectonic regime continued from the Pliocene (Komac & Zorn, 2007; Zorn & Komac, 2008; Šmuc et
into the Quaternary. The ongoing tectonic deforma- al., 2015; ARSO, 2021). The main trigger was a combi-
tion is evidenced by strong earthquake activity and nation of high cumulative prolonged precipitation
confirmed by GPS measurements of displacements. (613.6 mm in November 2000, compared to a month-
ly average of 159 mm) and the dip-slope position of
Stop 1: Holocene mass wasting: Planica Valley strongly fractured fine-grained clastic beds of the
(Andrej Novak) Tor formation. The Ciprnik complex landslide event
The Planica-Tamar Valley is located in the Julian Alps can be divided into four units/stages of transport and
in NW Slovenia and begins close to the village of deposition (Šmuc et al., 2015).

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Fig. 3. Geographic location.

A) Location of the Planica-
Tamar Valley in NW Slovenia.
B) Field trip sites in the Planica-
Tamar valley. C) Structural
position of the Planica-Tamar
valley (adapted from Placer,
2008a; Gale et al., 2015).

In the first stage the high precipitation saturat- divided into three subunits. Unite 4A represents a
ed the south dipping clastic rock layers which led to newly created active torrential channel which
a translational landslide (Unit 1, Figs 6A and 6B) over emerged from the bare bedrock surface of Unit 1 and
an 80 000 m2 large planar rupture surface, which is from the debris flow lobe of Unit 2. Today it actively
barren and clearly visible today. The translational transports sediment down the valley to the north
landslide transitioned into a debris flow which de- (Figs 6A, E). Unit 4B represents poorly-sorted muddy
posited material onto a pre-existing alluvial fan in sandy gravels deposited via the torrential channel of
the form of a debris flow lobe represented by Unit 2 Unit 4A in a fan shaped sedimentary body. Unit 4C
(Figs 6A, C). Unit 2 underwent erosion, which lead to represents the terminal part of the complex land-
the formation of Units 3 and 4. Unit 3 represents a slide which evolved from the debris flow into a mud
smaller secondary debris flow that was triggered flow. It is characterised by a sand to mud fraction
from Unit 2 and travelled down the valley within forming a so-called “mud lake’’ (Figs 6A, G).
days after the main event (Fig 6A, D). Unit 4 can be

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Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

Fig. 4. Geological map of the Planica-

Tamar valley (from Gale et al., 2015).

Sieve-lobe facies on Holocene alluvial fan sands to very coarse-grained gravels (Bull, 1977;
Hugenholtz, 2011; Morgan & Craddock, 2017; Novak
Sieve-lobe deposits (Fig. 7) are sedimentary features et al., 2022). Despite being a topic of several alluvial
typical of gravelly alluvial fans. The requirement for fan studies, sieve lobes lacked a quantitative sedi-
sieve deposition is a significant amount of coarse- mentary facies analysis.
grained sediment devoid of fine-grained material On the Suhi vrh alluvial fan, a multi-method
transported as a bedload on an inclined surface usu- analysis was conducted of sieve-lobe facies and its
ally during episodic intense rainfall. Such sediment depositional dynamics (Novak et al., 2022). Based on
is transported with discharges moderate enough to quantitative facies analysis, the sieve lobes consist of
allow infiltration into permeable and unsaturated more than 80% poorly-sorted, open-framework grav-
ground (Hooke, 1967; Milana, 2010). The resulting els and less than 2% mud. Additionally, they exhibit
sieve-lobe deposit consists of matrix-poor, moderate- downward coarsening and increase in clast mean
ly sorted open-framework particles ranging from size. A four-year aerial survey using Small Unmanned

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Fig. 5. A sedimentological and geomorphological map of Quaternary deposits in the Planica-Tamar valley (Novak et al., 2018).

Aircraft shows that sieve lobes form with a subannu- Stop 2: Holocene mass wasting: Stože debris
al frequency usually following 24-hour rainfall events flow (Andrej Šmuc, Timotej Verbovšek)
exceeding 50 mm. During such events more than In November 2000, the worst natural disaster in
1000 m3 of sediment can be deposited. Ground-pene- the history of Slovenia occurred. After a long period
trating radar reflection patterns resemble the mor- of rain, a huge debris flow (300 m wide, 1.5 km long
phology of surface deposits which clearly show for- and up to 50 m thick) was triggered in the area of
mation of the studied alluvial fan predominantly by Stože, covering a distance of 4 km in just a few min-
the sieve-deposition process (Fig 7). utes before reaching the village of Log pod Mangar-

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Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

Fig. 6. The Ciprnik complex landslide (adapted from Šmuc et al., 2015). A) Area of the Ciprnik complex landslide and its depositional Units. B)
The rupture surface of the complex landslide with south dipping beds of the Tor formation (Unit 1). C) Debris-flow lobe (Unit 2) deposited on
the pre-existing alluvial fan. D) Small secondary debris flow (Unit 3) which was triggered from Unit 2 and travelled towards the road and bottom
of the valley. E) Active torrential channel (Unit 4A) emerging from Units 1 and 2. F) Fan-shaped sedimentary body of Unit 4B. G) Mud-flow
deposits at Unit 4C.

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 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

Fig. 7. Characteristics of the sieve lobes on the Suhi vrh alluvial fan. Each lobe is composed of more than 80% gravel and exhibits downward
coarsening from the proximal to distal parts. They deposit on a subannual frequency following intense rainfall events. GPR reflection patterns
show that the fan is predominantly built by the sieve-deposition process.

tom in the Koritnica valley. The debris flow shifted

approximately 1-1.5 million m3 of material from an
elevation of 1600 m to an elevation of 630 m (Fig. 8).
The consequences of the debris flow were devas-
tating: it moved material from an area of more than
25 hectares and deposited it over more than 15 hec-
tares 1000 metres lower in altitude, destroyed about
20 hectares of forest, ruined two bridges, the Predel
pass and the Mangart road, destroyed and damaged
more than 30 buildings with the loss of seven people’s
lives.
Later investigations revealed that the causes of
the debris flow and its surprising speed were a com-
bination of intense rainfall in late October and early
November 2000 (described in more detail below un-
der the ‘Reasons’ section), the unfavourable geologi- Fig. 8. Stože landslide in 2011.

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Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

Fig. 9. Geology of the wider area of the Stože landslide (Jurkovšek,

1987). Violet: Upper Triassic shallow-water limestones and dolomites,
Blue: Jurassic deeper water limestones, marls and cherts, Green:
Cretaceous deeper water limestones. Fig. 11. The Tor formation in the upper part of the landslide.

cal conditions with thick unconsolidated Quaternary limestones and dolomites of the Carnitza Formation
till overlying the mostly impermeable Upper Triassic capped by the Dolomia Principale and Dachstein
Rabelj Tamar Formation (thin bedded marls and Limestone. The upper Triassic lithologies are covered
limestones) and permeable Triassic dolomite, and by Quaternary till reaching several tens of metres in
the steep relief. The study also indicates that this de- thickness. All lithologies are strongly tectonized, as
bris flow was a complex multiphase event (Majes, two major Neogene N-S trending strike-slip faults
2001; Petkovšek, 2001; Ribičič, 2001). (and connecting faults) cut through the area, so that
all contacts between Triassic lithologies are tectonic
Geological setting in nature.
The studied area of the Stože section structurally be-
longs to the eastern Southern Alps, more precisely to Geomorphology
the Julian nappe (Placer, 2008a). Most of the Julian The source area of the debris flow is geomorpholog-
Alps are composed of Upper Triassic shallow-water ically very diverse. The Stože represents a steep,
carbonates, while Jurassic and Cretaceous strata are southeast-facing slope with an average inclination of
rare (Fig. 9). In this sense, the Stože area is quite typ- about 27°, dropping from almost 1800 m to about 1300
ical. The bedrock of the debris flow consists of Upper m above sea level. The area is crossed by several tor-
Triassic-Carnian shallow-water dolomites of the rential ravines, which merge into the channel of the
Conzen Formation, overlain by the Tor Formation Mangartski potok (Mangart creek), which runs in a
(Figs. 10, 11) (traditionally called the Tamar Forma- NE-SW direction and is the main drainage channel
tion in Slovenian literature), represented by interca- for all surface waters in the area under consideration.
lations of thin-bedded and nodular limestone, marl, The mergence with Mangart creek ­­occurs at about
dolomite, and shale (Ogorelec et al., 1984; Jurkovšek, 900 m above sea level.
1987; Celarc et al., 2013; Gale et al., 2015). The Tor For-
mation is overlain by the Portella Dolomite, bedded Chronology of the stože debris flow
Detailed analysis of the debris flow during and im-
mediately after the event revealed that the Stože de-
bris flow was a two phase event (Majes, 2001; Petk-
ovšek, 2001; Ribičič, 2001).
The first event on 15. 11. 2000 at 12.40hrs
The first debris flow was triggered at about 1 p.m.
on Wednesday, November 15, 2000, when material
was mobilised from the Stože slope between 1400 and
1600 m a.s.l. and initially slid down the slope. The ma-
terial flowed into the channel of the Mangart creek at
an elevation of 1200 m a.s.l. and then flowed down the
channel to the confluence with the Predelica River,
Fig. 10. The upper part of the Stože landslide in 2017. where it stopped at an elevation of about 905 m a.s.l.

