VOLUME 39 (1-2)/September 2010 XIX Congress of the Carpathian-Balkan Geological Association Thessaloniki, Greece, 23-26 September 2010

There is no plate tectonics modelling without local geological investigations, and a few square meters of well-dated radiolarian cherts can completely change a tectonic model. If ample geological information can be obtained from a given outcrop, the next step consisting in interpreting these in terms of geodynamic environment will often generate contradicting points of view. That is where the larger plate tectonics modelling will bring some constraints.
   Most disagreements are rooted in 2D cross sectional approaches of local information, usually considering all the presently juxtaposed geological units as potential actors of a single geodynamic history. Plate tectonics modelling certainly helps in solving the exotic nature of a given unit, and it can be shown that large scale displacement of terranes is rather the rule than the exception.
   This can be tested in the Pacific region during the last 250Ma. Terranes have been crossing this large expanse of water, colliding with each other, and then being re-dispersed from tropical to polar regions. Still, these processes are constrained through properly done local investigations. Similarly the Variscan terranes have experienced long distance travelling, from their peri-Gondwana position to their amalgamation along the Eurasian margin. Their final juxtaposition resulted from further displacement during the formation of Pangea. In this instance, the final juxtaposition cannot be used readily to decipher the wander path of these terranes, and only a well constrained plate tectonics model will offer a possible solution.
   It is clear from our plate model that the European Variscan terranes occupied the whole border of Gondwana, from South China to South America. The different geodynamic settings along that margin allow defining the former location of the different terranes. The intra-alpine Variscan and Mediterranean terranes were located close to South China, the Iberian terranes were close to the Libyan-Egyptian part of Gondwana, and the Armorican terranes s.l. were located further west. The so-called Rheic margin of Gondwana experienced quite different geodynamic evolutions before the detachment of the Variscan terranes. This can be used as a guideline to put in place this amazing puzzle.
   The western Tethyan realm is dominated by the closing of the Paleotethys and the concomitant opening of the Neotethys in the Permo-Triassic times. This process followed the assembly of Pangea and amalgamation of Variscan terranes. However, if continent-tocontinent collision took place from the Alleghanian N-American domain to the west Mediterranean area, further east (from Italy to the Middle East) the southern margin of Eurasia remained an active margin. This generated the opening of numerous back-arc basins along that margin from the Late Permian to Late Triassic. The continuing subduction of Paleotethys northward also generated slab pull forces that triggered detachment of the Cimmerian ribbon terrane from Gondwana in the Permian, as did the Variscan terranes in the Devonian.
   In that respect the Variscan scenario is quite similar to the Cimmerian one, terranes detached from Gondwana collided with terranes derived from Eurasia, and finally the amalgamated terranes were squeezed between larger continental masses (Gondwana and Laurasia in the Carboniferous for the Variscan orogenic event, Africa-India and Eurasia in the Tertiary for the Cimmerian-Alpine event).
   The eo-Cimmerian orogenic event, however, has quite distinct features. The collision was mainly Late Triassic in age corresponding to the final closure of the Paleotethys in Greece, Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan and further east. Jurassic Cimmerian events in the Balkan and Turkey were related to the closure of some Paleotethyan back-arc basins (Maliac, Küre) and to shortening in neighbouring areas such as the Caucasus. The final collision in these areas with larger landmasses occurred only in the middle Tertiary, so the delay between terrane accretion and final orogenic events was locally quite long (up to 200 Ma).
   So, the Cimmerian collisional events must be regarded as separate from the Variscan and Alpine ones. The other main difference is that the Variscan terrane accretion was an arcarc collisional event, resulting in important HT type metamorphism, accompanied by large magmatic pulses related to mantle delamination. For the Cimmerian event, the collision was between a ribbon type passive margin and island arc type terranes, it resulted in soft docking with little metamorphism and magmatism, and limited orogenic processes. In areas where the Cimmerian suture can be studied in details, such as central Iran, the fore-arc series (arc side, upper plate) are found resting directly on the flexural bulge of the passive margin (lower plate), both separated by a few hundred meters of highly sheared flysch-like deposits. The lower plate is hardly deformed, the upper plate presents some imbrication and shortening, and the intervening accretionary prism has nearly completely disappeared, it was totally underplated.
   Both upper and lower plates had been previously thinned due to rifting (separation of the Cimmerian terrane from Gondwana on one hand, separation from the Eurasian active margin by back-arc spreading on the other hand). Thus the superposition of both thinned plates in the Triassic did not create much isostatic rebound, and in some areas where the Cimmerian terrane was not very large, sedimentation continued during most of the Triassic, both on the lower plate side, and on the newly created passive margin of the back-arc, to the north of the orogenic zone.
   This makes the Cimmerian event difficult to recognize in some areas. The suture zone was not very large, and in Greece and Turkey it hardly outcrops. However, this Late Triassic period was accompanied by widespread clastic influxes in surrounding basins, the Cimmerian collage being surrounded by oceans on its southern (Neotethys) and northern (Eurasian backarc) sides. Some of these clastic deposits contain olistostroms with blocks clearly pertaining to the disappeared Paleotethys (e.g. pelagic Carboniferous to Early Permian, totally absent outside of the Paleotethys). Some remnant flexural (molassic) basins are also known in Iran (Shemshak). In Turkey they were often interpreted as rift basins. However, a thorough study of the clasts in Late Triassic Turkish conglomerates has shown their exotic nature, and mainly their late Paleozoic pelagic characterictics, showing that they were derived from a suture zone and not rift related; they are commonly followed by a major stratigraphic gap.
   In Greece, the remnants of the Cimmerian events are scarce, because of the lack of relevant outcrops. This situation is due to the fact that the final collision with a large landmass (i.e. Africa) has not yet taken place. The Cimmerian remnants are still underplated under the external Hellenides, and/or covered by large carbonate platforms. Our investigation during the last 20 years on this problem has brought to the light that most substratum of the external domain can be attributed to the Paleotethys Permian fore-arc domain, strongly affected by Triassic rifting (somehow quite similar to the present-day Aegean sea area) that led to the opening of the Maliac and Pindos back-arc basins. The latter ceased opening when the arc to the south of it collided with the Cimmerian Apulian terrane. However, the suture zone is not seen, or indirectly, because some Triassic conodonts found in the east Mediterranean basin (Neotethys) are not present in the Pindos north of it. A major barrier prevented these animals and few other species to pass from one basin to the next.
   So, in conclusion, the larger geodynamic picture can be derived from the study of suture zones over a large area and from the evolution of margins on both sides of it, but in some areas, only pebbles or microfossils will lead to the solution. It is up to the geologists to use both approaches with some wisdom.                                                                                                                          

Temporal distribution of triggered seismicity following a strong earthquake has been the subject of many studies that focus on applying statistics to earthquake sequences. The earthquake occurrence can be described by stochastic processes and therefore probabilistic models are developed in order to assess the seismicity rate changes resulted after a strong event. The several statistical methods that serve this purpose are based on different assumptions. The seismicity rate changes during three earthquake sequences that took place in the territory of Greece are investigated. The first is the 1981 Corinth Gulf seismic sequence, with three strong (M=6.7, M=6.5 and M=6.3) events between February 24 and March 4, the second one the 2001 Skyros Island sequence, with the main shock occurring on July 26 with M=6.3, and the last one the 2003 Lefkada Island, with a main shock of M=6.2 occurring on August 14. An attempt is made for modeling the aftershocks, as they comprise a major portion of an earthquake catalog including important information about the rate changes. Firstly, a homogeneous Poisson model is tested to fit the data, with the waiting times of the point process being exponentially distributed and the rate λ of the Poisson process constant in time. The process has no memory and any particular event is regarded as unrelated to any other. Substituting a function λ(t) for the rate λ leads to a non–homogeneous Poisson process with intensity function λ(t). In this case the rate parameter is time dependant and the appropriate form of the function has to be chosen in order to describe the way seismicity rate evolves with time. In the present work two forms were tested, both allowing the rate decaying as time passes. The first one is an exponential function with two unknown parameters, whereas the second one is a non-homogeneous Poisson process with a Power Law intensity function λ(t). Because of the rate’s form the particular model is also known as a Weibull process. The third statistical method applied to the data is the Autoregressive model of second order (AR(2)), which is used in time series analysis to describe stationary time series, and is a linear regression of the current value of the series against two previous values of the series. In order to apply the AR model to the above earthquake sequences, a random variable Z(t) was considered to represent the number of earthquakes at any time t and the parameters of the model were estimated using the Yule–Walker equations.

The geological map of the Caucasus and adjacent areas of 1:2 500 000 scale, being presented on the 19th Congress of the CBGA includes on-shore and off-shore parts of the Black Sea-Caspian Sea region (Fig. 1). Small-scale thematic (geologic, tectonic, metallogenic, etc.) maps of th  World and its large parts, such as Europe, Middle East etc., have been periodically compiled and published under umbrella of the Commission for Geological Map of the World (CGMW), for example: carte geologique de l’Europe, 1:10 000 000, 1970; carte tectonique de l’Europe et des regions avoisinantes, 1:10 000 000, 1975; carte tectonique internationale de l’Europe et des regions avoisinantes, 1:2 500 000, 1980; geological map of the Middle East, 1:5 000 000, 1986; 1:5 000 000 International geological map of Europe and adjacent areas, 2005, BGR Hannover; the international geological map of the Middle East, 1:5 000 000, second edition, 2009-2010. The Caucasian region, situated at the junction of the European and Asiatic segments of the Alpine-Himalayan orogenic belt and serving as a connecting link between these two branches, as a rule, is illustrated by maps of the both segments. The presented map demonstrates up-to-date level of knowledge on geological structure and evolution of the region.

