V.A. Viginsky (Russia)

late Miocene - Early Pliocene Turbidities of Black sea

In this work is researched the most authentically studied neotectonic sedimentary filling of Black Sea abyssal basin (Meotitian - Quaternary). This stage was characterized by dilating of abyssal sedimentation conditions by padding new areas to "deep-sea basin" tectonic mode areal (Viginsky, 1997). The sea basin depth in the beginning of Meotitian century was such as modern (1,8 - 2 kms). In this time all peripherals of Palaeo-Black Sea deep-water basin characterized by the formation of Meotitian – Pontian progradational complexes, often with the basal horizon (Viginsky, 2002). They are fixed on the traverse of 380 – 380A DSDP wells, along the continental slope of Black Sea northwest shelf, within fan body of Kuban-river avandelta, etc.

Seismic studies of Tuapse trough stratas above Maycop series have revealed local seismostratigraphic objects identifiable as bodies of turbidity channels. These objects differ by local propagation and predominantly localization to upper Miocene-lower Pliocene part of a section. Lateral correlation of seismic records anomalies has allowed mapping position of Meotitian-Pontian turbidity tongues. There are correspondence of late Miocene turbidity channels with canyons existing in a modern contour of Black Sea continental slope, which are linked with rivers of south slope of Northwest Caucasus.

There were some segments with similar hypsometric ratio: South-Crimean slope, East- and West-Taurian slopes of Palaeo- Black Sea deep-water basin. These areas are expedient for detection of palaeo-turbidity formations.