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In the upper part of the area, the Mangart creek chan- around 380,000 m3 of debris at the Log pod Mangar-
nel is relatively wide, shallow and not steep, so the tom village, and an additional 306,000 m3 of debris
first debris flow gradually lost energy. Further nar- further downstream, covering an area of 20 ha.
rowing of the valley towards the confluence with the
Predelica creek also contributed significantly to the Reasons
loss of energy. As a result, the debris flow only par- the event was in fact a combination of two pro-
tially overflowed the bridge on the Predel-Strmec cesses: the sliding of soil in the upper part and the
road (which collapsed at the same time) into the steep debris flow in the lower part. Geological mapping of
gorge of the Mangart creek to the confluence with the the terrain showed that there are very good geologi-
Predelica, where it came to a halt. The mass of the cal reasons for the triggering of a huge debris flow.
first debris flow is unknown. At the confluence, the The event occurred at an altitude of 1525 m in a gla-
head of the debris flow was about 10 m thick, and the cial moraine and slope debris covering tectonically
debris flow material was deposited along and in the highly fractured dolomite overlying impermeable
channel of the Mangart creek for a length of 1450 m. layers of marly limestone. Dolomite is an excellent
The deposited material completely filled the channel aquifer, and during heavy precipitation the water ta-
and dammed the Mangart creek. Due to the heavy ble in the rock rises sharply, saturating the overlying
rains in the next few days, the Mangart creek contin- clayey soils and moraine with water. The moraine has
ued to abundantly fill the already watered resedi- a hydraulic conductivity of around K = 1 x 10 -7 m/s,
mented material for more than 35 hours. and dolomite of around K = 1 x 10 -5 m/s, resulting in a
The second event on the 17.11. at 00.05h significant permeability difference (Majes, 2001).
The second event was triggered on Friday (No- Due to the extensive preceding rainfall, several me-
vember 17, 2000) a few minutes after midnight, and 35 tres of moraine on the contact with dolomite became
hours after the first event. It started in the upper part completely saturated and gradually developed high
of the Mangart creek gorge, with mobilization of ma- internal hydrostatic pressures due to its low hydrau-
terial already deposited during first phase. The entire lic conductivity, leading to slope failure and trans-
mass in the form of a debris flow first ran along the port as the first ‘dry’ debris flow. This flow temporar-
very steep channel of the Mangart creek below the ily stopped on the gentle slope (locally known as ‘pri
collapsed bridge of the Predel-Strmec road, and then Mlinču’) with an inclination of around 8°. Because of
continued along the gorge of the Predelica creek to this displacement, the porosity of the moraine was
Zgornji Log village. Here the valley opens and the de- disturbed, increased and consequently it permitted
bris flow spread out in a fan shape, at the same time more water to be infiltrated, which resulted in the
losing most of its energy. The head of the debris flow liquid limit of 25% being exceeded because of ongo-
stopped below the small hydropower plant of Možni- ing water infiltration. Exceedance of this threshold
ca (less than 600 m altitude), which was buried under caused the mobilization of the second ‘wet’ debris
several metres of sediment. According to local people, flow.
the head of the debris flow moved from the conflu- Precipitation data for November 2000 indicate
ence of Mangart creek and Predelica to Zgornji Log in that this region experienced very intense rainfall.
4 to 5 minutes (a distance of about 2200 m), i.e. at a The rain-gauge station in the Log pod Mangartom
speed of about 30 km/h (approximately 8 m/s, howev- village recorded 1638.4 mm of rainfall, correspond-
er this is an average value – locally the speed was es- ing to more than 60% of the average annual precipi-
timated to be above 10 m/s in the steep and narrow tation in the area in 48 days, (Mikoš et al., 2004; Jemec
channels and two times lower in the more open and Auflič et al., 2017.) and rainfall intensity exceeded the
flat areas). The entire second debris flow passed over empirical lower threshold for the Caine (1980) inten-
Log pod Mangartom village within a few hours. sity-duration curve. The first landslide dammed up
the Mangart creek, which resulted in a huge debris
Dimensions flow that flooded the village of Log pod Mangartom
The estimated transported volume of the debris about 4 km downstream.
flow is approximately 1.0 to 1.5 million m3. Its length Some of the debris above the debris-flow (about
was approximately 7 km, while its width varied great- 1.5 million m3) remained in place, but its stability was
ly due to confinement in the Predelica creek and Ko- reduced to the limit state of equilibrium and contin-
ritnica river valley. The Predelica creek deposited ues to pose a danger to the village. Therefore, several

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mitigation measures were taken. After the event, the section belongs to the Slovenian Basin (SB), which is
bridge in the village Log pod Mangartom was (Fig. the largest and the most persistent Mesozoic
12). Also, a large 11-m high debris-flow break, built deep-marine unit of the present-day Alpine-Dinarid-
of reinforced concrete, was erected up creek from the ic transition zone. It originated in the Middle Triassic
village of Log pod Mangartom, as a main structural during the rifting event connected to the opening of
measure (Fig. 13). The inclination of the debris flow the Meliata (Neotethys) Ocean and lasted until the
source area was partially reduced, revegetated, and latest Cretaceous (Buser, 1996; Rožič, 2016). It was an
deep drainage works were performed, including re- intra-platfrom basin, surrounded by the Dinaric
alignment of the torrent channels. In the Mangart (Adriatic) Carbonate Platform to the south, and the
creek, a warning system was set up, consisting of Julian Carbonate Platform to the north. The latter
horizontally placed wires at several locations in the drowned and was transformed in the Middle Jurassic
ravine, which trigger a siren alarm in the village into a submarine plateau known as the Julian High.
when the wires are broken by a possible debris flow. The SB succession today forms the Tolmin Nappe,
Due to the fact that during the same rainfall which is a composite nappe of basinal strata that is
event, many other landslides were triggered in Slove- found at the base of the eastern Southern Alps, but
nia, including the reactivation of the huge Slano bla- also occurs in eastern Slovenia within the transition-
to landslide in the Vipava valley, the Slovenian gov- al zone between the External and Internal Dinarides
ernment decided to publish a special legislative act (Fig. 14a). The section is placed within the Ponikve
‘Measures to Repair the Damage Caused by Certain Klippe, which is the only remnant of the SB succes-
Large-Scale Landslides in 2000 and 2001 Act’, which sions located south of the Southalpine thrust front in
permitted the mitigation measures. the entire western Slovenia.
The Middle to Upper Jurassic SB succession is
characterized by the Tolmin Formation, i.e. cherty
limestones that in the Middle Bajocian transition into
pure radiolarites. This change was classically inter-
preted as a result of thermal subsidence related to the
opening of the Alpine Tethys Ocean (Rožič, 2009;
Goričan et al., 2012). Within pelagic sediments two
levels of resedimented limestones are interstratified,
Bajocian-Callovian and Kimmeridgian-Tithonian in
age. In recent years, it was discovered that the lower
resedimented limestone passes in the southernmost
Fig. 12. Removable bridge in Log pod Mangartom
parts of the SB into a coarse-grained (often blocky)
limestone breccia, up to 90 metres thick (Rožič et al.,
2019). It was described as the Ponikve Breccia Mem-
ber of the Tolmin Formation (Rožič et al., 2022). In the
visited section, the breccia is the thickest of all sec-
tions studied so far. It is composed of a single, coarse-
grained limestone breccia bed. Laterally, it passes
into several breccia beds, thus indicating down-cut-
ting of the uppermost breccia bed (Fig. 14b, c).
The breccia matrix is ooidal/oncoidal packstone,
whereas the clasts are diverse platform, slope, and
Fig. 13. Debris flow break near Log pod Mangartom basinal lithoclasts (Fig. 15). This breccia originated
from successive debris-flow deposits, which originat-
ed from the southward located Dinaric Carbonate
Stop 3: Mesozoic mass wasting middle Platform, eroded older carbonate successions ex-
Jurassic basinal breccia (Boštjan Rožič) posed on the slope, and was deposited at the toe-of-
The section to be visited is located in the foothills of slope environment. Important information also
the Julian Alps, in a gorge near the village of Idija pri comes from analysis of the breccia lithoclasts, ena-
Bači in the Idrijca Valley. Palaeogeographically, the bling reconstruction of a marginal part of the Dinar-

