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Titelbild: The world at Middle Eocene Times and the beginning of the Paratethys Realm
(POPOV et al., this volume)

Herausgeber des Sergej Valentinovich POPOV & A. Y. ROZANOV, Paleontological Institut RAS, Profsoyuznaya 123,
vorliegenden Bandes: 117868 Moscow, Russland, serg.pop@mail.ru; Fred RÖG L, Naturhistorisches Museum Wien,
Burgring 7, A­1014 Wien, Österreich; Fritz F. STEININGER, Forschungsinstitut und Naturmuseum
Senckenberg, Senckenberganlage 25, D­60325 Frankfurt; Irina G eorgievna SHCHERBA,
GEON­Centre of Geophysical and G eoecological Research, Tectonic Laboratory,
Chistiy per. 4, Str. 1, 119034 Moscow, Russland; Michal KOVAC, Comenius University,
Dept. of geology and paleontology, Faculty of Sciences, Mlynska dolina G ,
842 15 Bratislava, Slovakia

Paleontological Institut RAS, Moscow

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ISSN 0341 ­ 4116

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Cour. Forsch.-Inst. Senckenberg 250 1-46 Frankfurt a. M , 16. 09.2004

Popov, S.V., Rögl, F., Rozanov, A.Y., Steininger,

F. F., Shcherba, I. G. & Kovac, M. (Eds)

Lithological-Paleogeographic maps of Paratethys

10 Maps Late Eocene to Pliocene

Partly sponsored by European Science Foundation

 Preface

The encompassing aim of the European Science Foundation Programm "Environments and Ecosystem Dynamics of
the Eurasian Neogene (EEDEN), is the detailed analysis of the response of terrestrial ecosystems to environmental
change through the integration of multidisciplinary studies focussing on some selected, already fairly well-known
"high-resolution" time intervals in the Neogene of the Eurasian realm. These intervals are known to (a) include major
changes in the composition of terrestrial communities, (b) portray large-scale palaeogeographical reorganizations and
changes in overall environmental conditions in the terrestrial realm and (c) allow the establishment of high-resolution
stratigraphie correlations with data and interpretations pertaining to regional and global aspects of the coeval devel-
opment of marine environments. They cover ( 1 ) the latest Miocene to Early Pliocene ( H R I 1 : 7 - 4 Ma ago), ( 2 ) the
latest Middle Miocene to early Late Miocene ( H R I 2 : 1 2 - 8.5 Ma ago) and ( 3 ) the late Early to early Middle Miocene
( H R I 3 : 1 7 - 1 4 Ma ago).
The research strategy of the EEDEN - programm was realized through three corresponding, internally comprehensive,
but mutually complementary and overlapping programme components. These are the terrestrial database component,
the time-stratigraphic / palaeogeographic component, and the palaeobiological component.
One of the fundamental components, the time-stratigraphic / palaeogeographic component, needs to incorporate
the latest dates available to reconstruct the paleogeographic / palinstastic evolution of the Tethys / Mediterranean
and the Paratethys realms and to incorporate all these results in a continous sequence paleogeographic maps. Such
paleogeographic / palinstastic maps as they are published here are the base for the goals of the EEDEN programm to
reconstruct the Environments and Ecosystem Dynamics of the Eurasian Neogene. This new paleogeographic atlas is
the continuation of earlier works within the last decade presented by DERCOURT et al. 1 9 8 5 , 1 9 9 3 , 2 0 0 0 ; HAMOR (Ed.)
1988; KOVAC 2 0 0 2 ; RÖGL 1 9 9 8 ; RÖGL & STEININGER 1 9 8 3 , 1 9 8 4 ; SENES 1 9 6 0 ; STEININGER & RÖGL 1 9 8 2 , 1 9 8 4 ; STEININGER
et al. 1 9 8 5 ; ZIEGLER 1 9 9 0 .
We are grateful to the European Science Foundation and the Senckenbergische Naturforschende Gesellschaft, which
have sponsored the publication of these paleogeographic maps within the EEDEN Programm.

Fritz F. Steininger
Frankfurt am Main, Oktober 2 0 0 4
 Contents

Introduction 1

POPOV, S. V., SHCHERBA, I. G. & STOLYAROV, A. S.: M a p l : Late Eocene (P riabonian - Beloglinian) 3

POPOV, S. V., SHCHERBA, I. G. & STOLYAROV, A. S.: Map 2: Early Oligocène (Early Rupelian,

Early Kiscellian - P schekhian) 7

POPOV, S. V., SHCHERBA, I. G. & STOLYAROV, A. S.: Map 3: Late Oligocène (Chattian - Egerian - Kalmykian) 11

POPOV, S. V , SHCHERBA, I. G. & STOLYAROV, A. S.: Map 4: Early Miocene (Burdigalian, Eggenburgian,
Sakaraulian) 15
GONCHAROVA, I. G., SHCHERBA, I. G. & KHONDKARIAN, S. O.: Map 5: Early Middle Miocene
(Langhian, Early Badenian Chokrakian) 19

ILYINA, L. В., SHCHERBA, I. G. & KHONDKARIAN, S. O. & Goncharova, I. A.: Map 6: Mid Middle Miocene
(Middle Serravallian, Late Badenian, Konkian) 23

PARAMONOVA, N. P ., SHCHERBA, I. G. & KHONDKARIAN, S. O.: Map 7: Late Middle Miocene

(Late Seravallian, Sarmatian s.S., Middle Sarmatian s.l.) 27

ILYINA, L. В., SHCHERBA, I. G. & KHONDKARIAN, S. O.: Map 8: Mid Late Miocene (Late Tortonian - Early
Messinian - Early Maeotian - Late P annonian) 31

KHONDKARIAN, S. O., SHCHERBA, I. G. & POPOV, S. V.: Map 9: Latest Miocene (Late Messinian,
Early P ontian - Late P annonian) 35

KHONDKARIAN, S. O., P ARAMONOVA, N. P . & SHCHERBA, I. G.: MAP 10: Middle Late P liocene
(Piacentian - Gelasian, Late Romanian, Akchagilian) 39

References 42

Annex: Lithological-P aleogeographic maps (1-10) of Paratethys

 Introduction

The fundamental reorganization of the Tethyan Realm in the Cenozoic was caused by the African / Apulian / Arabian
- Eurasian continent - continent collision starting during the Eocene. This resulted in the uplift and emergence of
the evolving Alpine chains from the Pyrenees in the west to the Lesser Caucasus - Elburz - Kopetdagh island arcs
in the east. With respect to paleogeography, the collision resulted in the break-up of the Tethyan Realm into southern
(circum - Mediterranean) and northern (Paratethyan) domains, as well as in their strong fragmentation and an increase
in biogeographical differentiation in the course of time. From the Oligocène onward the northern domain became subject
to recurrent isolation from the Mediterranean and the world ocean.
The post-collision paleogeography and evolution of the Paratethys area from the fore-Alpine region to the Tien-
Shan and Kopetdagh are portrayed by means of ten 1 : 7 5 0 0 0 0 0 maps covering the late Eocene (Priabonian), Oligocène
( 2 maps), Miocene ( 6 maps) and late Pliocene. Each map was constructed as a palinspastic map on the relevant geo-
dynamic base ( 1 : 2 0 . 0 0 0 . 0 0 0 ) . Integrated biogeographical approach was relevant for palinspastic reconstructions of
the active Alpine Fold Belt, where the influence of plate tectonics was too severe and nap tectonics occur. The key
information on the restoration of land bridges, marine straits and gulfs was achieved from paleobiogeographical data,
since geodynamical events can hardly be reconstructed other than by the means of the areal distribution patterns of
main fossil groups.
Within the last decade several paleogeographic / palinspastic reconstructions of the Tethys and Paratethys have
been presented (DERCOURT et al. 1 9 8 5 , 1 9 9 3 , 2 0 0 0 ; RÖGL 1 9 9 8 . Previous paleogeographic researches of the Paratethys
area were very schematic (SENES 1 9 6 1 ; STEININGER, RÖGL 1 9 8 4 ; RÖGL 1 9 9 8 ) or concerned some parts of the Paratethys
only (VINOGRADOV 1 9 6 7 - 1 9 6 9 ; HAMOR (ed.) 1 9 8 8 ; ZIEGLER 1 9 9 0 ; KOVAC 2 0 0 2 ) . One major weakness of these recon-
structions was the incorporation of insufficient and incorrect data on the eastern Paratethys regions. Publications on
paleogeography of the vast regions of the Transcaspia (Turan Plate, Kazakhstan, West Siberia), folded zones of the
Greater and Lesser Caucasus, Kopetdagh, Tien-Shan and Pamir are very rare - even in Russian - and thus inacces-
sible for worldwide usage. More detailed summary works ("Atlas..." 1 9 6 1 , 1 9 6 7 ) - were compiled 4 0 years ago, and
they were based on a static picture of sediment / facies distribution. During the last decades abundant geophysical and
borehole data on unexposed strata have been collected, and mobilistic ideas, slope-slip process analysis, and methods
of palinspastic reconstructions were applied.
Compilators of the Paratethys maps are a team of paleontologists, stratigraphers, lithologist, tectonist, which had
formed during the work on "Neogene paleogeographic Atlas of Central and Eastern Europe". A more detailed set of
Paratethys maps were elaborated within the framework of the Peri-Tethys Programme ( 1 9 9 6 - 1 9 9 8 , grant 2 5 PTP, leader
S.V. POPOV), but the published results (HAMOR et al., 1 9 8 8 ; DERCOURT 2 0 0 0 ) do not reflect the entire set of collected
informations. I.G. SHCHERBA was tectonic curator for all maps. The detailed paleogeographic reconstructions of the
north Black Sea area, Ciscaucasia, Volga - Don, and Mangyshlak, prepared by lithologist A. S. STOLYAROV, have served
as a base for the Late Eocene, Oligocène, and Early Miocene Paratethys maps. All Neogene maps in the Transcaspian
part have been compiled by S.O. KHONDKARIAN, a geologist from "Aerogeologia". Malacologists and stratigraphers
from the Paleontological Institute RAS were curators of the maps: S.V. POPOV (maps 1-4), I.A. GONCHAROVA (map 5 ) ,
L.B. ILYINA (maps 6 , 8 ) , N.P. PARAMONOVA (maps 7 , 1 0 ) . Regional co-authors of the maps are Ju.I. IOSIFOVA (Paleo-Don),
M. KOVAC (West Carpathians), A. NAGYMAROSY, I. MAGYAR (Pannonian Basin), T.V. JAKUBOVSKAJA (Belorus), T.N. PIN-
CHUK (Cis-Caucasia), G. POPESCU, A. Rusu (Transylvania, S.Carpathians), B.I. PINKHASOV (Turan area for the Paleogene
maps), F. RÖGL (Hellenids, fore-Alpine Basin), A.V ZAJTSEV (Paleo-Donets), and A.S. ZASTROZHNOV (Paleo-Don). Drafts
for the Black Sea depressions were adapted from D.A. TUGOLESOV et al. ( 1 9 8 5 , 1 9 9 3 ) . Palinspastic reconstructions for
the title-pages were compiled by S.V. POPOV and I.G. SHCHERBA in collaboration with K. GÜRS (north-west Europe),
M. KOVAC (Alpine-Carpathian part), V A . KRASHENINNIKOV (North Arabia), and I.A. GONCHAROVA (map 5 ) . Computer
versions of the Paratethys maps and reconstructions were compiled by E.S. POPOVA.
Our paleogeographic research was additionally supported by the Russian Foundation for Fundamental Research
(grant 0 4 - 0 5 - 6 4 4 5 9 ) and sponsored by the Hans Raussing Foundation.
Publishing of maps in Forschungsinstitut und Naturmuseum Senckenberg became possible through the courtesy of
Prof. F.F. STEININGER, technical handling was done by P. KÖNIGSHOF.

1
POPOV et al.: Late Eocene (Priabonian - Beloglinian) 37-34 Ma
M a p 1: Late Eocene
(PRIABONIAN - BELOGLINIAN)
Time slice definition and biochronology
The mapped interval includes the entire Priabonian: the
Globigerapsis semiinvoluta - Globorotalia centralis
(PI5-17) planktic foraminifer zones, the Chiasmolithus
oamaruensis - Sphenolithus pseudoradians (NP18-20)
and the lower part of the Coccolithus subdistihus (NP21)
calcareous nannoplankton zones, the Charlesdowniella
clathrata angulosa dinocyst zone, and the Nummulites
fabiani and N. radiatus zones. The corresponding numeri-
cal ages for the lower and upper limits of the interval are
about 37 and 34 Ma, respectively (according to BERGGREN
etal. 1995).
The mapped interval for the Central Paratethys includes
the nummulitic limestones, the Bryozoa and Buda Marls
of the Hungarian Paleogene Basin, based on nummulites,
planktic foraminifer and nannoplankton data. The Cluj
Limestone and the Braby Marl of Transylvania are cor-
related with the Priabonian, based on the same groups.
Flysch deposits (up to 1500 m thickness) and the lower
part of the Sheshory Marl have a Priabonian age in the Fly-
sch Carpathians, based on the presence of Globigerapsis
tropicalis and Discoaster barbadiensis (NP 18-20).
The Beloglinian successions of the Trans-Caucasus
and Cis-Caucasus contain planktic foraminifers Globig-
erapsis tropicalis - Globoquadrina corpulenta (PI5-16)
and regional Turborotalia centralis zones, nannofossils of
the Discoaster barbadiensis zone (NP18-20); and dinocyst
Charlesdowniella clathrata angulosa Zone (KRASHENIN-
NIKOV & MUZYLEV 1975, BUGROVA et al. 1988, KRASHENIN-
NIKOV & AKHMETIEV 1996).
Paleogeography and paleoenvironments
The Priabonian North Peri-Tethys was one of the most
spacious and the last semi-open Paleogene basin of West
Eurasia. It was connected via the Pripyat Strait with the
North Sea Basin, which had no connection to the Atlantic
at this time. Contacts with the Tethyan Realm (Ancient
Mediterranean) took place through the Pre-Alpine and
Slovenian straits, the Central Iran Basin, and the Lesser
Caucasus Strait. The Central Dinaride Region became
dry land in the terminal Priabonian and the relict bathyal
depression moved to the Pindos - Gavrovo zone of the
Hellenides. The Burgas-Kazanlik and Varna (Kamchia)
gulfs, that occur side by side today, probably belonged
to different basins, separated by a terrestrial barrier that
extended from the Balkan Thrust Zone along the Black
Sea Anatolian coast up to the Eastern Pontides and the
Lesser Caucasus. Mammals of Central Asian origin (an-
thracothere association) could migrate along this land up
to Southern Bulgaria, Slovenia and Transylvania.
4
The vast West Siberian Sea was an effective barrier for
the Asian terrestrial vertebrate invasions. Marine connec-
tion of this sea with the Arctic Basin had been lost before
Late Eocene time.
Alpine - Carpathian Basin
The deep-water part of the Paleogene Alpine-Carpathian
Basin represented a system of deep troughs of the Rhe-
nodanubian - Magura zone and the Crosno - Moldavian
zone (the Dukla, Silesian, Subsilesian, Skiba, Tarcau, etc.
troughs), situated to the northeast, separated in the southern
areas by highs (cordilleras) that occasionally overhung
as emergent islands the water. Flysch sediments of small
thickness accumulating in these troughs were penetrated
by thick sandy cones and turbidity currents from the cordil-
leras and adjacent platform. Toward the second half of the
Late Eocene, the bottom topography in the central areas of
the Alpine-Carpathian Basin was partly flattened by sedi-
ments and carbonate sedimentation took place (Sheshory
marly deposition). The flysch basin in the Carpathians was
about 2 0 0 - 5 0 0 km wide (e.g. BALDI 1 9 8 6 , KOVAC et al.
2 0 0 2 ) , but towards the end of the Late Eocene, sediments
in the southern areas of the flysch basin began to fold as
a result of drift of the East Alpine - Western Carpathian
lithosphère fragment (microplate Aleapa, sensu CSONTOS
et al. 1 9 9 2 ) in the northeasterly direction along the sys-
tem of transform faults (BALLA 1 9 8 4 , NAGYMAROSY 1 9 9 0 ,
CSONTOS e t a l . 1 9 9 2 ) .
The southern margin of the Outer Carpathian flysch
sea was represented by two deep-water basins (the Cen-
tral Carpathian Paleogene Basin and the Szolnok flysch
basin). In the Eocene - earliest Oligocène, the Hungarian
Paleogene Buda Basin was open towards the Ligurian part
of the Ancient Mediterranean Region (BALDI 1 9 8 6 ) , and
represented the northern part of the Apulian shelf zone. The
Transylvanian shelf areas with their biogenic calcareous
sedimentation were probably connected with the shal-
low-water Fore-Rhodopian and Macedonian basins via
the Moravian Zone in Serbia. The Fore-Carpathian Shelf
Sea was open in the east towards the Greater Caucasian
(Beloglinian) Basin.
Greater Caucasus - Turan Basin (Beloglinian)
The deep-water basin system was divided into the West-
ern Black Sea, the Eastern Black Sea, and the Greater
Caucasus domains by the Andrusov and Shatsky ridges
(SHCHERBA 1 9 9 3 ) . In the central parts of the Black Sea
depression, up to 3 0 0 - 5 0 0 m of clayey sediments were
deposited during the (undivided) Paleocene - Eocene,
as can be inferred from seismic surveys (TUGOLESOV et
al. 1 9 8 5 ) . Flysch sequences were accumulated in the
Adzharo-Trialetic areas of the Eastern Black Sea domain
(Tbilisi Flysch, up to 1 0 0 0 m). The modern South Caspian

Depression is a relict of a deep, steep-walled trough of the
Greater Caucasus - Kopetdagh Basin. Primary width of
the trough was more then 2 0 0 km (SHCHERBA 1 9 9 3 , KOPP
& SHCHERBA 1 9 9 8 ) .
The southern border of the Beloglinian Basin was
a chain of islands, which included the Pontian, Lesser
Caucasus, and Elburz-Kopetdagh uplifts, belonging to the
southern part of a former Mesozoic island arc. The islands
of Lesser Caucasus - South Elburz were of volcanic origin.
Sandy - carbonate facies with Nummulites accumulated
on the Transcaucasian southern shelf. The composition
of the biota shows a strong Tethyan influence in the early
Priabonian, then a sudden impoverishment occurred in
the second half, which, together with invasions of Central
Asian vertebrates, indicates the formation of a continental
barrier between the Tethyan and Paratethyan realms.
Biogenic marly sediments with rich age-diagnostic
planktic fauna and flora (forams, nannofossils) were accu-
Cour. Forsch.-Inst. Senckenberg, 250, 2004
mulated in the deep-water shelf area (up to a few hundred
meters) of the Scythian Sea, the south-western parts of the
Turan sea, and in the Transcaucasian area (Kura Depres-
sion). The marls belong to the Globigerapsis tropicalis
regional zone. Clastic - mainly clayey - sediments were
deposited in the shallow shelf zone of the Scythian and
Turan seas which can be followed to the Turgaj, West
Siberia, Fergan-Tadjic and Tarim regions. Sands had
very limited distribution in the Beloglinian Basin (South
Ukraine, North Aral).
The north-eastern succession yields abundant but low
diversity associations of benthic foraminifers, ostracods,
and mollusks, with half of the species being endemic for
the Turanian Province. The Tarim Basin was an eastern gulf
of the Turan Sea in the early Priabonian, but later marine
sedimentation came to an end in the basin. The Elburz
- Kopetdagh land was an effective southern barrier of the
Turan Sea at least from the Mid Eocene.
5
POPOV et al.: Early Oligocène (Early Rupelian, Early Kiscellian - Pschekhian)
Map 2: Early Oligocène
(Early RUPELIAN,
Early KISCELLIAN - PSCHEKHIAN)
Time slice definition and biochronology
The Eocene/Oligocene boundary is taken by present
authors as a boundary between the Priabonian and the
Rupelian, the base of which is marked in the Paratethys
by the appearance of planktic foraminifers of the Glo-
bigerina tapuriensis Zone (PI8), within the Coccolithus
subdistichus nannoplankton Zone (NP21) (CAVELIER &
POMEROL 1986). The mapped interval - early Rupelian
s.l. - is roughly equivalent to the planktic foraminiferal
zone P I 8 and includes the upper part of the calcareous
nannoplankton zone NP21 and the entire NP22. The
corresponding numerical ages for the lower and upper
limits of the interval are about 34 and 32 Ma, respectively
(BERGGREN e t a l . 1995).
The mapped interval for the Central Paratethys is the
early Kiscellian. In the Hungarian Paleogene Basin - a
stratotypic area for the Kiscellian - the Tard Clay Member
without its uppermost part ("Cardium lipoldi beds") is of
early Rupelian age, based on planktic foraminifer (PI8)
and nannoplankton (NP21, 22) data (BALDI et al. 1984,
NAGYMAROSY & BALDI-BEKE 1988). Sandy calcareous
deposits of the Hoia and Mera beds with benthic fauna
of Tethyan affinity are the facial analogues of the lower
Kiscellian in Transylvania.
In the Carpathian Flysch Basin, the upper part of the
Sheshory Marl as well as the Subchert and Chert members
are of early Rupelian age; only the latter two members are
represented on the paleogeographic map. These deposits
belong to NP22 nannoplankton zone and Wetzeliella sym-
metrica (D13b) dinocyst Subzone (ANDREYEVA-GRIGOROVICH
et al. 1986, KRHOVSKY et al. 1993). In the Pre-Alpine Foredeep,
the lower Marine Molasse (UMM) is the mapped interval, in
spite of its wider stratigraphie position based on planktic fo-
raminifers (P17-P20), nannoplankton (from NP21 to NP24),
dinocyst and mammal data (BERGER 1992, 1996).
The Pshekhian Regiostage is the mapped unit in the
Eastern Paratethys. Its basal part contains the Globigerina
tapuriensis (PI8), Coccolithus subdistichus (NP21), and
Phthanoperidinium amoenum (D13a) zones (KRASHENIN-
NIKOV & AKHMETIEV 1996). The middle part of the stage
includes nannoplankton of the Helicopontosphaera
reticulata Zone (NP22) and the dinocyst Wetzeliella sym-
metrica Subzone (Dl3b). The upper part is characterized
by dinocysts of the Wetzeliella gochtii Zone (D14a) and
nannoplankton of the NP22-23 transitional interval.
Magnetostratigraphy provides a good control for the
Pshekhian sequence (MOLOSTOVSKII & KHRAMOV 1997,
KUNAEV 1990), because it belongs almost entirely to a
reversed polarity zone (C 12r, according to BERGGREN et al.
1995) with three normally magnetized subzones (C13n)
in the earliest Pshekhian.
8
Paleogeography and paleoenvironments
The effects of the African - Arabian - Eurasian collision,
uplifting in the Alpine Foldbelt, and eustatic sea-level
drop at the terminal Eocene caused the separation of the
northern basins from the Tethyan Realm. From the begin-
ning of the Oligocène these intercontinental domains with
spécifie paleo- and biogeography, hydrological regime,
and dynamics of sedimentation were collectively named
the Paratethys (LASKAREV 1924, BALDI et al. 1980) The
Paratethys was subdivided into the Central European (Al-
pine-Carpathian) and the Euxinian-Caspian basins.
The isolation of the Paratethys along with the terminal
Eocene cooling and changes to mesophilic humid climatic
conditions with intensive runoff, as well as deepening of
the basin bottom, led to thermohaline water stratification
and to a primarily estuarine water circulation pattern,
eventually resulting in recurrent episodes of stagnation
and, consequently, accumulation of dysoxic to anoxic
sediments. Such sediments were predominant during the
Oligocène and Early Miocene and referred to as "mayko-
pian and menilitic fades" in the Paratethys (from the
beginning of NP22).
Alpine-Carpathian Basin
At the beginning of the Oligocène, specific marine con-
ditions existed in the central deep part of the basin, with
condensed suboxic sedimentation (up to 10-15 m). Later
hydrothermal activity and embedding of biogenic elements
(phosphorus, nitrogen) led to explosive diatom and/or
nannoplankton growth (near the NP22/23 boundary, lower
Chert level). Monospecific composition of the diatom and
nannoplankton flora reflects the onset of brackish condi-
tions. High turbiditic activity indicates steep slopes of the
Carpathian Trough.
The Central Carpathian Paleogene Basin was part of the
eastern Alcapa shelf. The Harshegy Sandstone was accu-
mulated in the shallow part, whereas the anoxic Tard Clay
with andesitic tuff sublayers was deposited in the deeper
part of this shelf. The basin was episodically connected
with the North Italy Basin via the Slovenian corridor, but
biogeographically the influence of the North Sea Basin
was stronger (BALDI 1986, NAGYMAROSY 1990).
The Transylvanian Basin with sandy - calcareous
sedimentation in its shallow part (Hoia and Mera beds)
was part of the Apuseni Shelf. Biogeographical data in-
dicate its connection with the Fore-Rhodopian Basin of
the Tethyan Realm.
Shallow-water sandy-clayey sediments of the narrow
northern shelf were preserved in the Pre-Alpine Foredeep
and are known in turbidite composition only in the Car-
pathian Flysch Basin.

