Stratigraphy and tectonic evolution of Late Miocene - Quaternary Basins in Eastern Albania: A Review
Published:
Dec 28, 2020
Keywords:
Late Miocene-Quaternary basins Eastern Albania stratigraphy tectonic evolution
Abstract
The new stratigraphic data and tectonic evolution of the Late Miocene-Quaternary basins developed in Eastern Albania are presented. The reviewed stratigraphic data for deposits filling the Ohrid, Prespa and Devolli basins show that they began to form in Late Miocene. The stratigraphic evidences from eastern Albania are confronted with the stratigraphic data from the lake basins in western North Macedonia and northwestern Greece that all show the same age of infilling. The Cenozoic tectonic evolution of Eastern Albania consists of two phases of extensional deformations, the first in Middle Eocene-Late Miocene (Pannonian/Tortonian) and the second starting in Late Miocene (Pontian s. l.). The two phases are separated by a short compressive phase at the Late Miocene (end of Pannonian/Tortonian) or pre-Pontian s. l. time. In Late Miocene (Pontian) began forming the system of the Ohrid, Prespa and Devolli basins developed along the Drini fault zone. The Korça, Kolonja, Kukesi and Tropoja basins began to form since Pliocene and the Peshkopi Basin since Early Pleistocene. Finally, only the Ohrid and Prespa lakes are still active. The Late Miocene-Pleistocene basins were filled by lacustrine, lacustrine-fluvial and terrestrial sediments of the great thickness and of varied lithology: conglomerates, gravels, sandstones, sands, claystone and marls with lignite seams. Molluscs, microflora and flora, ostracods and vertebrates are found. The Lake Ohrid is a tectonically active graben formed during two main phases of deformation: (1) a trans-tensional phase which generated a pull-apart basin, and (2) an extensional phase which leads to its present geometry. All basins in Eastern Albania are situated in a basin and range-like (graben and horst) geodynamical setting. The inferred stratigraphic and tectonic evolution of Late Miocene-Quaternary basins in Eastern Albania as well as the relief formation and thermochronological data show that the Late Miocene-Quaternary period which led to the recent geological structure of Albania and its rapid relief formation, can be accepted as ‘Neotectonic period’.
Article Details
- How to Cite
-
Pashko, P., & Aliaj, S. (2020). Stratigraphy and tectonic evolution of Late Miocene - Quaternary Basins in Eastern Albania: A Review. Bulletin of the Geological Society of Greece, 56(1), 317–351. https://doi.org/10.12681/bgsg.22064
- Issue
- Vol. 56 No. 1 (2020)
- Section
- Palaeontology, Stratigraphy and Sedimentology
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g. post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal. Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (preferably in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work.
Downloads
Download data is not yet available.
References
Aliaj, Sh., 1990. Reliefi, evolucioni dhe mosha e tij ne Shqiperi. Ne: Mevlan Kabo (kryeredaktor) Gjeografia Fizike e Shqiperise, vell. 1. Kombinati Poligrafik, Shtypshkronja e Re, Tirane 1990, 98-108.
Aliaj, Sh., 1996. Neotectonics and Seismotectonics of Drini fault zone (Eastern Albania). Jour. Nat. Tech. Sienc., Acad. Scienc. Albania, Vol. 1, Nr.1. 81-92.
Aliaj, Sh., 1997. Alpine geological evolution of Albania. Alb. Jour. Nat. Tech. Sienc., Acad. Scienc. Albania, Nr. 3, 69-81.
Aliaj, Sh., 1998. Neotectonic structure of Albania. Alb. Jour. Nat. Tech. Sienc., Acad. Scienc. Albania, Nr. 4, 79-98.
Aliaj, Sh., 2000a. Harta e shkeputjeve aktive ne Shqiperi. Kongresi i 8-te i Gjeoshkencave, Tirane 6-8 nentor 2000.
Aliaj, Sh., 2000b. Tertiary molassic basins In: Meço S., Aliaj Sh. and Turku I. 2000. Geology of Albania. Gebruder Borntradeger. Berlin. Stuttgart 2000.