The first results regarding the Early Pleistocene Teleostean marine fish fauna of the Faliraki area (Rhodes Island, Dodekanese) are presented as revealed through the study of fish otoliths. In the Faliraki Bay section outcrops the Rhodes Formation, consisting of Kritika Member, Kolymbia Member, and Lindos Bay Clay Member, both now assigned to the Early Pleistocene. Fish otoliths have been found within the Kolymbia and Lindos Bay Clay Members.
   Significant is the first record of the modern species Notoscopelus bolini Nafpaktitis 1975 in the Kolumbia Member of Faliraki Bay section. N. bolini resembles the N. elongatus elognatus which has been recorded in various localities of the Western and Central Mediterranean, but has a greater postero-ventral width. The Faliraki specimen also shares a lot of characters with N. resplendens of Nolf & Cappetta from the Neogene sediments of SE France may also be attributed to Notoscopelus bolini. This species has been recorded in the Mediterranean Sea since the Tortonian, and today it occupies the central – eastern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. It is a temperate pelagic – oceanic species, which exhibits a maximum abundance between 45-50 meters modern sea depth. Important also is the presence of the Lampadena aff. urophaos atlantica Maul 1969 in the Early Pleistocene deposits of the Kolymbia Member, which has previously only been recorded in the Middle Pleistocene bathyal deposits of Vallone Catrica section. The modern distribution of this species is restricted to the North Atlantic. It is a bathypelagic species which occupies water depths between 60 m and 1000 m.
   The sediments of the Lindos Bay Clay Member of Faliraki Bay section reveal a very rich otolith association. The great majority of specimens belong to the Myctophidae family, with representatives namely Ceratoscopelus maderensis Lowe 1939, Diaphus holti Taning 1918, Diaphus rafinesquii (Cocco 1838), Diaphus taaningi Norman 1930, Hygophum benoiti (Cocco 1829), Hygophum hygomi (Lutken 1892), Lobianchia dofleini (Zugmayer 1911), Electrona risso (Cocco 1829), Notoscopelus sp., Myctophum punctatum Rafinesque 1810, Benthosema glaciale (Reinhardt 1837) (very scarce and small otoliths only), Lampanyctus crocodilus (Risso 1810), and Scopelopsis pliocenicus. Present are also members of the family Gadidae, such as Gadiculus argenteus Guichenaut 1850, as well as Gobiidae. The Teleost fish assemblage of the Lindos Bay Clay Member is composed of an abundant and diversified pelagic group and to a lesser degree by a benthopelagic and benthic group. This type of fauna generally characterizes the continental slope environment, with the depth usually exceeding 200 meters. This is in good agreement with the estimations of 300-600 meters in the lower part of the section to 200-300 meters near the top, as provided through the study of the bryozoans associations in the Lindos Bay section.

The Apuseni Mountains of Romania contain a large number of precious metal deposits, many of which are epithermal in character and closely associated with calc-alkaline, Miocene volcanism. These magmatic rocks which host the mineralization have recently been subjected to several detailed geochemical and isotopic studies and our understanding of their genesis and evolution is now fairly well-developed. However, in spite of the detailed mineralogical studies which have over the years been carried out on the mineral deposits, there are still many aspects about their formation which are poorly understood. The timing of the mineralization in particular is not well defined, and so a geochronological study using K-Ar and Ar-Ar methodology and focussing mainly on the mineralization at the classic Sacaramb deposit, was initiated.
   In order to check the published K-Ar ages of fresh, host magmatic rocks, two Ar-Ar ages for amphibole were obtained (from Zuckerhut, Sacaramb, and Rovina Remetea, near Brad). The ages of these rocks (Ar-Ar 11.2 and 15.2, compared to published K-Ar ages of 10.9 and 15.2 Ma respectively) appear to conform the validity of the K-Ar technique for these magmatic rocks.
   There is a general lack of minerals in the mineralized veins which are suitable for age dating. However, hydrothermal alteration selvedges to the mineralized veins contain K-mica (sericite) and K-feldspar and these have been analysed and used as a proxy for the metallic mineralization. K-Ar ages of sericite from veins in the Sacaramb area are in the range 9.9-10.8 Ma, whilst the ages of host rocks in the near vicinity are in the range 10.9 and 11.2 Ma. Hydrothermal K-feldspar from Hondol gives similar ages of 10.6 Ma (K-Ar) and 9.8 Ma (Ar- Ar), compared to the K-Ar age of the host rock of 10.8Ma. A K-Ar age of sericite from Magura of 11.1 Ma is slightly younger than a K-Ar age of the host rock of 11.5 Ma. Ar-Ar analyses of sericitic mica tend to give apparent ages which are 1-3 Ma older than the K-Ar ages but it is at present unclear whether these are real or a result of the analytical method (argon recoil in fine-grained mica samples). These results also suggest that earlier attempts at dating the alteration using Rb-Sr isochrons are probably inaccurate.
   The mineralization in this region occurred at a roughly similar time to that proposed by previous studies in the Baia Mare region of northern Romania. The ages of the Apuseni mineralization appear to be slightly younger than the ages of the host volcanic rocks, although this difference is usually within the analytical uncertainty of the analyses (typically <1 Ma), and there is no confirmation of perceived gap in time between mineralization and volcanism seen at Baia Mare (0.5-1.5+ Ma). Although there is quite a large span in age for the volcanism of the Apuseni Mountains as a whole (7.4-14.9 Ma) these age data indicate that the associated hydrothermal activity (and thus most likely the mineralization also) was directly linked to the immediate, host magmatic rocks, was fairly short-lived, and took place within a limited time interval after the cessation of volcanism.

Late Miocene-Pleistocene alkaline mafic magmas were erupted in the Carpathian-Pannonian Region following the Eocene to Miocene subduction-related calc-alkaline volcanism. The lavas range from hy-normative basalts through alkali olivine basalts andbasanites to nephelinites.
   The majority of basaltic lavas are fresh, olivine-phyric and holocrystalline, whereas olivine is coupled by clinopyroxene phenocrysts in some samples. The olivine phenocrysts contain occasionally spinel inclusions. The matrix consists of plagioclase, clinopyroxene and olivine along with titanomagnetite, ilmenite, and apatite. Phlogopite, interstitial alkali feldspar, nepheline and leucite also occur in some of the lavas. In contrast, nephelinites are rich in clinopyroxene and nepheline and contain titanomagnetite in the groundmass along with subordinate amounts of olivine, apatite and leucite.
   Olivines mg-numbers vary between 88-66. They are generally zoned and began to crystallize with Fo around 87 and 79. In the course of crystallization Fo decreases to 84-66 at the rims of phenocrysts being similar to Fo in the groundmass. The NiO of the olivines decreases with decreasing MgO content, while CaO and MnO increase.
   Clinopyroxene compositions range from augite to diopside. They exhibit both oscillatory and sector zoning as a result of disequilibrium crystallization. The compositional difference between cores and rims follow the normal pyroxene fractionation trend; the cores are richer in Mg, Si and Cr and poorer in Fe, Mn and Ti than the rims. The majority of the clinopyroxenes have Al^VI/Al^IV (0.0-0.65) typical for low pressure clinopyroxene and support shallow level crystallization.
   Most alkali basalt corresponds to the criteria for primitive rocks having high mgnumber (>0.62), high MgO (>9 wt. %) and high Ni (>192 ppm) and Cr (>286 ppm). These magmas underwent only minor olivine±clinopyroxene±spinel fractionation and apparently approach a primary melt composition.
   The silica saturation index (vary from -59 to +2) and trace element ratios (La_N/Yb_N=11-31) generally suggest that these lavas have experienced different degrees of partial melting. The hynormative basalts of Oberpullendorf have the highest degree of melting while Stradnerkogel nephelinites have the lowest. Those rocks that formed via a low degree of melting possess high Zr/Hf ratios (60-66), and negative K and Ti anomalies similar to those of carbonatites. All studied rock varieties have high Nb/La ratios (>1) suggesting OIB-like asthenospheric mantle source. The absence of LILE enrichments (K, Rb and Ba) indicating no interaction with fluids possibly derived from subducted slab. The steep REE patterns and the high Dy_N/Yb_N ratio (average 1.8) strongly suggest that garnet was a residual phase during the partial melting in the source region.
   The ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr isotopic compositions of the studied lavas are low (0.703505-0.704279), and the ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd ratios are high (0.512736-0.512858). Thus, they are isotopic depleted relative to the bulk Earth and similar to HIMU-OIB. Moreover, they are similar to those of Romanian basalts and Neogene alkali basalts throughout Europe.

Rapid development of geopark concept and positive results of existing geoparks have generated in Romania both the official recognition of geopark as distinctive protected area and the increase of interests of new territories to develop geoparks. Based on a local initiative and a grass root effort a new geopark project has been launched in Romania: The Buzău Land Geopark. Located in the south-eastern part of Romania, the territory covers about 1100 sq kilometers, comprises 18 mayoralties and a population of 45000 inhabitants. Unique geological sites like mud volcanoes, amber deposits, salt caves, and oil springs are present. Sedimentary rocks folded and overthrusted outline a geological history covering more than 70 million years. The paper presents the main steps taken so far in building the new geopark. The approach is based on our previews experience in Hateg Geopark and in other geoparks members of the European Geoparks Network. The process comprises: interdisciplinary research studies, stakeholders identification, local heritage evaluation, and sustainable development strategy design, establishing the basic requirements for a brand development, correlation with local projects and initiatives and design of training courses for the geopark team. This approach allowed us to identify the optimal territory for the geopark, to create a framework for partnership, local needs identification and to set-up clear objectives for sustainable use of local resources. The commitment of local communities has generated national projects dealing with public awareness, cultural events, promotion, and informal education. All these are valuable elements to prove the rightness of the geopark concept and its capacity to join around groups and stakeholders from different areas of interest.

Asprogerakata section, located in the northeast part of Levkas Island, Ionian Sea, consists of well-bedded grey-brown calcareous sandstones and silty to sandy marls and represents part of the Miocene transgressive cover of the Ionian zone. Biostratigraphic data and palaeoenvironmental conditions are inferred based upon the planktonic foraminifera. A rich, highly to moderately diverse and well preserved planktonic foraminiferal association enabled biostratigraphic zonation of the Lower-Middle Miocene deposits. On the basis of the composition of the foraminiferal assemblages, palaeoecological and palaeoclimatic interpretations have been made. Quantitative and qualitative analyses provide a detailed distribution of the identified taxa and defined a number of bioevents for the Middle Miocene. The recognition of the first Acme End (AaE) of Paragloborotalia siakensis proved that the Neogene deposits in Levkas Island have an age of 15.435 Ma and belong to the MMi4 planktonic foraminiferal zone. The MMi4c-MMi4d boundary has been defined by the presence of Praeorbulina glomerosa circularis dated at 14.89 Ma. Planktonic foraminiferal assemblages identify a significant change in variability of climate system at around 15.2 Ma, probably corresponding to the global cooling events superimposed to the Middle Miocene Climatic Optimum. In particular, faunal composition suggests a warm phase in the lower part of the section followed by a cooling phase.

Greece's geology favours a potent and dynamic use of mineral resources, which became a major incentive of the country's mining business, and economic and social growth. Among the Non-Energy Metallic Minerals commodities, base and precious metals, in particular zinc, lead, copper, gold, and silver are becoming an increasingly important and rapidly growing target of the mining industry. In NE Greece, where most of the potential resources and feasible deposits are hosted, gold-base metal mineralizations occur in a wide range of genetic types comprising magmatic, hypothermal/mesothermal, epithermal, and supergene mineralization types. The magmatic porphyry copper type deposits and mineralizations show economic gold grades (e.g. Skouries, Fisoka, and Pontokerasia), the hypothermal/mesothermal manto-type base metal sulphides form high-grade gold ores (e.g. Olympias, Mavres Petres, Piavitsa, Thermes, Pangeon, Farasino) and the epithermal gold systems lead to potential high-sulphidation mineralizations (e.g. Konos, Perama, Kirki, Pefka). Proven reserves amount to porphyry gold and copper of 3.9 Moz and 0.8 Mt, respectively, mantotype gold of 3.6 Moz, lead + zinc of 1.6 Mt and silver of 66 Moz, as well as more than 2.0 Moz epithermal gold. The genetic link between porphyry coppers and large base metal manto style sulphide deposits can be incorporated into regional exploration strategies in a complex metamorphic terrain of schists, gneisses and marbles, whereas the epithermal type deposits were emplaced within a broad volcanic belt, which developed first in Bulgaria and then moved south through northern Greece to the region of Thrace. The epithermal gold mineralization occurs in hydrothermal breccia zones, related to volcanic rocks of andesitic, dacitic or shoshonitic composition as well as hosted by sedimentary rocks. All previous types of sulphide minerals (particularly those hosted by Rhodope and Serbo-Macedonian marbles) were overimposed by post-Pliocene co-active supergene oxidation and karstification processes (e.g. Angistro, Menikio). All the main types of gold mineralization are linked to plate tectonic movements during the Tertiary. From the global metallogenetic point of view
the post-Alpine Tertiary geodynamic systems in SE Europe are potential in producing highgrade ore deposits of base and precious metal sulphide minerals.