Eastern Paratethys
After the terminal Eocene regression, a new transgression
took place at the beginning of the Oligocène. According
to biogeographical data, the main connection of the basin
with the open sea was in the west, towards the North Sea
Basin.
Dysoxic clayey facies, which reflects a hydrogen
sulfide poisoning, was very typical for the deep part of
the Maykopian Basin during Oligocène - Early Miocene.
These conditions led to the accumulation of dissolved
manganese in the sulphidic zone and its subsequent
precipitation on the shelf. Varna (NE Bulgaria), Nikopol
(South Ukraine), Chiatura (West Georgia), and Mangysh-
lak are localities with commercial amounts of manganese
sedimentary ores (second part of NP22, D13b Wetzeliella
simmetrica Subzone).
The northern part of the Eastern (Maykopian) Para-
tethys was occupied by a spacious shallow shelf zone with
coarser clastic sedimentation. It was separated from the
Cour. Forsch.-Inst. Senckenberg, 250, 2004
deep Black Sea - Great Caucasus - South Caspian depres-
sions by a system of islands and shallows stretching from
the Ukrainian Shield to the highs of Mangyshlak and North
Ustjurt. The paleobotanical and paleozoological evidence
shows a gradual change from a xerophytic subtropical
climate to a temperate mesophilic one.
The Western Great Caucasus (Lagonaki), Dzirul and
(?) Crimea Islands occupied isolated positions in the mid-
dle part of the Maykopian basin. The Pontides, Lesser
Caucasus, and Elburz were an uplifting system, which
separated the Eastern Paratethys from the Tethyan Realm.
The narrow southern shelf extended along this land.
The next period of the early Oligocène Paratethys his-
tory (NP23, D14a Wetzeliella gochtii subzone) was con-
nected to the first separation of the basin from the world
ocean and a consequent reduction of salinity.
9
POPOV et al.: Late Oligocène (Chattian - Egerian - Kalmykian)
Map 3: Late Oligocène
(CHATTIAN - EGERIAN - KALMYKIAN)
Time slice definition and biochronology
The mapped interval includes the entire Chattian and
covers a time-window from about 30 to 24 Ma. In fully
oceanic successions the Chattian corresponds to the Glo-
borotalia opima opima (P2 lb) and Globigerina ciperoensis
(P22) zones. The Chattian stratotype area (NW Germany)
is characterized by the upper part of the nannoplankton
zone NP24 and zone NP25, planktic foraminifer zone
P22 and presence of Lepidocyclina morgani, Miogypsina
septemtrionalis, dinocysts belong to the upper part of the
Chiropteridium partispinatum zone, or zones D14b, D15
(POMEROL 1981).
The time-equivalents of the Chattian in the Central
Paratethys are the Upper Kiscellian and the Lower Ege-
rian; however, only the Egerian is represented on the
map. The marly clay of the Egerian Formation contains
nannoplankton of the upper part of NP24 and NP25 zones,
and Globorotalia opima opima and Miogypsina septem-
trionalis forams (NAGYMAROSY & BALDI-BEKE 1988). In
Transylvania, most of the Vima Formation, the Buzach
Sandstone and its time-equivalents belong to the Chat-
tian, based on nannoplankton and planktic foraminifers
(POPESCU et al. 1996).
The Middle Menilites (Lopjanica), lower Crosno,
Zdanice - Hustopece and Pucioasa Formations of the
Carpathian successions contain a similar upper Oligocène
microfauna and phytoplankton (CICHA et al. 1971, A N -
DREEVA-GRIGOROVICH et al. 1986, KRHOVSKY et al. 1993,
POPESCU et al. 1996).
The Middle Maykopian Subseries of the Pre-Caucasus
is correlated with the upper Oligocène, based on nanno-
plankton (NP24, NP25 - data of J.Krhovsky) and dinocysts
(AKHMETIEV et al. 1995).
Most of the Kalmykian Suite of the Volga - Don area
is the type of the Kalmykian Regiostage of the Eastern
Paratethys (POPOV et al. 1993) and corresponds to the
Chattian. The Karatomakian and Baigubekian suites of
the Turan part are time-equivalents of the Kalmykian and
Chattian, based on of the Spiroplectammina terekensis
- Elphidium onerosum benthic foraminifer local zone,
mollusk associations with Chlamys bifida (zonal species
of the Chattian A), and Cerastoderma prigorovskii, and
Chiropteridium partispinatum dinocyst Zone.
Paleogeography and paleoenvironments
After the Solenovian episode, when the entire Paratethys
was characterised by brackish salinities and endemic biota,
connections with the world ocean opened again and a
marine regime was re-established in the late Oligocène.
Biogeographical data indicate that marine connections
12
existed towards the North Sea Basin. According to BERGER
(1996) and SISSINGH (1997) the Western Paratethys had a
temporal marine connection via the Rhine Graben System,
although from other data the graben only had brackish
conditions during that time. The Central Paratethys was
connected with the Mediterranean via the Slovenian cor-
ridor. The position of the marine passage to the Eastern
Paratethys, however, cannot be ascertained, because the
marine late Oligocène deposits are not easy to determine
in the Dnieper-Donets Depression and unknown in the
Pripyat and the North Poland areas, where the early Oli-
gocène strait existed.
Alpine-Carpathian Basin
The part west of the Silesian - Audia zones of the Carpathi-
an Flysch Basin was uplifted and partly emergent (BEER &
SHCHERBA 1984). Uplifting is proved by coarse-rhythmic
terrigenous flysch of the lower Crosno Formation, the
sandy facies of the Kliwa and Fusaru Formations, and
olistostromes with coarse clastic material of the foreland
area, as in the Eastern Alps, the Marmarosh and Getic
Mesozoic massifs. Presence of turbidites gives evidence
of steep slopes of the troughs.
Regression took place on the southern shelf, and coarse
clastic brackish deposits with lignite predominated in the
western part of the Hungarian and Transylvanian shelves.
Andésite volcanic activity occurred along the Peri-Adriatic
and Middle Hungarian sutures (BALLA 1984), and in de-
pressions of eastern Serbia and southern Bulgaria, whereas
in the Morava - Shumadian area lagoonal and lacustrine
coal-bearing sediments were deposited, sometimes with
acidic volcanic intercalations (ANDJELKOVIC et al. 1991).
Sandy clays and conglomerates of the north and south
shelves are known in the central - western parts of the
Pre-Carpathian and Pre-Alpine foredeeps (Lopjanica;
turbidites of Puchkirchen Beds, up to 1000 m).
Eastern Paratethys
The main bathymétrie features of the late Oligocène basin
system of the Eastern Paratethys were fairly similar to
those of the Early Oligocène. The isolation of the Para-
tethys in combination with the generally moderately warm,
humid climatic conditions and intensive runoff resulted
in an estuarine water circulation pattern and recurrent
episodes of stagnancy of parts of the water column, and,
consequently, in the accumulation of anoxic sediments.
Anoxic clayey sedimentation was predominant in the
Crimea-Caucasian-Kopetdagh deep-water environments
("maykopian facies").
The south shelf area was reduced in comparison with
the early Oligocène one. Sea regressed from the Adzharo-
Trialetic region (Akhaltsikhe) and Araks Depression. The
coarse terrigenous littoral facies are traced along the north-

ern slope of the Lesser Caucasus. Clayey deposition with
episodic intercalations of anoxic facies and sandy tubidites
continued to accumulate in the deeper shelf zone.
The Russian landmass and the Ural and Kazakhstan
Highs to the north, and the Lesser Caucasus - Elburz -
Kopetdagh uplifts to the south were the main sources of
clastic material in the Eastern Paratethys.
The northern and especially the eastern shelves expe-
rienced transgression after the late Solenovian regressive
phase. Clayey sedimentation without age-diagnostic
fossils and benthic remains predominated in the outer
shelf area. Specific planktic dinocyst associations testify
anoxic influences even into the photic zone. The Terek-
Mangyshlak and Indol-Kuban deepest shelf depressions
were filled up by clastic material, showing clinoformic
geometry, and attaining up to 1000-2000 m thickness, as
can be inferred from seismic surveys (KUNIN et al. 1989).
Condensed deposition with abundant fish remains was
typical for the northern border of the Terek-Mangyshlak
Cour. Forsch.-Inst. Senckenberg, 250, 2004
Depression. Exploitable concentrations of uranium and
rare-earth elements were associated with these facies in
the Volga-Don and Mangyshlak districts.
Sandy-silty accumulation with scanty euryhaline ben-
thic fauna prevailed in the shallow zone. The Cerastoderma
prigorovskii - Lenticorbula helmerseni mollusk asso-
ciation and the Elphidium onerosum - Cibicides ornatus
benthic foraminifer assemblage were very characteristic
for the entire northern and eastern shelf zone in the late
Kalmykian time.
The Turanian domain was an area of mainly shallow
shelf accumulation. Movements along the Amudarja
and Western Aral regional fault systems controlled the
facies distribution and thickness of the marine sequences.
Reddish sandy - silty successions with evaporites were
deposited in the Kyzylkum bay and in the eastern part
of the Fore-Kopetdagh bay. The Karatau, Tien-Shan, and
Kopetdagh were the main positive topographic features
of the eastern border.
13
POPOV et al.: Early Miocene (Burdigalian - Eggenburgian - Sakaraulian)
M a p 4: Early Miocene
(BURDIGALIAN - EGGENBURGIAN
- SAKARAULIAN)
Time slice definition and biochronology
The mapped interval covers a time-window from about
2 0 . 5 to 19.0 Ma and correlates with the early Burdigal-
ian. It is characterized by nannoplankton associations of
the upper part of N N 2 and the lower part of N N 3 . These
zones can be recognized in the warm-water, fully marine
sequences of the Central Paratethys, which allows cor-
relation of the Early Burdigalian with the Eggenburgian
regional stage (STEININGER et al. 1 9 8 5 , NAGYMAROSY &
MÜLLER 1 9 8 8 ) . The Boudky and Poljanica formations
and the lower part of the Upper Crosno Formation are
time-equivalents of the Eggenburgian in the Carpathian
Basin as well as the Upper Marine Molasse (OMM) of the
Pre-Alpine Foredeep (BERGER 1 9 9 2 ) . More scanty paleon-
tological data are available for the Sakaraulian regiostage
of the Eastern Paratethys. Correlation of the Sakaraulian
with the Eggenburgian is based on mollusk data from the
Georgian sections of the mid-Kura Stratotypic region. At
the same time, the overlying Kozahurian sequences are
certainly correlated with the upper Ottnangian, based on
the common brackish endemic fauna (POPOV & VORONINA
1 9 8 3 ) , so the Sakaraulian may correspond to a broader
interval (Eggenburgian - early Ottnangian).
Paleogeography and paleoenvironments
As in the Oligocène, most of the successive Early Miocene
deep-water environments were characterized by clayey
sedimentation under dysoxic to anoxic conditions, asso-
ciated with an estuarine circulation system. Rich shallow
benthic warm-water fauna, diverse planktic associations
as well as floristic data from the shallow Inner-Carpathian
basins and southern part of Transcaucasia reflect the cli-
matic optimum of the mid Early Miocene.
Alpine-Carpathian Basin
The Eggenburgian was transgressive in the Pannonian
and Pre-Alpine parts. Sedimentological evidence from the
mainly sandy shallow-water deposits as well as the rich
fossil associations testify fully marine conditions, and high
tidal activity (SZTANO 1 9 9 4 ) proves a free connection to
the Mediterranean via the Pre-Alpine passage.
Silty-clayey and turbiditic sequences were accumu-
lated in the deepest part of the Outer Carpathian "residual
flysch trough" (Crosno and Silesian zones). At the same
time, most of the Carpathian Basin became an area of
carbonate clastic deposition. These facies successions may
reflect not only shallowing, but warming and development
16
of an anti-estuarine (Mediterranean) circulation system as
well (KRHOVSKY et al. 1 9 9 3 ) .
Eastern Paratethys
After a widespread, short-term transgression at the begin-
ning of the Miocene, regressive tendencies became pre-
dominant in the domains of the Eastern Paratethys. This
is especially evident in the northern parts of the Eastern
Paratethys, i.e., in the southern Ukrainian area and in the
Volga - Don, Pre-Caspian, Ustjurt and Aral regions.
Clays, rich in organic matter and pyrite, continued
to accumulate in the outer shelf areas and in depressions
during the Early Miocene (including the Sakaraulian). The
supposedly time-equivalent, rich and diversified shallow-
water mollusk associations from the southern part of the
Transcaucasus area, as well as the time-equivalent benthic
foraminifers and fish associations from the Crimea and
Pre-Caucasus include Indo-Pacific immigrants, presently
inhabiting tropical-subtropical seas (mollusks such as
Fragum, Plagiocardium, or the fish genus Alepes). Salin-
ity was nearly euhaline. Palynological evidence from the
Sakaraulian stratotype area indicates an increase in sub-
tropical and exotic elements (L.A. PANOVA, pers. comm.).
Arid floral elements (e.g. Ephedra) from deposits which
accumulated at the eastern margin of the Eastern Parateth-
yan realm, indicate seasonal climatic conditions including
dry summers (AKHMETIEV in POPOV et al. 1 9 9 3 ) .
The Early Miocene bathymétrie contours of the central
area of the Eastern Paratethys were like the Oligocène ones
(SHCHERBA 1 9 9 3 ) ; the deepest parts of the basin correspond
to the Western Black Sea, Eastern Black Sea and Greater
Caucasus - South Caspian depressions.
A narrow, elongated southern shelf zone extended from
Western Georgia towards Eastern Azerbaijan. As a result of
continuing uplift of the Lesser Caucasus, Talysh and Elburz
chains, sandy sedimentation prevailed in the Transcaucasus
southern shelf. Rich and diverse benthic associations (more
than 1 0 0 species of bivalves) are known from sandy and
gravely sediments of Central Georgia.
The Eastern European platform, including the Pre-
Caspian area, became emergent during the interregional
regression. The major positive topographic features, which
acted as provenance areas for clastic supply, included the
Ural Mountains, the Pre-Ural Highland, and the Ukrainian
and Donets lands. The Dnieper-Donets and Pripyat depres-
sions were transformed into alluvial plains with lakes.
The Scythian Plate continued to represent the northern
shelf of the Eastern Paratethys. Its northern, shallow-water
areas were subject to sand and silt deposition. The Terek-
Mangyshlak Depression developed from a very deep shelf
basin with condensed sedimentation into a region beyond
shallow-water shelf deposition. Outer shelf depositional
environments existed at the southern part of the Scythian
Plate. The deep shelf conditions as expressed in the deposi-
tion of dysoxic clays prevailed in the northern Crimea area

and in the Fore-Caucasian basin. The Indol-Kuban Depres­
sion represented the deepest part of the northern shelf areas
of the Eastern Paratethys, where "Upper Maykopian" (i.e.,
undivided lower Miocene) sequences reach thicknesses
of up to 1 0 0 0 - 1 5 0 0 meters. Coeval uplift of the Central
Caucasus resulted in an increased supply of clastic mate­
rial into the Fore-Caucasian Basin (Laba sands, siltstones
of the Olginskaja Suite).
In the northern shelf areas overall sedimentary changes
occurred from accumulation of muds towards deposition
of sands and silts during the Sakaraulian. Concurrently,
the oxygenation of bottom water improved and, conse­
quently, benthic communities diversified and inhabited
newly established biotopes.
Shallow seas occupied the northern (Ustjurtian and Pre-
Aralian) parts of the Turan Plate during the beginning and
the later part (Kozahurian or "Rzehakia time") of the Early
Miocene. In between, i. е., during the Sakaraulian, conti­
nental environments prevailed in these areas. In contrast,
marine, sandy to clayey Sakaraulian deposits accumulated
Cour. Forsch.-Inst. Senckenberg, 250, 2004
in the South Mangyshlak, Karakum and Fore-Kopetdagh
domains. In the South Mangyshlak Basin a change from
shallow-water into deep-water shelf environments oc­
curred (STOLYAROV data in POPOV & STOLYAROV 1 9 9 6 ) . The
Karakum - Fore-Kopetdagh Gulf was separated from the
main basin systems of the Eastern Paratethys by the large
Tuarkyr Island. Farther to the east, shallow-water elastics
accumulated in the Fore-Kopetdagh Gulf. In this basin
the middle part of the Aktepe Sands were dated as Saka­
raulian (VORONINA et al. 1 9 9 3 ) . Source area of the sands
was the Kopetdagh Land. Only the northwestern part of
the Kopetdagh area was submerged. It was a deep shelfal
depression where anoxic clayey deposition continued.
The lowlands and continental depressions of southern
West Siberia, Turgaj, South Kazakhstan, Tien Shan and
Tadjik regions together constituted a paleogeographic
complex comprising large fresh-water lakes ("Great
Lake Time"), in which mostly clayey, reddish sediments
accumulated.
17
GONCHAROVA et al.: Early Middle Miocene (Langhian, Early Badenian, Chokrakian)
M a p 5: Early Middle Miocene
(LANGHIAN, Early BADENIAN,
CHOKRAKIAN)
Time slice definition and biochronology
The mapped interval includes the Early Badenian of the
Central Paratethys and the Chokrakian of the Euxinian
­ Caspian Basin; they are roughly correlated with the
Langhian (see stratigraphie scheme). Alternatively, the
Early Badenian was proposed to correlate mainly with the
Tarkhanian based on NN5 nannoplankton identified in the
lower Badenian as well as in the Tarkhanian (RÖG L 1998,
ANDREYEVA­ G RIG OROVICH & SAVITSKAYA 2000). However,
Helicosphaera ampliaperta, a zonal species of NN4,
was recorded in both the middle and upper units of the
Tarkhanian (NOSOVSKY & BOG DANOVICH 1984, KONENKOVA
& BOG DANOVICH 1994). In addition, from the lower Upper
Tarkhanian ZAPOROZHETS (1999) identified an assemblage
of dinocysts correlatable with the Karpatian and Burdi­
galian, including Tuberculodinium vancampoae (index
species of the lower Miocene Subzone VII b), Hys trichos -
phaeropsis obs cura and Lingulodinium machaerophorus.
Like the Karpatian, the lower Tarkhanian also includes
a marine mollusk association with inherited Rzehakia.
That is why we correlate at least the lower half of the
Tarkhanian with the lower Miocene and the Karpatian,
and the Chokrakian with the lower Badenian (except for
the lowermost part of the latter).
The lower boundary of the lower Badenian (Moravian),
like that of the Langhian, is marked by the first appearance
of Praeorbulina glomeros a, dated at about 16,4 Ma (BERG ­
GREN et al. 1995, MEULENKAMP et al. 2000). Regional cor­
relation within the Central Paratethys is based on planktic
(P. glomerosa and Orbulina s uturalis Zones) and benthic
foraminifers (lower and upper Lagenid subzones: G RILL
1941, CICHA et al. 1998). In the Alpine foredeep, the lower
part of the Upper Freshwater Molasse (О SM) is correlated
with the lower Karpatian ­ Badenian based on mammals
(uppermost MN4­MN5).
The Eastern Paratethys Chokrakian is clearly subdivided
into lower and upper substages (Zuk and Bryk beds). The
lower Chokrakian is marked by the local Ts chokrakella
caucasica benthic foraminifer zone and characterized by
a marine mollusk association with Aequipecten varnen s si ,
Ervilia praepodolica, and Cerithium cattleyae. The upper
Chokrakian is characterized by impoverished associations of
benthic foraminifers (Florilus parvus Zone) and mollusks.
Paleogeography and paleoenvironments
After the late Burdigalian paleogeographic and paleoen­
vironmental reorganization, oceanization of the Western
Mediterranean basin continued; the Sardo­Corsican block
20
rotated counterclockwise about 45 degrees (MEULENKAMP
et al. 2000). The Aegean area experienced large­scale
south­westward directed thrusting. The Arabian platform
experienced major transgression during first part of the
Mid Miocene. The northern part of the G ulf of Suez
­ Red Sea rift system was open but an emerged isthmus
probably still separated it from the basins of the southern
rift system.
Alpine ­ Carpathian ­ Pannonian domains
In the terminal Burdigalian, the northvergent thrusting of
the Eastern Alps ended. Marine deposition in the Fore­Al­
pine molasse basin persisted only near the Rhone graben
(Valence Basin). Uplift of the southern margin of the Bo­
hemian massif led to its paleogeographic isolation from
the Central Paratethys. The Alpine thrust front persisted
in activity, and coarse clastic fan material was deposited
along the Alpine margin.
Folding and thrusting in the Outer Carpathians led to
the development of a new active thrust front, resulting in
about 60% shortening of this part of the basin (OSZCZYPKO
& SLACZKA 1985). In the Carpathian foredeep a sharp
decrease in average accumulation and subsidence rates
accompanied with lateral eastward migration of foreland
depocentres and opening of the Pannonian back­arc
basin system took place (MEULENKAMP et al. 1996). The
so­called "Tegel" facies (sand­free calcareous clays) was
most abundant in the lower Badenian. Sands with very rich
mollusk assemblages and algal­bryozoan limestones were
deposited in coastal areas along the northern and eastern
margins of the basin.
In the Pannonian domains, the deepest early Badenian
depocentres developed in the Great Hungarian Plain area,
Drava and Sava basins (transitional area from Tisza mi­
croplate to Dinarides), and in the western parts of the
Apuseni region (MEULENKAMP et al. 1996). Beginning
of the orogenic compression is marked by the uplift of
Apuseni, Mecsek, Transdanubian Central Range, a cycle
of paralic brown coals, and by andésite volcanism (up
to 3000 m, Central Hungarian line, northern Hungary
­ southern Slovakia).
Euxinian ­ Caspian Basin
The basin bottom experienced sharp differentiation pos­
sibly associated with the Styrian orogenic phase. It caused
uplift of the axial zone of the Eastern Paratethys including
emergence of the Caucasus archipelago. The resulting
relief enhancement led to slope instability and subsequent
deposition of coarse­grained terrigenous elastics, including
turbidites (SHCHERBA 1993).
The early Chokrakian sequences are transgressive,
particularly in the northern and eastern parts of the basin
system. Irrespective of the regional transgression, con­

