Seismic stratigraphy of southern Eratosthenes High, eastern Mediterranean Sea: growth, demise and deformation of three superposed carbonate platforms (Mesozoic-Cenozoic)

Abstract

Interpretation of seismic data over the south-eastern flank of the Eratosthenes High shows nine principal seismic stratigraphic units overlying probable faulted basement. Among these are three superposed carbonate platforms which build a stratigraphy exceeding 3000 m. Regional comparisons suggest these range in age from Jurassic to Miocene. The Jurassic carbonate platform exhibits layered stratigraphy and aggradational deposition style over the whole study area. A Lower Cretaceous platform subsequently developed as a linear, aggrading bank and prograded as multiple high-frequency sequences for over 40 km into the Eratosthenes High interior, isolating an intrashelf basin which remained connected to the Levant Basin by a narrow seaway. The Jurassic platform margin was a fault-controlled, scalloped escarpment, while the mid-Cretaceous platform was strongly influenced by linear, northwest-southeast-orientated, fault-controlled sags. The Miocene platform, a shoaling, “catch-up” neritic shelf, was established after a hiatus during which the flat top of the Cretaceous platform lay below the photic zone. The Miocene platform surface was subsequently incised by Messinian erosional channels which fed offlapping and down-stepping regressive carbonate or evaporitic shorelines that tracked Messinian sea-level fall. Updoming and segmentation of the Eratosthenes high occurred during the early Messinian prior to emplacement of Messinian salt onto its flanks.