Orogenic evolution of the External Dinarides in the NE Adriatic region: a model
constrained by tectonostratigraphy of Upper Cretaceous to Paleogene carbonates
Tvrtko Korbar
⁎
Croatian Geological Survey, Department of Geology, Sachsova 2, HR-10001 Zagreb, Croatia
abstractarticle info
Article history:
Received 14 February 2008
Accepted 17 July 2009
Available online 19 August 2009
Keywords:
Adriatic Region
Adriatic–Dinaridic carbonate platform(s)
Alpine orogenesis
External Dinarides
Mesozoic
Cenozoic
Mesozoic to Cenozoic evolution of the central part of the Adriatic plate (External Dinarides and Adriatic
foreland) is still a matter of debate. This is expressed by opposing paleogeographic models: single carbonate
platform (Adriatic or Adriatic–Dinaridic) versus two carbonate platforms (Adriatic and Dinaridic) separated
by the inter-platform Budva–Cukali basin. Estimates of shortening during Adria NE subduction, that resulted
in the development of the Dinaric Alps, differ substantially. The single-platform model involves minor
shortening achieved by folding and faulting along steep reverse faults. The two-platform model involves
significant shortening achieved mainly by thrust stacking, which resulted in almost complete underthrusting
of the intervening basinal deposits.
Analysis of Upper Cretaceous to Paleogene stratigraphical data from both outcrops and boreholes allows
regional correlation and the interpretation of major lithostratigraphic units.Asaresult,afew
tectonostratigraphic units are recognized. The tectonostratigraphy is used as a basis for a new model on
the late Mesozoic to Cenozoic evolution of the region.
Generally, Adriatic and Dinaridic segments acted as major regional crustal entities of Adria. The upper
portions of the sedimentary cover were differentially affected by progressive, southwestward verging thin-
skinned deformations during the Paleocene to Eocene (Miocene?). The Adriatic foreland stayed out of the
deformations, and is characterized predominantly by wrench and salt tectonics. The regional tectonic map
shows arcuate thrust fronts of the External Dinarides. They could be a consequence of both, differential
propagation of early-orogenic thin-skinned deformations over crustal fragments separated by transversal
faults, and/or differential (isostatic?) movements of the fragments. The collision zone of the Adriatic and
Dinaridic segments is characterized by late-orogenic (Oligocene to Miocene) thick-skinned compressional
uplift (exhumation), related gravity gliding, and still active escape tectonics (wrenching). These processes
masked primary thin-skinned deformations. A significant amount of shortening within and between the
thin-skinned sedimentary covers is proposed. Therefore, the question of the general paleogeography of the
region and the original NW extent of the Budva–Cukali basin (NE Adriatic trough) remains open.
© 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Contents
1. Introduction .............................................................. 297
2. Geological setting ........................................................... 299
3. Mesozoicpaleogeographyofthenorthern-centralMediterranean...................................... 300
4. Upper Cretaceous to Paleogene stratigraphy of the ADCP domain ..................................... 300
4.1. Stratigraphy of platform carbonates ................................................ 300
4.2. Stratigraphy of basinal carbonates ................................................ 301
5. Tectonostratigraphic units of the ADCP domain ............................................. 301
5.1. The Dinaridic NE unit (DNEu) or Inner Karst ........................................... 301
5.2. The Dinaridic SW unit (DSWu) or High Karst ........................................... 303
5.3. The NE Adriatic trough (NEAT) .................................................. 303
5.4. The Adriatic NE unit (ANEu) or Dalmatian Karst .......................................... 303
5.5. The Adriatic SW unit (ASWu) or Istrian Karst ........................................... 304
6. Geological profile............................................................ 304
Earth-Science Reviews 96 (2009) 296–312
⁎ Tel.: +385 1 6160 709; fax: +385 6144 718.
E-mail address: tvrtko.korbar@hgi-cgs.hr.
0012-8252/$ – see front matter © 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/j.earscirev.2009.07.004
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