Dating radiolarites overlying ancient oceanic crust preserved in the Lesser Caucasus is of key importance to understand the geodynamic evolution of the greater area between Eurasia and the South-Armenian Block, a micro-continent detached from Gondwana during Late Palaeozoic–Early Mesozoic time. Micropalaeontological data are few and/or obtained before the development of a modern taxonomic framework for Mesozoic Radiolaria.
   Two main ophiolitic zones are recognized in the Lesser Caucasus and they are linked to the evolution of Tethys: 1) the Sevan-Akera zone, situated in the East and SE of Lake Sevan, constitutes the main suture zone of Neo-Tethys ocean in the Lesser Caucasus, and 2) the Vediophiolitic unit, in the SE of the capital city Yerevan, is considered as a folded klippe sequence thrusted on the South-Armenian Block. We focus here on biostratigraphic results obtained recently on the sedimentary cover of the Sevan ophiolite, considered to have been formed in a low spreading back-arc oceanic basin. Amongst the various localities studied, three yielded identifiable radiolaria. Radiolarian assemblages obtained from the Sarinar section allow to investigate the sedimentary and volcanic history recorded in an ca. 30 m-thick radiolarite sequence associated with spilitic lavas of the Sevan ophiolitic suture zone. Three distinct Radiolarian assemblages were recognized and they establish that the studied sequence is tectonically reversed. The younger assemblage can be assigned to the Unitary Association Zones (U.A.Z.) 19-22 of Baumgartner et al. (1995) and correlated with the Early Hauterivian/late Barremain to early Aptian interval, based on the co-occurrence of species “Sethocapsa” (?) orca, Tethysetta boesii and Hiscocapsa uterculus. The latter two species last occur in the lower Aptian Verbeeki subzone of O’Dogherty (1994). The intermediate assemblage is Late Jurassic in age (middle Oxfordian to early Tithonian; U.A.Z. 9-11), based essentially on the presence of Zhamoidellum ovum. Finally, the oldest assemblage may be correlated with the late Bajocian-early Bathonian, based on the presence of “Tricolocapsa” sp. M sensu Baumgartner et al. 1995. Several tuff levels are intercalated within the Upper Jurassic part of the radiolarite sequence. They are the evidence for a subaerial volcanic activity that took place in the oceanic realm of Tethys preserved in the ophiolites of Sevan-Akera zone.
   In the Dali section, radiolarites overly spilitic lavas and are intercalated with tuffites. The co-occurrence of Cinguloturris cylindra and Emiluvia pessagnoi multipora allows the assemblage to be correlated with the Late Tithonian-Berriasian (U.A.Z. 12-14). This age proves that oceanic crust was being formed at the Jurassic/Cretaceous transition being accompanied by subaerial volcanic activity.
   At the locality Tsegnaged, situated north of the town Sevan, two chert samples associated with lavas yielded Early Cretaceous radiolarian assemblages: the first can be assigned to U.A.Z 13-17 (latest Tithonian to late Valanginian) based on the co-occurrence of Archaeospongoprunum patricki and Obesacapsula cetia, while the other to U.A.Z. 18-22 (latest Valanginian/Hauterivian to early Aptian) based on the presence of Aurisaturnalis carinatus perforatus.

The Vitosha volcano-plutonic edifice crops out in the western part of the Srednogorie structural zone. The plutonic body is composed of abyssal gabbros and anorthosites, hypoabyssal monzonites, syenites and late veins of granosyenitic composition, intruded in Late Cretaceous volcano-sedimentary sequence. Volcanic rocks are represented by basaltic andesites and andesites.
   The major rock-forming mineral phases are plagioclase, K-feldspar, amphibole and clinopyroxene. Common accessory minerals include apatite, titanite, magnetite, ilmenite and zircon. Secondary minerals are epidote, tourmaline, chlorite, actinolite, adularia and clay minerals.
   Plagioclases span much of the crystallization history throughout the magmatic series, generally decreasing in anorthite component from basic to acid plutonic varieties. In volcanic rock the plagioclase is in the bytownite–labradorite range.
   Potassium feldspar of orthoclase composition is typical for the monzonite and syenite. It forms large crystals, disposed between plagioclase. The orthoclase is the major carrier for Sr, Ba, Pb, Rb.
   Amphibole is the main mafic mineral in all rock types, with Mg# 58-97. In the classification diagram of Leake et al. (1997), the amphibole from the plutonic rock falls in the field of the magnesio hornblende and ferrohornblende, whereas the amphibole from the volcanic rocks is tschermakite.
   Clinopyroxene is a characteristic mineral for all rock types with Mg# 58-84. It forms deep resorption nuclei or single grains with euhedral contours. Compositionally it is augite and diopside.
   U-Pb single zircon method was used for the precise geochronological dating of the Vitosha volcano-plutonic edifice. Sr and Nd whole rock and Hf–zircon tracing have been used to clarify the origin of the studied rocks.
   Following U-Pb single zircon age data have been obtained for the plutonic rocks: gabbro 81.58±0.23, monzonite 82.45±0.4 and syenite 79.67±0.76. U-Pb data of single zircon grains from an andesite plot on a discordia with a Paleozoic age.
   Strontium isotope data are quite variable, ranging between 0.7044 and 0.7042 in the less evolved gabbro and andesite, through 0.7052 in the monzonite, to 0.7091 in the syenite. Nd (80 Ma) values also show a large variation, from 0.37 to 2.74.
   The new age data reported here provide that the rocks of the Vitosha pluton range between 82.4 and 79.7 Ma. Chemistry of the parental magma suggests similarity with the other plutonic suites from the axial part of the western Srednogorie. Compositional variations of the rock-forming minerals indicate calc-alkaline I-type signature for the Vitosha pluton. Sr and Nd isotope data indicate the presence of depleted mantle source for the parental magma, whereas generation of most evolved magmas requires different degree of crystal contamination. The upper discordia intercept U-Pb zircon of Paleozoic age suggest that the contaminant must have been lithologies from the Variscan basement.

Neogene/Quaternary deposits along the east shoreline of Thermaikos Gulf (Thessaloniki, Greece) occasionally yielded several isolated fossil vertebrate remains. A proboscidean tusk and an equid astragalus have been recently unearthed from a new palaeontological spot near Epanomí. The finds are referred to Mammuthus cf. meridionalis and Equus sp. On the basis of biochronological data the deposits are dated as latest Pliocene.

The Meliata Unit is crucial for understanding the West Carpathian geology. Its remnants mark an important suture zone which remained after the Meliata part of Neotethys Ocean which was open in the Middle Triassic and partly closed in Late Jurassic time. The key areas, in which occurrences of this unit are concentrated, are near Meliata village and in the wider surrounds of Margecany and Jaklovce villages. The first site lies southwest of the Gemeric Superunit, whereas the second occurs at its NE margin. Position of the Meliata Unit on the both sides of this crustal block (comparable with Greywacke Zone of the Eastern Alps) led some authors to oppinions about two branches of the Meliata Ocean surrounding the Gemeric Superunit, whereas others inferred that the northern occurrences do not represent a true suture but they were transported to its recent position tectonically by thrusting (obduction). If the first oppinion was true there would be some time difference between the closures of the two branches. Therefore, the two principal sites, Meliata and Margecany were revisited and new micropaleontological data were obtained, the first report of which is given herein.
   Margecany (the type outcrops of radiolarite-basalt succesion along the railway at the local cement factory were sampled)
   In a red cherty limestone intercalated in the basalts, Triassic radiolarians (together with some poorly preserved conodonts (similar conodont fauna was previously found here by Kozur & Mock) with a mixture of some Jurassic ones, were extracted by dissolution. Microfacies of most of the reddish cherty limestone to radiolarites, is evidently Triassic. From a reddisch cherty limestone to radiolarite overlying the basalts, following radiolarian fauna was extracted: Actinomma cf. siciliensis, Crucella squama, Crucella spp., Hagiastrum sp., Paronaella pygmaea, Praeconocaryomma spp., Spongotripus sp., Elodium cameroni and Hsuum parasolense. The assemblage indicates Middle Jurassic age (Aalenian to Bajocian with two species; Callovian to Oxfordian indicated by one species). Estimation of the exact stratigraphic position is problematic due to the actual knowlegde of the age range of the species.
   Meliata (the type locality of the meliata Unit)
   Late Middle Jurassic matrix between the olistostromes and slide blocks of the upper part of the succession has already been investigated. The Lower part of the section was interpreted as a continous Anisian to Carnian sequence. A sample from the basal part of the section below the Ladinian cherty limestones and radiolarites and above the Anisian limestones yielded Higumastra winteri, Dictyomitrella cf. kamoensis, Stichocapsa cicciona, and Zhamoidellum cf. ovum. The assemblage indicates the Callovian to Early Oxfordian age. A sample taken higher, but still in the basal part contained Sethocapsa cf. kodrai indicating late Middle Jurassic. Microfacies of the samples represent radiolarian bearing filament limestone (resembling silicified Bositra limestone with radiolarians). In the upper part of the Meliata type section occur several grey limestones and dolomites in a late Middle Jurassic mélange. Besides Carnian limestones also Norian grey limestones occur representing typical components which were derived from the grey Hallstatt facies (Pötschen sequence in the Eastern Alps).
   The studied samples all contain Jurassic or mixed Triassic-Jurassic fauna which is in accordance to the mélange character of the Meliata Unit with Triassic/Jurassic blocks and Middle to early Late Jurassic matrix. However, no new constraints concerning the time difference between the southern and northern occurrences of the Meliata Unit are possible.

