Formation and tectonic evolution of structural slices in eastern Kargi Massif (Corum, Turkiye)

Abstract

The closure of Tethys Ocean has led to shaping the Central Pontides together with different types of rocks. In the east of Kargi (Gokcedogan), which is located in the Central Pontides, allochthonous rocks of Late Palaeozoic- Early Cenozoic age and autochthonous units exist together, and allochthonous rocks present various tectono-stratigraphical sequences. Distinctive tectonic slices developed in the area as a consequence of the thrusting of the Permian carbonates from the north towards the south over the Middle Jurassic accretionary Complex (Kunduz Metamorphites) that form the basement of the area, and also because of the thrusting of the units of the Kirazbasi Complex (ophiolitic melange) and Mesozoic carbonate rocks over this basement from the south towards the north because of the closure of Tethys Ocean. This paper presents whole-rock geochemical data, which suggest that the metabasites and the ophiolitic basalts are tholeiitic. The Jurassic metabasites from the Kunduz Unit and basalts from ophiolitic melange are characterized by the mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB) and within plate tholeiites. This paper highlights the occurrence of the tectonic slices in the area is closely related to the tectonic evolution of the Tethys Ocean.