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Fig. 14. A) Present day distribution of three major Mesozoic palaeogeographic units of the South Alpine-Dinaric transition: Julian Carbonate
Platform (yellow without stripes), Dinaric Carbonate Platform (orange without stripes) and Slovenian Basin (areas with stripes). Upper Triassic
(pink circles) and Upper Jurassic (blue circles) locations of marginal reefs are marked (compiled from Turnšek, 1997; Placer, 1998; Rožič, 2016)
– the visited section is marked by a red star; B) Schematic sections of the Ponikve Breccia Member and the Perbla section as a type locality
of the Tolmin Formation (section localities are marked on Fig. 17A) – visited section is represented as a composite section compiled from three
detailed sections and is marked in red; C) geological map of the Ponikve Plateau area – with the position of the logged sections – the visited
section is marked by a red star (modified from Rožič et al., 2022).

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Fig. 15. Microfacies of the Ponikve Breccia: A) matrix is packstone composed of ooids and oncoids; B) Upper Triassic coral boundstone
lithoclast with pelletal packstone with corrosive voids infilling a space between corallites; C) Lower Jurassic grainstone lithoclast composed
of intraclasts, peloids, aggregate grains (lumps), and Siphovalvolina sp. (encircled); D) a Middle Jurassic wackestone lithoclast composed of
crinoid fragments, fenestral mudstone (F) lithoclast, unrecognisable bioclasts, and benthic foraminifera with determined Protopenerolis striata
(encircerled) (modified from Rožič et al., 2022).

ic Carbonate Platform that is neither outcropping nor extinction event, the platform architecture re-
preserved today. Upper Triassic lithoclasts reveal mained, but the reefs were replaced by ooid sand
that the platform margin was characterized by a shoals. In the late Early Jurassic and/or early Middle
Dachstein-type marginal reef. After the end-Triassic Jurassic a slope area might have been dissected by

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 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

ed by the Friuli Basin, connected to the Trnovski

cover (Ogata et al. 2014).
In the Rodež and Perunk quarries we observe
mass transport deposits (MTDs) or composite bodies
formed as a result of several successive underwater
gravity flow events. The latter are also called com-
plexes formed by mass transport (Mass Transport
complexes). These bodies from the Area of Anhovo
are up to 260 m thick and extend over 100 km into
northeastern Italy. In general, flysch in Anhovo is
characterized by a repeating sequence of lithological
units (Fig. 18, 19). Unit 1 at the base comprises blocky
carbonate breccias with a marly matrix, which were
formed in the Proto-Dinaric orogen during the pro-
cess of shelf collapse and its descent into the deeper
part of the developing foredeep. Lithologically, this
Fig. 16. Reconstruction of the Dinaric Carbonate Platform’s northern
horizon is followed by blocks of carbonate breccias
margin from late Late Triassic (Norian–Rhaetian) reefs, through and blocks of an eroded siliciclastic base (Unit 2),
Early Jurassic ooidal sand shoals, and mid-Middle Jurassic onset
of extensional/transtensional tectonics, which led to the collapse of which were formed during the process of frontal ero-
the platform margin and deposition of the Ponikve breccia Member sion of blocky carbonate breccias that were then re-
of the Tolmin Formation in the Slovenian basin (modified from Rožič
et al., 2022). sedimented further into the basin. Unit 3 sharply
overlies Unit 2 and comprises carbonate breccias,
normal faults and a step-like palaeotopography was which pass with normal gradation into carbonate
formed. sandstones or calcarenites (Unit 4), which are lami-
In the Bajocian, during a period of major region- nated in the upper parts. The entire series is complet-
al geodynamic perturbations, extensional or tran- ed by laminated to massive marls and ‘’ordinary’’ thin
stensional tectonic activity intensified and triggered bedded siliciclastic sandstones.
large-scale collapses of the Dinaric Carbonate Plat- Despite many years of geological research, the
form margin producing the limestone breccias de- age of the flysch in the Anhovo area is still not deter-
scribed herein (Fig. 16). This may in turn have caused mined. A possible time window is the Upper Palaeo-
a backstepping of the platform margin, as is evident cene to the Lower Eocene.
from the occurrence of Late Jurassic marginal reefs In the Anhovo quarry, it is possible to follow the
that are installed directly above the Upper Triassic fracture and plastic deformations of the base of Units
and Lower Jurassic inner platform successions. 1 and 2 (Ogata et al., 2014.), the folding processes and
deformations of the tearing of the base, and the im-
Stop 4: Palaeogene mass wasting: Anhovo printing of the matrix into the deformation struc-
flysch deposits tures of individual bodies, structural deformations
Željko Pogačnik, Andrej Šmuc in the compact carbonate complex with the forma-
tion of karst structures (Zajc et al, 2014) and the for-
Introduction mation of worm-like connected latent karst micro-
The area of Anhovo is bounded on the eastern side structures (Pogačnik, 2017).
by the Trnovo Plateau, and on the western side by Fracture, rip-up and plastic deformations of the
the ridge of the Kolovrat canal. Structurally, this base can result from significant regional structural
area is defined by regional faults of Dinaric direc- deformation (Festa et al., 2019) or simply erosion of
tion, which separate the lower and upper Palaeo- older MTD complexes due to the hydrodynamic pres-
cene flysch and limestones from (Figure 17). Taking sure of the front of the mass movement of the under-
into account the parallel structural deformations water event (Fig. 20).
created as a consequence of shear tectonics, the Among primar y sedimentar y processes,
beds dip to the SW at angles between 20 0 – 40 0. The downslope gravitational transport favoured the lith-
flysch in the Anhovo area belongs to the southwest- ological disaggregation and mixing of slide blocks
ern part of the Outer Dinarides, which is represent- and clasts into a marly-silty matrix, later playing an

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Fig. 17. A) A simplified geological map of the Dinarides–Southern Alps junction with the location of the Anhovo mineral deposits (modified after
Ogata et al., 2014); B) Description of lithological horizons of the MTD unit (Ogata et al., 2014): i) calcareous breccia with oversized carbonate
olistoliths (U1), ii) calcareous breccia with bedded siliciclastic–carbonate and marly olistoliths (U2), iii) graded calcareous breccia, calcirudite
(U3), iv) graded, laminated calcarenite (U4), and v) massive/laminated marlstone (U5)

Fig. 18. Anhovo flysch sequence with Unit 1 and Unit 2 at the Fig. 19. Anhovo flysch sequence, contact of Unit 3 and Unit 4 and
base of the photo, followed by Units 3, 4, ‘’normal’’ siliciclastic flych ‘’normal’’ siliciclastic flysch sandstones.
sandstones.

essential role in controlling subsequent diagenetic Stop 5: Quaternary mass wasting: Vipava
processes on such exhumed MTDs. In this frame- Valley (Tomislav Popit)
work, groundwater flow followed different lithologi-
cal and structural contacts and blocks/clasts bound- Introduction
aries, allowing the formation of contact karst The northern slopes of the Vipava Valley are one of the
structures, consequently providing favourable con- areas in Slovenia with the highest landslide suscepti-
ditions for forming geomechanical labile systems in bility (Komac & Ribičič, 2006). The Vipava Valley
heterogeneous lithological units. slopes are geomorphologically defined by a thrust

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Fig. 20. A) An olistolith in the Perunk quarry at the U2–U3 boundary. B) Shear zone below the sheared breccia cutting the isoclinally folded block
(location in A). C) Wedge-shaped sedimentary injections (dashed lines) of the U3 matrix into the upper part of a marly block of the underlying
U2. Location in A; D) Detail of a sheath folded block within the U2 of the Rodež unit (location in Fig. 9C) pervasively injected in the flanks and
the fold core by sedimentary breccia (yellow transparent overlay, see Ogata et al., 2014).