Studies performed in the last decade have shown the importance of geological sources in releasing methane, an important greenhouse gas, following only to carbon dioxide in the ranking of global warming producing gases. The IPCC Fourth Assessment Report, released in 2007, for the first time considers the geologic source of methane beside the other natural sources taken into account in the previous reports.
   Mud volcanoes are important methane releasing geological features, occurring onshore and offshore in many parts of the world. Most of them are located in compressional settings, although in some cases they may be found in other tectonic environments. Most commonly, the onshore mud volcanoes are cone-shaped, with variable dimensions, from a few meters in diameter and less than one meter in height, to several kilometres in diameter and hundreds of meters in height. The shape of the mud volcanoes depends on the nature of the expelled fluids. Convex shapes are formed when the mud is viscous, but very frequently, circular pools with muddy water occur when the mineral fraction/water ratio is very low. In Europe, mud volcanoes are distributed in some specific areas. Such features were identified in Italy, Romania, and their occurrence continues eastward on the northern shore of the Black Sea (Ukraine, Russia), and in the Caucasian – Caspian area, where the world’s most impressive mud volcanoes were described.
   The most important Romanian mud volcanoes are located in Berca area (Carpathian Foredeep), close to the bending zone of the Carpathian chain. These mud volcanoes are distributed in four distinct areas: Paclele Mari, Paclele Mici, Fierbatori, and Beciu, and seem to be the biggest in Europe, excepting the giant structures in Azerbaijan. In Transylvania, quite numerous methane releasing structures were identified. The mud volcanoes here are generally small, not exceeding a few meters in height and tens of meters in diameter. In some spots, dry gas emissions occur.
   In the past years, the methane flux was measured by using the classical closed chamber method. After the chamber deployment, gas samples were collected by syringes and analysed in the laboratory by gas chromatography. Recently, an innovative measuring method was introduced by using a portable methane and carbon dioxide fluxmeter. Specific sensors for the two gases are connected to the accumulation chamber, and after deploying the device in the field, the gas concentrations are measured and fluxes derived. This new method has been used until now in Transylvania and a total flux of about 680 t CH₄^y-1 was estimated for theinvestigated areas in the Miocene basin of Transylvania. The total methane flux in Berca area is exceeding 1000 t CH₄^y-1.
   Acknowledgments. The work described in this report was financially supported by the Romanian National Authority for Research (ANCS) within the Project 31-094 FLUX.

The paper presents results of calculation of the following elastic parameters: compressional wave velocity (VPEQ), shear wave velocity (VSEQ), velocity ratio VPEQ/VSEQ, acoustic impedances for either wave (AIPEQ, AISEQ), and bulk density (RHEQ). Elastic parameters were calculated for different lithostratigraphic series from fourteen selected boreholes from the Western Carpathians for which results of the quantitative interpretation of well logs were available. The analyzed area is located in the Polish Carpathians between Bielsko-Biała and Nowy Targ.
   Those series contain Precambrian, Cambrian, Devonian (Lower, Upper and Middle), Carboniferous (Lower and Upper), Triassic, Jurassic, Cretaceous, Miocene and Paleogene rocks. The calculations were made for very different lithology, which was characteristic for those stratgraphic series, with the use of the Estymacja computer program written by Maria Bala and Adam Cichy within the research project No 8 T12B 046 20.
   The idea of the method of estimation of P-waves and S-waves elastic parameters was based on known theoretical models (e.g. given by Biot-Gassmann or Kuster-Toksöz) relations which describe multiphase media corresponding to rocks with granular structure (grains: solid phase) filled with pore saturating medium (liquid phase, gas phase, solid phase). Elastic parameters of rocks are a resultant of all phase components: rock matrix and medium, and depend on relationships between components of the rock medium and isotropy or anisotropy of the rock skeleton.The computer program ESTYMACJA, allows elastic parameters of the rocks to be determined from results of integrated analysis of well logging data i.e. lithology, porosity and water, gas and oil saturation in the flushed zone or virgin zone. In our calculation the theoretical Biot-Gassmann’s model was used.
   Those calculations were made for rocks in the A – 3 well, Ch -1 well, D – 6 well, J – 2k well, L-3a well, L - 7 well, R - 3 well, Ś – 1 well, W – 6 well, W – 1 well, W - 3 well, W-4 well, Z – 1 well.
   Averaged values of estimated velocities VPEQ and VSEQ, VPEQ/VSEQ ratio, acoustic impedances (AIPEQ, AISEQ), and bulk densities RHEQ for each stratigraphic units together with lithology description were used to create a generalized set of parameters for groups of nearest wells or boreholes situated at the same profile. However, due to great variability of rocks belonging to different lithostratigraphic units, only the results from the nearest wells were compared.
   The characteristics of VPEQ and RHEQ variability was performed for selected wells and stratigraphic series. One can observe a great variability of studied parameters, even for the same series and the same lithology. Results of estimated elastic parameters and bulk densities, presented in this paper, characterize a rock model with much varied litostratigraphy.

The Bakony-Balaton Highland Volcanic Field (BBHVF) is located in the central part of Transdanubia, Pannonian Basin, with over 50 alkali basaltic volcanoes. The volcanism was related to the post-extensional tectonic processes in the middle part of the Pannonian Basin. The basanite plug of Hegyestű erupted in the first phase of volcanic activity. It overlies Triassic limestone and dolomite forming a double hill. Since there is no clear evidence of explosive eruption history, Hegyestű is likely either a remnant of a dominantly lava emitting volcanic vent, or remnant of a lava derived from some sources nearby.
   Ar/Ar [1] and K/Ar [2] ages were published on the alkali basalt rocks of the BBHVF. Conflicting K/Ar (5.97 ± 0.41 Ma, isochron) and Ar/Ar (7.78 ± 0.07 Ma, isochoron, 7.94 ± 0.03 Ma, plateau) ages were measured on the leucite-bearing basanite of Hegyestű. As it has been shown, this effect is caused by the special Ar retention feature of leucite in this basanite.
   In a new study 18 K/Ar ages were measured on subsamples of HT-4 and on its fractions produced by magnetic and heavy liquid separation.18 K/Ar ages measured in the usual way were 25 – 45 % younger, but after HF or HCl treatment of the rock, or after reducing the baking temperature of the argon extraction line from 250 °C to 150 °C, they became similar to the Ar/Ar ages.
   HCl treatment dissolved olivine, nepheline, leucite, magnetite and from 1-1 sample analcime or calcite. K dissolution studies on 6 samples from different locations of Hegyestű have shown that K content is mostly ~2 %, but it may decrease to ~0.3 %. HCl treatment dissolved 19 – 32 % of the rocks, 28.0-63.5 % of the K content, reduced the K concentration of the residue to 1.1 – 0.3 %, and for the dissolved part of samples with ~2 % K, the calculated K concentration was 4.02 – 6.42 %. These data and EMP analyis suggest leucite is the responsible mineral for the low temperature loss of ⁴⁰Ar(rad) during baking the extraction line, though a minor role of nepheline can not be excluded.
   Ar may release at low temperature from very fine-grained mineral, or when the Ar release mechanism changes. A ⁴⁰Ar(rad) degassing spectrum has been recorded in the 55 – 295 °C range by stepwise raising the baking temperature and the data were plotted in the Arrhenius diagram. The arrangement of points proves very great change of Ar release properties in the 145 – 295 °C temperature range. This infers that Ar release is caused by a low temperature process, the change of the mineral structure of chemistry. Using the method presented here 7.56 ± 0.17 Ma, regarded as minimum age and similar to the Ar/Ar isochron age (7.78 ± 0.07 Ma) is determined for Hegyestű.
   The result presented here point to the importance of checking the suitability of leucitebearing rocks for K/Ar dating, and simple methods are given for this control.

Hamehkasy-1 and Korkora-1 are two iron deposits in Western Iran. Hamehkasy iron deposit is situated in the Sanandaj-Syrjan zone. It consists of two major economic indices and several sub-economic minor indices. Hamehkasy-1 is the largest index and is located to the north of Hamehkasy-2 at distance of 400 m. This ore body is being exploited at present. Korkora-1 iron deposit is located in the Oromieh-Dokhtar volcanic belt. It is one of ten indices in the Shahrak mining district. This ore body is the largest deposit in the area. Magnetite is the main ore in these deposits, but hematite, pyrite and goethite are present, too. For study magnetite in these ore bodies we used ore microscopy, EPMA and XRD methods. X-ray powder-diffraction data were obtained using: magnetite (Mg_0.04Fe_2.96O₄), hematite (Fe₂O₃), quartz (SiO₂) are common minerals, on records from Hamehkasy-1 samples we report magnesioarfvedsonite ((Na,K)₃(Fe,Mg,Al)₅Si₈O₂₂(F,OH)) for the first time in this deposit. In Korkora-1 samples the common minerals are: magnetite (Fe_2.92O₄), hematite (Fe₂O₃), goethite (Fe⁺³O(OH)), clinocholore ((Mg,Fe,Al)₆(Fe,Cr)₄O₁₀(OH)₈), and hydrohematite (Fe₂O₃,xH₂O). Ore microscopy studies: in these studies we found magnetite in Hamehkasy-1 deposit which consists of high exolution but in Korkora-1 exolution in magnetite is rare. Magnetites in samples of each deposit were characterized by (EPMA) studies.

Mesozoic radiolarian biochronology has been essential in the understanding of the timing of formation and emplacement of remnants of ancient ocean basins in the Alpine-Mediterranean orogens. The first descriptions and biochronologic assessments of radiolarian faunas of the late 1970ies in the Helledides and Dinarides depended on biostratigraphic calibrations from Deep Sea Drilling Sites and on the first zonations established in Western North America, that were not adequate for the area. In the early 1980’s, as the first European Jurassic-Cretaceous radiolatian zonations were established, the dating of radiolarian-bearing sediments associated with basalts and ophiolitic mélanges became possible. The age assignments have been continuously refined since. The discovery of Triassic radiolarites associated with MORB-like basalts in the late 1980’s considerably changed the interpretations. Now, a wealth of biochronologic work has been published in the last 3 decades. For this report we have revised data from NW-Croatia, Serbia, Albania, Northern Greece, Othris, Evvia, Argolis, in an attempt to produce a coherent picture of all this data.
   Radiolarian biochronology established in oceanic sediments associated with ophiolite belts in the Dinarides and Hellenides reveal 3 age clusters: Middle to Late Triassic, Middle Jurassic and Late Middle to Late Jurassic. Early Jurassic ages are extremely rare. Triassic ages have been found in oceanic sediments, chiefly radiolarites, associated with MORB-like and within-plate basalts, while the majority of Middle Jurassic ages have been found in sediments associated with basalts that geochemically are related to an intraoceanic convergent margin setting. Middle Jurassic radiolarites and radiolarian mudstones are also associated with ophiolite mélanges that are allochthonous with respect to the continental margins. Late Middle to Late Jurassic ages are found in synorogenic deepwater pelagic and ophiolitebearing detrital sediments that stratigraphically overly marginal series. These deposits formed during the obduction of the ophiolites onto the adjacent continental margin. Exposure/erosion and emplacement of the ophiolites is largely diachronous along the Pelagonian-Korab-Durmitor margin and in part synchronous with an ongoing formation of Vardar (suprasubduction) oceanic crust. Westward younging of ophiolite detritus on the Pelagonian margin implies an eastern (Vardar) origin of the ophiolites in Eastern Greece.
   In our simplest geodynamic scenario the Triassic ophiolite components are interpreted as remnants of the Maliac-Meliata Ocean that formed NE of the Pelagonian microcontinent, during the detachment of the latter from Eurasia. During the Middle Jurassic an intra-oceanic subduction zone developed in the Maliac-Meliata Ocean outboard of the Pelagonian-Korab-Durmitor-Drina-Ivanjica margin. Pieces of Triassic Maliac-Meliata ocean floor and seamounts became ripped off the lower plate and accreted in this subduction zone together with very young (0-10 my, supra-subduction) oceanic basalts of the upper plate attributed to the Vardar (backarc) Ocean. When the subduction zone reached the Pelagonian- Korab-Durmitor-Kuci margin, the latter became the lowermost unit of the accretionary wedge. The intraoceanic arc collided with the trench and was overthrust by the young back-arc Vardar crust just before subduction ceased. Further westward thrusting (mostly during Late Cretaceous-Early Tertiary) emplaced this composite ophiolite unit onto the more external Pindos-Cukali zones.