nections with the world ocean became more restricted.
Early Chokrakian exchange of water masses with the
Mediterranean realm and Mesopotamian Basin probably
occurred via the mid-Araksian corridor and through basins
in Iran, eastern Turkey and NW Syria (GONCHAROVA 1989,
GONCHAROVA & SHCHERBA 1997, GONCHAROVA et al. 2 0 0 1 ,
2002). The prevalence of marine environments with fluc-
tuating salinities changed in later Chokrakian time into a
semi-marine (<15%o) regime with impoverished euryhaline
faunas. In mid-Chokrakian time an unstable land bridge
intermittently connected the Greater Caucasus island with
Asia Minor and Africa, thus permitting immigration of
African mammals {Orycteropus, Kubanochoerus) into the
Euxinian - Caspian Basin (ZHEGALLO in GONCHAROVA &
SHCHERBA 1997). The Chokrakian climate was probably
subtropical with warm-water mollusks (GONCHAROVA
1989), mesophylic subtropical floral elements and, locally,
mangrove-type vegetation, all indicative of the "second
Miocene climatic optimum" (AKHMETIEV 1993) persisting
from the Tarkhanian into the Chokrakian. Relatively arid
Cour. Forsch.-Inst. Senckenberg, 250, 2004
conditions existed in the Trancaspian domain, as evidenced
by the vast distribution of evaporites and reddish-colored
elastics.
The deepest parts of the northern shelf of the Euxin-
ian-Caspian Basin were the West Kuban and the southern
part of Terek-Caspian depressions. In the Kobystan - South
Caspian depression, deep water environments were re-
tained only east of the Lazarevskoe-Kobystan trough. The
southern shelf showed deep water deposits in the Iori-Kura
depression. Algal-bryozoan reefs developed on the top
of escarpments. In the Transcaspian domain, in addition
to the North Ustjurt and Fore-Kopetdagh depressions of
pre-Chokrakian age, the North-Caspian, South Mangysh-
lak and a few depressions in the South Aral - Kopetdagh
region were formed anew.
The Russian Highland and the Ural High were the main
positive topographic features in the Chokrakian. The Rus-
sian Highland was drained by the Paleo-Don, whereas the
Paleo-Donets drained the Dnieper-Donets Lowland.
21
ILYINA et al.: Mid Middle Miocene (Middle Serravallian, Late Badenian, Konkian)

M a p 6: Mid Middle Miocene Marine sedimentation continued in the back-arc ba-

(Middle SERRAVALLIAN, Late BADENIAN, sins. The East Slovakian Basin was connected with the
Transylvanian Basin through the Transcarpathian depres-
KONKIAN)
sion, and all these basins were connected with the central
Pannonian area as well. In Transylvania and in front of
the eastern Carpathians characteristic deep water pelites
Time slice definition and biochronology
with plankton (radiolarian-bearing laminites, marly clays
with Spiratella) were deposited. Part of the late Badenian
The mapped interval for the Paratethys includes the late
deep water sediments are now covered by the Carpathian
Badenian substage in the Central Paratethys and the
nappes due to the overthrusting movements.
Konkian regiostage in the Euxinian-Caspian basin sys-
Along the northern and eastern margins of the foredeep
tem. These intervals are roughly equivalent based on a
basin, on the Moldavian and Moesian platforms red-algal
common upper boundary with the Sarmatian regiostage,
limestones and detrital and sandy sediments with rich
nannoplankton of NN6-7 zones (ANDREEVA-GRIGOROVICH
coastal fauna were deposited. Thickness of the Upper
& NOSOVSKY 1976, RÖGL & MÜLLER 1976), and similar
Badenian sediments in this shallow part of the basin does
macrofossil associations and evaporite distribution in the
not exceed 80 m. Subsidence influenced a rate of sedi-
underlying middle Badenian (Wielician) and Karaganian
mentation which was most intensive in front of the central
deposits, respectively.
Carpathians and in some depressions in back-arc basins,
The local Velapertina indigena Zone with endemic
where sediment thickness attains 1000-2000 m.
species and benthic foraminifer association of the Bulimina
In the Pannonian area, the mantle diapir became ac-
- Bolivina Zone (GRILL 1941) are used for correlation of
tive and took over the decisive role in the development of
the Upper Badenian (Kosovian) sequences within the
the Pannonian area and surrounding Carpathian regions
Carpathian - Pannonian region. Regional correlation of
(VASS 1979). The upper Badenian sediments are deposited
the Konkian is based on polyhaline associations of mol-
discordantly and transgressively. Intense subsidence is
lusks (NEVESSKAYA et al. 1986, ILYINA 2000a), planktic and
significant for this period in the south part of the Great
benthic foraminifers (KRASHENINNIKOV 1959), and nanno-
Hungarian Plain and Small Hungarian Plain and 300 m to
plankton (NN6-7) (ANDREEVA-GRIGOROVICH & NOSOVSKY
500 m of predominantly clayey marls were accumulated
1976, MINASCHVILI 1992, MUZYLEV & GOLOVINA 1987)
(HALMAI in CICHA et al. 1998). Algal reef limestones and
in the lower Konkian, and on impoverished associations
sands with intercalated pelites were formed marginally.
with domination of specific euryhaline bivalve species
The late Badenian is characterized by an exceptionally
(Parvivenus konkensis, Acanthocardia andrussovi, Er-
rich polyhaline warm water fauna and flora, including
vilia pusilla trigonuld) in the upper Konkian (Veselanian
mollusks, corals, red algae, sea urchins, ostracods, and
Beds).
foraminifers. Nevertheless, on the basis of ecological
demands of the fauna and flora, a climate colder than in
the early Badenian was assumed (PLANDEROVA 1990). At
Paleogeography and paleoenvironments
the Badenian/Sarmatian boundary the fossil composition
changed abruptly and polyhaline groups disappeared.
After the late Burdigalian tectonic reorganization intense
The volcanism was stronger than in the early Badenian.
horizontal and vertical movements continued during the
Submarine andésite volcanism predominated, especially in
Serravallian, especially in the Appenine zone and in the
the south of the Apuseni Mountains, in back-arc basins, and
Southern Alps and Carpathians. Turbiditic deposition,
along the central Hungarian line in the Pannonian depres-
tectonic breccias, and synsedimentary faults testify thrust
sion. Andesitic-rhyolitic volcanics exceed thicknesses of
phenomena in the Padan foredeep, Vento Basin, and the
2000-3000 m in north Hungary - south Slovakia (HALMAI
Tuscan area. The Leitha orogenic phase further uplifted
in CICHA e t a l . 1998).
the Alpine - Carpathian - Dinarides chains. The most
intensive nappe tectonics of the Carpathian region took
place in this compressional cycle.
Euxinian-Caspian Basin

Carpathian-Pannonian realm
The lateral migration of the West Carpathian-Pan-
nonian megablock, the last space reduction in the front of
the Carpathian segment and the overthrusting of the outer
nappe fronts to their modern position took place after the
late Badenian. During the late Badenian, the Carpathian
uplift slowed down, a marine regime was renewed and a
new transgression began.
The Konkian basin system extended from northeast Bul-
garia and eastern slopes of Dobrogea to the Ustjurt and
Kopetdagh. However, its size was reduced compared to
the preceding Karaganian Basin.
The early Konkian Basin was inhabited by marine poly-
haline fauna and phytoplankton, very similar to - though
less diverse than - the Badenian biota. 97 bivalve and more
than 50 gastropod species are known from the Konkian
against 316 bivalves in the Upper Badenian (STUDENCKA et

24

al. 1998) and about 1000 mollusk species in the whole Bad-
enian. The distributional pattern of the Konkian mollusks
indicates that the Eastern Paratethys was connected with
the Mediterranean Tethys in its southeastern part, prob-
ably through the re-opened Araks Strait (GONTSCHAROVA
& SHCHERBA 1997), and/or the Lesser Caucasus passage
(ILYINA 2000b). The late Konkian (Veselanian) fauna was
poorer than the early Konkian one, and it was dominated
by euryhaline endemic species and subspecies, which
were rare or unknown in the Badenian basin (Acanthocar-
dia andrussovi, Mactra basteroti konkensis, Parvivenus
konkensis, Ervilia pusilla trigonula). Salinity of the early
Konkian sea was estimated to have been more than 30%o,
and of the late Konkian - about 20%o (MERKLIN 1953).
Cour. Forsch.-Inst. Senckenberg, 250, 2004
Shallow environments dominated over the Eastern
Pararethys; relatively deep ones were preserved in the relict
Western and Eastern Black Sea and South Caspian depres-
sions and in the Indol - Kubanian and Terek - Caspian
foredeeps. Detrital - shelly limestone and marls prevailed
in the south Ukrainian and Turanian shelves and terrig-
enous sandy-clayey facies dominated in the central part
of the Scythian and Transcaucasian shelves. Evaporitic
layers (of gypsum composition) are widely spread along
the eastern margin of the Konkian Basin and in the Turkish
- Iranian middle Miocene.
The northern dryland was presumably low-lying; the
main sources of coarse elastics were situated along the
southern shoreline (Talysh, eastern Kopetdagh).
25
PARAMONOVA et al.: Late Middle Miocene (Late Serravallian, Sarmatian s. s., Middle Sarmatian s.l.)

Map 7: Late Middle Miocene of the Sarmatian endemics increased from the second part
of the early Sarmatian through the mid-Sarmatian. Salinity
(Late SERRAVALLIAN, SARMATIAN
had regionally specific composition. Based on bioeco-
s.s.,Middle SARMATIAN s.l.) logical data it was estimated as 16-18%o in the Pannonian
and Dacic basins and Galiczian Gulf and 1 4 - 1 5 %o in the
Euxinian-Caspian Paratethys (KOJUMDGIEVA 1 9 6 9 ) .
Time slice definition and biochronology

The mapped intervals in the Central and Eastern Paratethys

Carpatho-Pannonian region
are not identical. In the Central Paratethys the mapped
interval covers the entire Sarmatian s.s. (sensu BARBOT DE
The lower Sarmatian (Volhynian) sea covered the whole
MARNY in SUESS 1866), which corresponds to lower and
eastern part of the Carpathian foredeep. But the Badenian-
lower middle substages (sensu ANDRUSOV 1899 or Volhy-
lowermost Sarmatian deposits were folded and thrust over
nian and lower Bessarabian - SIMIONESCU 1903) of the
the autochthonous Miocene in front of the central Car-
Eastern Paratethys Sarmatian s.l.. The upper Bessarabian
pathians. The mapped picture reflects a younger situation
and Khersonian (upper) substages of the Euxinian - Cas-
when the sea retreated eastward and was widespread on
pian Basin Sarmatian s.l. correlate with the Pannonian
the Volhynian, Moldavian and on the eastern and northern
of the Central Paratethys. First appearance of the horse
parts of the Moesian plates. Relatively deep water marly
Hipparion in the upper Bessarabian of the Eastern and
clayey facies are known from the southeastern part of
Pannonian zone " C " of the Central Paratethys is a distinct
the foredeep. The most characteristic middle Sarmatian
marker for this correlation (RÖGL in CICHA et al. 1998). In
shallow platform facies were detrital organogenic and
the Eastern Paratethys the mapped interval corresponds
bioherm limestones.
to the maximum transgression, which took place in the
The Pannonian Basin formed the western part of the
middle Sarmatian (Bessarabian).
epicontinental Sarmatian sea, and it was connected to the
The base of the Sarmatian was dated as 13.6 Ma (VASS
Eastern Paratethys across the South Carpathians in the
et al. 1987, CHUMAKOV 1993). According to nannoplank-
vicinity of the Iron Gate (PAPP et al. 1 9 7 4 ) . The thick-
ton determination (NN6/7) and current Astronomical
ness and facies of the Sarmatian reflect three basin types
Polarity Time Scale dating of the base of mammal zone
(MAGYAR et al. 1 9 9 9 ) . Small back-arc basins close to the
MN7/8 as 12,8 Ma (KRIJGSMANN 1995), the beginning of
Carpathian thrust fronts (Styrian, Vienna, East Slovakian,
the Sarmatian may be as young as 13 Ma (RÖGL in CICHA
Transylvanian) subsided rapidly during the Sarmatian and
etal. 1998).
show deep water deposition and sediment thickness which
The local foraminiferal zones Elphidium reginum,
exceeds 1 km. In contrast, the central part of the Pannonian
E. hauerinum for the Volhynian and Nonion granosum
Basin was covered by shallow sea; the littoral carbonates
Zone [= Porosononion (sub)granosum] for the lower Bes-
and clastic facies indicate that numerous islands existed
sarabian are used for regional correlation in the Central
there, and the thickness of the Sarmatian sediments is usu-
Paratethys (GRILL 1941, CICHA et al. 1998). In the Dacic
ally less than 100 m. The third type involved linear series
Basin, which belonged to the Eastern Paratethys from the of deep basins, which framed the shallow-water central part
Sarmatian, nannoplankton assemblages with Discoaster of the Pannonian Basin (western Transdanubia, Zala Basin,
kugleri (NN7) were recognized in the Volhynian; Catin- Sava depression). These trenches were filled primarily by
aster coalitus, C. calyculus (NN8) were recorded from clastic sediments with thicknesses of hundreds of meters
the upper Volhynian - lowermost Bessarabian and Dis- and contain a sublittoral fauna.
coaster hamatus (NN9) was identified in the Bessarabian
The upper Badenian-Sarmatian volcanism culminated
(MARUNTEANU & PAPAIANOPOL 1998).
in the Sarmatian and, compared to the previous period, it
Regional correlation of the Euxinian-Caspian Sar-
was shifted towards the east (HALMAI in CICHA et al. 1 9 9 8 ) .
matian is based mainly on bivalve associations and it
Andesitic-rhyolitic volcanics exceed 2000-3000 m in
has higher resolution for the shallow-water facies (PARA-
thickness in the northern part of the Pannonian Basin.
MONOVA in ILYINA et al. 1976, PARAMONOVA 1994).

Paleogeography and paleoenvironments Eastern Paratethys

The Sarmatian basin was the most extended Paratethys
basin in the Miocene. In the Sarmatian the open oceanic
connections closed and the polyhaline fauna and microflora
of the late Badenian-Konkian were eliminated. The whole
Paratethys was inhabited by homogeneous euryhaline
biotas, with mainly endemic species, which evolved from
the Badenian and Konkian ancestors. Systematic diversity
The Eastern Paratethys in Sarmatian time included all
Paratethyan basins except for the Intra-Carpathian depres-
sion (Dacic and Euxinian basins with Galiczian gulf and
Caspian).
The Sarmatian Basin was strongly transgressed and
transgression continued in the Bessarabian, especially on
the northern and eastern margins, where it covered the

28

north Pre-Caspian and the western part of the Turan Plate
(KOLESNIKOV 1940). The Caucasus orogenic movements
had led to coarser clastic sedimentation around the Greater
Caucasus and local regressions in the Transcaucasia.
Deep water sedimentation continued in the Black-Sea,
in the South Caspian depressions with the Kura Gulf,
and in the Indol-Kubanian and Terek-Caspian foredeeps.
Maximal thickness of elastics (up to 2000 m) is known
from the Kura depression. Marly clays with Cryptomactra
was the most usual facies in the shelfal depressions. Bryo-
zoan bioherms were located on the top of the submarine
escarpments.
Shallow environments with carbonate deposition
dominated over the northern Eurasian shelf of the Eastern
Paratethys and on the Turan Plate. On the Caucasian shelf,
the primarily clayey sedimentation changed to sandy with
Cour. Forsch.-Inst. Senckenberg, 250, 2004
typical mid-Sarmatian fauna (Mactra, Obsoletiforma,
Plicatiforma, Barbotella among mollusks) from the sec-
ond part of the Bessarabian. Terrigenous shelfal marine
deposition prevailed in the Transcaucasia.
Based on the semimarine regime and nannoplankton
associations with polyhaline zonal species in the Dacic
basin, we propose communication between the Eastern
Paratethys and the Mediterranean through the Aegean
area. These temporal connections came to an end in the
Khersonian, when the rich endemic Sarmatian biotas
became extinct.
The Eastern European Platform was a lowland, which
did not give abundant clastic material. Coarse molasse
terrestrial deposits (up to 300 m) were accumulated along
the eastern Kopet-Dagh and Pamir-Tien Shan zone.
29
ILYINA et al.: Mid Late Miocene (Late Tortonian - Early Messinian, Early Maeotian, Late Pannonian)

Map 8: Mid Late Miocene
(Late TORTONIAN - Early MESSINIAN,
Early MAEOTIAN, Late PANNONIAN)
Time slice definition and biochronology
Correlation of the Maeotian with the Mediterranean scale
is one of the most questionable points in the Paratethyan
stratigraphy. The most usual correlation proposed corre-
spondence of the Maeotian with the middle - upper Torto-
nian (ILYINA & NEVESSKAJA 1 9 7 9 , MURATOV & NEVESSKAYA
1986, RÖGL 1 9 9 8 ) . According to recent magnetostrati-
graphic and nannofossil research ( N N 1 1 ) and correlation
with the current Astronomical Polarity Time Scale (SNEL et
al. 2 0 0 1 ) the Maeotian has to correlate with the uppermost
Tortonian - lower Messinian. In the Pannonian Basin this
interval corresponds to the late Pannonian, early Congeria
rhomboidea, early Galeacysta etrusca biochrons (MAGYAR
etal. 1999).
Paleogeography and paleoenvironments
Large-scale tectonic and sedimentary-paleogeographic
turnover affected the late Neogene Mediterranean and
Paratethyan realms in the Tortonian (about 8 Ma ago
- MEULENKAMP et al. 2 0 0 0 ) as a consequence of the Attic
orogenesis. Horizontal tectonic movements in the western
Mediterranean, with uplift in the Betic and Rifean regions
and consequent shoaling and/or closing of the Betic Cor-
ridor and shoaling of the Rifean Strait with accumulation
of evaporites from the late Tortonian, opening of the Tyr-
rhenian and Dead Sea basins, inception of stable marine
deposition in the Aegean domain, and southward directed
depocenter migration in the fore-Apennine Basin deter-
mined the main features of the Messinian paleogeographic,
biogeographic and sedimentological history of the circum-
Mediterranean realm.
Planktic and shallow benthic associations of the late
Tortonian - early Messinian were rich and rather diverse
and indicate subtropical environments with normal marine
salinity. Major geological features along the southern
margin of the European platform include the end of sedi-
mentation in the fore-Alpine and fore-Carpathian molasse
basins and further differentiation between the domains of
the Central and Eastern Paratethys.
Pannonian Basin
The northwestern part of the Pannonian Basin, i.e. the successions of western Georgia, Kerch, and Taman, and by
Vienna and Danube basins, had been filled by deltaic de-
posits prograding from the northwest and northeast from
the uplifted Alps and Carpathians, and a significant part
of the basin had been transformed into alluvial plains by
late Pannonian times (MAGYAR et al. 1 9 9 9 ) . The Transyl- the Aegean region, where lagoonal mollusk associations
vanian Basin also dried up, so Lake Pannon was restricted
to the southern part of the basin, where several hundred
meter deep subbasins existed. The deep basins were filled
up by prodelta turbidites and then by prograding deltaic
sediments. The southern shoreline, running parallel with
the Sava and Danube rivers along the northern foots of
the Dinarides, changed very little during the lifetime of
Lake Pannon.
Whether the lacustrine basin ever experienced marine
water incursions is ambiguous. Rare and sporadic findings
of polyhaline nannofossils (KOLLANYI 2 0 0 0 ) and presence
of supposedly marine elements in dinocyst associations
(SUTO 1 9 9 5 ) seem to suggest that marine connections were
not fully lost. However, the benthic fauna of mollusks and
ostracods was almost fully endemic, and reflects a constant
brackish lacustrine environment (MÜLLER et al. 1 9 9 9 ) .
Euxine-Caspian Basin
The sea level drop at the Sarmatian s.l.-Maeotian transi-
tion was estimated as about 3 0 0 m (TUGOLESOV et al. 1 9 8 5 ,
ROBINSON 1 9 9 5 ) . Unconformities between the freshened
or hypersaline upper Sarmatian and semimarine early
Maeotian deposits are very common, suggesting drying
up of large areas. The maximum of the transgression oc-
curred in second part of the early Maeotian (STEVANOVICH
& ILYINA 1 9 8 2 , NEVESSKAYA et al. 1 9 8 6 ) , when the basin
system extended from the northern margin of the Moe-
sian Plate (Dacic Basin) to south Mangyshlak in the east.
However, its size was reduced relative to that during the
Sarmatian.
The early Maeotian Basin was inhabited by mainly
endemic species and subspecies of euryhaline Mediter-
ranean genera, which evolved in gulfs and lagoons of
the late Tortonian - early Messinian sea. Salinity of the
early Maeotian sea was estimated to be 13-14%o, up to
17-18%o (ILYINA et al. 1 9 7 6 ) . Later this impoverished fauna
and microflora of marine origin became extinct and the
late Maeotian basin was inhabited by brackish associations
with Congeria, Theodoxus, Pseudoamnicola, Turricaspia,
brackish and freshwater diatoms, and dinocysts. However,
ephemeral marine ingressions took place during the entire
Maeotian, as evidenced by the presence of layers with
more diverse marine fauna and microflora in the upper
part of the lower Maeotian (in western Georgia - ILYINA
et al. 1 9 7 6 ) , as well as intercalations with Mactra super-
stes, Spheronassa, polyhaline nannoplankton (LULIYEVA
in SEMENENKO 1 9 8 7 ) , and marine diatoms with Coscino-
discus, Thalasiosira decipiens, Nitzschia praereinholdi
(Radionova, unpublished data) in the upper Maeotian
the appearance of polyhaline nannoplankton associations
in the upper Maeotian of the Dacic Basin (MARUNTEANU
& PAPAIANOPOL 1 9 9 8 ) .
Connections with the Mediterranean are proposed in

