Stratigraphy and Palaeobiogeography of Mesozoic Benthic Foraminifera of the Karst Dinarides (SE Europe) - PART 1

The Adriatic Carbonate Platform (AdCP), was a separate shallowmarine depositional system characterized by a lack of terrigenous input and was connected to Gondwana towards the South via Gavrovo–Tripolitza or Apulia. It existed for approximately 120 MY, from the Early Jurassic (Pliensbachian/Toarcian) to the end of the Cretaceous, resulting in a 4000–6500 m thick succession of almost pure carbonates. However, this is part of a thicker (>8000 m) sequence of predominantly carbonate rocks which forms the Karst Dinarides, and was deposited during more than 270 MY – at least from the Carboniferous (Moscovian) to the Late Eocene. Among many different groups of fossil organisms, benthic foraminifera are especially abundant and well preserved, so they, along with calcareous algae (Dasycladales), are the most important fossils used for age determination and stratigraphic subdivision of shallowmarine carbonate deposits. Within the 257 determined taxa belonging to different foraminiferal families which lived through the Mesozoic, numerous different index fossils occur in assemblages indicating various ages: Early Triassic, Anisian, Carnian, Norian–Rhaetian, Late Sinemurian, Early and Late Pliensbachian (Carixian and Domerian), Early and Late Aalenian, Early and Late Bajocian, Early and Late Bathonian, Callovian, Early and Late Oxfordian, Kimmeridgian, Tithonian, Berriasian, Valanginian, Late Hauterivian, Late Barremian, Early and Late Aptian (Bedulian and Gargasian), Early and Late Albian, Early, Middle and Late Cenomanian, Turonian, Coniacian, Santonian, Early and Late Campanian and Early and Late Maastrichtian. A total of 64 biostratigraphic units – biozones of different categories, from subzone to superzone, were defined within the stratigraphic interval from the Carnian to the Late Maastrichtian. This enabled very detailed biostratigraphic subdivision of the carbonate deposits within the Karst Dinarides. This is one of the most precise sequences, not only in this area, but also among former shallow marine deposits of the entire Neotethyan realm in the present Mediterranean region. The palaeobiogeographic characteristics of biotopes and the composition of foraminiferal assemblages during the Mesozoic were controlled by the position of the study area within the Neotethyan bioprovinces. Until the Albian, this area represented part of the Southern Neotethyan bioprovince, while from the Cenomanian to its final disintegration at the end of the Cretaceous it belonged to a separate, Central Mediterranean Neotethyan bioprovince

Stratigraphy and Palaeobiogeography of Mesozoic Benthic Foraminifera of the Karst Dinarides (SE Europe) - PART 1

The Adriatic Carbonate Platform (AdCP), was a separate shallowmarine depositional system characterized by a lack of terrigenous input and was connected to Gondwana towards the South via Gavrovo–Tripolitza or Apulia. It existed for approximately 120 MY, from the Early Jurassic (Pliensbachian/Toarcian) to the end of the Cretaceous, resulting in a 4000–6500 m thick succession of almost pure carbonates. However, this is part of a thicker (>8000 m) sequence of predominantly carbonate rocks which forms the Karst Dinarides, and was deposited during more than 270 MY – at least from the Carboniferous (Moscovian) to the Late Eocene. Among many different groups of fossil organisms, benthic foraminifera are especially abundant and well preserved, so they, along with calcareous algae (Dasycladales), are the most important fossils used for age determination and stratigraphic subdivision of shallowmarine carbonate deposits. Within the 257 determined taxa belonging to different foraminiferal families which lived through the Mesozoic, numerous different index fossils occur in assemblages indicating various ages: Early Triassic, Anisian, Carnian, Norian–Rhaetian, Late Sinemurian, Early and Late Pliensbachian (Carixian and Domerian), Early and Late Aalenian, Early and Late Bajocian, Early and Late Bathonian, Callovian, Early and Late Oxfordian, Kimmeridgian, Tithonian, Berriasian, Valanginian, Late Hauterivian, Late Barremian, Early and Late Aptian (Bedulian and Gargasian), Early and Late Albian, Early, Middle and Late Cenomanian, Turonian, Coniacian, Santonian, Early and Late Campanian and Early and Late Maastrichtian. A total of 64 biostratigraphic units – biozones of different categories, from subzone to superzone, were defined within the stratigraphic interval from the Carnian to the Late Maastrichtian. This enabled very detailed biostratigraphic subdivision of the carbonate deposits within the Karst Dinarides. This is one of the most precise sequences, not only in this area, but also among former shallow marine deposits of the entire Neotethyan realm in the present Mediterranean region. The palaeobiogeographic characteristics of biotopes and the composition of foraminiferal assemblages during the Mesozoic were controlled by the position of the study area within the Neotethyan bioprovinces. Until the Albian, this area represented part of the Southern Neotethyan bioprovince, while from the Cenomanian to its final disintegration at the end of the Cretaceous it belonged to a separate, Central Mediterranean Neotethyan bioprovince