The Beysehir Lake, which is one of the largest freshwater lake reservoirs in Turkey, is the most important drinking and irrigation water source for Central Anatolia. The lake has an area of approximately 656 km² with an average depth of 5 meters. The most important creeks discharging to the Beysehir Lake (Sarısu, Ustunler, Ebulvefa, and Eflatun) and their drainage area form the southeast basin of the lake. The rocks in these basins and their hydrochemical relation with surface and subsurface water will be given briefly in this study.
   The Lower-Middle Cambrian Caltepe Formation comprising dolomite, crystallized limestone, and nodular limestone, occurs at the basement and has reservoir rock characteristics. The Upper Cambrian-Lower Ordovician Seydisehir Formation overlies conformably the Caltepe Formation and comprises schist, phillite and shale-bearing limestone and quartzite lenses in places. The Anamasdag Formation, which is the most important reservoir rock in the study area, has widespread outcrops around the lake and rest unconformable on the Seydisehir Formation. It is composed of conglomerate, marl, sandstone, ferric bauxite, dolomite, limestone and is Upper Jurassic-Upper Cretaceous in age. The Hoyran complex comprising serpantinite, pyroxenite, harzburgite, dunite, diabase and chromites emplaced tectonically over the abovementioned units. This unit has outcrops starting from northern part of the Beysehir Lake extending approximately in the NNW- SSE direction up to the Yesildag town located at the south of the lake. Besides, the Eocene Buyukkopru Formation comes unconformable on these units and, begins at the bottom, with the red marl and continues with mudstone – claystone – turbiditic sandstone. The Topraklı Formation is made up of partially consolidated pebble, sand and clay and, covers all the above mentioned units.
   The Landsat 5 TM satellite image was used in the interpretation for providing the important hydrological data and individual pollution source in the Beysehir Lake, with its drainage area, which is one of the important water resources in the area. The lineaments and drainage characteristics of the study area have been determined by developing a Digital Terrain Model using filtering methods such as single banded Fast Fourier Transformation and Convolution methods of image enhancement methods. Besides, composites obtained trough hue enhancement and combination in differing ratio of data, in the three visible and three reflected infrared wave lengths occurring of the Thematic Mapper image, give very promising results in differentiating the hydrogeological units and determining pollution spreading in the surface waters. The interpretive linearity and geological maps prepared by supervised and geological map of the area after surface controlling.
   Karstification and their size in the limestone which are widespread in the basin and which are mostly forming the reservoir rock were interpreted by means of their chemical analysis results. The permeability of alluvial sediments was determined by means of sieve analysis. The variations in the water level of the lake were interpreted statistically. The chemical analysis results of surface and spring water were evaluated in different diagrams and the possibly of these water as being drinkable and usable were searched.

Groundwater quality has been recently deteriorating in different alluvial aquifers of Albania due to industrialization expansion, waste disposal, and agriculture activity. A preliminary assessment of vulnerability to groundwater contamination in Erzeni watershed area was undertaken because of enormous mining activities of river bed alluviums, the presence of the largest urban solid waste disposal site of Tirana and intensive agricultural and industrial activities at the plane part of the river course. The major geological and hydrogeological factors that affect and control groundwater contamination were incorporated into the DRASTIC model. Moreover, a Geographical Information System (Arc Gis 9.2 INFO) was used to create a groundwater vulnerability map of Erzeni river basin. Aquifer vulnerability assessment aims at predicting areas, which are more likely than others to become contaminated as a result of human activities at the land surface. As a result of the vulnerability assessment, 20% of the Erzeni basin was classified as being very highly vulnerable, 5% highly vulnerable, 15% vulnerable at moderate to low levels and, finally, around 60% of the basin has very low vulnerability.

Geological mapping in the territory of the Slovak Republic has a long tradition. The climax of production of geological maps in the last century was a complete edition of synoptical maps 1:200 000 at the beginning of 60-ies. The centre of gravity in the following period was shifted to systematic geological mapping in the scale 1:25 000. Mapping was organized in particular geomorphologic units – regions. These maps had utilized for compilation of regional maps 1:50 000 which were issued together with book explanations for public using. Hither-to the nearly whole Slovakian territory is covered by regional geological maps in scale 1:50 000. The first regional map 1:50 000 was issued in the 1972 and to the present day number of 47 regional maps from the total of 51 were issued. When compared with other countries it is relatively high per cent covering of the territory. On the basis of the maps 1:50 000 a new “General geological map of the Slovak Republic 1:200 000” has been compiled, which should solve many interregional problems that emerged during the long period of mapping. The map is available in the aggregate form and in the individual sheets as well. The each sheet contents of geological sections, sketches of the tectonic units and the scheme of authors` contributions. The common legend to the General Map has been compiled. The legend to tectonic sketches was compiled in accordance with the principles of the Tectonic map of the Slovak Republic 1: 500 000. The General Map is prepared also in an electronic form, which enables interconnection among single sheets. Common explanatory text to the map was issued in the 2009.
   The Slovak Republic is located in the Western Carpathians mountain range. On the new general map actual conception of the geological structure and division of the Western Carpathians is presented. This conception appears from tectonic evolution and succession of the tectonic unit’s origin. Western Carpathians are divided into Outer and Inner as a result from the youngest Neoalpine tectonic processes between the European platform and the Inner Carpathian block. The outer Carpathians are represented by the Flysch belt. A splitting element from the Inner block is the Neoalpine structure of the Klippen belt which contents units from both zones. The inner block is composed of Paleo - alpine tectonic units on which Tertiary sediments and volcanics are deposited.

Ultraviolet (UV) solar radiation plays a very meaningful role in many processes in the atmosphere and biosphere, strongly affecting life on the Earth, and human health in particular. A long term overexposure to UV radiation may cause photoaging, suppression of immune system, skin cancer and cataracts. On the other hand, UV radiation is required for vitamin D3 synthesis and its lack may lead to rickets and other diseases.
   Standard measurements of UV radiation are performed with the aid of radiometers situated on the roofs of buildings or masts at the uncovered places, put out directly to the Sun. Data from these measurements are used as a measure of UV radiation influence on human being. Nevertheless, the human body is not a stationary flat surface put out directly to the Sun, so doses of UV radiation obtained from standard measurements do not describe the total UV doses absorbed by human body.
   The main objective of this study is to present the results from the comparison of stationary measurements of personal dosimeters Gigahertz-Optik X2000-10 and Solar Light UV-Biometer, and results of measurements of personal UV doses at different human activities. Both meters are designed to measure the erythemal UV radiation.
   The comparison of personal dosimeters Gigahertz-Optik X2000-10 and Solar Light UV-Biometer was performed at Legionowo, at different solar zenith angles (SZA) and total ozone (TO). For comparison the reference Solar Light radiometer SL 935, calibrated during international comparison campaigns, was used. The results of dozens measurements at SZA in the range 25-65°and TO from 274 DU to 339 DU, showed a significant dependence of dosimeters correction factor from solar zenith angle.
   The measurements of personal UV doses at different human activities have been performed in the Tatra Mountains, during a few excursions at altitude 1000-2000 m above sea level. Measurements were performed simultaneously by two persons and the detectors were fixed on their arms. Personal UV doses were compared with daily doses of UV radiation measured by Solar Light radiometer situated at the IMWM station in Zakopane (855 m a.s.l.). Personal UV dose absorbed by human body during 7-8 hours mountain excursion in clear day is approximately 50% less than daily dose of UV radiation measured by Solar Light radiometer.
   Other measurements took place in the eastern part of Poland, during a walk with a child. One detector was fixed to the baby carriage, the other on the arm of the baby-sitter. Detectors fixed to the baby carriage measured the UV dose 50% greater than the other.

In an abandoned limestone quarry (Kamenjak) near Arandjelovac (central Serbia), a fossiliferous fissure filling rich in vertebrate remains has been discovered. The quarry Kamenjak is situated on a ridge of the Venčac Mountains, 500 meters to the west of the top. The fissure is approximately 8 meters long with a maximum width of 70 centimeters, trending in north-south direction. It cuts the layers of weakly metamorphized slates and marbles of the Late Cretaceous age (Turonian-Sennonian). The fissure is filled with bone breccia full of bone fragments in reddish matrix of clay, carbonates and limonite.
   In this site several samples of bone breccia were collected in 1980 and 1989. Some bones of large and small mammals were extracted from these samples and preliminary described. In this work remains of the following species of rodents have been identified: Spermophilus citelloides (Kormos, 1916), Microtus nivaloides Forsyth Major, 1902, Microtus (Terricola) arvalidens Kretzoi, 1958, Arvicola sp. (cf. cantiana-terrestri), Clethrionomys glareolus (Schreber, 1780), Lagurus sp., Cricetus cricetus Linnaeus, 1758, Mesocricetus newtoni Nehring, 1898, Cricetulus migratorius (Pallas, 1773), Apodemus sylvaticus (Linnaeus, 1758), Apodemus microps (van Kolfschoten, 1985)/A. maastrichtensis (Kratochvil & Rossicky, 1952), Mus cf. musculus Linnaeus, 1758, and Myoxus sackdilligensis (Heller, 1930). Some other small vertebrates (insectivores, lagomorphs, amphibians, reptiles) have also been found in this site. The fossil collections are stored at the Museum of Natural History in Belgrade.
   The absolute predominance (about 75% of all rodent remains) of only one species (Microtus nivaloides) suggests relatively harsh conditions during a cold (glacial) period. This species probably preferred open areas, so it can be concluded that such type of environment prevailed in the vicinity of the site. But some forest inhabitants were also present, as well as indicators of more humid conditions (such as shrews).
   On the basis of fossil evidence a Middle Pleistocene age has been proposed for this site. The rodent fauna has been compared with the faunas of some neighbouring countries and it has been concluded that it shows most similarity to the Saalian localities from Hungary (Nagyharsanyhegy-6 and Solymar) and Bulgaria (Morovitsa).
   This locality is very interesting because it is the first “fissure filling” site of the Pleistocene age in Serbia with small mammal remains. The second important thing is its Middle Pleistocene age – there are many occurrences of Late Pleistocene mammals in Serbia, but remains of Early and Middle Pleistocene age are rare and usually confined to isolated teeth. Many of the mentioned species are reported in Serbia for the first time. So the investigation of this locality will provide us with a better understanding of this period of Pleistocene.
   In the preliminary investigations, the age of the fauna from Venčac has been considered as Late Pleistocene, because of morphological similarity between some extant species and their ancestors. An older age can also be rejected, because there are no Mimomys remains, while the genus Arvicola – a characteristic element of Middle and Late Pleistocene rodent faunas – is present. Unfortunately, remains of this genus are very scarce and poorly preserved, so they could not been precisely identified and assigned to a species. The future investigations will hopefully reveal more about this very interesting and rich Middle Pleistocene locality.