32

of the lower Messinian (North Greece, Serres, Dafni
Formation) are very similar to the lower Maeotian mol-
lusks (STEVANOVICH & ILYINA 1982, POPOV & NEVESSKAYA
2000).
Shallow environments dominated over the Eastern
Paratethys, deep water ones existed only in the Black Sea
and South Caspian depressions and relatively deep water
(more then 200-300m) in the Indol-Kubanian and Terek-
Caspian foredeeps. In much of the Eurasian shelf, shallow
limestones, clays, and sands accumulated. Oolitic and
detrital - shelly limestones developed in the south Ukraine,
Crimea, Azov area and south Mangyshlak. Alluvial-deltaic
deposition prevailed around growing orogenic structures
of the Greater Caucasus and along the northern margin of
the Euxinian Sea (SHCHERBA et al. 2001).
The east European platform represented a lowland with
the mid-Russian High in its centre, and the Volhynian,
Ukrainian and Donets highs in its southern parts. Thick
Cour. Forsch.-Inst. Senckenberg, 250, 2004
clastic molasse deposits were accumulated in continental-
coastal areas of the Transcaucasia - in the Kura and Rioni
depressions. The Turan Plate became a lowland mainly
without deposition. Orogenic movements in the Kopetd-
agh and Pamir-Tien Shan zone led to the appearance of
a spacious molasse belt along their foothills, composed
of course-clastic red-colored sequences (SHCHERBA 1993,
SHCHERBA et al. 2001).
Based on biogeographical data (full sets of the early
Maeotian-Pontian mollusks and ostracods in the Azerbai-
jan and South Mangyshlak associations), we proposed that
at least temporary communications existed between the
Euxinian and Caspian basins in the Transcaucasia before
the late Pontian (NEVESSKAYA et al. 1986). The connection
could have been located between the Adzharo-Trialeti fault
system, which came to its modern position in the late Kim-
merian, and the southern border of the Dzirul Massif.
33
KHONDKARIAN et a l : Latest Miocene (Late Messinian, Early Pontian - Late Pannonian)
M a p 9: Latest Miocene
(Late MESSINIAN, Early PONTIAN -
Late PANNONIAN)
Time slice definition and biochronology
Correlation of the Pontian with the Mediterranean scale
is disputable. The most usual correlation proposed corre-
spondence of the Pontian with the entire Messinian (ILJINA
& NEVESSKAJA 1979, MURATOV & NEVESSKAYA 1986, RÖGL
1998). This correlation, however, is contradicted by the
paleomagnetic data. Based on primary reversed polarity
of the Pontian, it is possible to correlate it with Chron 6
of the Harland scale and with the upper Tortonian - lower
Messinian, as proposed by M.A.Pevzner, or alternatively
with the lower part of Chron 4 (=C3r) and with the upper
Messinian, according to V.M.Trubikhin (PONTIEN in STE-
VANOVIC et al. 2000). The first point of view was supported
by absolute age data (CHUMAKOV 1993) and zonal nanno-
plankton determinations (NN9-NN10 in base of the Maeo-
tian - data of LULIYEVA in SEMENENKO 1987). Nevertheless,
according to magnetostratigraphic results and calcareous
nannofossil data (NN11, NN12 - MARUNTEANU & PAPA-
IANOPOL 1998) from the Dacic Basin of South Romania and
correlation with the current Astronomical Polarity Time
Scale (SNEL et al. 2001), as well as biogeographic data
on the origin of the Pontian fauna (POPOV & NEVESSKAYA
2000), the Pontian corresponds to the upper Messinian
and correlates with the salinity crisis. In the Pannonian
Basin this interval corresponds to the late Pannonian, late
Congeria rhomboidea, late Galeacysta etrusca biochrons
(MAGYAR et al. 1999).
Paleogeography and paleoenvironments
The main paleogeographic features and bathymetry of
the late Messinian basin system were inherited from the
early Messinian. The salinity crisis markedly changed the
sedimentological processes and facies in the basin; the
earlier bathymétrie zones became more distinct, because
evaporites of different composition were deposited in the
different zones.
We used the double-phase model of the Messinian
crisis (CLAUZON et al. 2001). According to this hypothesis
sea level dropped in two phases separated by a flooding
event. The first phase (5.8 Ma) affected only the Mediter-
ranean basin margins and led to accumulation of the lower
evaporites of gypsum composition. The second phase,
characterized by a drastic sea level drop exceeding 1500
m, affected the whole basin (5.6 Ma). As a consequence,
deep canyons were incised in the basin margins (paleo-
Nile, Rhone, Ebro et al.) and thick evaporate series (up to
2 km according to seismic data) were accumulated in the
bathyal plains. Between the two phases brackish deposition
36
of "Lago Mare" facies took place. We try to reflect all this
complex history on a single map.
The brackish fauna and microflora of the "Lago Mare"
facies included numerous genera and species, common
with the Paratethys: endemic limnocardiins, Congeria,
Melanopsis among mollusks, Loxoconcha djaffarovi os-
tracod association, Galeacysta etrusca among dinocysts.
The origin of this assemblage was probably connected
with more ancient - Pannonian-Paratethyan biota, but their
subsequent development unfolded independently. Some
components of this specific biota, together with more rare
Pannonian elements, were ancestral for the younger Pon-
tian fauna of the Euxinian-Caspian Paratethys; they moved
from the Mediterranean to the Eastern Paratethys through
intermediate basins (Aegean, Dacic) (EBERZIN 1 9 4 9 ,
NEVESSKAYA et al. 1 9 8 6 , POPOV & NEVESSKAYA 2000).
Pannonian Basin
Late Congeria rhomboidea, late Galeacysta etrusca
biochrons. Progradation from the northwest almost com-
pletely filled up the western part of the basin; only the
Drava Basin remained subaqueous. Delta lobes in the
central part of the basin approached the lower Tisza River
from the northwest. Progradation from the northeast was
far slower than from the northwest. The deep lacustrine
environment was restricted to what are now SE Hungary,
NE Croatia, and N Serbia. The endemic mollusk and os-
tracod fauna of Lake Pannon flourished, and - probably
in several pulses - migrated into the Eastern Paratethys
through the Dacic Basin.
Euxinian-Caspian Basin
The Eastern Paratethys reconstruction corresponds to
maximum sea extent in the early Pontian (Novorossian).
The early Pontian Basin was strongly transgressed, espe-
cially on its northern and eastern margins. On the north
the early Pontian sea covered the south half of the Donets
high, which had been dry land and a source of clastic
material since the Paleogene, and northward reached the
Volga-Don and Ergeni areas. In the northwest the early
Pontian sea formed three big gulfs: North-Pre-Caspian,
North-Ustjurtian, and South Mangyshlakian. The lower
Pontian sediments are known in the Turkish coast of the
Black Sea (ÖSZAYAR 1 9 7 7 ) . The Dacian Basin biogeo-
graphically belonged to the Eastern Paratethys.
Sandy deposition prevailed in its shallow coastal
areas and muddy sedimentation in deeper environments.
Calcareous, shelly-detrital facies were widespread on
the northern inner shelf of the Euxinian-Caspian Basin.
Towards the Caucasus, Kopetdagh and western clastic
sources the facies changed to muddy and sandy deposits.
Deep water environments existed only in the Black Sea
and South Caspian depressions.

Based on the prevailingly brackish fauna, salinity of
the basin was low, but didn't fall under 5-8%o. The Da-
cian part, where Parvivenus widhalmi - the single bivalve
species of marine origin in Eastern Paratethyan Pontian
- was absent, was probably more freshened. At the same
time the presence of nannoplankton zonal associations
(MARUNTEANU & PAPAIANOPOL 1 9 9 8 ) in the middle ( N N 1 1 )
and upper ( N N 1 2 ) Pontian testifies to episodic ingressions
of marine waters. Connection probably took place via the
Aegean Gulf of the late Messinian sea (STEVANOVIC et al.
1989, POPOV & NEVESSKAYA 2 0 0 0 ) .
A sharp regression at the beginning of the late Pontian
(Portaferrian) led to the drying of the northern outer shelf
of the Euxinian Basin. The Stavropolian Strait was closed,
the Caspian Basin was separated from the Euxinian one in
its northern part, and the eastern lake-sea became restricted
to the modern Middle and South Caspian with the Kura
gulf. The date of this sea level fall approximately corre-
lates with the drastic sea level drop in the Mediterranean
( 5 . 7 Ma, according to TRUBIKHIN in STEVANOVIC et al. and
Cour. Forsch.-Inst. Senckenberg, 250, 2004
5 . 6 Ma by MEULENKAMP et al. 2 0 0 0 ) . According to biogeo-
graphic data, however, the Caspian-Euxinian connection
was maintained during the entire Pontian: specific late
Pontian species common in the Euxinian and Dacian
basins are known from the upper Pontian of Azerbaijan
(NEVESSKAYA et al. 1 9 8 6 ) .
The east European platform represented a lowland
with the mid Russian High in its central part. Thick clastic
molasse deposits were accumulated in continental - coastal
areas of the Transcaucasia-in the Kura and Rioni depres-
sions. Conglomerates, clays, and sands of the Dushet
Formation (Maeotian-Pontian, up to 2 0 0 0 m) were ac-
cumulated in fluvial environments, containing remains of
terrestrial and freshwater mollusks, mammals, and plants.
Rivers that transported this material discharged into a lake
in the mid-Kura depression, where low-carbonate sandy
clays (up to 2 5 0 0 m) of the Maeotian-Pontian Shirak For-
mation were deposited. The Turan Plate became a lowland
mainly without deposition.
37
KHONDKARIAN et al.: Middle-Late Pliocene (Piacentian - Gelasian, Late Romanian - Akchagilian)
M a p 10: Middle-Late Pliocene
(PIACENTIAN - GELASIAN,
Late ROMANIAN - AKCHAGILIAN)
Time slice definition and biochronology
Due to the non-marine character of many younger Pliocene
Peri-Tethyan sequences it is often not possible to subdivide
the middle/upper Pliocene. So the Pliocene map reflects a
broad time-interval from about 3.4 to 1.8 Ma and displays
paleogeographic configuration and environments that oc-
curred after the late Early Pliocene large-scale tectonic
reorganization. In terms of regional Paratethys stages and
horizons, it corresponds to the Romanian of the Dacic
Basin, the Kujalnician of the Euxinian Basin, and the
Akchagilian of the Caspian Basin.
The Romanian was characterized by the extinction of
limnocardiines and appearance of unionids, viviparids, and
melanopsids, reflecting a further decrease in water salinity.
Nevertheless, zonal calcareous nannoplankton associations
are known from these layers (NN 15-NN16 - MARUNTEANU
& PAPAIANOPOL 1998). In the Pannonian Basin this interval
corresponds to the upper part of the geochronologically
poorly defined freshwater "Paludina beds".
The Akchagilian sequences reflect a semi-marine re-
gime in the spacious Caspian Basin, and their stratigraphie
position is rather well established by magnetostratigraphic
data (C2+C2An - TRUBIKHIN 1977). Regional correlation
of the Akchagilian is based on euryhaline fauna of marine
origin with mainly endemic species. The Kujalnician part
of the Eastern Paratethys differs in the presence of spe-
cific brackish mollusks and ostracods, inherited from the
Pontian - Kimmerian fauna.
Paleogeography and paleoenvironments
Major features of the circum - Mediterranean paleogeography
after the early Pliocene orogenesis were increasing subsidence
rates of the Tyrrhenian and southern Aegean depressions and
uplift of the surrounding mountain chains. Pliocene vertical
movements initiated the development of the present-day
paleogeographic features and river system (MEULENKAMP et
al. 2000). In the western Mediterranean domain, the Strait of
Gibraltar originated at the beginning of the Pliocene, after the
Betic and Rifean corridors were closed in the late Messinian.
Shallow marine environments persisted all along the northern
coast of the African continent. Fluvial and limnic facies were
deposited during the Mid Pliocene in the Rhine graben, as a
result of a new phase of rifting.
Carpatho-Pannonian region
Major folding and thrusting in the Outer Carpathians came
to an end by the late Pliocene. In the intra-Carpathian
40
domains, accumulation of continental elastics took place
in local depressions during the Mid to Late Pliocene.
However, in the southwestern part, the Drava and Sava
basins were filled by Pliocene deposits, which reached
to about 1000 m (MEULENKAMP et al. 1996). The Plio-
Pleistocene alkali-basaltic volcanism played an important
role in the intra-arc domains and occurred in the Styrian
and Danube basins, Great Hungarian Lowland, Transyl-
vania and Slovakian-Hungarian volcanic domain (SZABO
etal. 1992).
Brackish and fluvio-lacustrine foredeep sedimentation
continued only in the southeast in the Dacic Basin, where
the Pliocene (Dacian-Romanian) sequences reach thick-
nesses of thousands of meters. Ephemeral brackish-water
ingressions came from the adjacent Euxinian domain
only in the eastern part of the overall fluvio-lacustrine
Dacic basin.
Euxinian Basin, Kujalnician
Since the latest Miocene (late Pontian time), the Eastern
Paratethys had been subdivided into two major basins, the
Dacian - Euxinian basin system and the Caspian Basin.
The Pliocene faunas of the former were inherited from
the Pontian. The area of the brackish mid-late Pliocene
Kujalnician Basin corresponded approximately to the
modern Black Sea area with the south Ukrainian shelf and
Azov-Kuban and Rioni gulfs. The brackish Kujalnician
Sea had no direct connection with the ocean, but there was
an ephemeral corridor connecting it with the Akchagil-
ian basin of the Caspian region: layers with Akchagilian
Avimactra and Cerastoderma dombra are known in the
Kujalnician sequences of the Azov area. Shallow-water ter-
rigenous elastics with Kujalnician faunas are known from
the North Black Sea Depression, eastern Crimea, Kerch
and Taman peninsulas, Kuban and Rioni depressions. In
all these regions the Kujalnician deposits are characterized
by similar fossils of brackish ostracods and mollusks, such
us Prosodacna, Pachydacna, Chartoconcha, Pontalmyra,
Oraphocardium, Viviparus (NEVESSKAJA et al. 1984).
The central and western part of the East European Plat-
form, occupied by the Volhyn-Ukrainian and mid-Russian
highlands, was intersected by branched river systems. Seis-
mic and sedimentary data portray the intensive growth of
rapidly advancing deltas from platform rivers (paleo-Prut,
paleo-Dnester, paleo-Dnieper in the north-western part of
the Black Sea, and paleo-Donets in the Azov-Kubanian
region) as well as from uplifting orogens of the Greater
Caucasus (paleo-Kuban, rivers of Western Ciscaucasia,
Rioni Gulf) and Pontides.
Caspian Basin, Akchagilian
The pre-Akchagilian Balakhanian freshwater basin was
restricted to the South Caspian depression and the Kura

Gulf. The lowering of sea level resulted in deeply incised
valleys (up to a few hundred meters) of the paleo-Volga,
paleo-Kura and paleo-Amudarja rivers. The Akchagilian
Sea invaded this rugged relief. It was characterized by a
hemi-marine regime with reduced salinity and euryhaline
biota of marine origin. Numerous endemic taxa (genera
and species) of mollusks, ostracods and diatoms evolved
from lagoonal Mediterranean ancestors. The place of
connection with the Mediterranean remains highly
speculative. Polyhaline nannoplankton associations from
Azerbaijan and brackish-marine Pliocene deposits from
eastern Turkey (upper Euphrates valley - STEININGER et
al. 1985, CHEPALYGA 1995) show a possible corridor from
the eastern Mediterranean to eastern Transcaucasia or the
South Caspian depression.
Relatively deep-water, clayey deposits (up to 350-500 m)
accumulated in the entire central part of the basin from the
pre-Caspian area to the South Caspian depression, in the
Kobystan part of the Lower Kura and the deep-water Fore-
Kopetdagh depressions. In the relatively shallow parts of
Cour. Forsch.-Inst. Senckenberg, 250, 2004
the southern marginal areas of the basin, terrigenous and
calcareous sediments with rich endemic faunas (Avicar-
dium, Miricardium, Andrussella, Avimactra - PARAMONOVA
1994) were deposited in mid-Akchagilian time.
Northwards, the Akchagilian Sea ingressed eventually
the Volga and Kama basins. Poor and uniform, euryhaline
faunas in the northern parts of the basin system reflect
reduced salinities as compared to those of the main basin.
During the mid-Akchagilian, marine ingressions reached
as far as the paleo-Murgab, Tedzhen and Amudarja valleys
and the south Aral Gulf.
A new phase of orogenic movements resulted in a
pronounced increase of clastic supply from the evolving
chain towards the bordering plains. The coarsest molasse-
type elastics were laid down around the Greater Caucasus,
Eastern Kopetdagh, Pamir and Tien Shan orogenic belts.
Eruptions in the Kazbek area of the Central Cau-
casus and Adzharo - Trialet Ridge produced abun-
dant volcanoclastics (MURATOV & NEVESSKAYA 1986).
41
POPOV et a l : Lithological­Paleogeographic maps of Paratethys
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Contents annex:

Map 1: Late Eocene (PRIABONIAN - BELOGLINIAN)

Map 2: Early Oligocène (Early RUPELIAN, Early KISCELLIAN - PSCHEKHIAN)

Map 3: Late Oligocène (CHATTIAN - EGERIAN - KALMYKIAN)

Map 4: Early Miocene (BURDIGALIAN, EGGENBURGIAN, SAKARAULIAN)

Map 5: Early Middle Miocene (LANGHIAN, Early BADENIAN, CHOKRAKIAN)

Map 6: Mid Middle Miocene (Middle SERRAVALLIAN, Late BADENIAN, KONKIAN)

Map 7: Late Middle Miocene (Late SERRVALLIAN, SARMATIAN s.S., Middle SARMATIAN s.l.)

