Library

Description / Table of Contents: Summary Based on own observations and more recent litterature a first attempt is made to emphasize the strong tectonical influence in the geology of Cyprus. Little is known of the old geological development of this island. Recently described crystalline schists are the oldest petrographical evidence, though their real age has not yet been determined. Their strike is closer related to the north-south structures within the older diabases of the Troodos and to the orientation of the zoning in the ultrabasic massif than to the younger, post-Triassic formations. This old north-south strike conforms with that of the corresponding metamorphic series in Turkey and Egypt. The alpidic orogenetic trend is responsible for the general west-east orientation of the Kyrenia (Northern) Range, the Mesaorea-syncline and the Troodos Mountains as a whole. Whilst it seems to be likely that the diabase (originating from basic volcanic flows) and the ultrabasic massifs of the central Troodos, the Kakomalis and in the Paphos area and Kyrenia Range, are prae-tauric (prae-alpine) elements. The gabbro intrusions and adjoining pillow lavas and dykes are already part of the older alpine (ophiolitic) stage. According to the new geological survey the whole magmatic activity is much older than hitherto assumed. The newly observed and described “Perapedhi Formation” speaks in favour of a prae-Jurassic age of the lava series. The problem of the other ultrabasic to basic massif (“Kakomalis”) is discussed, but further investigation will be essential. Preceding the time of the diabase intrusion, the ultrabasic massif must have been divided by a strong zone of movement, along which the Kakomalis M. has been shifted towards the south-east. The other west-east disturbance south of the Troodos, morphologically important, now separates the Kakomalis from the Troodos, being a much younger feature. The Triassic of Cyprus represents a time of epirogenetic movements with occasional volcanic activity. The geosyncline (Tethys) character of sedimentation is best represented through the Jurassic (Hilarion), the Cretaceous (Lapithos) and the older Tertiary. The change to greater complication starts in the Oligocene. The Miocene leads gradually to the development of structural and tectonic main features, which are characteristic until to-day. The Kyrenia Range has been thrust up (with slight overfold to south) and so has the Troodos and certain adjacent regions to east and west. In the Upper Miocene there exist distinct faciel differences. During this period the higher ground was represented by islands. From then onwards the vertical tectonics with strong faulting is dominant, though the Northern Range as a whole shows more symptoms of genuine folding than the central and southern portion of the present-day Cyprus. Between Miocene and Pliocene strong faulting took place. The whole area became land and strong erosion preceded the Pliocene. Following new investigations it is now uncertain whether the Marls of Myrtou and Pissouri are already Pliocene or still Miocene. These marls have filled-in morpho-tectonical depressions. From that time through Pliocene and Quaternary, until now, the irregular breaking-down of certain limited fields besides the strong elevation of others is developed in a way which is well expressed on the attached new map of the sea-bed (Pfannenstiel). The attempt is made to select all those sub-marine contours which could be tectonical features, and to connect them, where possible, with corresponding features known on the present-day Island. The young vertical tectonics are very important for most geomorphological features of Cyprus, a fact which deserves serious consideration. With possible exceptions in the northeast, the whole Island of Cyprus can be regarded as surrounded by tectonical structures and is thus a “horst” within a wide field of young and recent breakdown, being in this respect very similar to the Aegaeis.