front of Mesozoic carbonates over Cenozoic flysch de- The spatial distribution of sedimentary bodies
posits and are characterised by a variety of polygenet- within Quaternary slope deposits and the type of dep-
ic landslides, which are the most prominent geomor- ositional processes may be directly influenced by
phological features. The overthrusting has caused regional structural, lithological, hydrological, and
steep slopes and fracturing of the rocks, producing geochemical conditions.
intensely weathered carbonates and large amounts of During the field trip in the Vipava Valley we will
scree deposits. Elevation differences are significant stop at two locations. The first is the viewpoint of
and range from 100 m at the valley bottom to over 1200 Sveti Socerb, from which there is a magnificent view
m on the high karstic plateau. The upper part of the of the entire Vipava Valley and the cliff of Mesozoic
slope of the Vipava Valley is marked by steep car- carbonate rock of the Trnovo Plateau and Nanos
bonate cliffs, while the lower parts of the slope are Mountain (Fig. 21). At the second location, in the Re-
more gently sloping and are composed of flysch bed- brnice area in the Upper Vipava Valley, we will take
rock covered by Quaternary slope deposits (Fig. 21). a closer look at the Quaternary slope deposits and
Quaternary slope deposits in the upper parts are most- especially at the hinterland of the sedimentary body,
ly carbonate (talus) scree whereas the lower parts and which represents a deep-seated rotational landslide.
foot zones of the Vipava Valley are covered by an apron
of coarse-grained deposits derived from various mass Geological setting
movement processes and depositional processes The NE part of the Vipava Valley is characterised by
(mainly complex mass movement, debris avalanches a strong relief, ranging from 50 to 200 m a.s.l. in the
and flows, and rotational and translational carbonate valley bottom to more than 1200 m a.s.l. at the edge
blocks sliding) (Popit & Košir, 2003; 2010; Jež, 2007; Po- of the high karst plateaus of Trnovski Gozd and the
pit & Verbovšek, 2013; Popit et al., 2014; Popit, 2016; Nanos Mountains (Fig. 21). The Topography of the
Verbovšek et al., 2017; Popit et al., 2017; Jemec Auflič studied area is defined by the Hrušica and Trnovo
et al., 2017; Kocjančič et al., 2019; Popit et al., 2022). Nappe, which comprise Mesozoic limestone and do-

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Fig. 21. Panoramic view

from Sveti Socerb to the
Vipava Valley, slope depos-
its and Trnovo Plateau.

lomite thrusted over the strongly folded Palaeocene numerous fan- and tongue-shaped Quaternary slope
and Eocene flysch deposits of the Snežnik and Komen deposits with diverse composition, internal structures
thrust sheets (Fig. 22). The overlying carbonate rocks and textures, which indicate a complex depositional
are intensively fractured along the thrust contacts history and polyphase genesis (Popit & Košir, 2010; Po-
and within wide zones of NW–SE trending strike-slip pit et al., 2013; Popit, 2016; Novak et al., 2017).
faults (the Predjama, Vipava and Raša faults) that cut
the thrust contact (Placer, 1981; 1998; 2008b; Čar & Sedimentary bodies and planation surface
Gospodarič, 1988; Janež et al., 1997). in the hinterland of the rebrnice area in the
This geotectonic position is reflected in the dis- vipava valley
tinctly asymmetric valley slopes, whereby the upper The Rebrnice area forms the NE slopes of the
part of the slope is characterised by steep carbonate Upper Vipava Valley and is located between the Karst
cliffs, the middle and lower parts are more gently slop- plateau in the southwest and the Nanos Mountain
ing and are composed of flysch bedrock covered by range to the northeast (Fig. 22). Over the entire Re-

Fig. 22. Simplified geological map and cross-section of the Upper Vipava Valley and the Nanos Plateau. Compiled from Buser (1968; 1973),
Placer (1981; 2008b), Janež et al. (1997).

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Fig. 23. The longitudinal profile across

the Šumljak sedimentary bodies SB2 and
location of the study area (modified after
Popit, 2017)

brnice area, there are 11 isolated sedimentary bodies mately 0.56 km² in area) comprise carbonate gravels
of very complex genesis and composition, covering and breccias. In total, the surface of the Šumljak sed-
areas of between 0.09 km2 and 0.50 km2 (Popit, 2017). imentary bodies is approximately 0.58 km² and this
The total surface area of the sedimentary bodies is represents 21% of the surface area of all sedimentary
about 2.8 km2 (Popit, 2016; Jemec Auflič et al., 2017). bodies in the Rebrnice area (Fig. 23).
Among them, the three Šumljak sedimentary bodies The mapping of the sedimentary bodies and
(SB1, SB2 and SB3) of the fossil landslides (approxi- their hinterland is based on geological field mapping

Fig. 24. (A) Shaded, digital terrain models (DTMs) (1 × 1 m), obtained by airborne laser scanning in the areas of SB1, SB2 and SB3 and the
location of the convex and straight scarps. (B) A height variability map with the convex and straight scarps marked on SB1, SB2 and SB3. The
upper arrows indicate an individual area with a very low surface roughness attributed to planation surfaces and the lower arrows indicate areas
with high surface roughness, which are bound to individual convex scarps (Popit, 2017).

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Fig. 25. A schematic longitudinal cross section of the Šumljak 2 sedimentary body with older rotational landslide in the hinterland (Popit, 2017).

(Popit et al., 2014, Popit, 2016) and analysis of shaded tion can be up to 60°. Planation surfaces developed
digital terrain models (DTMs) obtained by airborne above the curved, sliding plane in the central part
laser scanning at 1 × 1 m resolution (Popit, et al., and/or slightly outer part of the landslide. Steep
2016a; 2016b). An additional aid was a map of surface scarps on the external parts of the planation surface
roughness, made using the Height Variability Meth- represent the main scarps of the Šumljak sedimenta-
od (Ruszkiczay-Rüdiger et al., 2009) which proved to ry bodies. We propose that these bodies originated
be the most useful of all the methods used for the from the remobilization of material accumulated in
quantification and visualisation of deposits with dif- the outer parts of the large-scale rotational landslide
ferent sedimentary composition and genesis (Popit and its transport further downslope, mostly by rock
and Verbovšek, 2013; Popit et al., 2016; Popit, 2016) avalanches (Fig. 25). Material that accumulated in the
(Fig. 24). lower parts of the rotational landslide was remobi-
The most distinctive geomorphological element lized and transported further downslope, where it
is the planation surface of the carbonate breccia also covered older mass- movement deposits formed
blocks in the hinterland of the Šumljak sedimentary by a variety of previous transport mechanisms and
bodies. Another feature is the presence of local es- depositional processes. All the mass- movement de-
carpments (steep scarps) defining the border be- posits below the steep scarps now comprise the in-
tween the planation surface in the hinterland and the ternally complex Šumljak sedimentary bodies (Popit
sedimentary bodies. The main direction of extension et al., 2013; Popit, 2017).
of the convex edge at SB2 is approximately perpen-
dicular to the transport direction (i.e., the direction Stop 6: Strunjan Kliffs (Timotej Verbovšek)
of the lateral edges of the sedimentary body) but with The Slovenian coast is characterized by flysch (Fig.
a smaller deviation in the case of SB2 (8.2°) and a 26) – intercalations of thin-bedded (generally several
slightly larger one in the case of SB1 (20.5°) (Popit, centimetres thick) hard sandstones and soft marl-
2017). This is one of the typical properties of steep stones with occasional calciturbidite layers up to 9
scarps (Van Den Eeckhaut et al., 2012a; 2012b) and metres thick. These deposits are subject to coastal
can be identified in the Rebrnice area. erosion governed by many factors which influence
Our investigations indicate that the whole area the erosion and disintegration of the rocks; the major
in the hinterland of the Šumljak sedimentary bodies ones being abrasion by the sea and waves, precipita-
is part of a deep-seated rotational landslide of car- tion, freeze-thaw cycles, temperature differences,
bonate breccia. Based on the dip of the breccia beds, wind, etc. Combined with the heterogeneity of the
in particular parts of the rotational blocks, the rota- flysch and very steep cliffs up to several tens of me-