Map 8: Mid Late Miocene (Late TORTONIAN - Early MESSINIAN - Early MAEOTIAN - Late PANNONIAN)

Map 9: Latest Miocene (Late MESSINIAN, Early PONTIAN - Late PANNONIAN)

Map 10: Middle Late Pliocene (PIACENTIAN - GELASIAN, Late ROMANIAN - AKCHAGILIAN)

Stratigraphie scheme of the Late Paleogene - Neogene Paratethys and mapped intervals
 Mammal - Zones
Nannoplankton
Foraminifera
POLARITY
Time (Ma)
CHRONS

Calcareous
EPOCHS
Eastern

Planktic
Central

- Zones

Steininger, 1999
Zones
Mediter- Paratethys Paratethys
ranean Dacic
Stages Rögl, Magyar et al.,
Snel,
Marunteanu, Euxinian Caspian
Meulenkamp, Nevesskaya et al.,1986; Berggren
Berggren et al., 1995 1998 1999 2001 Trubikhin, 1989 et al., 1995
0 NN20-21 MQ1- 4
C1n IONIAN PT1
C1n CALABRIAN 1.8 NN19 MN18
PL6 NN18 MN17
C2 “Paludina beds”
MAP10
GELASIAN
PLIOCENE

AKCHAGILIAN PL5 NN16b-17

ROMANIAN (freshwater) ROMA- KUJALNICIAN MN16
C2An PIACENZIAN PL3-4 NN16a
3.4
C2Ar
NIAN PL2 NN14-15 MN15
4.4 BALAKHANIAN
ZANCLEAN DACIAN KIMMERIAN NN13
C3n Dinocysts Mollusks DACIAN PL1 MN14
5 5.3
NN12
Babadzhanian
C3r
C3An
5.3
MESSINIAN PONTIAN
Galeacysta Proso- PONTIAN Bosphorian + Portaferian
6.1 Novorossian
M14 MN13 MAP 9
L. MIOCENE

etrusca dacno- Akmanaian Congeria novorossica

C3Ar Congeria mya
C3Br rhomboidea MAEOTIAN b NN11 MN12
C4n
C4r
Spiniferites validus
C. prae- L. decorum
Bagerovian Dosinia maeotica
M13 MN11
MAP 8

SARMATIAN s.l.
rhomboidea Upper M. bulgarica Mactra
C4An
TORTONIAN Mactra caspia NN10
C4Ar PANNONIAN Spiniferites paradoxus L. ponticum Khersonian tumida a MN10
Mactra balcica
10 L. conjungens (N16) NN9b
C5n Pontiad. pecsvaradensis Cong. Plicatiformes MN9
11.0 S.bentorii oblongus czjzeki C.hoernesi Middle fittoni Criptomactra
S. b. pannonicus Bessarabian pesanseris M12 (N15)
NN9a/b
MAP 7
M. MIOCENE

C5r Mecsekia ultima “L.“praeponticum Mactra vitaliana M11-M8 NN7-8 MN

C5An Elphidium hauerinum Lower (N14-N11)
C5Ar
SARMATIAN s.s. Elphidium reginum Mactra eichwaldi Abra reflexa 8-7
Volhynian
SERRAVALLIAN Upper Kosovian Bulimina - Bolivina KONKIAN NN6
MAP 6
BADENIAN

C5ABn

C5ACn Barnea M7 (N10)

C5ADn
Middle Wieliczian Spiroplectammina KARAGANIAN Spaniodontella gentilis MN6
C5Bn 15
C5Br
16.4
LANGHIAN Lower Moravian Lagenid - Zone CHOKRAKIAN Upper
Lower
Florilus parvus
Tsch.caucasica
M6 (N9)
M5 (N8)
NN5
MN5
MAP 5
C5Cn TARKHANIAN Gl. tarchanensis
C5Cr KARPATIAN M4 (N7)
Saccammina NN4
C5Dn
Rzehakia - Lymnopagetia KOZAKHURIAN zuramakensis M3 MN4
C5Dr OTTNANGIAN
Early MIOCENE

C5En BURDIGALIAN Flexopecten palmatus - (N6)

C5Er
NN3
Macrochlamys holgeri Neobulimina
C6n
20
EGGENBURGIAN
Oopecten gigas
SAKARAULIAN elongata M2
MN3
MAP 4
C6r (N5)
C6An
C6Ar NN2 MN2
C6AAr AQUITANIAN KARADZALGANIAN M1 b
C6Bn M. tani - Cibicides (N4)
C6Br
M. gunteri ornatus - MN1
EGERIAN

C6Cn 23.8 a NN1

Elphidium
onerosum - MP
M. formosensis 28-30
25 Porosononion
Upper dendriticus P22 NP25
CHATTIAN Miogypsinoides
complanata
KALMYKIAN MP27
-
MAP 3
Spiroplectammina
OLIGOCENE

Lower terekensis MP24

b
P21
Kiscel Clay
KISCELLIAN S.L.

a NP24
Lepidocyclina
praemarginata Upper Troch. florifera
30 P20
SOLENOVIAN MP23
NP23
RUPELIAN P19 -
Beds with Janshinella, “C. lipoldi“ Lower (Polbian)
MP21
Sp.carinata oligocenica
NP22
33.7
Merian Nummulites
fichteli
PSHEKHIAN Lenticulina herrmanni
Cibicides salensis
P18
NP21
MAP 2
P17
L. EOCENE

Bolivina
Nummulites P16 NP
35 fabianii Globigerapsis tropicalis- MP20
PRIABONIAN PRIABONIAN BELOGLINIAN
Globigerina corpulenta
P15
19-20
- MAP 1
NP18 MP17

40

Stratigraphic scheme of the Late Paleogene - Neogene Paratethys and mapped intervals

Marine environments Brackish environments

Semi-marine environments Freshwater environments
 Map 1. Late Eocene (PRIABONIAN - BELOGLINIAN)
12 0 52 0 18 0 24 0 30 0 36 0 42 0 480 54 0 60 0 66 0 52 0 72 0
DRE

Dnieper
SDE POLISH

Ural
GULF

ol
N WAR Do

Tob
S ZAW

Elba
n
A
SAMAR
A SYRT URAL TURGAJ DA

Od
GAN
RUSSIAN LAND KAR
A

ra
PRA PRIPYAT
HA
HIGH

Bug
Prip’at
BOHEMIAN sna HIGH
De G
ORENBUR
STRAIT

Morava
48 0 MU
HIGH , , , , ,
Wisla STRAIT KAZAKHSTANIAN HIGH
NC , , , , 48 0

MUGOD
HE , , , ,

aj
, N , , ,
SARATOV

g
, , , , ,
URALSK

Tur
, , . (1000) , ,
, +

|
, , +
CENTRAL CARPATHIAN
,

,
, ,
+
. 150
, , , ,
ALPINE PALEOGENE BASIN 72 0

Z H A RY
+

|
+
VOLHYNIAN KIEV
+
WI +
BRA - CARP 50

50
AT H I A N
+ + + EN +
ALPINE TISL

|
AVA
B A S I N. 120 ica gan
ved PRE-CASPIAN zkaz
HIGH HIGH d

|
Me 50
Dze
DNIEPER - DONETS SEA

,
12 0 Tisa

,
Dn
Dr BUDA. (400) ,

|
es 150

,
ava . 150 ter 100

+
+ BUD

,
+ APE Don

?
+

Ju
+ ST ,
BAY

zB
+

+
. 148
TR O U G H ,

,
S ZO LN O K

ug
+
+

|
+ + + ,
50

,
, ,
+

0
10
. 120
Dun

ZAG

|
. 100

Ural
+

REB Do

,
,

ne
au
+

,
ts

ba
|
APUSENI U KR AI N IA N AR VOLGOGRAD

,
Sa TISZA TRANSYLVANIAN 50
+

Em
va C H IP EL AG

,
. 100 O
+

|
HIGH
DONETS HIGH

Pru
LAND

,
0
Ma . 300

35
. 20
+

ros

50
44 0 SHELF
,

Don 50

Vo

|
44 0

lg
50
100
15ROSTOV-NA-DONU
0 60

a
100

|
BEO . 100 50 0
10 50

+
GRA BERLATSKY 100
ina

D SYRDARJA
Dr

+
,

|
L

100
SERBIAN
,

STRAIT ARA
,

15
0 200 Syr
,

0
+
150
ASTRAKHAN da

15
,

+ 0 50
BASIN rja
,

. 150 + 0 20

|
SAR + 15
SEA DEPRESSION
,

,
,

AYE , 100 40 250

V 100
SCYTHIAN 100
,

O
,

|
100
SEA
,

50 . 150

25
BUCU

50
0
200

10
REST 50 Kalaus . 255
,

MOESIAN
DI

I 100

|
n
,

AP UL IA N . 400 Kuba 20
NA

LAND
,

, 100
,

|
. 70 . 250 Kuma
RI

100
GR
,

+
,

a + 20
Dun
AN

50
+
MA
,

+
EA

|
,

TEREK-
,

100
, KYZYLKUM
,
CE

SOFIJ BALKANIAN TE

50
,

0
50 25
,
,

|
DO

15
SH EL F WESTERN R. +500+

50
+ +
,

A DARYALYK -
+
,

TURAN
,

HIGH
+
NI

30
,

|
,

25
+

|
+
20
,
PIND

AN

+
MANGYSHLAK
+
,

+
,

+ |
(50 +
BLACK SEA
+
,

0)
SHELF
Va

) + 10 us

|
0
ST

(25 + +
C A . 100 Terek 30 Nuk
,

|
50
,

rd
+

+ 25
RA

. 1000 30 |
DAUDAN
ar+

Ma
,

LA

40 0 U C
O+ S+

| | | | | |
ric | |
IT

EASTERN
| |

DEPRESSION

AN
,

40
a
DEPRESSION 40 0
ND

|
SH
A S

DR
. 40
,

(250 AT S + + +
) KY

US
|
+
RHODOPE

Am
+

U S
+

+
RID 25
,

|
30
50

OV
+ GE

ud
|

40
+

DEPRESSION FERGANA -
+

+
BLACK SEA SEA
+
+

ar
+ + + |

HIGH
+ +

|
+
+

RI

ja
+
+ +
| +
+
+

DG
,

+ + . 100 + +
+

|
DZIRULA + +

|
+
. 70
+

+ | + + +

+
. 2000 ISTAN + +

+
|
+
+

DEPRESSION
,

|
+

|
THRACIAN
| |
| BUL |
|
+ +
ra
+ +
+
TRO

B+ +A
|
. 20
Ku
. 4000 |
,

+ ) ) +
BASIN 25
0
(800
|
. 300 +
+ |
ou
,

+
( . 600 . 90
,

Cardz
. 128 |
+
S I
| |
,

. 400
LESSE
|
TBILISI |
. 130
|
TADJIC
,

UGH

N
+ |

R SOUTH
+ |
+
,

+
+

|
|
. 80
,

KURA
+

. 250
H IG H
|
+
TI D ES CA BAKU
EA ST ER N PO N GH . 800 + + +
UC
. 210 + . 120
N TROU
|
+
+ CASPIAN
E R E VA

+
EREVAN + AS DEPRESSION BASIN
MENDERES ANKARA
+ + +
. 200
US 600 .
ATHE +
N S HIGH + +
ARMENIAN s
. 500
TALYSH . 210
BASIN
. 650 ak TROUGH DEPRESSION FORE-KOPETDAGH
. 100
SIVAS DEPRESSION Ar
ANATOLIAN ak
. 300
NAKHICHEVAN
+ . 1000
40
0

EAST AD
+

36 0 ASCHAB
+

lirm SHELF ARAKS

Kizi . 1100 . 280

+
DEPRESSION 36 0
+

,
LAND
Atrek SHELF

+
, ,
, . 120 66 0
H IG H EASTERN

+
+
+
AURUS
+ +
MEDITERRANEAN T +
+
+ + +
+ +
KOPETDAGH
+
+
+
+ + +
+ + + +
LAND gab

+
,
+ +
Tigris EASTERN + Mur
,

+
ate
BASIN hr
+

Eup

+
100
MESOPOTAMIAN
+

EL + IRAN
+

18 0 BU
,

+
300
A N D+
+
BASIN CENTRAL IRAN BASIN RZ
L
+
500
GULF
24 0 30 0 36 0 42 0 48 0 36 0 54 0 60 0

SCALE 1 : 7 500 000

75 0 75 150 225 300 375
 Map 1. Late Eocene (PREABONIAN - BELOGLINIAN)

Legend III. PALEOGEOGRAPHY

Marine environments:
I. LITHOLOGY:
Shallow shelf
Breccia
Deep shelf
Conglomerate
Deep shelfal depressions
Sand and sandstone
Continental slope and basin bottom
Silt and siltstone
Continental environments:
Clay
Freshwater lakes, marshes
Marl
Lowlands
Limestone Highlands
Silicitolits Mountains
a Boundary of different paleogeographic conditions,
Intrusive massivs b a - established, b - inferred
Terrigeneous flysch Lithofacies boundaries
Calcareous flysch Boundary of recent extension of deposits
Sea - continent boundary
Anhydrite and gypsum
Bioherms
Ashes and tuff material
Delta, fans
Turbidites
II. MINERAL RESOURCES
Volcanoes
Coal Sediment source
Salts 75 Thickness in sections , established and
. (650) aproximate
Oil and gas 10 Isopachites
|
|
Synsedimentary faults and flexures
a+ +
b+ + Overthrusts: a - synsedimentary,
a
b - postsedimentary
b Transcurrent faults:
a - synsedimentary, b - postsedimentary

Published and unpublished materials were used:

Andjelkovic, Eremia, Pavlovic et al., 1991; Atlas of lith.-palaeog. maps of Russian Platform..., 1961;
Atlas of lith.-paleog. maps of USSR,1967; Atlas Peri-Tethys, 2000; Atlas Tethys palaeoenvir. maps,
1993; Baldi, 1986; Balla, 1984; Chekunov, Veselov, Gilkman, 1976; Csontos, Nagymarosy, Horvath,
Kovac, 1992; Dercourt, Zonenshain et al., 1984; Gansser (Central Iran Basin); Goff, Jones, Horbury,
1995; Jones, Racey, 1994; Karasev (North Iran); Kovac et al., 1994; Kopp, Shcherba. 1998; Luttig,
Steffens, 1975; Nagymarosy, 1990; Poisson et al., 1997; Ponikarov, Kazmin, Kozlov, Krasheninnikov
et al., 1968; Rögl, 1998; Rögl, Steininger, 1983; Sandulescu, Micu, 1989; Shcherba, 1993; Sissingh,
2001; Steininger, Wessely, 2000; Stolyarov, 1991; Stolyarov et al. in “Biotical and geol. events,
1996; Tugolesov, Gorshkov, Meisner et al. , 1985; Wagner, 1996; Zigler, 1990
 Map 2. Early Oligocene (early RUPELIAN, early KISCELLIAN, PSHEKHIAN)
12 0 52 0 18 0 24 0 30 0 36 0 42 0 480 54 0 60 0 66 0 52 0 72 0
DRE .6
SDE

Ural

ol
N WAR 20

epr
Do

Tob
S ZAW SYRT

Elba
A n

Dn
SAMAR
A URAL TURGAJ DA

Od
PRIPYAT GAN
RUSSIAN LAND KAR
A

ra
PRA
HA

50
Bug
Prip’at HIGH
BOHEMIAN STRAIT sna
De URG
ORENB HIGH STRAIT

Morava
48 0 MU
HIGH , , , , ,
Wisla KAZAKHSTANIAN
NC , , , , 48 0

MUGOD
HE , , , ,

aj
, N , , ,
SARATOV

g
, , , , ,
VOLHYNIAN URALSK

Tur
, , , ,

CA
,

|
, ,

20
50
,
HIGH

,
, ,

RP
, ,
, , 72 0

Z H A RY
,
HIGH

|
KIEV
CENTRAL CARPATHIAN

AT
WI BRA
EN ,
ALPINE TISL PALEOGENE BASIN ,

|
HI
AVA ica gan
HIGH DNIEPER - DONETS ved PRE-CASPIAN zkaz

AN
d

|
HUNGARIAN Me Dze
BASIN

,
12 0 Tisa

,
Dr , Dn

|
es

,
ava BASIN tr

+
BUD

BA
,
APE Don

?
+

Ju
ST
SLOVENIAN BAY

zB
SI
+
110
TR O U G H
,

,
STRAIT
S ZO LN O K

ug
+

|
N
,
+ + + ,
Dun

ZAG

Ural
REB Do 230
,

TISZA ne
au

APUSENI ts (30)

ba
|
Sa TRANSYLVANIAN U K R A IN IA N IS VOLGOGRAD

Em
va THMUS
LAND

Pru
MaHIGH Mn DONETS HIGH 10
(20)
ros 100

t
0 . 250

|
SHELF
,

44 0 Mn Don

Vo
10
44 0

lg
ROSTOV-NA-DONU

|
,
,
, , 20
BEO ,
50
GRA
ina

,
? 50

|
50
,

D 20 0
Dr

,
10
,

100 L
,

ARA
,

Syr

,
00
,

+
ASTRAKHAN

|
BI 1 200 da
,

,
+

50
CO RLA rja
,

,
+ 200
SCYTHIAN 20
,
+ RR DS 155
SEA
,
,

SAR
,

ID KY 300

|
,
AYE

50
OR SYRDARJA
,
,

U
,
V O
SEA
,

0
BUCU 20

0
60

|
30
,

REST Kalaus
MOESIAN
,

|
400

10
DI

I DEPRESSION
,

n
,

0
AP UL IA N Kuba

15
|
20 132

0
,

100
NA

HIGH

|
,

100
,
300
,

|
50
,

Kuma 200
U
,

RI

300
AP

GR
,

|
,

+
a + 20

200
|
Dun
AN

+
,

10
20
1000
EA

0
,
,

TEREK-
UL

Mn

10
,
,
,

(200
TE

|
BALKANIAN (300) 0
,

|
) 50 Mn
,
DARYALYK - KYZYLKUM
IA

,
,

,
,

SOFIJ
SH EL F R+

50
,

A
,

20
50
TURAN
,

0
,

|
N

HIGH 1
MA

| | 0
,

+ + +
, ,

|
WESTERN
,

|
Mn
+
10
,
PIN

+
MANGYSHLAK
CE
,

|
+
+
BAY
+
,

Va

DO

+ + us
C A
+
Terek Nuk
|
+ +
DAUDAN
,

+ |
,

rd
DOS
LA

+
BLACK SEA
NI

20 200
ar

Ma
,

LA

U C
|
40 0
|
10
AN

| |
ric | | | | 15
EASTERN
| |
300
ND

0
,

550
a 40 0
|
DEPRESSION
ND

SH
A S 400
ST
,

0
AT S 20

AN
RHODOPE + + +

10
|
(20 KY
DEPRESSION
+

Am
RA

DR
0)
U S
+
SW DEPRESSION

|
|

200
EL

ud
200

US
+

IT

L
BLACK SEA
,

ar
|
400

OV
+ + 10

|
+

ja
+
SEA
+ |
+
HIGH +
+ + + +
+ | +

SW
+
+

+
. 50 + +

|
+
,

+ |
+ + 100
Mn +

EL
ISTAN
+ | + +
TRO

+
DEPRESSION
|

L
+
| |
BUL

+
| |
THRACIAN | + +
| +
ra
+ +
+
B+ +A
|

Ku
+ |
. 750
,

BASIN +
,

| + |
+
ou
+
,

Cardz
+ |

S I
UGH

| |
+
,

|
TBILISI |
,

|
,

LESSER C A . 150
+ + N + SOUTH 50
20 |
,

+
UCA
+

|
|
,

IGH SUS
,

ES H
+

ID KURA +
BAKU
|

PONT
+ + + +
ANATOLIAN E RN EREVAN TROUGH +
+ CASPIAN
|

EAST
,

+
. 100
EREVAN +
ANKARA DEPRESSION
ATHE
+ + + + + + ARMENIAN 90
N S
SIVAS BASIN aks DEPRESSION FORE-KOPETDAGH 16
+

EAST LAND BASIN Ar 45

+

+
36 0 + ak AD
Kizi
lirm ASCHAB

+
MENDERES 36 0
, Atrek
EASTERN BAY

+
, ,
MEDITERRANEAN
,
HIGH 66 0

+
S H IG H KOPETDAGH
TA U R U + + + +
+
+ + +
+ +
+
+
+ LAND
+ gab

+
BASIN
,
+
Tigris +
+ Mur
,

s +

+
ate +
phr
+
+
Eu

+
MESOPOTAMIAN EL
+
CENTRAL IRAN ND
+
18 0 BU
,

BASIN RZ LA
+
+

BASIN + +
+
+

24 0 30 0 36 0 42 0 48 0 36 0 54 0 60 0

SCALE 1 : 7 500 000

75 0 75 150 225 300 375
 Map 2. Early Oligocene (early RUPELIAN, early KISCELIAN, PSCHEKHIAN)

Legend
III. PALEOGEOGRAPHY
I. LITHOLOGY:
Marine environments:
Breccia
Shallow shelf
Conglomerate
Deep shelf
Sand and sandstone
Deep shelfal depressions
Silt and siltstone
Continental slope and basin bottom
Clay
Continental environments:
Anoxic clay
Freshwater lakes, marshes
Marl Lowlands
Limestone Highlands
Silicitolits Mountains
a Boundary of different paleogeographic conditions,
Intrusive massivs b a - established, b - inferred
Terrigeneous flysch Lithofacies boundaries
Boundary of recent extension of deposits
Anhydrite and gypsum
Sea - continent boundary
II. MINERAL RESOURCES Bioherms
Coal Delta, fans
Oil and gas Turbidites
Mn Manganese Volcanoes
U Uranium and rare earth Sediment source
75 Thickness in sections , established and
Ferrugeneous ores . (650) aproximate
10 Isopachites
|
|
Synsedimentary faults and flexures
a+
+
b+ + Overthrusts: a - synsedimentary,
a b - postsedimentary
b Transcurrent faults:
a - synsedimentary, b - postsedimentary

Published and unpublished materials were used:

Andjelkovic, Eremia, Pavlovic et al., 1991; Atlas of lith.-palaeog. maps of Russian Platform..., 1961;
Atlas of lith.-paleog. maps of USSR,1967; Atlas Peri-Tethys, 2000; Atlas Tethys palaeoenvir. maps,
1993; Baldi, 1986; Balla, 1984; Berger, 1996; Chekunov, Veselov, Gilkman, 1976; Csontos,
Nagymarosy, Horvath, Kovac, 1992; Dercourt, Zonenshain et al., 1984; Furrer, Soder, 1995; Gansser
(Central Iran Basin); Goff, Jones, Horbury, 1995; Jones, Racey, 1994; Karasev M.S. (North Iran); Kovac
et al., 1994; Kopp, Shcherba. 1998; Luttig, Steffens, 1975; Nagymarosy, 1990; Nagymarosy,
Baldi-Beke, 1993; Poisson et al., 1997; Ponikarov, Kazmin, Kozlov, Krasheninnikov et al., 1968; Rögl,
1998; Rögl, Steininger, 1983; Saidov, Kuschanin (Fore-Elburz Depression); Sandulescu, Micu, 1989;
Shcherba, 1993; Sissingh, 2001; Steininger, Wessely, 2000; Stolyarov, 1991; Stolyarov et al. in
“Biotical and geol. events, 1996; Tugolesov, Gorshkov, Meisner et al. , 1985; Wagner, 1996; Yetis,
Kelling, Gokcen, Baroz, 1995; Yilmaz, Norton, Leary et al., 1996; Zigler, 1990
 Map 3. Late Oligocene (CHATTIAN - EGERIAN - KALMYKIAN)
12 0 52 0 18 0 24 0 30 0 36 0 42 0 480 54 0 60 0 66 0 52 0 72 0
DRE
SDE

