V.A. Viginsky (Russia)

Turbidities in late Miocene-Pliocene sediments of Black sea northeast segment (Tuapse trough)

Seismic studies viewing have allowed revealing in a stratas above Maycop of a Tuapse trough (Black Sea) 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.

Detected bodies of Meotitian-Pontian turbidity currents are characterized in following arguments: channels length (including fan complexes) - ~ 40 miles, channels length to a bifurcation zone - ~ 23 miles. Near parameters has a Miocene deepwater turbidity sand body of basin Adana, south Turkey.

The morphological similarity of Black Sea Meotitian-Pontian turbidity tongue bodies with Cingoz formation deepwater turbidity sand body of south Turkey allows to interprete the localized packages of dynamically expressed reflexes on seismic crossections as massive sand bodies. The zones of chaotically deformed reflective horizons can be compared with "levee" facies. The polymorphic records in seismic crossections, caused different thickness and dynamic expressiveness of reflective horizons, can be explained by changing of turbidity channels filling phases.

Lithological composition of turbidity channels fan parts ("tongue" facies) and "lobes" facies can be described as largely sand, according to the available data of field researchings.

2003 AAPG International Conference and Exhibition (Barcelona)