The British Museum has a large collection of stone artefacts, including limestone sculptures, from a range of geographical and historical sources. Many of these artefacts are deteriorating and exhibit structural decay, friable or delaminating surfaces, and complications involving soluble salts. The conservation of these artefacts is essential if they are to survive for future generations. Often conservators endeavour to alter a given artefact as little as possible, favouring preventative methods. However, in cases where decay progresses to a serious state where significant portions of an artefact may be lost, more interventive conservation methods may be sought.
   The Back to Nature project is a Collaborative Doctoral Award between the University of Oxford and The British Museum. Funded by the AHRC, it is investigating two newly developed techniques; CIPS (Calcite in situ Precipitation System) and Calcium Oxalate treatment, to assess the feasibility of their use within the field of heritage stone conservation. These treatments involve the application of inorganic solutions that react with the stone to produce a consolidant, a material to strengthen and hold an artefact together. These novel techniques mimic natural rock hardening and strengthening processes, and this investigation is situated within a general trend in the conservation field as a whole, to discover treatments that only introduce new materials that are compatible with the original artefact matter. CIPS and Calcium Oxalate treatment are being analysed in comparison with the group of more traditional organic consolidants known as Organo Silanes.
   This poster presents the pilot study of the Back to Nature project. Designed with the broad aim of trialling the conservation treatments and to highlight any possible issues with the experimental design, there are two specific objectives of the pilot study. The first is to examine the difference in a select set of measurements between fresh and weathered stone samples. This will examine the importance of the source of sample material, and the issue of whether fresh stone samples can really provide an accurate substitution for artefacts that may have undergone thousand of years of weathering. The second objective is to determine the minimum number of replicates required for an adequate and meaningful comparison of consolidation treatments. The results of these two objectives will provide a basis for the methodology adopted for the Back to Nature research, enhancing the value and reliability of data obtained from future experiment essential to the project, and the results may have wider reaching consequences for the interpretation of data from other stone conservation investigations.

In the Bulgarian Central Rhodopes, the lower part of the metamorphic pile is dominated by migmatitic orthogneisses having recorded fluid-assisted partial melting at 650-700ºC / 6-8 kbar. Several zircon and monazite U-Pb ages around 36-38 Ma have been reported, interpreted as dating the crystallization of melts. In the area of Chepelare, this pile is exposed as a ~5 km-thick north-dipping monocline. Structures document top-to-SW shearing developed during and subsequent to anatexis. In the middle part of the section, the ~1 km thick Chepelare Shear Zone (CSZ) reflects late Eocene syn-metamorphic thrusting and exposes a variegated rock assemblage of highly sheared migmatitic gneisses hosting discontinuous layers of marbles, garnet-kyanite gneisses, metabasites, and ultramafics.
   In order to constrain the P-T-time evolution of this variegated rock assemblage, we present new petrological and geochronological data obtained from garnet-kyanite gneisses. The samples represent melt-depleted residual granulite composed of zoned garnet and kyanite porphyroblasts of centimeter size in a low-portion matrix of K-feldspar, quartz and biotite. The latter forms retrograde rims around garnet, and together with kyanite, defines a rough foliation. In some samples fibrolite partially replaces synfolial biotite. The accessory mineral assemblage comprises monazite (up to 400 μm), apatite, zircon, rutile, ilmenite, staurolite, and graphite, found in the matrix, and as single or polyphase solid inclusions in garnet and kyanite porphyroblasts. Polyphase inclusions mark core-rim boundary in zoned kyanite and consist of K-feldspar, quartz, monazite, apatite, rutile, graphite, ± zircon, ± biotite. Planar faces of mineral grains suggest crystallisation of trapped melt. Graphite nucleation indicates participation of carbon-saturated fluids.
   U-Th-Pb analyses on monazite were performed by means of LA–ICPMS in thin sections. The results yield two age groups related to the textural position of the monazite grain (included in a garnet or kyanite porphyroblast vs. in the matrix). Mesozoic ages, between 137 and 142 Ma, are most common. They were obtained in all monazite included in garnet as well as in polyphase inclusions in kyanite. P-T estimates based on the metamorphic record preserved in garnet and kyanite suggest granulite facies anhydrous melting, or low a_H2O fluid participation, at > 800ºC / > 1.2 GPa, that produced peritectic garnet (and probably kyanite) together with a K-rich melt. In the same samples, Cenozoic ages between 38 and 42 Ma were obtained in the outer rim of monazite grains located in the matrix. These monazites also preserve Mesozoic ages in the grain core. The Cenozoic ages relate to the tectonometamorphic event that led to widespread fluid-assisted partial melting in adjacent orthogneisses. During this event, because they represent a melt-depleted residue with respect to a previous higher grade melting event, the garnet-kyanite gneisses remained unfertile and preserved good petrological and geochronological record of the older event. Nevertheless, they also recorded the Cenozoic event in at least two ways, namely the growth of fibrolite at the expense of biotite, and the partial recrystallization of monazite grains located outside large porphyroblasts.
   Finally, an interesting result of this study is the first documentation, in the Bulgarian Central Rhodopes, of a Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous high-grade metamorphic event that is also known from the Greek part of the Rhodopes Mountains (e.g., in the hanging wall of the Nestos Shear Zone).

A laboratory batch study has been performed to investigate the adsorption characteristics of lead (Pb²⁺) metal ions onto natural bentonite samples (B1, B2, B3) with different cation exchange capacity (CEC) values. Bentonite samples come from Milos island, Greece and were supplied by S&B Industrial Minerals S.A. Bentonites consist mainly of Ca-montmorillonite (>85%) with minor and different amounts of kaolinite, calcite and quartz. The CEC values of B1, B2 and B3 were 86.5 meq/100g, 95.7 meq/100g and 67 meq/100g, respectively. The specific surface area of B1, B2 and B3 was measured as 87.3 m²/g, 66.6 m²/g, and 80.1 m²/g, respectively. Equilibrium and kinetic experiments were performed. The effect of various physicochemical factors that influence adsorption, such as solution pH (2-6), amount of adsorbent (1-10 g/L), initial metal ion concentration (5-150mg/L), and contact time (20-360 min) were studied. The measured adsorption capacity was appreciably high for most experimental conditions. It has been found that the amount of adsorption of lead metal ion increases with initial metal ion concentration, contact time, solution pH but decreases with the amount of adsorbent. The adsorption process was strongly dependent on the pH of the medium with enhanced adsorption as the pH turns from acidic to alkaline side till precipitation sets in. The amount of Pb²⁺ adsorbed per unit mass (qe) of the adsorbent decreased with an increase in the amount of the clay adsorbent. This may be attributed to two reasons: (i) a large adsorbent amount effectively reduces the unsaturation of the adsorption sites and correspondingly, the number of such sites per unit mass are reduced resulting in comparatively less adsorption at higher adsorbent amount, and (ii) higher adsorbent amount creates particle aggregation, resulting in a decrease in the total surface area and an increase in diffusional path length both of which contribute to decrease in amount adsorbed per unit mass. The removal rate of bentonite increased with an increase in the initial metal ion concentration. Both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models fit well (R2>0.93) the adsorption process. By using the Langmuir isotherm, the maximum adsorption capacities for B1, B2 and B3 were found as 85.47 mg/g, 73.42 mg/g and 48.66 mg/g, respectively. In order to investigate the mechanism of adsorption, particularly potential rate-controlling step, the Lagergren pseudo-first-order kinetic model, the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and the intra-particle diffusion model were used to test the dynamic experimental data. Kinetic analyses not only allow the estimation of sorption rates, but also lead to suitable rate expressions characteristic of possible reaction mechanisms. The calculated kinetic parameters are of a great practical value for technological applications, since kinetic modeling successfully replaces time- and material-consuming experiments, necessary for process equipment design. Kinetic experiments clearly indicated that adsorption of lead metal ion (Pb²⁺) on bentonite was a two steps process: a very rapid adsorption of lead metal ion to the external surface was followed by possible slow decreasing intraparticle diffusion in the interior of the adsorbent which has also been confirmed by intraparticle diffusion model. Overall the kinetic studies showed that the lead adsorption process followed pseudo-secondorder kinetics.

The primary aim of the research is to investigate the accumulation and distribution of organic material [OM] in saline shallow lacustrine sediments. This study focuses on the OM parameters of sediments at two areas with different hydrology, land use, and vegetation cover. The study area is located at the Fehér Lake, Szeged (Hungary). The studied salt-affected lake system has been under intensive fish breeding from 1970. Sampling was made during the spring of 2007. In case of the profiles a 4 m deep 10 cm diameter sediment core was extracted. The OM data were measured with Rock-Eval pyrolysis, and the proportion of different OM groups was determined by the mathematical deconvolution of Rock-Eval pyrograms. It is showed that there are significant differences in OM distribution and characteristics if the different study sites are compared. In case of both profiles similar changes can be detected in the origin, quantitative and qualitative parameters of OM at depths of 15, 30, and 65-70 cm, which proves that the two sites belonged to the same depositional system, and similar changes affected them during sediment formation. Although both profiles have the same depositional environment, significant difference can be seen between the profiles. The profile 1 used to be located in coastal natural territory till 1970 and the profile 2 represents a constant water-irrigated fields. The fluctuation of F1+F2 and F3 values in Profile 1 suggests that the OM content of the marginal territory (both in its natural and present state) is determined by the alternation of dry and wet periods, sometimes with a high algae production in slack waters. Based on the quality parameters of OM, dry and wet accumulation periods can be separated, and signs of human influence can also be identified.

