The “Belemnitico rosso” facies in the East Balkan – a proposal of lithostratigraphic formalization

Lower Jurassic fossil-bearing red limestone with abundant belemnite rostra is exposed in the form of olistoliths included in the Middle Jurassic Kotel Olistostrome Formation in the surroundings of the town of Kotel in the East Balkan. Following the widely recognized Tethyan “ammonitico rosso” facies, we propose to formalize this distinctive red fossiliferous level as a lithostratigraphic marker under the name “belemnitico rosso”. This will contribute to the creation of attractive geosites of scientific and educational value with great interpretive potential for public understanding of science, as well as “ex situ” geodiversity elements used as building stones in construction. The creation of original geotourism products under the brand name of the future “East Balkan” Geopark seeks to make geology accessible to all. It is quite possible that someday, the new term will gain widespread popularity and will bring awareness to the geopark where it was first defined.