The terrigenous materials of the flysch deposits of the External
Hellenides
of mainland Greece
have been characterized by their heavy mineral assemblages, based on 194
samples.
Three major source
types were distinguished. (1) A metamorphic source is shown by abundant
garnet accompanied by traces of
staurolite and chloritoid. In the source of the Pindos and Ionian zones,
blueschist complexes were incorporated
within the metamorphic terrains, demonstrated by the frequent occurrence
of blue amphiboles. (2) The
existence of ophiolitic sources is indicated by the occurrence chrome spinel.
Pyroxenes, green amphiboles
and partly epidote are related to volcanic/metavolcanic complexes.
High
ophiolitic detritus was especially
found in Mid-Cretaceous turbiditic layers supplied from internal terrains.
(3) Granitoid and gneiss source
terrains are indicated, predominantly represented by zircon, tourmaline
and
apatite. This type of source is
characteristic for Mid-Cretaceous turbidites sampled in western parts of
the
Pindos zone. In the terminal flysch
deposits, granitoid detritus played only a subordinate role. An extensive
recycling of Pindos Flysch
material into the younger Western Hellenic Flysch can be excluded.
Stratigraphic trends in the heavy mineral
distribution of the terminal Pindos Flysch give insights into the changing
tectonic situation of the source
terrains. A regional east–west trend with changing ophiolitic detritus,
observed in the Parnassos-Ghiona Flysch, points to a complex feeder system.
A Study of the Heavy Mineral Distribution in the Bottom Sediments of Hudson Bay: Discussion