Aliaj, Sh., 2012. Neotektonika e Shqiperise. Shtepia Botuese KLEAN, f. 292.
Aliaj Sh., 2020. Seismotectonics of the Albanides Collision Zone: Geometry of the Underthrusting Adria Microplate Beneath the Albanides. Sent in JNTS, Academy of Sciences of Albania.
Aliaj, Sh. Melo, V., 1987. Disa tipare te evolucionit morfotektonik te reliefit ne vendin tone. Studine Gjeografike, Nr. 2, 1987, 193-211.
Aliaj, Sh., Melo, V., Hyseni, A., Skrami., J., Mehillka., Ll., Muço, B., Sulstarova, E., Prifti, K., Xhomo, A., Shkupi, D., Sejdini, B., Jano, K., 1995, 2018. Harta neotektonike e Shqiperise ne shkalle 1:200.000. (Tectonic Map of Albania in scale 1:200.000 published in 2018 by the Albanian Geological Survey).
Aliaj, Sh., Grazhdani, A., 2008. Geologic Framework of Ohrid Lake Area. Lake Ohrid Drilling Scientific Collaboration on Past Specification Conditions, Ohrid Workshop 13-17 October 2008.
Biçoku, T., Pumo, E., Papa, A., Xhomo, A., Qirinxhi, A., Çili, P., Dede, S., Pashko, P., Turku, I., Pasho, S., 1967. Harta Gjeologjike e Shqiperise ne shkalle 1:200.000. Shtypur Ndermarja e Mjeteve M, Kulturore dhe Sportive Hamid Shijaku.
Biçoku, T., Pumo, E., Papa, A., Xhomo, A., Qirinxhi, A., Çili, P., Dede, S., Pashko, P., Turku, I., Pasho, S., 1970. Gjeologjia e Shqiperise. Tekst shpjegues i Hartes Gjeologjike te Shqiperise ne shkalle 1:200.000, Shtepia Botuese “Naim Frasheri” Tirane, 343 f.
Bourcart, J., 1922. Les confines Albanais administres par la France. (1916-1920). Contribution a la Géographie et la Géologie de l’Albanie moyenne. Paris.
Bourcart, J., 1925. Observations nouvelles sur la tectonique de l’Albanie moyenne. Bull. Soc. Geol. Fr. (7), XXV. 391-428. Paris.
Burchfiel, B.C., King, R.W., Nakov, R., Tzankov, T., Dumurdzanov, N., Serafimovski, T., Todosov, A., Nurçe, B., 2008a. Patterns of Cenozoic Extensional Tectonism in the South Balkan Extensional System. In Husebye E.S. (eds) Earthquake Monitoring and Seismic Hazard Mitigation in Balkan Countries, pp 3-18. NATO Science Serie IV: Earth and Environmental Sciences, vol. 81, Dordrecht.
Burchfiel, B.C, Nakov, R., Dumurdzanov, N., Papanikolaou, D., Tzankov, T., Serafimovski, T.,Kotzev, V.,Todosov, A., Nurçe B., 2008b. Evolution and dynamics of the Cenozoic tectonics of the Southern Balkan extensional system. Geosphere 4 (6): 919.
Caputo, R., Pavlides, S., 1993. Late Cenozoic geodynamic evolution of Thessaly and surroundings (Central –Northern Greece). Tectonophysics, 223, 3-4 : 339-362.
Dimo, Ll,, Pashko, P., Pine, V., Petro, Th., Cakuli, A., 1982. Rreth kushteve te formimit dhe perspektives qymyrmbajtese te depozitimeve molasike te Ultesires se Korçes. Bul. Shkenc. Gjeol No. 4. 65-82 (In Alban. Abst. Engl.).
Dimo, Ll., Pashko, P., Vaso, P., Kita, P., Çili, N., Bibaja, P., Palko, A., Adhami, J., 1989. Pellgjet qymyrore dhe perspektiva e tyre. Bul. Shkenc. Gjeol. nr.4. 249-257. (In Alban. Abst.in Engl.).