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Fig. 26. View of the flysch cliffs in the Bay of St. Cross, Strunjan

tres high, the coastal erosion due to these processes and not perform any mitigation measures, which
occurs quite rapidly. Consequently, visiting the cliffs would destroy the natural habitat. Instead, visitors
can be quite dangerous to visitors due to numerous are informed of the dangerous geological processes
rapid rock falls (Fig. 27 and 28), rock slides and col- on the informative tables, and by tourist information
lapses (Fig. 29). For example, in the beginning of brochures.
2021, the parish house close to the main church in the One of the most pronounced and interesting ero-
city of Piran on the edge of the cliff needed to be sup- sion processes is the undercutting of the hard sand-
ported by civil engineering measures due to under- stone and calciturbidite layers, from which numer-
cutting of its foundations, as some of the foundations ous blocks fall out of the slope (Fig. 31). These blocks
were already hanging in the air (Fig. 30). Small land- are the source of rockfalls and, given the great height
slides, rock falls, and subsidence of the area at the top of the cliffs (up to several tens of metres), pose a great
of the cliffs also appear in the more exposed areas. danger to bathers and visitors to the coastal areas.
These dangers are more pronounced in the areas of The blocks are mainly defined by two fracture
high and steep cliffs, where there is a combination of sets (R1 and R2, Figs. 32 and 33) and the thickness of
harder sandstone and softer marlstone beds. The the layers. The two fracture sets are approximately
cliffs are in a pristine natural state and are protected perpendicular, the first having a strike and dip of
at different administrative levels, including the Nat- 35°/79° (R1) and the second one of 298°/79° (R2). Beds
ura 2000 and two National Landscape parks – Strun- dip gently to the south, with a strike and dip of
jan in the west and Debeli rtič in the east. The idea of 185°/19° (Fig. 34). From the kinematic analysis in the
both parks is to maintain the coast in its natural state Dips program, there is almost no possibility of planar
slides or wedge slides due to gentle dip and orienta-
tion of the slopes.
We are currently investigating the undercutting
depth and its correlation with various engineering,
geotechnical, and mineralogical parameters of the
rocks. We measured these parameters at 27 sites
along the Slovenian coast. Several field measure-
ments were performed: the orientation of the R1 and
R2 fractures and their spacings, the thicknesses of
the sandstone, calciturbidite layers, and the underly-
ing marlstone layers, the uniaxial compressive
Fig. 27. Numerous rockfalls in the Bay of St. Cross, Strunjan. strength determined with the Schmidt hammer, the

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Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

Fig. 28. Potential rockfall above the bathers in the Bay of St. Cross, Strunjan.

Fig. 29. A rock/debris slide that occurred in December 2020,

between Izola and Strunjan.

Fig. 32. Two sets of fractures (R1 and R2) in an outcropping sandstone
bed, Strunjan.

Fig. 30. Undercutting below the parish house close to the main
church in the city of Piran due to cliff erosion.
Fig. 33. Systematic R1 and R2 fractures in an exposed sandstone
bed on the coast, Piran.

ogical composition of the rocks, and a suite of sever-

al geomechanical tests (tensile test, uniaxial com-
pression test, and large direct shear test) is in
progress. There is a very good correlation between
the depth of undercutting and the spacing of the R2
fractures, as well as with the thickness of the sand-
Fig. 31. Undercutting of several sandstone beds, Strunjan. stone/calciturbidite layers. As expected, the correla-
tions between layer thickness and fracture spacing
orientation of the beds and the slope, and the depth are also good for both fracture sets. Somewhat unex-
of undercutting beneath the sandstone/calciturbidite pected is the good correlation between the depth of
layer. In the laboratory, we determined the mineral- undercutting and the spacing of the R2 fracture set,

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 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

but not with the spacing of the R1 fracture set. This

could be influenced by the shoreline orientation, and
the inclusion of this factor is still a work in progress.
Numerical modeling of stability shows that tensile
strength plays a decisive role in the stability of the
cliffs.
The cliff in Strunjan is currently being scanned
with both TLS (lidar scanner) and UAV (drone), from
April 2019 up to now (seven scanning campaigns are
performed twice a year, in spring and autumn). We
have detected and visually presented a rock slide/
rock collapse event of approximately 2000 m3 at the
end of 2019 (Fig. 35), which completely obstructed a
thrust plane in the flysch. Obtained TLS point clouds
and photogrammetric 3D models are compared for
each pair of 3D model and evaluated for surface
changes and volume calculations. Current results for
Fig. 34. Stereographic plot of bedding and the R1 and R2 fracture
sets, Strunjan area.
the eastern side of the Bay of St. Cross in Strunjan

Fig. 35. UAV view of the Strunjan rock irregular slide/rock collapse before 2018 (left photo) and after 2020 (right photo).

Fig. 36. Comparison of photogrammetry and UAV between two scanning campaigns (November 2020 and November 2022), Strunjan. The
red colour represents negative changes or erosion, while the blue colour represents positive changes or sedimentation.

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(Fig. 36) indicate changes in the range up to 20 cm in partite) megabeds. The megabeds are composed of
both negative and positive values of surface changes, debrites in the lower part (Division I), and high-den-
with an average of 2.4 cm in 3.5 years. sity turbidites in the upper part (Division II). The
clast composition of each megabed indicates that the
Stops 7 and, 8: Ancient catastrophic lithoclasts were derived from tectonically active
submarine collapses in the Istrian flysch – slopes and fault scarps along which collapses of the
megabeds different parts of the Cretaceous to Palaeogene ner-
Krešimir Petrinjak itic carbonate succession, that underlie the Flysch,
occurred. The Division II deposits are well cemented,
The Istrian Flysch was deposited during the Eocene normally graded calcirudite/calcarenites composed
in the Dinaric foredeep (see also field trip C2, this mostly of orthophragminids, nummulitids, and red
volume) and is composed of hemipelagic marls and algae, originating from outer carbonate ramp envi-
various gravity flow deposits (Petrinjak et al., 2021 ronments. Redeposited marl, observed in the matrix
and references therein). The latter are predominant- of the debrites and as intraclasts in some megabeds,
ly 5-40 cm thick turbidites, occurring mostly as hori- implies that the collapses along the synsedimentary
zontally laminated and ripple cross-laminated sand- fault scarps and steep slopes also occurred within
stone beds (Tb-e, Tc-e and Td-e Bouma sequences). the foredeep itself, during the rapid tectono-sedi-
In addition to the turbidites, there are deposits char- mentary evolution of the Dinaric foreland basin.
acterized by a significant thickness, occasionally For the purposes of a brief presentation, two
more than 10 m, that are described as complex (bi- megabeds are presented here: Kaldir and Hum (Fig. 37).

Fig. 37. The geological map of the Croatian part of the Istrian peninsula with the selected megabed outcrops (Kaldir and Hum) indicated
by black circles (Croatian Geological Survey, 2009). Globigerina marls are not separated as a lithostratigraphic unit but as a member within
the Foraminiferal limestones. However, according to new data and more detailed maps, Globigerina marls within the investigated area, are
reclassified and published as a member within the Istrian flysch (Bergant et al., 2020).

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 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

Kaldir megabeds, the Kaldir Division I displays a significant

The studied outcrop of the Kaldir megabed is located difference in clast size and shape and a very low marl
near Kaldir village (Fig. 38, WGS84 coordinates: lat content. The contact between the Kaldir megabed
45° 18’ 43.1598”, long 13°51’ 16.9056”). This megabed and the underlying marl is sharp and erosional. The
(Fig. 39) is approximately 25 m thick, composed of largest clast lies at the base of Division I and has a
limestone breccia (Divison I) in the lower part and visible dimension of 5 x 10 m (Fig. 40B). The breccia
the normally graded calcirudite/calcarenite in the is clast supported, unsorted with a sparse matrix
upper part (Division II). When compared to the other composed of fine-grained rock debris. Clasts are an-

Fig. 38. The location of the Kaldir megabed near Kladir village in central Istria. The outcrop is located about 300 m from the paved road (the
total distance is marked by the dashed line).

Fig. 39. Sedimentary log of the Kaldir megabed (Petrinjak

et al., 2021).