Sedimentary strata related with ophiolites commonly represent high interest for tectonostratigraphic reconstructions. Upper Cretaceous Perapedhi Formation represents lowermost part of sedimentary cover of Troodos Ophiolite Complex, and consists of umbers (sediments enriched by iron and manganese) and cherts with total thickness ranging from few meters up to nearly 50 m. These sediments are characterized only by radiolarians that still need detailed study.
   Best section of Perapedhi Formation is known in the former Mangaleni quarry, Limassol District. Three lithological units can be distinguished in this section: 1 – dark-brown massive umbers (2-20 m), 2 – intercalation of brown umbers and brown radiolarian cherts (6- 10 m), 3 – pink ribbon cherts (up to 6 m). All units are characterized by abundant wellpreserved radiolarian assemblages. According to stratigraphic distribution of radiolarian taxa the following radiolarian zones and subzones can be distinguished in this section:
   1. Alievium superbum Zone, Turonian, Theocoronium subtriquetrus Subzone. First occurrences (FO) of Pseudodictyomitra sp. A and Theocampe cypraea Bragina (middle part of unit 1).
   2-3. Alievium praegallowayi Zone, Coniacian, subdivided into: 2. Multastrum regale Subzone, FO of Archaeospongoprunum bipartitum Pessagno, Annikaella omanensis De Wever (middle part of unit 1 – lower part of unit 2); 3. Microsciadiocapsa quasisutterensis Subzone, FO of: Lipmanium (?) ovalum Bragina (lower part of unit 2).
   4-7. Alievium gallowayi Zone, Santonian – Lowermost Campanian, subdivided to: 4. Quinquecapsularia sp. A Subzone, FO of Theocampe urna (Foreman) (lower – middle part of unit 2); 5. Dorypyle sp. A Subzone, FO of Acanthocircus sp. A, Dictyodedalus sp. A (middle – upper part of unit 2); 6. Multastrum mangaleniense Subzone, FO of Amphipyndax sp. ex gr. A. pseudoconulus (Pessagno) (lower part of unit 3); 7. Bisphaerocephalina (?) amazon Subzone, FO of Dorypyle sp. B, Neosciadiocapsa urquharti Bragina, Theocampe salillum Foreman (middle part of unit 3).
   8. Crucella espartoensis Zone. FO of Dictyomitra koslovae Foreman subsp. B, Heliocryptocapsa sp. B (upper part of unit 3). Therefore the total stratigraphic range of this section is Turonian – Lowermost Campanian
   Another section of Perapedhi Formation was studied near Perapedhi Village, Central Cyprus. It is represented by umbers with recrystallized chert bodies and rare layers of pink padiolarian cherts with total thickness 10 m. These strata yield radiolarian assemblage of Subzone 6 only (Multastrum mangaleniense).
   Therefore, the deposition of metalliferous sediments of Perapedhi Formation was diachronous. In the Mangaleni Section it starts in the Turonian, but in the Perapedhi Section it was considerably later (Santonian). This phenomenon can be interpreted as result of deposition of Perapedhi Formation in isolated small depressions of Troodos Ophiolite Complex that was completely formed in Turonian.

In alkali basaltic rocks scarcely appear accessory minerals such as zircon and corundum. The origin of these mostly gem stone like mega-crystals is unknown and controversial. However, if zircon crystals present they are important tools to clarify petrogenetic questions of the host melts. Host magmas of the zircon mega-crystals are normally SiO₂ under saturated such as basanites and nephelinites.
   In several localities we could observe some zircon mega-crystals and in a quarry in Saxony (eastern Germany) we collected 36 crystals up to 15 mm in size in situ from the basanitic rock. Zircons occur in agglutinates of lower crater facies of a scoria cone. The related lava flows are almost free of zircons and their Zr contents reaches up to 900 ppm. There is a good correlation between Ar/Ar data of the basanites (30 to 31 Ma) and the zircon U/Pb data which show ages about 30.5 Ma.
   A further known locality of zircon mega-crystals is the so called Seufzergründel placer in Elbsandsteingebirge / Saxon Switzerland (eastern Germany). There are observed zircon mega-crystals up to 9 mm in size. Their host rock is a lapilli bearing volcanic breccia, implying here a polyphase explosive volcanism. The age data of zircons have various values; while the Pb/Pb crystallization-ages range by 54±6 Ma the U/Pb dating gets about 35 Ma.
   Furthermore zircon mega-crystals were sampled from placers and residual soil of basanitic and nephelinitic as well as phonolitic rocks from different localities via heavy mineral separation techniques. The crystals show an intensive magmatic corrosion in alkalibasaltic rocks (including nephelinites), while zircons out of phonolites are mostly euhedral.
   Thus the zircon mega-crystals were carried by alkali basaltic magmas but were not in equilibrium with these melts. Basaltic host rocks of the mega-crystals are developed of primitive mantle melts, implying a short residence time for zircons in the melt. The solution rates of zircon in such melts are possibly high which could be seen in the intense magmatic corrosion. Therefore zircon mega-crystals occur mostly in pyroclastic rocks and are scarce or absent in massive lava flows. The latter have a much longer cooling time.
   Another possibility for enrichment of mega-crystals in pyroclastic rocks should be that the ascending bubbles in the vent carry away the solid parts, like xenocrystals or phenocrystals of the magma column. This could be the reason for lacking of in situ proofs of zircons in massive basalts.
   The age data of the zircons in relation to that of the host rocks imply a cogenetic development of both.

The Lower Cretaceous deposits from Bihor-Pădurea Craiului unit follow a sedimentary gap due to the uplift of the region at the end of the Late Jurassic, when bauxitic rocks were formed. The succession consists of the following lithostratigraphic units: (1) Blid Formation, comprising two members: (1a) Dobreşti Member (Valanginian-Hauterivian) known in the old literature as “Limestone with characeans and gastropods”), and (1b) Coposeni Member (Barremian), the old “Lower Pachyodont limestone”; (2) Ecleja Formation, consisting mainly of marls, but containing also two lithologically different members: (2a) Gugu Breccia Member (Upper Barremian), and (2b) Valea Bobdei Limestone Member (Lower Bedoulian), corresponding partly to the old “Middle Pachyodont limestone”; (3) Valea Măgurii Limestone Formation (Upper Bedoulian), also corresponding partly to the old “Middle Pachiodont limestone”, and (4) Vârciorog Formation (mainly marls and sandstones, with limestone intercalations) (Gargasian-Albian) that correspond to the old “Formation of glauconitic sandstones and Upper Pachyodont limestone”. Of these lithostratigraphic units Dobreşti Member and Ecleja Marls have been often a subject of controversy. The age of Dobreşti Member proved to be Valanginian-Hauterivian. Regarding the Ecleja Marls, recent researches revealed that the succession of the startotype is younger as considered before (Late Aptian-Albian, instead of Late Barremian-Early Aptian). Other recent researches have shown the development of a large pile of Upper Aptian-Albian platform limestones, equivalent of limestone intercalations within the Vârciorog Formation. These new data change our understanding of the Bihor-Pădurea Craiului basin evolution during the Aptian-Albian time interval. At the biginning of Aptian, a deeper basin was formed. On local highs within the basin isolated carbonate platforms developed (Valea Bobdei, Valea Magurii, and Subpiatra Limestones). Material from these platforms can be found as debris flows (allodapic limestones) intercalated in the terrigenous succession of the basin. Within the Villany Hills (Hungary) the Nagyharsány Limestone formed also on the Upper Jurassic Szársomlyó Limestone Fm revealing bauxite lenses (Harsányhegy Bauxite Fm) at its base. The age of the Nagyharsany Limestone wich consists of four lithologic (calcareaous) members is considered as Valanginian-Early Albian. It is covered by the Bisse Marls of Late Albian-Cenomanian age. No other marl intercalations were reported from the Nagyharsany Limestone.
   The Bisse Marl is replaced at a marked contact by flysch type succession of the Bóly Sandstone Formation in the Late Albian. Based mainly on micropaleontological association the lower part of the Villány succession could be compared with the Dobreşti and Coposeni members of the Blid Formation, while its middle and upper parts of the Nagyharsány Limestone could be correlated with Valea Bobdei-Valea Măgurii, and Subpiatră Limestones, respectively. The Vârciorog Fm is equivalent to the Bisse and Bóly Formations.
   Acknowlegdments: The study was partly financed by CNCSIS (grant ID_95, Ioan Cociuba), and by Alexander von Humboldt Fountation (Ioan I. Bucur).

The aim of the study is to identify specifically temporal and spatial patterns of the intermediate seismic activity in Vrancea seismic zone using new approaches. We have investigated the influence of the principal lunar semidiurnal tidal component M2 on intermediate seismic activity in Vrancea (Romania) sub-crustal region from 1934 to 2009 with a special regard for the time series of events from 1980 to 2009. The constituent is assigned by HiCum stacking method according to the earthquake occurrence. “Schuster” and “Permutation” independent tests are applied to distributions found by stacking. Null hypothesis between seismic activities and selected tidal periodicities is rejected when the statistical p-values obtained by the two tests are less than 5% level of confidence in term of statistics. The stacking function is applied to time series of events belonging to windows shifted in time and space, respectively, to evaluate the variability of correlations in both cases. In the case of 3D shifting domain, a specific algorithm, called “statistical tidal tomography”, is described. The results reveal important issues: a) There is a specific temporal footprint of the p-values around the larger earthquakes; b) A Fast Fourier Transform on the n-order polynomial least squares fit (LSF) of the p values variations emphasizes a long-term period about 17 – 18 years; c) Following the 3-D distribution of p<5% values in different sliding time windows we observe a certain pattern confirmed by the CN algorithm for the earthquake prediction and the future strong Vrancea events monitoring; d) the statistical tidal tomography of M2 component has similar patterns with the analysis of seismicity patterns introduced by others for the Vrancea seismic region.

On the Danubian island "Pacuiul lui Soare", between 355 and 357 km, there are the ruins of a Byzantine fortress from the X-XIII centuries, most of which has already been eroded by the Danube river. A seismoacoustic survey which was carried out along the Danube in front of the island, showed the presence of the fortress ruins under the river waters. Further geo-archaeological survey is required in the studied area, aiming to a better understanding of the island evolution and of the fortress history as well.

The Thrace Basin is an important hydrocarbon province covering an area in excess of 15,000 sq. km in Turkey, Greece, and Bulgaria. The complex historical vicissitudes of the region have made collaboration among the researchers of the three countries difficult. Consequently, a unified and widely accepted geological interpretation of the Thrace Basin is still missing. Nevertheless, a great wealth of outcrop and subsurface data is already available from both academic and industrial sources. Integration of preexisting data (seismic and oilwell stratigraphy, geological-structural field maps) with new field mapping as well as new stratigraphic, sedimentologic, thermochronologic, petrologic, and radiometric data has provided significant constraints on the evolution of the basin.
   The Thrace Basin developed during the complex transition between the collisional tectonic regime following the closure of Vardar-İzmir-Ankara oceanic realm and the extensional regime characterizing the Neogene evolution of the Aegean and periAegean regions. It was long interpreted as a forearc basin which developed in a context of northward subduction. This interpretation was challenged by more recent data emphasizing the lack of a coeval magmatic arc. The interpretation of the Thrace Basin as a forearc basin was also based on the occurrence, along its southern margin, of a belt of chaotic deposits interpreted as a tectonic mélange formed in an accretionary prism. However, this tectonic mélange may represent olistoliths in an Eocene sequence. All these elements along with the correspondence between subsidence pulses in the basin and lithospheric stretching in the metamorphic core complexes of southern Bulgaria and the northern Aegean region may indicate instead that the Thrace Basin was the result of either (i) post-orogenic collapse after the continental collision related to the closure of the Vardar ocean, or (ii) upper-plate extension related to slab retreat in front of the Pindos remnant ocean. Preliminary data indicate that initial subsidence (Ypresian-early Rupelian) was localized in small depocenters delimited by a system of strikeslip faults, probably during the late stages of collision. Further subsidence over a wider area occurred during the rest of the Oligocene, in agreement with the timing and areal distribution of crustal stretching phenomena evident during this length of time over the entire northern Aegean region. This hypothetical two-stage evolutionary trend might represent a predictive tool in the tectonostratigraphic interpretation of similar sedimentary basins.
   Seismic sections across the central part of the basin and the tectonostratigraphic interpretation of outcrops in the Gelibolu Peninsula and along the Greek-Turkish border show that between the Middle Eocene and the Early Oligocene important east-west-trending transcurrent faults cut the Thrace Basin, generating a series of depocenters and uplifts which deeply influenced sediment dispersal and the areal distribution of paleoenvironments. In addition to the "flower" structures seen on seismic lines, strike-slip tectonism induced also abrupt temporal and areal variations in subsidence rates, as well as dramatic sedimentological facies changes within coeval stratigraphic horizons. Such strike-slip-dominated tectonic scenario during the late- and post-collisional stages related to the closure of the Vardar-İzmir-Ankara ocean is further corroborated by the presence of an important strike-slip shear zone of crustal relevance in the region just south-east of the Marmara Sea. Such shear zone is at least 225 km long, has an horizontal offset of about 100 km, and has a trend similar to the the present-day North Anatolian Fault. A similar shear zone- although poorly studied- occurs in the Kapidaği Peninsula south of Marmara Island. In addition, published thermochronological data demonstrate the existence of a praecursor of the North Anatolian Fault in the area of the present-day southern Thrace Basin active at least from the Oligocene.