Dodona, E., Kotsakis, T., 1985. Premiere decouverte de Mastodontes (Proboscidea, Mammalia) en Albanie. Geol. Romana,vol. XXIV. 73-78. Roma.
Dumurdzanov, N., Krstic, N., 1999. The Skopie Neogene Basin in the Republic of Macedonia. Geologica Macedonica, v.13, p. 47-56.
Dumurdzanov, N. Serafimovski, B., Clark Burchfield, B., 2004. Evolution of the Neogene-Pleistocene Basins in Macedonia. Geol. Soc. Americ. Digital Map and Chart Series 1. 20 p.
Dumurdzanov, N., Serafimovski, T., Clark Burchfield, B., 2005. Cenozoic tectonics of Macedonia and its relation to the South Balkan extensional regime. Geosphere. v.1; no. 1; p1-22.
Ganas, A., Elias, P., Briole, P., Cannavo, F., Valkaniotis, S., Tsironi, V., Partheniou, E.I., 2020. Ground Deformation and Seismic Fault Model of the M6.4 Durres (Albania) Nov. 26, 2019 Earthquake, Based on GNSS/INSAR Observations. Geosciences, 10 (6), 210.
Hilber, V., 1894.Geologische reise in Nordgriescheland und Makedonien 1893 und 1894. Wiss. M. N. Kl. 103: 375-600.
Hoffmann, N., Reicherter, K., Fernandez-Steeger, T., Grutzner, C., 2010. Evolution of ancient Lake Ohrid: a tectonic perspective. Biogeosciences, 7, 2010.
Hoxha, V., Seriani, A., Pashko, P., Jata, I., 2011. Geological sites and landscapes in Dibra region. Intern Geo-Science Conf. Geo-Alb. 2011. Proceedings. Mitrovice.
Iordanidis, A., Georgakopoulos, A., 2003. Pliocene lignites from Apofysis mine, Amynteo Basin, Northwestern Greece: petrographical characteristics and depositional environment. Coal Geology 54, 57-68.
Kleinholter, K., 2004. Die Pliozanen Floren des Ohrid- und Kolonja- Beckens. (Sudost-Albanien). Munster. Forsch. Geol. Palaont. 99, 103-110. 1 Taf. Munster.
Krstic, N., Savic, L., Jovanovic, G., Bodor, E., 2003. Lower Miocene lakes of the Balkan Land. Acta Geol. Hung. Vol. 46/3, 291-299. Budapest.
Krstic, N., Dumurdzanov, N., Ognjanova, N., Markovic., 2008. Lacustrine Upper Miocene of Central Balkans. Geophysical Researches. Abstracts Vol10,
Krstic, N., Savic, L., Jovanovic, G., 2012. The Neogene Lakes on the Balkan Land. Annal. Geolog. Pennins. Balkanique 73, 37-60.
Kumati, L., Myftari, S., & Gjani, E., 1997. The geological setting of lacustrine-marine basins in eastern Albania and their origin. Spec. Publ. Geoinstitute, 21,107-118, 6 Abb. Belgrade.
Lindhorst K, Krastel S, Reicherter K, Stipp M, Wagner B and T. Schenk., 2015. Sedimentary and tectonic evolution of Lake Ohrid (Macedonia/Albania). Basin Research, vol. 27, Issue 7, 84-101.
Meço S., Aliaj Sh. and Turku I., 2000. Geology of Albania. Gebruder Borntradeger. Berlin. Stuttgart.
Meço, S, Strauch F, Kleinholter K, Durmishi Ç, Gjani E., 2004. Postorogen Alblagerungen in den Molassebecken Albaniens. Die Molassen der jungen Faltengebirge Albaniens herausgegeben von F. Strauch, 1-101 s. Munstersche Forschungen zur Geologie und Palaeontologie, Heft 99, 118 s. Munster Juni 2004.