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Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

Fig. 40. The Kaldir megabed A) Kaldir megabed outcrop. B) The 10x5 m block of Upper Cretaceous limestone in the base of the Kaldir
megabed. The contact between the Kaldir megabed and the underlying marl is sharp and erosional. C), D) The Discocyclina limestones occur
as plastically deformed clasts compressed between larger Cretaceous clasts. The geological hammer head is 19 cm long.

gular, indicating short transport distances. A normal coordinates: lat 45° 21’3.5706”, long 14° 2’ 42.5466”).
gradation is visible towards the upper part of Division The interval is composed of an alternation of marl
I. The clast composition is as follows: Upper Creta- and five carbonate beds. The most prominent bed is
ceous limestones 90%, Foraminiferal limestones 9%, the 9 m thick megabed Hum 3 (Figs. 42 and 43b) which
and undetermined clasts 1%. Bauxite clasts occur shows the characteristic bipartite structure with vis-
rarely. The majority of the Foraminiferal limestone ible Division I and Division II components. The other
clasts are classified as Discocyclina limestones. Some carbonate turbidite beds (labelled Hum 1, 2, 4, 5 on
of the Discocyclina limestone intraclasts (plasti- Fig. 42) are composed of normally graded bioclastic
clasts) are plastically deformed between the larger calcirudite/calcarenite of various thicknesses (0.6 – 3
Cretaceous boulders and are tightly packed (Figs. 40C m). The lower bedding surface of each bed is sharp
& D). This phenomenon indicates that some of the and erosional, implying that the gravity flow eroded
Discocyclina limestones were not fully consolidated previously deposited basinal sediments. The Hum 3
during their resedimentation and deposition in the megabed is composed of Division I breccia/conglom-
breccia. The transition to a normally graded 3 m erate in the lower part, and the Division II – normally
thick calcirudite/calcarenite (Division II) unit is grad- graded calcirudite/calcarenite in the upper part. The
ual. The most common constituents are of bioclastic maximum thickness of the laterally thinning breccia/
origin and include: orthophragminids (35–41%), red conglomerate interval is 5 m. The majority of the vis-
algae (23–24%), and rotaliid foraminifera including ible clasts vary in size from a few cm to 0.75 m in di-
hyaline fragments (14%). ameter. Boulders/clasts are mostly sub-rounded al-
though rarely some angular clasts occur. The Division
Hum I conglomerate/breccia is clast-supported with a
A 40 m thick interval of the Palaeogene foredeep basin sparse matrix (Fig 43A). The matrix is composed of
fill was logged near the town of Hum (Fig. 37, WGS84 marl, small lithoclast fragments and foraminiferal

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 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

Fig. 41. The location of the Hum section marked with a white star.

Fig. 42. A sedimentary log of

the Hum section (Petrinjak et
al., 2021), showing the 10 m
thick Hum megabed (3) and
carbonate turbidites (1, 2, 4 & 5)

debris (nummulitid and orthophragminid tests). The (32-54%), nummulitids (6-26%), and red algae (9-13%).
major lithological components are Cretaceous lime- The Hum 2 and 5 beds are also composed of normally
stones (88%) while Foraminiferal limestones (9%) and graded calcirudite and calcarenite with the same
other constituents (3%) are less abundant. Interest- main constituents, but in different proportions. Based
ingly, the Lower Cretaceous limestone clasts were on the uniform composition, it is assumed that the
only observed in this megabed. Division II is com- carbonate detritus source for the turbidites (Hum 2
posed of normally graded calcirudite and calcarenite and 5), and megabed (Hum 3) was the same. A palae-
with the following composition: orthophragminids otransport direction of 165° was measured from flute

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Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

Fig. 43. Outcrop photographs of the Division I deposits, (Facies A). A) Hum megabed Division I – clast supported breccia/conglomerate with
sparse matrix; B) Plomin megabed Division I – clast supported breccia with sparse marl matrix. The geological hammer is 32 cm long.

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 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

Fig. 44. Schematic reconstructions of the Istrian foredeep basin after megabed deposition, with two possible scenarios. A) All megabeds are
related to extensional tectonics and normal faulting in the distal foredeep. B) Proximal megabeds are related to compressional tectonics and
reverse faulting in front of the Dinaric orogenic wedge. Not to scale (Petrinjak et al., 2021).

casts observed on the lower bedding plane of the Hum Acknowledgments

2 turbidite (Fig. 42), and 195° on ripple marks observed
on the upper bedding plane on the Hum 3 megabed, The authors appreciate the constructive comments
and 230° on turbidite Hum 5 (Fig. 42). These data, and suggestions made by Katarina Gobo that im-
though insufficient for statistical assessment, indi- proved the presented manuscript. This research was
cate that palaeotransport of the more proximal partly founded by the Slovenian Research Agency's
megabeds was locally generally towards the S, as core founding (No. P1-0195 – Geoenvironments and
measured in the Hum Section (Fig. 42). Geomaterials). ■

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(2009). Discrimination of fluvial, eolian and neotectonic cal hazard for exploitation. International Journal of Rock
features in a low hilly landscape: A DEM-based morpho- Mechanics & Mining Sicences, 67, 78-87.
tectonic analysis in the Central Pannonian Basin, Hunga- Zorn, M. and Komac, B. (2008). Zemeljski plazovi v Sloveniji.
ry. Geomorphology, 104(3–4), 203–217. Geografski inštitiut Antona Melika ZRC SAZU, Ljubljana.

226 Field trip guidebook

 Quaternary of the island of Mljet

Ivan Razum, Petra Bajo, Slobodan Miko, Ozren Hasan, Nikolina Ilijanić

FIELD TRIP C4
Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

Quaternary of the island of Mljet

Ivan Razum1, Petra Bajo2, Slobodan Miko2, Ozren Hasan2, Nikolina Ilijanić2
1
Croatian Natural History Museum, Demetrova 1, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia, [email protected]
2
Croatian Geological Survey, Sachsova 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract
Formation of the Quaternary sediments of the South Dalmatian Archipelago is tightly connected to sea level oscillations.
In one case, sea level rise enabled lake formation in sinkholes and dolinas which were eventually submerged. The best
examples of such sedimentary environments are Veliko and Malo jezero, situated in the Mljet national park. On this field
trip, the evolution and palaeoclimate records derived from the needle-like aragonites of these submerged Marine lakes,
will be shown. Furthermore, the areal distribution of some well-known Holocene eruptions will be discussed since the
northernmost findings of the Avellino and Mercato eruptions were discovered in the Veliko jezero. Elsewhere, during
low sea level, the shelf was emerged which enabled aeolian transport of the shelf sediments onto the Islands forming the
aeolian sand deposits. On this field trip, the provenance and time of formation of Aeolian sands will be discussed, again
with the emphasis on tephra occurrence, which enabled high precision dating of the deposits.

Introduction
records about palaeoenvironmental and palaeocli-
Natural climate variability during the Quaternary matic changes have been extracted (Brunović et al.,
period has been characterized with regular shifts 2019, 2020; Razum et al., 2021b; Šolaja et al., 2022).
between the glacial and interglacial periods in cycles Mljet island hosts one of the most impressive,
that varied from 40 000 to 100 000 years. During the currently submerged dolinas (Veliko and Malo jeze-
cold glacials large amounts of global water were ro) in the Adriatic region, and the wider area has
stored in extensive ice sheets which led to a drop in been declared a National Park since 1960. The Veliko
global sea level of up to 120 metres below the modern and Malo jezero lakes have been the subject of scien-
level. As a consequence, large shelf areas were ex- tific research for over a century. Malo jezero is fa-
posed to surface weathering processes and served as mous for whitening events in which inorganic nee-
a sediment source (Pavelić et al., 2011; Babić et al., dle-like aragonite is produced regularly in late spring
2013; Pavelić et al., 2014; Razum et al., 2021a, 2023a). and early summer (Sondi & Juračić, 2010). During the
One of those shelf areas is the Eastern Adriatic coast lake phase (i.e., before flooding with sea water) this
where Quaternary sedimentation is heavily influ- also occurred in Veliko jezero.
enced by cyclic sea level oscillations due to glacial-in- Another feature, outside of the border of the Na-
terglacial climate variability. The interchange be- tional Park are sand pits located in the south-east
tween the emerged and submerged shelf enabled part of the island. These sand pits also recorded cli-
accumulation of loess and sand in the Eastern Adri- matic changes and sea level oscillations (Babić et al.,
atic (Babić et al., 2013; Lehmkuhl et al., 2021; Pavelić 2012). Furthermore, Masseria del Monte/Y-3 (Razum
et al., 2014) with important implications for coastal et al., 2023b) tephra is found in these sand profiles.
management (Babić et al., 2019). Additionally, it pro-
vided the necessary components for soil formation Geological setting
(Razum et al., 2023a) and shelf areas most likely Croatia can be divided into two very different geologi-
served as a place of residence and migration for Ne- cal regions based on their geological settings. The
anderthals during glacial emerged phases (Kara- northern part i.e., Inner Dinarides represents the
vanić et al., 2022). Furthermore, through karstifica- southern margin of the Pannonian Basin System, while
tion of thick carbonate rocks, numerous specific the southern part i.e. the External Dinarides mainly
sedimentary environments were created. Those en- consists of Mesozoic carbonate rocks (Fig. 1). Car-
vironments, like dolines, served as excellent sedi- bonates are a part of the Adriatic Carbonate Platform
ment traps from where some of the most valuable (AdCP, Vlahović et al., 2005, see also field trip A1, this