Why (and how) to publish in Geologia Croatica

With the beginning of this year, the journal you have in your hand or read on internet, Geologia Croatica has (partly) changed Chief Editors. The former editors Prof. Igor Vlahović and Dr. Ivo Velić resigned with January 2008, because the inflow of manuscripts declined in recent years due to the fact that articles published in our journal were not considered for scientific promotion in Croatia. They wanted, and have succeeded, in remotivating the Croatian geological and larger scientific community, and since January 2008, articles published in Geologia Croatica will be eligible for scientific promotion. In this way they have helped to maintain the journal. Dr. Ivo Velić agreed to be reappointed as editor in the transitional period to stress the continuity of editorial policy and to help the new incoming editor, prof. Mladen Juračić, and the new editorial board

New and poorly known Middle Jurassic larger benthic foraminifera from the Karst Dinarides of Croatia

Some new and poorly known larger benthic foraminifera are described from Middle Jurassic (Upper Aalenian-Bajocian) shallow-water limestones of the Croatian Karst Dinarides. Cymbriaella lorigae FUGAGNOLI is reported for the first time beside its type-locality, the Upper Pliensbachian of the Southern Alps. New taxa described include Bosniella bassoulleti n. sp. and Dubrovnikella septfontainei n. gen., n. sp. (family Biokovinidae). Both Cymbriaella lorigae and Everticyclammina praevirguliana FUGAGNOLI are reported for the first time from Middle Jurassic strata. The new findings allow further insights into the phylogenetic evolution of the larger benthic foraminifera during the Early to Middle Jurassic period.</p

THE GEOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF MAJSTORSKA CESTA – A HISTORICAL ROAD ON VELEBIT MT. WITH A SPECIAL REVIEW OF JURASSIC CARBONATE ROCKS

Kao povijesna velebitska prometnica Majstorska cesta uvrštena je na popis kulturnih dobara Republike Hrvatske 2007. godine, ponajprije stoga što je od izgradnje i puštanja u promet 1832. godine do danas očuvana u izvornoj trasi od Obrovca do lokaliteta Paljenik na sjeverozapadnome kraju mjesta Sveti Rok. Cesta leži na sedimentnim stijenama stratigrafskoga raspona od gornjega karbona do gornjega paleogena ili od 315 milijuna godina do oko 25 milijuna godina prije današnjice. To je raspon od 290 milijuna godina. Uglavnom su to izvrsno otkriveni vapnenci i dolomiti, a dijelom i klastične naslage. Spomenuti izdanci čine jedinstvenu reprezentativnu i znanstveno važnu prirodnu vrijednost u Hrvatskoj i na svjetskoj razini. Izgrađuju ne samo Velebit nego i sve karbonatne stijene krških Dinarida i kao takve jedinstven su prirodni geološki muzej važan kako za hrvatsko ozemlje, tako i za područja izgrađena od plitkomorskih karbonatnih stijena Sredozemlja u širemu geološkom smislu, tj. od Meksika i Kariba preko gorskih lanaca Atlasa, Pireneja, Alpa, Karpata, Dinarida, Helenida, Pontida, Taurida, Iranida do Himalaja. Najvažnija geološka znamenitost jest profil od prijevoja Mali Alan do Tulovih greda. Radi se o kontinuiranome profilu kroz jurske karbonatne stijene, tipskome za čitave krške Dinaride, u stratigrafskome rasponu od hetangija do sredine titona (raspon geološke starosti od 201,3 do oko 148 milijuna godina prije sadašnjosti), uključujući provodne fosile i kompletan stratigrafski slijed naslaga (stijena) te uvid u dodir jurskih sa starijim, trijaskim naslagama. Kao višedesetljetni istraživači Velebita (od 1962. godine do danas) željeli bismo upozoriti na potrebu zaštite spomenutih izdanaka stijena i jurske starosti. Geologija Majstorske ceste opisana je smjerom od Svetoga Roka prema Obrovcu.Majstorska Cesta is a historical road along Velebit Mt., NW of Sveti Rok, preserved in its original state since opening in 1832 and therefore added to the cultural heritage list of the Republic of Croatia in 2007. The road passes through sedimentary rocks ranging in age from Upper Carboniferous to Upper Paleogene, i.e. from 315 Ma until approx. 25 Ma old rocks (a time span of 290 Ma). These are mostly well exposed limestones and dolomites, sporadically clastics. Such rocks build up not only Velebit Mt., but also the entire Karst Dinarides. As such, they represent a unique natural museum important not only for the Croatian landscape, but also for all countries with shallow marine carbonates in the Mediterranean Region and wider, i.e. areas of Mexico, the Caribbean, along mountains like the Atlas, the Pyreneans, the Alps, the Carpathians, the Dinarides, the Helenides, the Pontides, the Taurides, the Iranides and the Himalayas. The most important geological feature is a section from Mali Alan Saddle to Tulove Grede Ridge. It is a continuous section along the Jurassic carbonates, typical for the Karst Dinarides, of stratigraphic period from Hettangian to Middle Tithonian (201.3-148 Ma), comprising the typical (index) fossils and complete geological rock sections, including contact between Jurassic and Triassic rocks. The authors have researched Velebit Mt. since 1962 until recent times, and thus recognize the necessity to preserve the described Jurassic rock outcrops. They describe the geology of Majstorska Cesta from Sv. Rok to Obrovac