Melo, V., 1964. Tarracat e vjetra te larta aluvialo-proluviale te Drinit te Zi dhe historia e zhvillimitNeotektonik te tij. Bul. USHT. Ser. Shkenc. Nat. 4, Tirane. (in Alban. Abstr. in French).
Metaxas, A., Karageorgiu, D. E., Varvarousis, G., Kotis, Th., Ploumidis, M., Papanikolaou, G., 2007. Geological evolution – stratigraphy of Florina, Ptolemaida, Kozani and Sarandaporo Graben. Bull Geol. Soc. Greece vol. XXXX, 161-172.
Muceku, B., 2006. First results of fission-track thermochronology in the Albanides. Geological Society London. Special Publications, 260 539-556.
Muceku, B., P. van der Beck, M. Bernet, P. Reiness, G. Masce and A. Tashko., 2008. Thermochronological evidence for Mio-Pliocene late orogenic extension in the north-eastern Albanides (Albania). Terra Nova, 20, 180-187.
Oiconomopoulos, I., Kaouras, G., Antoniadis, P., Perraki, Th., Gregor, H-J. 2008. Neogene Achlada lignite deposits in NW Greece. Bull. Geosc. 83 (3) 335-338, 9 (Fig. 2 table).
Pantic, N., Dumurzanov, N., Pavlovski, B., 1973 (-1978). Prilog za zapoznavanie na starosta na Pliocenskite sedimenti vo Prespanskata i Ohridskata. Geol. Zavod S.R. Makedonija. kotlina. Trudovi na Sv. 16.Skopie.
Pashko, P., 1967. Mbi depozitimet neogjenike te Gropes se Burrelit. Bul. USHT. Shken. Nat. 3. 33-42. Tirane (in Alban. Abst. in French).
Pashko, P., 1968. Molusqet e Gropes se Burrelit. Permb. Stud. Nr. 9-10. p.15-23, fig.2, Tab I-III. Tirane. (in Alban., Abst.in French).
Pashko, P., 1970. Depozitimet miocenike te ujrave te embla ne Zonen e Mirdites. Permb. Stud. 3 (16), p 12 - 24. Tirane. (in alban., abst. in French).
Pashko, P., 1973. Messiniani ne Zonen Jonike. Permbl. Srudimesh 3, 51-69. (in Alban., Abst. in French).
Pashko, P., 1975. Suita e kuqerremte e Librazhdit dhe problemi i moshes se saj. Permb. Stud.1. p. 141-152. Tirane. (in Alban., Abst. in French).
Pashko, P., 1977. Biostratigrafia, molusqet dhe nomenklatura e depositimeve oligocenike ne Morave. Permb. Stud. 3; 63-86. (in Alban., Abstr. in Frensh).
Pashko, P., 1984. Molusqe Plio-Pleistocenike ne Gropen e Peshkopise. Bul. Shkenc. Gjeol. 2. 91 – 105. Tirane. (in Alban., Abstr. in English).
Pashko, P., 1995. Tortonian mollusks of the Burreli Depression (Albania) and their affinity with the Pannonian mollusks of Paratethys. Abstracts Romanian Journal of Stratigraphy. Vol. 76, Supl. 7, p 77. Bucharest.
Pashko, P. 2018. Morave Mt Oligocene-Middle Miocene succession of Albanian-Thessalian Basin. Bulletin of the Geological Society of Greece, 52(1), 1-44. doi: https://doi.org/10.12681/bgsg.15837
Pashko, P., 2019. Molluskan fauna from the late Miocene Burreli Lake (Albania) and its similarity to the Pannonian assemblage. 8th International Workshop on Neogene of Central and South-Eastern Europe:61-62.
Pashko, P., Papa, A., Huta, B., Myftari, A. 1973. Stratigrafia e depozitimeve Paleogjenike dhe Neogjenike ne Zonen e Mirdites. p. 576. Unpubl. (in Alban.)
Pashko, P., Hoxha, V., 2012. Miocene-Pleistocene sedimentary cycles and intramontane lake systems of Eastern Albania. Bul. Shkenc. Gjeol. 90 Vjet Gjeologji Shqiptare. Abstract. F. 69. Tirane.