Field trip guidebook 229

 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

volume) which began its geological evolution as an Ep- which is characterized to a large extent by Mesozoic
icontinental platform along the northern margin of and Palaeogene carbonate deposits that originated
Gondwana (Vlahović et al., 2005). During the middle from that long-lived carbonate platforms (Vlahović et
Triassic, the Southern Tethyan Megaplatform (STM) al., 2005). Carbonate rocks are overlain by Palaeogene
was separated from the Gondwana continent. After clastics represented by carbonate breccias, calcaren-
disintegration of the STM in the Toarcian, the AdCP ites, hybrid sandstones and mudstones (see field trip
and Apulian Carbonate Platform (ApCP) with the Adri- C2, this volume. Although, Palaeogene clastics are not
atic basin in between, followed. Subduction of the represented on Mljet island, they are common along
Adria under the Eurasian plate began in the upper Ju- the SEA mainland coastal belt, occurring in strips
rassic/late Cretaceous (Pamić et al., 1998) which ulti- which correspond to synclines located between anti-
mately led to disintegration of the AdCP in the upper clines that consisted of carbonate deposits. The hin-
Cretaceous (Korbar, 2009). During this period (i.e., terland of the SEA mainland is further characterized
from the Toarcian to the upper Cretaceous) 8000 m of by terrains consisting of ophiolite bodies, incorporat-
carbonate rocks, mainly shallow marine limestone and ed into an ophiolitic mélange or representing thrust
dolostone, were deposited (Vlahović et al., 2005). sheets of obducted oceanic lithosphere (Western Var-
The wider Mljet area includes the southeastern dar Ophiolitic Unit). Cretaceous flysch, found in the
Adriatic (SEA) islands and the mainland coastal belt. hinterland, also contains abundant ophiolitic detri-
The whole area is part of the External Dinarides, tus. Deformation during the Tertiary generated the

plesitocene
N B sands

Inner Dinarides
500 km Sand profile location

K1- limestone
Di

External Dinarides
na
ric
fro
nta
l th

CARBONATE PLATFORM
rus
t

Sl
op
e

Pe
lag
ic
ba
sin
A B
100 km
500 m

A K1- limestone

Malo jezero

20

J3-K1- dolomite/limestone

Ve
lik o je M1-A core location
zer Fig. 1. Extension of the carbonate platform, simplified
o
100 after Grandić et al. (1999). A) location and surrounding
40 geology of the Veliko jezero lake (geological map is
simplified after Husinec et al. (2016). B) Areal distri-
500 m Soline channel bution of the Pleistocene sands according to Babić
et al. (2012).

230 Field trip guidebook

 Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

present-day tectonic structure, represented by NW-E- oligotrophic (Hrustić et al., 2013) with a thermocline
and W-E-oriented folds and reverse faults with SW occurring during summertime, between 10 and 15 m
and S vergences. Major river systems (Neretva, depth (Benović et al., 2000). The salinity of the lake var-
Morača and Drim) drain these hinterland terrains and ies annually between 38.1 – 38.4‰ (Kružić, 2002) and
carry a mixture of siliciclastic and carbonate detrital its annual temperature variations (10.6° to 27.5° C) are
material. The Neogene subaerial period was charac- presented in detail by Vilibić et al. (2010). In the NW
terized by fluvial, aeolian and intensive karstic pro- part, Veliko jezero is connected to the Malo jezero Lake
cesses that continued during the Quaternary. The through a small channel.
karstification process created numerous specific sed- Because of the permeable karst, the lake started
imentary environments, some of which were repeat- to develop when sea level was high enough to enable
edly flooded by the sea as a result of the Quaternary water accumulation in the presently submerged do-
Sea level fluctuations (Surić et al., 2005; Brunović et line. More details about the development of the lake
al., 2020), while others served as excellent sediment are available in Jahns and Bogaard (1998); Wunsam et
traps for aeolian and fluvial sediments (Babić et al., al. (1999) and Razum et al. (2020a; 2020b; 2021b). The
2012; Babić et al., 2013; Razum et al., 2021a). chronology of the lake is based on four tephra layers
and four C-14 dates (Fig. 2). Volcanic glass shards from
Stop 1. Veliko jezero the tephra were analysed by wavelength dispersive
Veliko jezero (Fig 1A) is a marine lake (Govorčin et al., spectroscopy (WDS) using an electron microprobe
2001; Sondi & Juračić, 2010), connected to the sea analyser (EMPA) and by laser ablation inductively
through a narrow (10 m wide) and shallow (2.5 m deep) coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS).
channel. Late Jurassic and early Cretaceous dolomites These results enabled correlation of the tephra to
are exposed around the lake. The lake is part of the known eruptions originating from Somma-Vesuvius
karst depression system, now a submerged doline due and Campi Flegrei. Specifically, the Avellino Pumice,
to Holocene Sea level rise. The surface of the lake is 1.44 Mercato, Agnano Monte Spina and Neapolitan Yellow
km2, while its maximum depth is 46 metres, and it con- Tuff were identified, extending the known distribu-
sists of three basins. Water exchange between the lake tions for the Avellino and Agnano Monte Spina tuffs
and the open sea is driven by tidal currents, which have (Razum et al., 2020b).
a very small range, thus the residence time of water in The lake started its Holocene evolution at ca.
the lake, according to Buljan & Špan (1976), is roughly 10.8 cal ka BP, as a wetland, which due to the rapid
estimated to be between 8.5 and 21.5 years. The lake is sea level rise, shortly after transforms into the brack-

M1A cal a BP
0 5000 10000 15000 20000 Aragonite (182 cm)
lit. units

0
Tephra ages

Radiocarbon ages
marine

100
deep lake

10 µm
Depth (cm)

200
Mg-Calcite (208 cm)
marsh/shallow lake

300
soil

400
10 µm

Fig. 2. Image of the M1-A core from

the Veliko jezero with the age-depth
model. On the right side of the Fig.
images of needle-like aragonites and
high Mg-calcite are shown. Adjusted
from Razum et al. (2021b).

Field trip guidebook 231

 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

ish lake. During the lake phase, sediment and most Thus, similarly to coral skeletons, the Sr/Ca ob-
of the water column were under anoxic conditions tained with high-resolution XRF scanning (1 mm res-
which enabled undisturbed sedimentation of organ- olution) was used as a relative palaeoclimate proxy
ic matter and inorganic needle-like aragonite (Fig. 2), (Razum et al., 2021b). At the same time, several cool-
and sporadically high Mg-calcite. Since then, detrital ing events and a pluvial period, (due to the precipita-
mineral input was restricted to aeolian dust, while tion of high Mg-calcite), known in the wider Mediter-
the sole authigenic carbonate phase was needle-like ranean area were recognized (Fig 3). This also helped
aragonite and in one interval high Mg-calcite. The Sr/ to unravel the drivers of carbon burial efficiency,
Ca of the bulk sediment reflects the Sr/Ca in arago- which relates to climatic events primarily through
nite (Razum et al., 2021b). the thermocline/redox zone depth in a way that dur-

M2 Sr/Ca
M1-A Sr/Ca
(detrended)

Red Sea brine

Bond events

Renella Cave
MD 90-917

MD 95-2043

Soreq Cave
AD 91-17
0.050

0.100
0.025

0.075

BS79-38

0.00
0.05
-0.05
Gemini
Cooling trend?
2000
C
?
3000 NAC2 AdC1 V V, A/I TC2 V, A/I
V

4000
AdC2 V C
Age (cal a BP)

NAC3
? V ?
5000 V
Holocene thermal maximum

AC2 A/I
? ?
6000 NAC4 AdC4 V V, A/I TC3 C
V, A/I
V, A/I Fig. 3. Comparison of the Veliko jezero
7000 Sr/Ca record (indicator of relative palae-
Mg-Calcite

otemperature and palaeohydrology) to

High

palaeotemperature and palaeohydrolog-

8000 ical proxies from other records from the
NAC5 AdC6 V, A/I AC3 V, A/I C
wider Mediterranean region. The Mg-
Adriatic Sea