Why (and how) to publish in Geologia Croatica

With the beginning of this year, the journal you have in your hand or read on internet, Geologia Croatica has (partly) changed Chief Editors. The former editors Prof. Igor Vlahović and Dr. Ivo Velić resigned with January 2008, because the inflow of manuscripts declined in recent years due to the fact that articles published in our journal were not considered for scientific promotion in Croatia. They wanted, and have succeeded, in remotivating the Croatian geological and larger scientific community, and since January 2008, articles published in Geologia Croatica will be eligible for scientific promotion. In this way they have helped to maintain the journal. Dr. Ivo Velić agreed to be reappointed as editor in the transitional period to stress the continuity of editorial policy and to help the new incoming editor, prof. Mladen Juračić, and the new editorial board

Geoloy of the cave Park Grabovača and surrounding terrains proposed for its widening

Istraživano područje Pećinskoga parka Grabovača kod Peušića u Lici i njegovoga planiranog proširenja izgrađeno je pretežito od krednih karbonatnih stijena – vapnenaca, dolomita i dolomitnih breča te paleogensko-neogenskih vapnenačkih breča, razvrstani prema starosti u stratigrafske jedinice. Utvrđene su i izdvojene u donjoj kredi donjoaptski palorbitolinski i baćinelski vapnenci, gornjoaptske emerzijske breče i vapnenci, albske emerzijske breče, gornjoalbski vapnenci, prijelazni gornjoalbsko-donjocenomanski dolomiti i dolomitne breče, gornjokredni vapnenci raspona stariji cenoman – konijak, paleogensko-neogenske karbonatne breče i holocenske naplavine. U tektonskom pogledu to je blago borano područje sa strukturama dinarske orijentacije poremećenima kasnijim normalnim i reverznim rasjedima.Investigated area of the Cave Park Grabovača, near Perušić town in the Lika region, Croatia, is composed predominatly of Cretaceous carbonate rocks – limestones, dolomites and dolomte breccia, as well as of Paleogene-Neogene calcareous breccia. According to their facies characteristics the rocks are separated and described in following stratigraphic units: the Lower Aptian palorbitolina and bacinella limestones, the Upper Aptian emerged breccia and limestones, the Lower Albian emerged breccia, the Upper Albian limestones, transitional Upper Albian to the Lower Cenomanian dolomites and dolomite breccia, the Upper Cretaceous limestones, the Paleogene-Neogene calcareous breccia and the Holocene deposits. With regard to tectonic structures this terrain is composed of several anticlines and syclines of the Dinaric orientation i.e. with northwest to southeast striking. After folding during the Neogene those structures were disturbed by several reversed and numerous normal faults

Sedimentary bodies, forms and occurrences in the Tudorevo and Mirovo glacial deposits of northern Velebit (Croatia)

A small glacier of cirque-valley type existed during the Late Pleistocene Würm Glacial in the Tudorevo and Mirovo karst valleys of Northern Velebit. Its source was in Tudorevo, and it moved through Dundović Mirovo and Bilensko Mirovo to Baričević Dolac, shaping U-valleys around 4 km in length. After melting, glacial deposits remained, composed of chaotic and unsorted till, composed of carbonate sand, debris and sub-rounded clasts, cobbles and blocks of predominantly Middle Jurassic and subordinately Lower Jurassic carbonate rocks. In Dundović Mirovo and Bilensko Mirovo, where the largest masses of glacial deposits occur, terminal and recessional moraines can be found over the ground moraine, as well as some other features, mostly drumlins (drumlin field), eskers, erratic blocks, kettle holes and striations. Some erratics have been transported for more than 4 km from their primary outcrops, e.g. clasts of Lower Jurassic Toarcian Spotty limestone. A terminal moraine was deposited between Bilensko Mirovo and Baričević Dolac, perpendicular to the glaciated U-valley and it forms the Bilo hill, the northern and southern foothills of which are composed partly of glaciofluvial deposits. Between Tudorevo and Mirovo, a recessional moraine occurs above the ground moraine. The glacier was subject to polyphase melting and freezing, and the youngest freezing events may be related to cirques in Tudorevo. During melting events, glacier lakes are supposed to have existed, initially in the Baričević Dolac, later in Mirovo area and finally in Tudorevo. These discharged into the karst underground by percolation through till and by erosion to the karstified underlying Middle Jurassic carbonates