Pashko, P., Hoxha, V., Milushi, I., 2013a. The Miocene-Pleistocene sedimentary cycles of Eastern Albania. 5thIntern. Workshop of the Neogene from the Central and South-Eastern Europe. Abstract Submissions. Varna. Bulgaria.
Pashko, P., Hoxha, V., Milushi, I., 2013b. Stratigraphy and evolution of the Miocene-Pleistocene intramontaine Basins of Eastern Albania. Abstract Submissions, p.18.RCMNS 14th Congress. Istambul. Turkey.
Pashko P., Milushi I., Hoxha, V., 2017. The Messinian evaporites of the Preadriatic Foreland Basin (Albania). JNTS 2017 93-103.
Pavlides, S., 1989. Suggested definition of neotectonics. Terra Nova, Vol. 1, Issue 3, pp. 233-235.
Pavlides, S. Mountrakis, D., 1987. Extensional tectonics of northwestern Macedonia, Greece, since the late Miocene. Journ. Struct. Geology, Vol. 9, No 4, pp. 355 to 392..
Reicherter, K., Hoffmann, N., Lindhorst. K., Krastel-Gudegast, S., Fernandez-Steeger, T., Wiatr T., 2011. Active basins and neotectonics: morphotectonics of the Lake Ohrid Basin (FYROM and Alb ania), ZDGG, submitted, 2010.
Roveri, M., Vinicio, M., Gennari, R., Iaccarinno, S.M., Lugli. S., 2008. Recent advancements in the Messinian stratigraphy of Italy and their Mediterranean-scale implications. Bolletino Societa Paleontologica Italiana, 47 (2), 71-85.
Samoilovich, S.R., 1958. K voprosu ob izmineniyah rastitelnogo pokrova Zapadnih Balkan vverhnetreticnoe vremya. Doklady AN SSSR, tom 120,nr. 3.
Steenbrink, J., van Vugt, N., Kloosterboer-van Hoeve, M. L., Hilgen ,F. J., 2000. Refinement of the Messinian APTS from sedimentary cycle patterns in the lacustrine Lava Section (Servia Basin) NW Greece. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 181, 161-173.
Steenbrink, J., Hilgen F. J., Krijgsman W., Wijbrans J. R., Meulenkamp,I. E., 2006. Late Miocene to Early Pliocene history of the eintramontane Florina-Ptolemais-Servia Basin, NW Greece. Interfplay between ofrbital focing and tectonics. Palaeogeograpbhy, Palaeochlimatology, Palaeocology, vol. 238, Isuue 1-4, pages 151-178.
Shehu, R., Shallo, M., Kodra, A.,Vranai, A., Melo, V., Aliaj, Sh., Gjata, K., Gjata, Th., Yzeiri, D., Bakiaj, H., Xhomo, A., Pirdeni, A., Pashko, P., 1990. Gjeologjia e Shqiperise. Shtepia Botuese “8 Nentori” Tirane 1990, 306 p.
Tagari, Dh., 1988. Etat des connessances sur l’ evolution structurale recente de la chaine Alpine en Albanie et essai de determination du regime tectonique actuel a partir des mechanisms au foyer des seisms. Diplome d’etudes approfondies de Geosience. Univ. Paris XI, Orsay, 31 pp.
Tagari, Dh., Vergely, P. Aliaj, Sh., 1993. Tectonique polyphasee plio-quaternaire en Albanie orientale (region de Korca-Pogradeci). Bull. Soc. Geol. France, 1993, t. 164, no 5, pp. 121-131.
Tershana, A., Pashko, P., 1985. Depozitime detare pliocenike ne Kalivac (Lezhe). Bul. Shkenc. Gjeol. 2, 43-53,(in Alban. Abst. in French).
Xhomo, A., Kodra, A., Xhafa, Z., Shallo, M., 2002. Monografia: “Gjeologjia e Shqipërisë”. Botim i Sherbimit Gjeologjik Shqiptar Tirane, f. 464.