Ural

ol
N WAR

epr
Do

Tob
S ZAW 30

Elba
A n SYRT
URAL

Dn
A
SAMAR NDA

Od
PRIPYAT
LAND AGA
RUSSIAN KAR

ra
PRA HIGH
HA TURGAJ

50
Bug
Prip’atDEPRESSION
BOHEMIAN D esn
a
URG
ORENB HIGH

Morava
48 0 MU
HIGH , , , , ,
Wisla LOWLAND KAZAKHSTANIAN
NC , , , , 50 48 0

MUGOD
HE , , , ,

aj
+
, N +
, , ,
SARATOV

g
, , , , ,
URALSK

Tur
, , , ,
, , , + +

,
,
+

|
,

CA

30
, ,
+
HIGH

,
72 0

Z H A RY
,
RP

|
KIEV
ALPINE WI
EN BRA VOLHYNIAN

AT
TISL

|
HIGH AVA HUNGARIAN ica

H
DNIEPER - DONETS

+
ved gan
zkaz

IA
HIGH d

|
Me Dze

+
,

N
12 0 Tisa BASIN

,
Dn

+
Dr ,
NORTH

|
es

,
ava tr

+
BUD

,
Don

BA
APE BASIN

?
+

Ju
SLOVENIAN ST +

zB
SI
+
TR O U G H
,
STRAIT
S ZO LN O K PRE-CASPIAN . 140 .3

ug
|
+
N
++ +
+
BAY
Dun

+
ZAG

Ural
REB Do . 10

+
,

. 500
TISZA ne . 25
a

+
APUSENI ts

ba
|
Sa VOLGOGRAD

+
,

Em
va LAND TRANSYLVANIAN UKRAINIAN HIGH DONETS

|
+ +

Pru
MaHIGH HIGH PRE-ARALIAN

,
ros

|
,

44 0 Don . 250
KA

Vo
BASIN BAY 44 0
RA

lg
50 ROSTOV-NA-DONU . 174

a
TA

|
BEO
, ,
Dne
pr U
GRA
,
? 100
ina

200

|
,

D 100 . 143
Dr

L
,

ARA
BI
,

,
CO RLA SCYTHIAN Syr

+
ASTRAKHAN

|
da
,

+ RR DS 50 . 139
200 rja
,

SAR + + ID KY U
SEA
,

OR U
,

?
,

AYE 200

|
, ,
V O 1000 100
,
,

,
U CENTRAL
SEA

0
10
,

BUCU |

|
,

REST INDOL-KUBAN Kalaus

,

100
DI

I 400 |
,

50
MOESIAN uban
,

AP UL IA N UK 300
,

NA

DEPRESSION
HIGH

|
,

500
,

00
,

. (2000) 700 10Kuma

,

50
RI
AP

TURAN
,

200

|
|
,

+
una
+ 2000 400 SYRDARYA
AN

+
,

+
,
,

D
UL

0
,
U 130 TEREK- 100
,

BALKANIAN
,

(400

|
(700) )
,

, 200
100
DARYALYK - KYZYLKUM
IA

,
,

,
,

SOFIJ 0
SH EL F
+ +
,

+
A HIGH
,

WESTERN
,

|
N

U MANGYSHLAK
+

|
| | +
,

50
,

+
50
,

+ |
,

+ +
,

MANGYSHLAK LOWLAND
+
,

20
+
,

|
+

|
00
LA

+
+ U BAY
,

LAGONAKI
Va

BLACK SEA u s
Nuk
PIND

|
+ Terek DAUDAN
,

ISLAND
|
,

rd

LAND
LA

ND

+ 10
ar

Ma 0
,

100
|
40 0 | | | |
10
|
50
ric EASTERN
| |
200 50 | |
ND

0
,

50
a 40 0
DEPRESSION 300
|
SH DEPRESSION
GR +
U
,

OS

(40 | AT S + + 50
KY +

AN
+

Am
+
RHODOPE 0) SW 300 EAT DEPRESSION

|
DR
|
EL 50

ud
L 50
BLACK SEA E+ R SEA

US

ar
|
+

ja
+

OV
+ + ++ + |
+
ION

HIGH C+ A ++ + +
+
+ + | +
+
+

|
+

SW
|

? U C+ + +
+

+ TIEN SHAN

+
|
ISTAN . 150

EL
|
BUL DEPRESSION
IAN

A + S+
|
+

THRACIAN
| +
ra
+ +

+
L
+
+ . 350 u . 60 |
,

+ . 300
00)
+
BASIN K
U
UPLI N

| +
+ (10 + +
|

+S ou
+
. 800
,

Cardz
| |

WESTERN PONTIDES
|
,

LESS B A
+

TBILISI |
BAS

|
|
,

ER S I N SOUTH 50
+

|
+ |
. 350 + +
,

FTIN

. 200
+
+

|
|
,

S
I

IDE CA KURA
+

PONT
+

+ . 57 |

N + UC + BAKU
STER
+

+ +
G

ANATOLIAN EA
+
+ A S DEPRESSION
US
. 400 CASPIAN
|

+
EREVAN . 1000 +
ANKARA 500 . 27
ATHE MENDERES + + + + + +
DEPRESSION FORE-KOPETDAGH
+
N S s
HIGH SIVAS BASIN
+
ak
Ar

100
. 20
LAND ARARAT HIGH
+
36 0 lir mak . 1000 ASCHAB
AD
Kizi

+
Atrek . 40 36 0
EAST
,
BAY

+
, ,
,
66 0
H IG H

+
+ KOPETDAGH
+ +
AURUS
+ + +
+ +
T +
+ + +
+
+
+ HIGH
MEDITERRANEAN gab

+
,
+
Tigris Mur
,

es

+
rat
Eup
h EL

+
BU
CENTRAL IRAN
+
18 0 BASIN RZ
G H+
,

+
+
+

MESOPOTAMIAN BASIN BASIN +

H I
+
+

24 0 30 0 36 0 42 0 48 0 36 0 54 0 60 0

SCALE 1 : 7 500 000

75 0 75 150 225 300 375
 Map 3. Late Oligocene (CHATTIAN, EGERIAN, KALMYKIAN)
Legend
III. PALEOGEOGRAPHY
I. LITHOLOGY:
Marine environments:
Breccia
Shallow shelf
Conglomerate
Deep shelf
Sand and sandstone
Deep shelfal depressions
Silt and siltstone
Continental slope and basin bottom
Clay
Anoxic clay Brackish environments
Marl Continental environments:
Freshwater lakes, marshes
Limestone
Lowlands
Silicitolits
Highlands
Intrusive massivs Mountains
a Boundary of different paleogeographic conditions,
Acidic extrusives b a - established, b - inferred
Terrigeneous flysch Lithofacies boundaries
Anhydrite and gypsum Boundary of recent extension of deposits
Ashes and tuff material Sea - continent boundary
Bioherms
II. MINERAL RESOURCES
Delta, fans
Coal
Turbidites
Oil and gas Volcanoes
Mn Manganese Sediment source
U Uranium and rare earth 75 Thickness in sections , established and
. (650) aproximate
Ferrugeneous ores 10 Isopachites
|
|
Synsedimentary faults and flexures
a+ +
+
b + Overthrusts: a - synsedimentary, b - postsedimentary
a Transcurrent faults:
b
a - synsedimentary, b - postsedimentary

Published and unpublished materials were used:

Andjelkovic, Eremia, Pavlovic et al., 1991; Atlas of lith.-palaeog. maps of Russian Platform..., 1961;
Atlas of lith.-paleog. maps of USSR,1967; Atlas Peri-Tethys, 2000; Atlas Tethys palaeoenvir. maps,
1993; Baldi, 1986; Balla, 1984; Beer, Shcherba, 1984; Berger, 1996; Chekunov, Veselov, Gilkman,
1976; Csontos, Nagymarosy, Horvath, Kovac, 1992; Dercourt, Zonenshain et al., 1984; Frisch,
Kuhlemann, Dunkl, Bruegel, 1998; Furrer, Soder, 1995; Gansser (Central Iran Basin); Goff, Jones,
Horbury, 1995; Jiricek, Seifert, 1990; Jones, Racey, 1994; Karasev M.S. (North Iran); Kovac et al., 1994;
Kopp, Shcherba. 1998; Kunin, Kosova, Blokhina, 1989, 1990; Luttig, Steffens, 1975; Nagymarosy,
1990; Nagymarosy, Baldi-Beke, 1993; Neogene paleog. atlas of Central and E. Europe, 1988;
Poisson et al., 1997; Ponikarov, Kazmin, Kozlov, Krasheninnikov et al., 1968; Rögl, 1998; Rögl,
Steininger, 1983; Saidov, Kuschanin (Fore-Elburz Depression; Sandulescu, Micu, 1989; Shcherba,
1993; Sissingh, 2001; Steininger, Wessely, 2000; Stolyarov, 1991; Tugolesov, Gorshkov, Meisner
et al. , 1985; Wagner, 1996; Yetis, Kelling, Gokcen, Baroz, 1995; Yilmaz, Norton, Leary et al., 1996;
Zigler, 1990
 Map 4. Early Miocene (early BURDIGALIAN, EGGENBURGIAN, SAKARAULIAN)

12 0 52 0 18 0 24 0 30 0 36 0 42 0 480 54 0 60 0 66 0 52 0 72 0
DRE
SDE

Ural

ol
N WAR

epr
Do

Tob
S ZAW

Elba
A n

Dn
SAMAR
A
URAL DA

Od
PRIPYAT GAN
RUSSIAN SYRT KAR
A

ra
PRA
HA TURGAJ

Bug
Prip’at a
DEPRESSION D esn . 22
BOHEMIAN ORENB
URG KAZAKHSTANIAN
HIGH HIGH

Morava
48 0
.8 Wisla LOWLAND
MU
NC
HE
HIGH + +
+ + HIGH 48 0

aj
+
, , , , N + + + +
, . ,700 SARATOV
+

g
URALSK

Tur
40

CA

|
0
70
?

RP
, 72 0

|
KIEV

+
. 45

AT
WI BRA , VOLHYNIAN

MUGOD
EN
ALPS TISL

|
?

H
AVA
? 1600 . DNIEPER - DONETS ica gan
ved

IAN
HIGH d zkaz

|
Me Dze
HUNGARIAN BASIN

,
12 0 Tisa Dn

Z H A RY
Dr

|
,
,
ava BASIN es
tr

+
PRE-CASPIAN

,
. 160 BUDA Don

BA
+

?
PEST

Ju
+
. 800

zB
S I,N
,

ug
LOWLAND

,
+
. 2000

|
+ + +
,
APUSENI
Dun

ZAG

Ural
REB Do
,

ne
a

TISZA TRANSYLVANIAN ts

ba
HIGH VOLGOGRAD
Sa
HIGH

Em
va .25 UKRAINIAN

|
LAND

Pru
Ma
ros DONETS
BASIN PRE-ARALIAN

t
44 0
,

Don

,
K A R ATA

Vo
HIGH ROSTOV-NA-DONU U 44 0

lg a
,
+
?B LOWLAND

,
,

+
,
BEO ,
IR
GRA
ina

. 10

,
L

+
,

D ST ADS 30
Dr

,
50
,

RA K L

+
,

ARA
,

IT Y Syr

,
. 12
ASTRAKHAN da
,

,
50 rja
CENTRAL
,
SAR ,
100
SEA
+ .5
,

+ +
,

AYE , + + 100
V O +
,

, + +
+ +
+ + +
SCYTHIAN
,

BUCU
REST INDOL-KUBAN |
SEA Kalaus
100
,

I SYRDARYA
,

AP UL IA N 500 |
n 200 ?
,

Kuba
,

+
MOESIAN DEPRESSION |
250
,

,
DI

Kuma
,

|
+
,

NA

a + 1000
Dun

+
+
LOWLAND
,

+ +
,

, HIGH (300 +
,

100
,

RI

|
(500) )
KYZYLKUM
,

,
SH EL F , Mn 250
,

,
,

SOFIJ 50
AP

AN

+
,

A
,

BALKANIAN WESTERN
+ +
,

+
,

200

|
+ 10
,

, ,,

00
UL

+
,

LOWLAND
,

HIGH LAGONAKI
+
,

+ + 100
,

Va

TEREK- us
+
BLACK SEA
IA

LAND MANGYSHLAK Nuk

,

+
+ Terek
,

rd

| 950 . +
,

ar

Ma
,
+

40 0
HI

| | | | |
ric EASTERN
| | | | |
,

|
SH
,
+

a AT 50 40 0
DEPRESSION

AN
. 550
GH

SK 70
RHODOPE
,

|
TIENSHAN
,

YS

DR
(30
DEPRESSION 30

Am
,

0) | W EL +

US
|
L +

ud
+
PIND
,

OV
|
. 100 +
BLACK SEA
,

ar
HIGH
,
+

TURAN

|
|
RIONI +

ja
+ +

SW
+ + +
,
IONI

+
+

.(750) +
+
SHELF + +

EL

|
+ +
,

+ + +
G R+
OS U

L
+

+
ISTAN + + + +
BUL
+ + + +
DEPRESSION |
+
a
. 30
. 130 E+ A+T |

r E+ R+
+
AN B

Mn Ku
+ |

+
,

+
KARABOGAZ - TUARKYR
+
,

| +
+ + C A+ U
+
|

ou
,

Cardz
. 300 |

LES
+
+ CAS
PLIF

|
,

TBILISI US
|

WESTERN PONTIDES HIGH SER +

,

|
. 100
BAS
+
SOUTH ISLAND |
, ASIN

I N. 30
+
+

| |
,

TING

IGH C SEA
,

ES H KURA
+

. 100 A
+
ID BAKU +
PONT +U C
. 600 +
ANATOLIAN E RN
+ + +
+
AS
+
CASPIAN
|

EAST

+
MENDERES EREVAN . 46 US DEPRESSION 250 . 170
ANKARA + +
HIGH + + +
ATHE
N S
+ +
SIVAS BASIN
. 680
s
DEPRESSION FORE-KOPETDAGH
ARARAT HIGH ak . 20
Ar
LAND
+
36 0 EAST ak AD
Kizi
lirm . 260 ASCHAB

+
BAY 36 0
,
H IG H Atrek

+
, ,
,
S KOPETDAGH 66 0

+
+ + +
TA U R U
+
+ +
MEDITERRANEAN . 200
+ + + +
HIGH

+
+ + + + + + +

+
+
gab

+
,
Tigris +
Mur
,

+
ate
BASIN hr
+

Eup EL

+
+

18 0 CENTRAL IRAN BU +
+
,

MESOPOTAMIAN BASIN BASIN RZ + +

+
+

+
+
24 0 30 0 36 0 42 0 48 0 36 0 54 0 60 0

SCALE 1 : 7 500 000

75 0 75 150 225 300 375
 Map 4. Early Miocene (EARLY BURDIGALIAN, EGGENBURGIAN, SAKARAULIA
III. PALEOGEOGRAPHY
Marine environments:
Legend Shallow shelf
I. LITHOLOGY: Deep shelf
Breccia Deep shelfal depressions
Conglomerate
Continental slope and basin bottom
Sand and sandstone Continental environments:
Silt and siltstone Freshwater lakes, marshes
Clay Lowlands
Anoxic clay Highlands
Marl Mountains
a Boundary of different paleogeographic conditions,
Limestone b a - established, b - inferred
Silicitolits Lithofacies boundaries
Boundary of recent extension of deposits
Intrusive massivs
Sea - continent boundary
Basic and intermediate volcanics
Bioherms
Terrigeneous flysch
Delta, fans
Anhydrite and gypsum
Turbidites
II. MINERAL RESOURCES Volcanoes
Coal Sediment source
75 Thickness in sections , established and
Oil and gas . (650) aproximate
Mn
10 Isopachites
Manganese |
|
Synsedimentary faults and flexures
Salts a+
+
b+ + Overthrusts: a - synsedimentary,
b - postsedimentary
a
b Transcurrent faults:
a - synsedimentary, b - postsedimentary

Published and unpublished materials were used:

Andjelkovic, Eremia, Pavlovic et al., 1991; Atlas of lith.-palaeog. maps of Russian Platform..., 1961;
Atlas of lith.-paleog. maps of USSR,1967; Atlas Peri-Tethys, 2000; Atlas Tethys palaeoenvir. maps,
1993; Baldi, 1986; Balla, 1984; Beer, Shcherba, 1984; Berger, 1996; Boccaletti, Ciaranfi, Cosentino
et al., 1990; Cahuzac, Alvenerie, Lauriat-Rage et all., 1992; Chekunov, Veselov, Gilkman, 1976;
Csontos, Nagymarosy, Horvath, Kovac, 1992; Dercourt, Zonenshain et al., 1984; Erentoz, 1958;
Frisch, Kuhlemann, Dunkl, Bruegel, 1998; Furrer, Soder, 1995; Gansser (Central Iran Basin); Goff,
Jones, Horbury, 1995; Jiricek, Seifert, 1990; Jones, Racey, 1994; Karasev M.S. (North Iran); Kovac,
Cicha, Krystek et al., 1989; Kovac, 2000; Kopp, Shcherba. 1998; Kunin, Kosova, Blokhina, 1989,
1990; Luttig, Steffens, 1975; Nagymarosy, 1990; Nagymarosy, Baldi-Beke, 1993; Neogene paleog.
atlas of Central and E. Europe, 1988; Ozsayar, 1977; Poisson et al., 1997; Ponikarov, Kazmin, Kozlov,
Krasheninnikov et al., 1968; Rögl, 1998; Rögl, Steininger, 1983; Saidov, Kuschanin (Fore-Elburz
Depression); Sandulescu, Micu, 1989; Seifert et al., 1994; Shcherba, 1993; Sissingh, 2001;
Steininger, Senes, Kleemann et al., 1988; Steininger, Wessely, 2000; Stolyarov, 1991; Tugolesov,
Gorshkov, Meisner et al. , 1985; Wagner, 1996; Yetis, Kelling, Gokcen, Baroz, 1995; Yilmaz, Norton,
Leary et al., 1996; Zigler, 1990
 Map 5. Early Middle Miocene (LANGHIAN, Early BADENIAN, CHOKRAKIAN)

12 0 52 0 18 0 24 0 30 0 36 0 42 0 480 54 0 60 0 66 0 52 0 72 0
DRE

Dnieper
SDE

Ural
URAL

ol
N WAR Do

Tob
S ZAW

Elba
A n
A
PRIPYAT SAMAR NDA

Od
AGA
KAR

ra
PRA
HA
TURGAJ

Bug
Prip’at
BOHEMIAN sna
.(3)

HIGH DEPRESSION De RUSSIAN LAND RG KAZAKHSTANIAN

ORENBU

Morava
.10
Wisla

FO
48 0 MU .30
. 30
. 100
WE

RE
NC +
48 0
HE + +

aj
LOWLAND
+
. 13
N
ST HIGHLAND

-C
SARATOV

g
VOLHYNIAN URALSK

Tur
. 200
E R,

AR
, .(2)
.(10)
N C .(10)

|
PA
VIENNA - AR .20
72 0

TH |
WI PAT HIGH KIEV

IA

MUGOD
EN BRA
ALPS TISL HIA

N
|
DANUBE AVA 50 . NS . 80 . 20 ica PRE-CASPIAN .13
gan
d ved zkaz

|
. 1000 DNIEPER - DONETS .10 Me Dze

,
12 0 Tisa

Z H A RY
Dr BASIN 100 . Dn
LOWLAND

|
,
,
ava . 80 es
ter LOWLAND Pa NORTH

,
60 . BUD Don
APE leo

?
+

BA
. 400

Ju
150 . ST
-D

zB
+
, . 100

SI
on

ug
,,
.30

|
+
200 .

N
, .6
PANNONIAN .6 Pa
leo
.21 PRE-CASPIAN
Dun

|
ZAG 50 .

Ural
REB Do .(100)
40 . 14 . ne -D PRE-ARALIAN
on
a

.100. 60 .
ts .(6)

ba
H IG H
50 .
EASTERN ets VOLGOGRAD
U K R A IN IA N
Sa APUSENI GULF

Em
va .7
DONETS LOWLAND

Pru
.3

|
Ma
ros CARPATHIAN HIGH

t
.45
44 0 .(6)

,
Don .40
50 . ?

40
TRANSYLVANIAN

Vo
BASIN 4. .40
44 0

|
.45

,, ,
NORTH

lg
.100 ROSTOV-NA-DONU
HIGH

a
+ 30 .
KAR

|
+
BEO
GRA BASIN 47 . ATA
ina

,
50 .
USTJURT U

+
D ?
Dr

20

|
RAL

+
,

20
DIN

,, .42 A Syr
ASTRAKHAN

20
? d
,

.32 11 . arj
SCYTHIAN CENTRAL
,
SAR 50
GULF a

|
,
+ 15.
SEA
ARI

+ +
,

AYE , + + 100 . 100

? 15 .
V O DACIC BASIN
+ +
,

, + 6. .(40)
+ + +

|
+
AN

+
,

50 . DOBROGEA 200
BUCU
50 .
SHELF
|
.25 Kalaus
,

REST MASSIF .156 SYRDARYA

I |

TURAN LAND

|
,

AP UL IA N INDOL-KUBAN n
100
MOESIAN Kuba |
,

300 . DEPRESSION

|
50 Kuma
,

.(25)

|
60. +
+
Dun
a LAND ) (500) + .40
,

0 + LOWLAND
,

80

|
( (500)
,

10
.5
SH EL F (500)
,

0
SOFIJ (200)

|
HIG

(50)
BALKANIAN
,

A WESTERN

)
,

(800

50
,

CAU .17 KYZYLKUM

AP

0
+ (200)
,

|
+
HIGH
,

+
H

+ +
CAS
+

+ (100
UL

+
TEREKTerek
Va

us
+
)
Nuk

|
(800) + + +
BLACK SEA
,
+

IAN
,

rd

LOWLAND
+

+ +
IA

ar

Ma |
+

(500) +
40 0 | | | | |
+

ric + 500 .13

| |
(20)
,

SH |
,

a
EASTERN AT S +
SOUTH 40 0
DEPRESSION ARC DEPRESSION
,

AN
+

KY
,

RHODOPE RID .100 .20

TIENSHAN

20
)
(800)

DR
(800
HIPE

Am
,

20
GE + .48 |
+

GULF

US
RIONI + + LAGO MANGYSHLAK

ud
,

(20)
HIGH BLACK SEA (50)

OV

ar
.41
(500)

.910
+

|
+

ja
,
+ +

00
(800).

