Neogene deposits of the western slopes of the Psunj Mt., Croatia: an overview of historical background and actualisation of geological research

Abstract

On the crystalline rocks of the western slopes of the Psunj Mt. disconformably lie Neogene sediments with recorded deposits from the Lower Miocene to the Quaternary period. The basal Neogene sediments are in the older papers defined as “Oligomiocene” or “preTortonian”, today corresponding to the Lower Miocene sediments. These freshwater and marine-brackish sediments are transgressively overlain by the marine middle Miocene sediments. Badenian deposits are distributed as a continuous belt along the western slopes of the Psunj Mt., east from Pakrac and Lipik, with various lithofacies diversity. In the wider area they are a part of the structure Bijela Stijena–Novska. Lower Sarmatian rhythmic sediments conformably lie on the Badenian sedimentary rocks. The brackish and freshwater development is marked by the continuation of the Upper Miocene sedimentation, and Pliocene sediments with complete “Paludina beds” development mark the end of the Neogene. Dominant is the anticlinal structure – structure nose with an axis Bijela Stijena– Novska. In the core of the structure are crystallinic rocks. Neogene sediments are periclinal and almost continued along the limbs and forehead of the structure