Problems of the “Cordevolian Limestone and Dolomite” in the Slovenian part of the Southern Alps

Abstract

Stratigraphic position and age of the so called Cordevolian limestone and dolomite in the Slovenian part of the Southern Alps (figure 1) is a long lasting problem. Its name originates from the (somewhere abandoned) Cordevolian substage (Lower Carnian). Limestone and dolomite both correspond to the Cassian dolomite from the Italian Southern Alps. Platform type of limestone and dolomite, which could be genetic and time equivalent with the Ladinian Schlern (Scilliar) dolomite, is unknown in Slovenia. In the NE part of the Kamnik–Savinja Alps, the Korošica formation (Upper Ladinian) overlies platform limestone and dolomite of the Ojstrica Formation (Ladinian). Diplopora annulata is also present in the Ojstrica formation. Various Ladinian rocks in the Julian Alps and Southern Karavanke are mainly of the Lover Ladinian age, whereas the overlying massive limestone and dolomite (“Cordevolian limestone and dolomite”) are partially of the Ladinian and partially of the Carnian age. There are no Upper Ladinian “Wengen” beds in the carbonate massive, so it is impossible to draw a time line between the Ladinian and the Carnian stages. We can therefore conclude, that litological boundaries do not coincide with the chronostratigraphic ones