RI
+ + .4
SHELF

(10
+
,
+

DG
+

|
+
DEPRESSION .500
,

E
+

70.
ISTAN
BUL
+
+
+ KARABOGAZ - .15
.10 |
HEL

ra

0)
+ + +
TUARKYR ISLAND .7

00
+ |

Ku
|
,

) + +

(1
00 + |
(15 ou
|
,

Cardz
|
.100
,

WESTERN PONTIDES
LEN

TBILISI200 |
|

LES 20
,

|
+ .15 |

SER KURA
,

+
|

GULF
+ 150. SOUTH .18
|
,

IDS

+ .5 .17
CA |

UC BAKU +
ANATOLIAN EASTERN PONTIDES 50.
+ |

? AS CASPIAN FORE-KOPETDAGH

+
50
US

0
EREVAN .130
ANKARA 50 .29
ATHE GULF
N S BASIN (20
0)
ks .9 (50)

40
a (200)
Ar

0
.60 150. + .57

36 0 EAST LAND ma k
+
KOPE ABAD
+ +
izilir T DAASCH

+
K 100
.100
GH 36 0

+
MENDERES , 200 Atrek
TALYSH
, ,
, (50)

+
66 0
HIGH

+
+ +
MEDITERRANEAN + + +

+
+ + .50
+

+
+
gab
,
Mur
+
Tigris
,

es
rat
BASIN
+

h
Eup
+

+
+
18 0
+

.107
,

+
URZ
+
+
MESOPOTAMIAN BASIN +
ELB

+
+
24 0 30 0 36 0 42 0 48 0 36 0 54 0 60 0

SCALE 1 : 7 500 000

75 0 75 150 225 300 375
 Map 5. Beginning Middle Miocene (LANGHIAN, Early BADENIAN, CHOKRAKIAN)

Legend
I. LITHOLOGY:
Deep shelfal depressions
Breccia
Continental slope and basin bottom
Conglomerate
Continental environments:
Sand and sandstone
Freshwater lakes, marshes
Silt and siltstone
Lowlands
Clay Highlands
Anoxic clay Mountains
Marl a Boundary of different paleogeographic conditions,
b a - established, b - inferred
Limestone Lithofacies boundaries
Silicitolits Boundary of recent extension of deposits
Intrusive massivs Sea - continent boundary

Basic extrusives River valleys

Acidic extrusives Bioherms
Terrigeneous flysch Delta, fans
Anhydrite and gypsum Turbidites
Volcanoes
II. MINERAL RESOURCES
Sediment source
Coal
75 Thickness in sections , established and
Oil and gas . (650) aproximate
10 Isopachites
Salts |

a
|
Synsedimentary faults and flexures
III. PALEOGEOGRAPHY b
+
+ +
+ Overthrusts: a - synsedimentary,
Marine environments: a b - postsedimentary
b Transcurrent faults:
Shallow shelf a - synsedimentary, b - postsedimentary
Deep shelf

Published and unpublished materials were used:

Alizade, Azizbekova, Ataeva, 1980; Andjelkovic, Eremia, Pavlovic et al., 1991; Atlas of lith.-palaeog.
maps of Russian Platform..., 1961; Atlas of lith.-paleog. maps of USSR,1967; Atlas of paleog. maps
of Ukr. and MoldSSR,1960; Atlas Peri-Tethys, 2000;; Atlas of paleog. maps of Ukr. and MoldSSR,1960;
Atlas Tethys palaeoenvir. maps, 1993; Berger, 1996; Boccaletti, Ciaranfi, Cosentino et al., 1990;
Cahuzac, Alvenerie,Lauriat-Rage et all., 1992; Chekunov, Veselov, Gilkman, 1976; Csontos,
Nagymarosy, Horvath, Kovac, 1992; Ctyroky et al., 1975; Dercourt, Zonenshain et al., 1984;
Devjatkin et al., 2000; Dumurdzanov, Krstic, 1999; Erentoz, 1958; Frisch, Kuehlemann, Dukl, Bruegel,
1998; Furrer, Soder, 1995; Gansser (Central Iran Basin); Goff, Jones, Horbury, 1995; Goncharova,
1989; Goncharova, Shcherba, Khondkarian, 2001, 2002; Gusev V.I. (NW Ustjurt); Karasev M.S. (North
Iran); Kovac, Cicha, Krystek et al., 1989; Kopp, Shcherba. 1998; Kopp, Shcherba, 1985;
Krasheninnikov, 1971, 1985; Kunin, Kosova, Blokhina, 1989, 1990; Luttig, Steffens, 1975; Nagymarosy,
1990; Neogene paleog. atlas of Central and E. Europe, 1988; Pinkhasov, 1984; Poisson et al., 1997;
Ponikarov, Kazmin, Kozlov, Krasheninnikov et al., 1968; Pronin V.G.(North Ustjurt); Radoicic, De Capoa,
D’Argenio, 1991; Robinson, 1995; Rögl, 1998; Rögl, Steininger, 1983; Saidov, Kuschanin (Fore-Elburz
Depression); Seifert et al., 1994; Shcherba, 1993; Sissingh, 1997, 1998; Steininger, Senes, Kleemann
et al., 1988; Steininger, Wessely, 2000; Tugolesov, Gorshkov, Meisner et al. , 1985; Wagner, 1996;
etis, Kelling, Gokcen, Baroz, 1995; Yilmaz, Norton, Leary et al., 1996; Zigler, 1990
 Map 6. Middle Miocene (middle SERRAVALLIAN, late BADENIAN, KONKIAN)
12 0 52 0 18 0 24 0 30 0 36 0 42 0 480 54 0 60 0 66 0 52 0 72 0
DRE
SDE

Ural

ol
N WAR

epr
Do SYRT

Tob
S ZAW
URAL

Elba
, n
, A

Dn
,
, PRIPYAT SAMAR
A
NDA

Od
, ,

RUSSIAN LAND TURGAJ KAR

AGA

ra
PRA
HA HIGH

Bug
Prip’at a
BOHEMIAN DEPRESSION sn
De URG
HIGH ORENB LOWLAND

Morava
.400

FO
48 0 MU
Wisla . 1,5 KAZAKHSTANIAN

RE
NC
HE
+
+ + VOLHYNIAN 48 0

aj
+

-C
N
SARATOV

g
C A R, , URALSK

Tur
AR
PAT HIGH

|
.1000

PA
HIA HIGH

TH
WI
EN NS 72 0

Y
.500 KIEV
DNIEPER - DONETS

IA
ALPS

MUGODZHAR
BRA

N
TISL

|
VIENNA - AVA DEPRESSION ica PRE-CASPIAN LOWLAND
ved gan

GU
DANUBE d zkaz

|
Me Dze

LF
,
12 0 Dr BASIN Tisa Dn . 2,5

|
ava .2000 es Pa
tr . 15 . 1,5

+
BUD .4 Don leo
APE

?
?

Ju
ST -D

zB
+
on

ug
,

|
+
PANNONIAN

+
,
,
Pa
UKRAINIAN LOW LAND
Dun

ZAG Do l e o

|
BASIN PRE-ARALIAN

Ural
REB
ne - D
a

ts o n

ba
Sa ets VOLGOGRAD
DONETS

Em
APUSENI
va . 15 LOWLAND

Pru
TRANSYLVANIAN

|
Ma
ros HIGH

t
44 0 Don

,
TURAN

Vo

|
BASIN 44 0

lg
ROSTOV-NA-DONU

a
,
+

LAND KAR

|
+
BEO ? ATA
GRA
ina

,
U

+
D
Dr

|
RAL

+
. 34 .5 Syr

,
. 15 .8 A
ASTRAKHAN da
,
rja
SCYTHIAN CENTRAL
,

|
SAR ,
SEA
+

10
,

+ +
,

AEV , + + . 10
NORTH
O + . 20
,

+
DACIC +
BASIN
,
10
+

+ + .7

|
+ + + 20 . 20
,

|
BU CURE SHELF
+

|
DOBROGEA Kalaus
,
DIN

STI INDOL-KUBAN
USTJURT 20 SYRDARYA

|
n
,

. 17 Kuba
AR

AP UL IAN
+

. 24

10
DEPRESSION
,

. (57)

|
Kuma
+
IAN

MOESIAN
,

|
+
+ 20
una ? GULF
+

+
LOWLAND
,

+
,

|
(100)

|
+
,

,
? LAND
,

SH EL F SOFIJ

|
)
(20
,

A
BALKANIAN WESTERN
,

30
KYZYLKUM (20)
,

20
(20
+

|
,

+
,

+
HIGH CAUCASIAN TEREK Te SOUTH
APU

HIG

+
,

Va

us
+
BLACK SEA +
Nuk

|
+
,
+

+ rek 0)
,

rd

+
+ + 20 20 LOWLAND (2
ar

Ma |
H
+

(100) SH
40 0 + | | | |
MANGYSHLAK SHELF
LIA

ric AT | | | |
,

|
10 30
SK LAND
,

a + 40
DEPRESSION 40 0

AN
DEPRESSION
|
YS + 40
,

+
,

WE

DR
+
,

LL . 40 20 |

Am
RHODOPE EASTERN

US
+ (20)
TIENSHAN
,

0)
+

ud
|

OV
+

(2
ar
H E L L+
,

RIONI

10
40
+

ja
)
|

+ + +

(20
,
BLACK SEA

|
30

SW
,

.80 +
BAY
+

+
?

EL
+
,

|
+
+

L
|

ISTAN + +
E N+ I D+

.200
BUL DEPRESSION |
+ +
ra
+
KARABOGAZ -

|
Ku
+
+ +

+
+
0)

+
|

(10 +
TUARKYR |
+
ou
+
Cardz

+
|
S

+ |

WESTERN PONTIDES TBILISI

+

+
ISLAND
|

|
LESSER KURA + +
|

+ . 100 SOUTH

40
| + |
|

? CAUC
+
? ANATOLIAN EASTERN PONTIDES GULF
+ BAKU +
|

+
AS +
CASPIAN FORE-KOPETDAGH
U S GULF

+
+
|

EREVAN
ANKARA . 100
+ + + +
ATHE +
N S LAND
+
s DEPRESSION
SIVAS BASIN ak (100) (50 0)
EAST . 300
Ar . 40 + ) (5

36 0 ak
+
KOP BAD
+ +
MENDERES Kizi
lirm
? E TADSCHA 36 0
, , ,
,
. 50
TALYSH Atrek AGH
66 0
HIGH HIGH ?
+ +
MEDITERRANIAN U S + + +

+
TA U R
+ + (50)
+

+
+
gab
,
Tigris +
Mur
,

es
rat
+

h
BASIN Eup
+

? CENTRAL IRAN +
R Z
+

18 0
,

BU
+
+
MESOPOTAMIAN BASIN BASIN
+

EL 0

+
+
24 0 30 0 36 0 42 0 48 0 36 0 54 60 0

SCALE 1 : 7 500 000

75 0 75 150 225 300 375
 Map 6. Middle Middle Miocene (middle SERRAVALLIAN, late BADENIAN,
KONKIAN)

Legend Continental environments:

Freshwater lakes, marshes
I. LITHOLOGY:
Lowlands
Conglomerate Highlands
Sand and sandstone Mountains
Silt and siltstone Boundary of different paleogeographic conditions,
a
Clay b a - established, b - inferred
Lithofacies boundaries
Marl
Boundary of recent extension of deposits
Limestone
Sea - continent boundary
Intrusive massivs
River valleys
Basic extrusives
Acidic extrusives Bioherms
Anhydrite and gypsum Delta, fans
Turbidites
Coal
Volcanoes
Salts Sediment source
III. PALEOGEOGRAPHY 75 Thickness in sections , established and
. (650) aproximate
Marine environments: 10 Isopachites
Shallow shelf |
|
Synsedimentary faults and flexures
Deep shelf a+ +
b+ + Overthrusts: a - synsedimentary,
Deep shelfal depressions a
b - postsedimentary
b Transcurrent faults:
Continental slope and basin bottom
a - synsedimentary, b - postsedimentary

Published and unpublished materials were used:

Alizade, Azizbekova, Ataeva, 1980; Andjelkovic, Eremia, Pavlovic et al., 1991; Atlas of lith.-palaeog.
maps of Russian Platform, 1961; Atlas of lith.-paleog. maps of USSR,1967; Atlas Peri-Tethys, 2000;
Atlas Tethys palaeoenvir. maps,1993; Boccaletti, Ciaranfi, Cosentino et al., 1990; Cahuzac,
Alvenerie, Lauriat-Rage et all., 1992; Chekunov, Veselov, Gilkman, 1976; Csontos, Nagymarosy,
Horvath, Kovac, 1992; Dercourt, Zonenshain et al., 1984; Dumurdzanov, Krstic, 1999; Erentoz, 1958;
Gansser (Central Iran Basin); Gelati, 1975; Goff, Jones, Horbury, 1995; Goncharova, Ilyina, 1997;
Goncharova, Shcherba, 1997; Ilyina, 2000; Karasev M.S. (North Iran); Kolesnikov, 1936; Kovac, Cicha,
Krystek et al., 1989; Kopp, Shcherba. 1998; Kulichenko, Savron’, 1984; Luttig, Steffens, 1975;
Neogene paleog. atlas of Central and E. Europe, 1988; Neogene system, 1986; Ozsayar, 1977;
Ponikarov, Kazmin, Kozlov, Krasheninnikov et al., 1968; Radoicic, De Capoa, D’Argenio, 1991;
Robinson, 1995; Rodzjanko G.N., (Volga-Don area); Rögl, 1998; Rögl, Steininger, 1983; Saidov,
Kuschanin (Fore-Elburz Depression); Seifert et al., 1994; Shcherba, 1993; Sissingh, 1997, 1998;
Steininger, Senes, Kleemann et al., 1988; Steininger, Wessely, 2000; Strashimirov,1961; Tugolesov,
Gorshkov, Meisner et al. , 1985; Yetis, Kelling, Gokcen, Baroz, 1995; Yilmaz, Norton, Leary et al., 1996;
Zigler, 1990
 Map 7. Middle - Late Miocene (late SERRAVALLIAN, SARMATIAN s.s.,Middle SARMATIAN s.l.)
12 0 52 0 18 0 24 0 30 0 36 0 42 0 480 54 0 60 0 66 0 52 0 72 0
DRE
SDE

Ural

ol
N WAR

epr
Do SYRT

Tob
S ZAW
URAL

Elba
A n

Dn
A
SAMAR NDA

Od
AGA
. 24
RUSSIAN LAND KAR

ra
PRA
HA HIGH

Bug
Prip’at
BOHEMIAN De
sn a . 54 TURGAJ
URG
ORENB
HIGH

Morava
. 26

48 0 MU
Wisla KAZAKHSTANIAN
NC . 35 48 0
HE . 20

gaj
+
N
SARATOV
+
URALSK
+

Tur
HIGH

+
LOWLAND

CA
. 1000
DNIEPER - DONETS
KIEV 72 0

RP

Z H A RY
ALPS WI
EN BRA BASIN

AT
TISL
. 600 AVA ica gan
ved

H
. 2100
d .5 zkaz
Me Dze

IA
. 1050
GALICZIAN

MUGOD
12 0 Tisa Dn

NS
Dr es
ava Pa

|
tr
. 1020
BUD
APE . 300 UKRAINIAN Don leo NORTH

Ju
ST GULF Pal -D

zB

|
. 300
eo- on

ug
. 70
Don

+
100
. 350
HIGH ets PRE-CASPIAN

|
100

+
Dun

ZAG PRE-ARALIAN

Ural
REB 30 Do
0
PANNONIAN . 300

|
ne
au

ts GULF

ba
DONETS

20
Sa APUSENI VOLGOGRAD

Em
BASIN

|
va HIGH LOWLAND

++
TRANSYLVANIAN

Pru
50
50

0
. 70 Ma

|
ros

t
BASIN

+
44 0 Don

Vo
44 0

lg
+

|
ROSTOV-NA-DONU

a
+
KAR

+
. 350

+
BEO ATA

|
GRA 40
ina

D 30 U
Dr

++
. 400
RAL
,

|
SCYTHIAN A Syr
ASTRAKHAN da
,

rja
SAR
50 SEA
CENTRAL

|
,

AEV NORTH
O . 800
,

100 10
. 100
DACIC BUC
,

|
200

0
10 . URES DOBROGEA 10
SHELF Kalaus
,

BASIN TI INDOL-KUBAN 20
0
n
50
USTJURT SYRDARYA
,

10
Kuba

|
. 100 0
AP UL IAN CRIMEA DEPRESSION Kuma
20

100

|
,

100
ISLAND
+
+
MOESIAN una 200
BAY
+
LOWLAND
|

D (300) +
? 20

|
,

LAND
|
,
|
DIN

SH EL F SOFIJ | |
,

|
BALKANIAN WESTERN
|

KYZYLKUM
,

TEREK - CASPIAN
AR

+ |
AP

+
+
HIGH ?
+
+ |
+
,

Va
IDE

BLACK SEA us
+
UL

+
+ Terek 50
Nuk
,
+

+
,

rd

+ 100
+
G 300 LOWLAND
ar

Ma +
+

SH
,

+ R
IA

(300)
40 0 200
S

+ E
ric AT |

AT E 90 SOUTH
|
SK
EASTERN
,

400 50
a 40 0

AN
DEPRESSION YS . 500 + 500
,

WE
R C

DR
LL DEPRESSION |

Am
RHODOPE

US
BLACK SEA
+
+ AUC MANGYSHLAK SHELF TIENSHAN

ud
. 800

OV
+
+ +A +

|
RIONI

ar
?
HELL

+ S+U + +
+

ja
. 1000
+S

SW
+ + + . 250BAY 60

|
+

+
DEPRESSION

EL
+
. 500 200 + |
+

L
ISTAN + +
ENID

++ . 1000
BUL +
ra +
+ |

+
+
+

Ku
+ +
+ + + |
+ + +
ou
+

TUARKYR Cardz
+
500
S

WESTERN PONTIDES
+

LE
|
|
TBILISI
SS KURA
+

+ |

AEGEAN +
|

ER + ISLAND
+

+ |
|
|
+
BASIN . 2000
NT ID ES ? 100 +
EA ST ER N PO BAKU
0
CA GULF. 50 + + +
FORE-KOPETDAGH
UC +
SOUTH
ANATOLIANANK GULF

+
AS

+
EREVAN
US

0
ARA (100)

20
0)
+ + + + CASPIAN (200) (10
ATHE + + 0) 0) (300)

)
00
N S LAND s (10 (20

(3
ak . 530 (200)
EAST 100
Ar + +
DEPRESSION )
(300
36 0 lirm
ak 300 KOPE SCHA BAD
+ +

MENDERES , , ,
Kizi
Atrek
T AD AGH ) 36 0
00
+

,
(1 66 0
+
MEDITERRANIAN + HIGH + + + +
TALYSH

+
+
US + + 0)
TA U R (20 )

+
+
gab
,
Tigris +
(3
00 Mur
,

es
h rat
+

Eup
+

+
BASIN
+

RZ
+

+
18 0
+
,

+
. 300 +
U
LB
+
+

+
E

+
24 0 30 0 36 0 42 0 48 0 36 0 54 0 60 0

SCALE 1 : 7 500 000

75 0 75 150 225 300 375
 Map 7. Late Middle Miocene (late SERRAVALLIAN, SARMATIAN s.s.,
Middle SARMATIAN s.l.)