Alboran Sea

Tyrrhenian Sea

calcite-rich interval is marked by a dark

blue area in the Sr/Ca record, in other
core sections needle-like aragonite is the
dominant authigenic carbonate phase.
NAC, AdC, AC, and TC are abbreviations
Cold events V-vegetation based cold event
for the cold events based on the original
Wet events A/I-alkenone/isotope based cold event publications. The image is redrawn from
Dry events C-chironomid based cold event Razum et al. (2021b).

a) b)
0 0

-10 -10

-20 -20
RSL (m)

-30 -30

-40 -40
Eastern Adriatic coast
North Adriatic Relative sea level data
South-Mid Adriatic Ice-volume equivalent sea level
-50 -50
M1-A this study M1-A this study

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
Age (ka BP) Age (ka BP)
Fig. 4. Past sea level reconstruction. A) comparison of the past sea level points obtained by data from the Adriatic (Vachi et al., 2016). B)
Comparison of the data obtained from Veliko jezero with relative sea level data and ice-volume equivalent sea level (Lambeck et al. 2014). The
image is adjusted from Razum et al. (2020).

232 Field trip guidebook

Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

ing cold periods, the thermocline is higher which be equal to doline de pth in order to prevent the wa-
results in more anoxic conditions and a higher organ- ter outflow from the doline because of a permeable
ic carbon preservation rate. karst and thus enable lake formation (Fig. 4).
Eventually, after the lake phase, due to sea lev-
el rise, the Veliko jezero was flooded with sea water. Stop 2. Sand and tephra deposits
This sharp contrast between lake and marine sedi- Sand deposits of Pleistocene age occur on the SEA is-
ments is dated to 2.3 cal ka BP. Since the threshold lands and on the adjacent coastline as small patches
depth is 2.5 m below the present sea level, this ena- overlying Jurassic and Cretaceous carbonates (Pavelić
bled precise reconstruction of sea level during the et al., 2011, 2014). They regularly occupy karst depres-
flooding event (Fig. 4). Another point for past sea sions, the lower hill slope and saddles of the karstic
level reconstruction can be obtained through pre- basement (Fig. 1B). On the Mljet island, SSW-NNE ori-
cise dating of the lake formation since sea level must ented faults which involved the area of sand pit, influ-

Unit a)
-1.8
intense
14 G aeolian
activity -2.0
13
balance (CaO/MgO)

12 -2.2
reduced
11 aeolian
F Y-3 tephra activity -2.4
10
and
9 -2.6
? relatively
warm
8 &
Albanian-Montenegro
Hvar
-2.8
E wet b) Mljet
7 Neretva

0 2 4 6 8
6 ? balance (FeO/Cr2O3)
D intense
5 aeolian 6.0
? Albanian-Montenegro
C activity Hvar
4 4.5 Vis

3 B 3.0
warm
2 & 1.5
wet
Axis 2 (3.4%)

A
1 0.0
m
0 -1.5
carbonate bedrock
-3.0
dune sands
massive sands -4.5 Korčula
Mljet
fluvial sand and tephra
-6.0 Lastovo
sand sheets c) Neretva
fluvial gravel and sand -15 -10 -5 0 5 10 15
OSL dates Axis 1 (92.4%)

Fig. 5. A) Log from the Pinjevica sand pit (Babić et al., 2013) with dated tephra location. B) provenance of the Mljet sands derived from the
pyroxene geochemistry. C) Provenance of the sand from the south-eastern Adriatic archipelago determined from heavy mineral assemblages.
In both cases, the Albania-Montenegro is the most probable source for the sands from Mljet island. Fig.s b) and c) are modified from Razum
et al. (2021a).

Field trip guidebook 233

 36th International Meeting of Sedimentology

enced the development and the orientation of the sand the climate was relatively warm, while sand sedimen-
body (Babić et al., 2013) (Fig 1B). The sands are fine to tation probably occurred during glacial periods. Ma-
medium grained and well to moderately sorted. The rine fossils in the aeolian Unit C (and higher upwards)
proportion of non-carbonate particles is 65–80% of the suggests a deflation of near-by marine sands. This
grains. They are mainly represented by quartzite, implies the lowering of sea-level related to the onset
chert (including radiolarian chert), quartz, mafic and of a glacial period. The overlying Unit D has alternat-
ultramafic rocks, while metamorphic rocks and shales ing aeolian deposition and deposition from high-gra-
are subordinate. Plagioclase feldspars (which are dient streams. Boundaries between Units D, E and F
mostly fresh), as well as amphibole, pyroxene and epi- are not precisely defined, and future work is required
dote are also common. Carbonate particles are repre- for a more robust division between those units since
sented by limestone and rare dolomite clasts, as well they are quite similar (see in Babić et al. (2012)). The
as benthic foraminifera, corallinacean algae, mollusc uppermost part (Unit G) of the studied succession is
debris and echinoid spines which are quite rare. represented by Cross-stratified sands which are sim-
The earliest record of the studied sand pit has ilar to unit C i.e., high sand supply and accumulation,
been overprinted by the pedogenic homogenisation with a low water table.
of older sands (Unit A) (Fig 5a). The modification of The provenance of the sands is most likely the
sands occurred under a warm climate with a fluctu- Albanian-Montenegro shelf which is regularly sup-
ating water-table. Unit B which covers unit A also rep- plied with ophilotic detritus by rivers (Drim, Morača/
resents pedogenically modified original facies (aeoli- Bojana). These sands are subsequently transported by
an and fluvial) but with a wetter climate. Modifications sea currents on the SEA shelf which served as a direct
in both units i.e., in Units A and B most likely occurred source (Babić et al., 2013; Razum et al., 2021a). Prove-
under conditions of sea-level high stand i.e., intergla- nance was determined from the heavy mineral as-
cial period, when the supply of sand was reduced and semblages using the compositional statistics (Razum

Fig. 6. Provenance interpretation map depicting studied locations of potential sediment sources (modern rivers) and sinks (late Quaternary
and recent shelf), as well as idealized sediment pathways, which are colour-coded based on the discrimination results obtained. Image is from
Razum et al. (2021a).

234 Field trip guidebook

Dubrovnik, Croatia • June 12–16, 2023

et al., 2021a) which considered only transport invari- The sand pit from Mljet island is not extensively
ant ratios of heavy minerals (Fig 5c). Provenance was dated except for one tephra layer in Unit F which is
additionally checked with geochemical fingerprint- correlated to the to Masseria del Monte/Y-3 (Razum
ing of pyroxenes (Fig 5b). Both methods yielded the et al., 2023b), dated to 29.0 ± 0.8 ka. Correlation is
same conclusion, i.e., most sands of the SEA archipel- based on the chemistry of volcanic glass shards. This
ago are from the Albanian-Montenegro province, age confirms that the last glacial maximum was a
while Vis and Hvar have a dominantly Neretva signa- period of intense aeolian activity and an accumula-
ture with a minor Cetina influence (Fig 5c). These tion period of Units C-G.
sands influenced the present geomorphology and
beach formation along the SEA (Babić et al., 2019). Acknowledgements
This is in a way opposed to the provenance interpre- We would like to thank to Marijan Kovačić whose
tation of Pavelić et al. (2014). They concluded that the comments improved the quality of the field guide.
Albania-Montenegro province could not be the source Most of the research presented is a part of the pro-
of the sands, due to the very narrow shelf between the jects ‘‘Evolutionary changes of the Dinarides from
Albanian-Montenegro and SEA shelf areas. They ar- subduction to modern Adriatic beaches’’ (No. 119-
gued that this shelf gap prevented transportation of 119115-1159), “Lost Lake Landscapes of the Eastern
the sand, and thus, the main source of the SEA sands Adriatic Shelf ” (HRZZ-IP-2013-11-9419) and “Sedi-
was the Neretva river with minor Cetina influence, ments between source and sink during a late Quater-
however this is not supported by mineralogical and nary eustatic cycle: The Krka and the Mid Adriatic
geochemical evidence. Deep System” (HRZZ-IP-04-2019-8505). ■

Grandić, S., Boromisa-Balaš, E., Šušterčić, M. and Kolbah, S.

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