Legend Semi-marine environments:

I. LITHOLOGY: Shallow shelf

Deep shelf
Breccia
Continental slope and basin bottom
Conglomerate
Continental environments:
Sand and sandstone
Freshwater lakes, marshes
Silt and siltstone
Lowlands
Clay Highlands
Marl Mountains
Limestone Boundary of different paleogeographic conditions,
a
Silicitolits b a - established, b - inferred
Lithofacies boundaries
Intrusive massivs
Boundary of recent extension of deposits
Basic extrusives
Sea - continent boundary
Acidic extrusives
River valleys
Anhydrite and gypsum
Bioherms
Coal Delta, fans
Salts Volcanoes
III. PALEOGEOGRAPHY Sediment source

Marine environments: 75 Thickness in sections , established and

. (650) aproximate
Shallow shelf 10 Isopachites
Deep shelf |
|
Synsedimentary faults and flexures
a +
Deep shelfal depressions b + +
+ Overthrusts: a - synsedimentary,
Continental slope and basin bottom a b - postsedimentary
b Transcurrent faults:
a - synsedimentary, b - postsedimentaryl

Published and unpublished materials were used:

Alizade, Azizbekova, Ataeva, 1980; Andjelkovic, Eremia, Pavlovic et al., 1991; Atlas of lith.-palaeog.
maps of Russian Platform, 1961; Atlas of lith.-paleog. maps of USSR,1967; Atlas of paleog. maps of
Ukraina and Moldavia, 1960; Atlas Peri-Tethys, 2000; Atlas Tethys palaeoenvir. maps,1993;
Boccaletti, Ciaranfi, Cosentino et al., 1990; Cahuzac, Alvenerie, Lauriat-Rage et all., 1992;
Chekunov, Veselov, Gilkman, 1976; Dumurdzanov, Krstic, 1999; Goff, Jones, Horbury, 1995;
Jones, Racey, 1994; Karasev M.S. (North Iran); Kolesnikov, 1936; Kovac, Cicha, Krystek et al., 1989;
Luttig, Steffens, 1975; Neogene paleog.atlas of Central and E. Europe, 1988; Neogene system,
1986; Ozsayar, 1977; Ponikarov, Kazmin, Kozlov, Krasheninnikov et al., 1968; Radoicic, De Capoa,
D’Argenio, 1991; Robinson, 1995; Rodzjanko G.N., (Volga-Don area); Rögl, 1998; Rögl, Steininger,
1983; Saidov, Kuschanin (Fore-Elburz Depression); Seifert et al., 1994; Shcherba, 1993; Sissingh, 1997,
1998; Steininger, Wessely, 2000; Tugolesov, Gorshkov, Meisner et al. , 1985; Yetis, Kelling, Gokcen,
Baroz, 1995; Yilmaz, Norton, Leary et al., 1996; Zhizhenko et al., 1968; Zigler, 1990
 Map 8. Middle Late Miocene (late TORTONIAN - Early MAEOTIAN - late PANNONIAN)
12 0 52 0 18 0 24 0 30 0 36 0 42 0 480 54 0 60 0 66 0 52 0 72 0
DRE
SDE

Ural

ol
N WAR

epr
Do

Tob
+
S ZAW

Elba
+
A n

Dn
A
EGER SAMAR DA

Od
GRABEN
SYRT URAL A GAN
KAR

ra
PRA
HA PRIPYAT MID-RUSSIAN HIGH TURGAJ

Bug
Prip’at a
BOHEMIAN DEPRESSION D esn
URG KAZAKHSTANIAN
HIGH ORENB
HIGH LOWLAND

Morava
48 0 MU
NC
Wisla RUSSIAN LAND HIGH
HE 48 0

aj
N
SARATOV

g
CAR URALSK

Tur
PAT
ALPS HIA VOLHYNIAN 72 0
NS

Z H A RY
KIEV
TAUERN
WI
EN BRA
TISL
DNIEPER - DONETS

+
WINDOW
VIENNA - AVA HIGH ica gan
ved

+
d zkaz
DANUBE Me Dze

MUGOD
+
12 0 Dr BASIN Tisa Dn UKRAINIAN DEPRESSION

+
ava es Pa
BUD tr
APE Don leo

Ju
ST -D

zB
HIGH on

ug
Pa
leo PRE-CASPIAN LOWLAND
Dun

ZAG PRE-ARALIAN

Ural
Do -D

|
REB
ne on
a

ts ets

ba
DRAVA VOLGOGRAD

|
Sa
PANNONIAN DONETS

Em
BASIN APUSENI
va TRANSYLVANIAN LOWLAND

Pru

|
SAVA BASIN Ma
ros LOWLAND HIGH

t
44 0 BASIN Don

Vo

|
44 0

lg
ROSTOV-NA-DONU

a
+
KAR

|
BEO ATA

+
GRA
ina

D U

+
50

|
Dr

RAL Syr

+
A
SCYTHIAN

+
ASTRAKHAN TURAN da
? +
LAND rja
CENTRAL

|
+
SAR +
AEV + + SEA
O
DACIC BASIN SHELF50

|
200
BUCU
REST |
Kalaus
I INDOL-KUBAN SYRDARYA

|
n
Kuba
DIN

|
(400) . 350
DEPRESSION |

|
AR

Kuma
MOESIANa LAND + +
AP

|
0)
IDE

Dun
+
LOWLAND

|
(50
|

STAVROPOL
UL

| (500)
KYZYLKUM

|
S

|
SOFIJ |
IAN

A
BALKANS
|
WESTERN +
UPLIFT

|
+
+
+ TEREK SOUTH LOWLAND
+

Va

BLACK SEA (1000) us

|
+
(200) + Terek Nuk
+ + + +
rd

+
+
+
GR
HIG

(500) + |
ar

Ma SH
40 0 ric AT + DEPRESSION MANGYSHLAK
EA

(5
||
SK
a EASTERN 40 0

00
AN
DEPRESSION YS
TE

)
H

WE

DR
BAY
|
+

LL
R

Am
US
RHODOPS BLACK SEA
+
TIEN SHAN

ud
+

OV
+

ar
. 200
C+A

ja
(5
HEL

+ +

SW
00 RIONI + +

|
DEPRESSION )
UC +

EL
+
BAY +
AS +

L
|
LEN

ISTAN? +
BUL
(5 00
)
800. + +
ra US KARABOGAZ - |

Ku
+
IDS

+ +
+ |

TUARKYR HIGH ou
WESTERN PONTIDES Cardz

+
|

LES TBILISI
+ +
SER
|
+
AEGEAN KURA
+
+
||

CA GULF
IDES
+

SEA ANATOLIAN N PO
NT UC BAKU + +

EA STER AS
US SOUTH

+
EREVAN
ANKARA
ATHE
N S LAND CASPIAN KOP
ak
s ET D FORE-KOPETDAGH
EAST Ar AGH
ak AD
+
36 0
+
Kizi
lirm ? ? DEPRESSION ASCHAB DEPRESSION
MENDERES Atrek 36 0
TALYSH 66 0
HIGH + +
MEDITERRANEAN + + +

HIGH

+
+ + +
U S

+
+
U R gab
TA s
Tigris +
Mur
? hr ate
BASIN Eup CENTRAL IRAN

+
+
ELB Z +
UR +

+
18 0 +
URZ B
LOWLAND EL
24 0 30 0 36 0 42 0 48 0 36 0 54 0 60 0

SCALE 1 : 7 500 000

75 0 75 150 225 300 375
 Map 8. Middle Late Miocene (late TORTONIAN - Early MAEOTIAN -
- late PANNONIAN)

Legend Brackish environments:

I. LITHOLOGY: Shallow shelf
Deep shelfal depressions
Conglomerate
Sand and sandstone Continental environments:
Silt and siltstone Freshwater lakes, marshes
Lowlands
Clay Highlands
Marl Mountains
Limestone Boundary of different paleogeographic conditions,
a
Silicitolits b a - established, b - inferred
Intrusive massivs Lithofacies boundaries
Basic extrusives Boundary of recent extension of deposits

Acidic extrusives Sea - continent boundary

River valleys
Anhydrite and gypsum
Coal Bioherms

III. PALEOGEOGRAPHY Delta, fans

Marine environments: Volcanoes
Shallow shelf Sediment source
Deep shelf 75 Thickness in sections , established and
. (650) aproximate
Deep shelfal depressions 10 Isopachites
Continental slope and basin bottom |
|
Synsedimentary faults and flexures
a ++
Semi-marine environments: b
+
+ Overthrusts: a - synsedimentary,
Shallow shelf a
b - postsedimentary
b Transcurrent faults:
Deep shelf a - synsedimentary, b - postsedimentary
Continental slope and basin bottom

Published and unpublished materials were used:

Alizade, Azizbekova, Ataeva, 1980; Andjelkovic, Eremia, Pavlovic et al., 1991; Atlas of lith.-palaeog.
maps of Russian Platform, 1961; Atlas of lith.-paleog. maps of USSR,1967; Atlas Peri-Tethys, 2000;
Atlas Tethys palaeoenvir. maps, 1993; Boccaletti, Ciaranfi, Cosentino et al., 1990; Cahuzac,
Alvenerie, Lauriat-Rage et all., 1992; Chekunov, Veselov, Gilkman, 1976; Dumurdzanov, Krstic, 1999;
Goff, Jones, Horbury, 1995; Karasev M.S. (North Iran); Kovac, Cicha, Krystek et al., 1989; Luttig,
Steffens, 1975; Magyar, Geary, Muller, 1999; Neogene paleog.atlas of Central and E. Europe, 1988;
Neogene system, 1986; Ozsayar, 1977; Ponikarov, Kazmin, Kozlov, Krasheninnikov et al., 1968;
Robinson, 1995; Rodzjanko G.N., (Volga-Don area); Rögl, 1998; Rögl, Steininger, 1983; Saidov,
Kuschanin (Fore-Elburz Depression); Seifert et al., 1994; Shcherba, 1993; Shcherba, Khondkarian,
Ilyina, 2001; Sissingh, 1997, 1998; Steininger, Senes, Kleemann et al., 1988; Steininger, Wessely, 2000;
Tugolesov, Gorshkov, Meisner et al. , 1985; Yetis, Kelling, Gokcen, Baroz, 1995; Yilmaz, Norton, Leary
et al., 1996; Zigler, 1990
 Map 9. Later Miocene (Late MESSINIAN, Early PONTIAN, late PANNONIAN)
12 0 52 0 18 0 24 0 30 0 36 0 42 0 480 54 0 60 0 66 0 52 0 72 0
DRE
SDE

Ural

ol
N WAR

epr
Do SYRT

Tob
+
S ZAW

Elba
+
A MID-RUSSIAN HIGH n

Dn
A
EGER SAMAR NDA

Od
GRABEN PRIPYAT URAL TURGAJ AGA
KAR

ra
PRA
HA HIGH

Bug
Prip’at a
sn
BOHEMIAN DEPRESSION De RUSSIAN LAND URG
HIGH ORENB LOWLAND KAZAKHSTANIAN

Morava
48 0 Wisla
MU
NC
HE
HIGH 48 0

aj
N
SARATOV

g
CAR URALSK

Tur
PAT
ALPS HIA VOLHYNIAN 72 0
NS KIEV

A RY
WI (17) .
TAUERN
EN BRA
TISL DNIEPER - DONETS 5.
VIENNA - AVA HIGH ica
LOWLAND

ODZH
WINDOW ed gan

+
DANUBE ed
v zkaz
Dze

+
M
12 0 BASIN Tisa Dn UKRAINIAN 25 .

+
Dr es

MUG
ava tr Pa

+
25 .
BUD Don leo
APE

Ju
ST -D

zB
HIGH on

ug

Pa
. 50 NORTH
Dun

ZAG

leo

Ural
Do

|
REB
DONETS ne PRE-ARALIAN
a

-Do
APUSENI ts

ba
DRAVA VOLGOGRAD

|
Sa HIGH PRE-CASPIAN

Em
ne
va BASIN
LOWLAND

ts
Pru

|
Ma
SAVA
PANNONIAN ros

t
44 0 BASIN Don GULF

Vo

|
(35) .
BASIN 44 0

lg
DIN

ROSTOV-NA-DONU . 33

|
BEO KARA
AR

29 .
GRA TURAN TA U
ina

D . 700 50 . 80
SCYTHIAN100

|
IDE

Dr

L
ARA Syr

+
? + . 50 . 20
. 45 ASTRAKHAN da
USTJURT LAND
S

rja

|
+

|
SAR
AEV
+ + . 200 . 90
SEA
CENTRAL

50
(50)
O . 800
|

DACIC BASIN 200

|
SHELF

|
|
400 100
|
BUCU . 400
REST
| |
|

INDOL-KUBAN
|
|
Kalaus . 10 GULF
. 40 I SYRDARYA

|
|
n
(200) Kuba

50
|

AP UL IAN . 70 A
IME + DEPRESSION

|
25
. 100 25 Kuma
CR
|
|

0)
AP

50
25
una + 19 .

(5
)

|
0
| D
MOESIAN (30
STAVROPOL LOWLAND

|
KYZYLKUM
UL

|
| LAND (300)
SH EL F

|
SOFIJ |
IAN

|
A |
UPLIFT LOWLAND

|
+
. 600 BALKANS |
+
+ TEREK BAY SOUTH
+

Va

(200) us

|
+ + + + (500) + + + Terek 22 . Nuk
rd

+
+
+ + + G+R
HIG

BLACK SEA
|
ar

Ma (300)
40 0 . 25 MANGYSHLAK 10 .

(3
ric
EA

00
||
a . 17 40 0
TE

)
DEPRESSION
H

(100)
R GULF
|
+

Am
+
RHODOPS

ud
+
+

|
20

ar
. 40 0
C+ A+

ja
TIENSHAN
HEL

. 300 (3 +
00
U+ C +

|
) +
+
AS KARABOGAZ - (10 |
LEN

+ +
ISTAN 800 . 750 0)

(50)
. 15 . 700
BUL
(30
0)
+ +
ra US +
TUARKYR |

L E S S E RKu
+
? 50
IDS

+
0 |

HIGH
+
200 (10 ou
Cardz
+
WESTERN PONTIDES 0) |

+
TBILISI
+ 100
0 . 500
CA + |

UC
+
+
AEGEAN KURA
||

AS +
IDES US 0 500 +
20
SEA ANATOLIAN RN PONT GULF BAKU + +

E ASTE SOUTH (100)

+
EREVAN 800
ANKARA
1200 FORE-KOPETDAGH (100)
ATHE
N S LAND s CASPIAN KOP (100)

EAST Ar
ak ET D (300)

. 40
. 550
AGH DEPRESSION
mak AD
+ +
36 0
Kizi
lir DEPRESSION ASCHAB (300)
MENDERES Atrek 36 0
|
|
|
|

|
|

? TALYSH 66 0
+ +
MEDITERRANEAN HIGH + + +

HIGH

+
+ + +
URUS
. 150

+
+
gab
TA Tigris +
Mur
es
h rat
BASIN Eup
18 0
ELB +
RZ
URZ U
+

LB
+
+

+
E
+

+
+

+
24 0 30 0 36 0 42 0 48 0 36 0 54 0 60 0

SCALE 1 : 7 500 000

75 0 75 150 225 300 375
 Map 9. Latest Miocene (Late MESSINIAN, Early PONTIAN, late PANNONIAN)

Legend Brackish environments:

I. LITHOLOGY: Shallow shelf
Breccia Continental slope and basin bottom
Conglomerate Continental environments:
Sand and sandstone Freshwater lakes, marshes
Silt and siltstone Lowlands
Highlands
Clay
Mountains
Marl Boundary of different paleogeographic conditions,
Limestone a
b a - established, b - inferred
Intrusive massivs Lithofacies boundaries
Basic extrusives Boundary of recent extension of deposits
Acidic extrusives Sea - continent boundary
River valleys
Anhydrite and gypsum
Bioherms
Coal
Delta, fans
Salts
Volcanoes
III. PALEOGEOGRAPHY
Sediment source
Marine environments:
75 Thickness in sections , established and
Shallow shelf . (650) aproximate
Deep shelf 10 Isopachites
|

Deep shelfal depressions

|
Synsedimentary faults and flexures
a +
+
+
Continental slope and basin bottom
b + Overthrusts: a - synsedimentary,
a b - postsedimentary
b Transcurrent faults:
a - synsedimentary, b - postsedimentary

Published and unpublished materials were used:

Andjelkovic, Eremia, Pavlovic et al., 1991; Atlas of lith.-palaeog. maps of Russian Platform, 1961;
Atlas of lith.-paleog. maps of USSR,1967; Atlas Peri-Tethys, 2000; Atlas Tethys palaeoenvir. maps,1993;
Boccaletti, Ciaranfi, Cosentino et al., 1990; Cahuzac, Alvenerie, Lauriat-Rage et all., 1992;
Dumurdzanov, Krstic, 1999; Chekunov, Veselov, Gilkman, 1976; Goff, Jones, Horbury, 1995;
Jones, Racey, 1994; Luttig, Steffens, 1975; Magyar, Geary, Muller, 1999; Neogene paleog.atlas of
Central and E. Europe, 1988; Ozsayar, 1977; Ponikarov, Kazmin, Kozlov, Krasheninnikov et al., 1968;
Robinson, 1995; Rodzjanko G.N., (Volga-Don area); Rögl, 1998; Rögl, Steininger, 1983; Saidov,
Kuschanin (Fore-Elburz Depression); Shcherba, 1993; Sissingh, 1997, 1998; Steininger, Wessely, 2000;
Tugolesov, Gorshkov, Meisner et al. , 1985; Yetis, Kelling, Gokcen, Baroz, 1995; Yilmaz, Norton, Leary
et al., 1996; Zigler, 1990
 Map 10. Middle - Late Pliocene (PIACENTIAN - GELASIAN, late ROMANIAN, AKCHAGILIAN)
12 0 52 0 18 0 24 0 30 0 36 0 42 0 480 54 0 60 0 66 0 52 0 72 0
DRE

0
20
SDE

Ural
0

er
10

ol
N WAR TENIZ

iep
MID-RUSSIAN HIGH Do SYRT

Tob
S ZAW

Elba
A n

Dn
PRIPYAT SAMAR
A DEPRESSION
DA

Od
RUSSIAN LAND URAL A GAN
KAR

ra
PRA
HA

Bug
Prip’at a
BOHEMIAN DEPRESSION D esn

0
. 363 URG

10
100
ORENB
HIGH

Morava
50

48 0 MU
Wisla PRE-URALIAN - TURGAJ KAZAKHSTANIAN
NC 100
HE 48 0

aj
N 200
SARATOV

g
CAR URALSK

Tur
PAT GULF . 80 HIGH
HIA
NS 300

MUGOD
KIEV LOWLAND 72 0

0
10
TAUERN
ALPS WI
EN BRA
TISL VOLHYNIAN - 10
0
WINDOW
AVA ica . 10
gan
ed
DNIEPER - DONETS dv 200
zkaz

50
0
DANUBE Me Dze

20
UKRAINIAN

Z H A RY
Tisa Dn
12 0 Dr BASIN LOWLAND

0
es

20
ava tr Pa
BUD Don leo
APE

|
300
HIGH

Ju
ST -D 100

zB
500
Pale on

ug
. 800
o-Do

|
nets
Dun

ZAG PRE-ARALIAN

|
Ural
REB Do
ne
a

ts

ba

|
VOLGOGRAD . (7)
Sa

Em
va APUSENI
DONETS LOWLAND

Pru

|
100
Ma TRANSYLVANIAN 100
ros

t
44 0 PANNONIAN HIGH Don
TURAN

|
CENTRAL

Vo
LOWLAND . (53)
44 0

lg
ROSTOV-NA-DONU
BASIN

a
+ +
KAR

|
BEO
GRA
. 50
200 LAND . (85)
ATA
ina

D U

|
50
Dr

L
ARA
. 50
SYRDARYA
Syr

+
. 35
ASTRAKHAN da

|
rja

+
SAR 0
AEV 20
NORTH SEA

+
O + ?

|
+ . 500 . 200
BUCU
+ + | DEPRESSION
REST 10 Kalaus
DACIC INDOL-KUBAN 5 | 100
SOUTH ARALIAN

|
. 80 0
DIN

I CRIMEA n USTJURT
Kuba
700 . 00 |
40
BASIN ISLAND 0
GULF

|
|
DEPRESSION
AR

|
Kuma
KYZYLKUM

|
a +
PLATEAU
IDE

Dun

|
+ +
+ . 500
MOESIAN

|
|

TEREK

|
|
S

SOFIJ
A | |
. 60 HIGH
|
LAND 200
+

|
100
|

BALK BAY
+

|
AP

ANS +
GR
Va

us
+
E AT Terek Nuk
rd

+ +
UL

. 500 +
ar

Ma + +
40 0 ric + ER . 10
IA

a +
BLACK SEA +
CA 40 0
,

|
UC

Am
RHODOPE
,

+
AS

|
DEPRESSION . 200

ud
,

+ . 150
+ U+ S

ar
HELL

|
,

ja
, |
+ +
+ + TIENSHAN
,

+ + |
|
RIONI + +
+
,

. 90 +
ISTAN BAY
|
ENID

+
+

BUL .8
ra NORTH KARAKUM

200
+
Ku
+ |
+

+
. 50 + 100
+ + + ou
Cardz
|

LESSER
|
+

+
. 500 |
200 . 380
S

WESTERN PONTIDES
+

+
|
TBILISI
+
HIGH
|
+

500
CASPIAN
+

|
| + |

CAUCASUS
+

KURA +
+
|
+

AEGEAN ANATOLIAN BAKU 200

|

75
+

NT ID ES
|
+ +
EA ST ER N PO

0
SEA
. 100 GULF 100
500 500
P a le o - A

+
. 250

50
EREVAN . 150
1000 m u d a r ja

0
ANKARA
FORE-KOPETDAGH

50
200

0
ATHE
. 50 N S LAND ? s

10
500
. 150 ak GALF

0
EAST Ar 00
2 + DEPRESSION
36 0
Kizi
lirma
k +
KOPE ASCHAB
AD + +

Atrek T DA . (300) 36 0
MENDERES GH
66 0

Pa
HIGH TALYSH

le
MEDITERRANIAN + + +

o-
+ . (100)
+
?

M
+
+ + ?

ur
+
gab

ga
+
Tigris ? Mur
RUS
+

b
te s
TA U Eup
hra
+

BASIN ?
RZ
+

IRAN
+
18 0 U
+

LB
+
LAND +
E

+
+
24 0 30 0 36 0 42 0 48 0 36 0 54 0 60 0

SCALE 1 : 7 500 000

75 0 75 150 225 300 375
 Map 10. Middle - Late Pliocene (PIACENTIAN, GELASIAN, late ROMANIAN,
AKCHAGILIAN)

Legend Brackish environments:

I. LITHOLOGY: Shallow shelf
Conglomerate Continental slope and basin bottom
Sand and sandstone Continental environments:
Silt and siltstone Freshwater lakes, marshes
Lowlands
Clay
Highlands
Marl Mountains
Limestone Boundary of different paleogeographic conditions,
a
Intrusive massivs b a - established, b - inferred
Basic extrusives Lithofacies boundaries
Acidic extrusives Boundary of recent extension of deposits

Anhydrite and gypsum Sea - continent boundary

River valleys
Coal
III. PALEOGEOGRAPHY Bioherms
Marine environments: Delta, fans
Shallow shelf Volcanoes
Deep shelf
Sediment source
Deep shelfal depressions 75 Thickness in sections , established and
Continental slope and basin bottom
. (650) aproximate
10 Isopachites
Semi-marine environments: |
|
Synsedimentary faults and flexures
Shallow shelf a +
+
+
b + Overthrusts: a - synsedimentary,
Deep shelf b - postsedimentary
a
Continental slope and basin bottom b Transcurrent faults:
a - synsedimentary, b - postsedimentary

Published and unpublished materials were used:

Andjelkovic, Eremia, Pavlovic et al., 1991; Atlas of lith.-palaeog. maps of Russian Platform, 1961;
Atlas of lith.-paleog. maps of USSR,1967; Atlas Peri-Tethys, 2000; Atlas Tethys palaeoenvir. maps,1993;
Boccaletti, Ciaranfi, Cosentino et al., 1990; Cahuzac, Alvenerie, Lauriat-Rage et all., 1992;
Chekunov, Veselov, Gilkman, 1976; Chepalyga, 1995; Goff, Jones, Horbury, 1995; Jones, Racey,
1994; Karasev M.S. (North Iran); Luttig, Steffens, 1975; Magyar, Geary, Muller, 1999; Neogene paleog.
atlas of Central and E. Europe, 1988; Ponikarov, Kazmin, Kozlov, Krasheninnikov et al., 1968;
Robinson, 1995; Rodzjanko G.N., (Volga-Don area); Rögl, 1998; Rögl, Steininger, 1983; Saidov,
Kuschanin (Fore-Elburz Depression); Shcherba, 1993; Sissingh, 1997, 1998; Steininger, Wessely, 2000;
Tugolesov, Gorshkov, Meisner et al. , 1985; Yetis, Kelling, Gokcen, Baroz, 1995; Yilmaz, Norton,
Leary et al., 1996; Zigler, 1990