The sedimentologic characteristics of coal-bearing Oligo-Miocene deposits occurring at the north of İstanbul have been examined in this study. The study area in Thrace Basin includes coal formations in deltaic deposits of Oligo-Miocene age. Coal-bearing deltaic deposits in this field have been evaluated in the Danişmen formation and the coal bed has been extensively exploited by open-cast methods.
   The Danişmen Formation overlies the Eocene-Oligocene Ceylan Formation unconformably and consists of mudstone, sandstone, conglomerate and coal. It is unconformably overlain by the Pliocene deposits. Coal-bearing succession is composed of fining-upward interbedded facies. Five facies were identified in Coal-bearing sediments. These facies are; bedded conglomerates, thick bedded sandstones, organic rich grey mudstones, red mudstone and coal. These facies characterize delta plain deposits. The coal of the Danişmen Formation was deposited in swamps of delta plain. The coal bed in the Danişmen Formation has a thickness of 7.80 m, and the coal rank is of a lignite stage (soft brown coal).

This paper focuses on surface movements determined by geodetic methods and occurred as consequence of brine extraction from Tuzla salt deposit (Bosnia and Herzegovina). Previous studies were mainly concentrated on vertical movements, but important information about behavior of the deposit is also available from horizontal movement data. In the case of Tuzla salt deposit the geometry and spatial location of leached/empty spaces are unknown and the comparative analysis of vertical and horizontal movement could be really significant. The spatial identification of points with high values of vertical and horizontal movements depends on the geometry of empty spaces. Investigation of horizontal movements has been carried out analyzing data collected by several geodetic measurements. The results obtained by the correlated spatial analysis of vertical and horizontal movements, can identify basic geometric characteristics of the leached/empty spaces. The discussed temporal intervals are two characteristic periods, reffered to the capacity of the deposit exploitation. Movement rates per year and correlation between horizontal and vertical movements are considered as indicator parameters defining the character of ground deformation. Spatial analysis of these coefficients values has identified high risk areas, and gives additional information in thegeological structures definition.

The present paper refers to the major part of the Egnatia highway, about 100 km long, which connects Thessaloniki and Kavala cities in North Greece. Actually, it is divided in three parts: i) Nymphopetra-Asprovalta, about 40 km long, ii) Asprovalta-Strymonas, about 20 km long and iii) Strymonas-St. Andreas, about 40 km long. The highway has already been constructed. Driving from the west to the east, the highway, at the beginning of Nymphopetra-Strymonas part, passes nearby Volvi lake, at the foot of Vertiscos Mountains. Easterly, it passes through Kerdillia Mountains, Strymona’s river and it leads to Pangeo’s mountain, ending through Symbol Mountains. The highway also passes through five tunnels; i) Vrasna tunnel, which is located at Nymphopetra – Asprovalta’s part, ii) Asprovalta’s tunnels, which are three tunnels locating at Asprovalta – Strymona’s part and iii) Symbol tunnel, which is located at the last Strymonas – st. Andrea’s part. The paper describes the support measures against geological failures during the construction of the highway. For this purpose, the mechanisms of sliding and rock falling procedures were studied. As far as slopes concern, the orientation of the discontinuities and the poor quality of the rock mass, that creates cyclic sliding, were responsible for the instabilities. Rainfall also helps landslides to be occurred. During the tunnelling excavation, the sliding along a plane, the décollement from the roof and the fall of wedges were the common failure causes.

Faults in urban areas pose a real danger for buildings and infrastructures, not only in the case of an earthquake, but also in such cases as differential sediment compaction, water overpumping, etc. Their importance is often underestimated with sometimes severe consequences.
   Detection of faults is not easy in urban environments, as usually outcrops have been covered by built structures, prohibiting direct observations. Geophysical surveys are rare, but even in those cases the exact location of a surface-intercepting fault is not clear.
   One of the most promising methods for acquiring quantitative information about faults in urban areas is paleoseismological investigation. It consists of an integrated set of methodologies that can provide hands-on data for displacement, timing, etc. In this paper we present two cases of paleoseismological applications in the metropolitan area of Thessaloniki.
   Two faults, one evident and one unknown, have been studied in Peraia and Kalamaria respectively.
   Peraia fault: This fault defines the contact between the footwall Pliocene sandstonemarl series and the hangingwall loose Holocene deposits. It is a fault that coincides with the well known Anthemountas fault zone, a roughly E-W trending normal fault zone that is associated with several historical earthquakes. Its exact location through Peraia town was not known in much detail due to the lack of outcrops. Nevertheless, it forms a well defined scarp that divides the town into an upper (Ano) and lower (Kato) part. In 2005 and 2006 a set of surface ruptures along this fault caused significant damage on buildings and roads. Paleoseismological investigation with two trenches along the fault showed that faulting was not random, as a large displacement was detected, with successive steps of cumulative faulting. Borehole data confirmed that the total displacement was indeed large (35 m). Trenching showed that the fault has been continuously active during the Quaternary, with all of its displacement on the same surface, posing thus a severe danger for the area in general and specifically for the buildings that are built along its trace. The 2005-06 surface ruptures are interpreted as a combination of overpumping, compaction and fault creep. The contribution of each factor is not possible to be calculated, as there are too many uncertainties concerning the deformation model.
   Kalamaria fault: This fault was exposed during the construction of a multi-stored residence building in Kalamaria, a town located next to Thessaloniki city. This fault is displacing marls and a paleosoil that is located on top of the sedimentary sequence. Morphologically it is manifested as a gentle scarp, observable in roads that cut through the fault along at least 500 m. Paleoseismological analysis showed that the fault has been inactive during Upper Pleistocene – Holocene as there are no indications for recent reactivations. However, the existence of the morphological scarp suggests that it has probably been active during that period, but microstratigraphical evidence for this activity has been destroyed by anthropogenic factors. Even if it is not active, the fault zone exists and it can act as a weakness zone during a distant earthquake or in response to water level fluctuations.
   In conclusion, paleoseismological techniques can be of great effectiveness in the study of urban faults, either active or not. Planners should take into account this methodology, because it can greatly enhance the understanding of ground response in abnormal conditions.

Migmatites of proved Paleocene-Eocene age are widespread in several tectonic units of the Rhodope metamorphic complex (RMC). Most of the migmatitic unit precursors consist of orthogneisses. These were predominately felsic rocks of granite to granodiorite and diorite composition of late-Paleozoic (Arda unit) and late-Jurassic protolith ages (Madan, Startsevo, and Chepinska unit). Zones of post-anatectic extension outline the unit boundaries obscuring the melt-in isograd in the RMC. The peak metamorphic conditions correspond to kyanite sillimanite transition at 650 - 700ºC / 0.6 – 0.8 GPa. The most common thermobarometric estimates are close to the water-saturated granite solidus in sillimanite stability field. The absence of clearly distinguished residuum and peritectic anhydrous minerals indicate fluidassisted melting of metagranitoid precursors. Field observations distinguish metatexite and diatexite structural types. The metatexites occur in all migmatitic tectonic units. The diatexites occupy large domains in the Arda and Chepinska unit suggesting advanced melting within cores of regional thermal antiforms flanked by metatexite. The common constituents of metatexite sections are concordant to the foliation in situ leucosome ± melanosome, and mesosome. Discordant leucosomes fill decimetric scale shears and form vein-network together with concordant leucosomes, marking a transition to structurally disrupted diatexites. The latter include subautochtonous lens-like bodies and sheets of inhomogeneous granite. The mesoscale interconnected structures indicate syn-deformation melt flow. Different mechanisms of melt transfer resulted in injection of melt batches into metatexite and subsolidus sections of the RMC.
   The rock-forming mineral assemblages comprise biotite, plagioclase, K-feldspar and quartz, plus amphibole in metagranodiorite and metadiorite mesosome, or muscovite in some diatexite (Arda unit). The leucosome is quartz-feldspar dominated and differs from mesosome and particularly from melanosome with lower mafic and accessory mineral proportions. Scarce amphibole-bearing leucosomes resulted from back-reactions between migrating felsic melts and refractory amphibole-bearing rocks. The normative mineral ratios span tonalite to granite field in mesosomes, and trondhemite to granite field in metatexite leucosomes, whereas granite bodies from diatexite domains correspond to low-temperature granite melts. The uniform accessory mineral assemblage includes: magnetite, zircon, allanite, apatite, ± titanite in metatexite; and magnetite, monazite, ± xenotime, ± garnet in diatexite. Inherited protolithic zircons dominate both metatexite and diatexite, while new Paleocene-Eocene zircon is scarce. The low temperature melts had little or no impact on dissolution and growth of zircon, however they were responsible for partial dissolution of allanite and apatite, and subsequent crystallization of Paleocene-Eocene monazite.
   The geochemical features corroborate fluid-assisted low-temperature melting of felsic minerals and limited solubility of accessory phases in the melt. The felsic products of migmatization are depleted in Fe, Mg, Ca, HFSE (Zr, Hf, Nb, Ta, Th, and U), Y, and REE. The contents of Zr and LREE cluster close to felsic peraluminous melts saturation at 650 - 750ºC. The REE patterns display general depletion, strongly variable LREE/HREE ratios, and Eu/Eu* ≥ 1 in leucosome and anatectic granite bodies. The systematic compositional changes in the succession concordant leucosomes - discordant leucosomes - subautochtonous granite bodies reflect anatectic melt fractionation and emphasize the most incompatible LILE enrichment during anatectic melt migration and crystallization: increasing LILE/HFSE, K/Ba, and Rb/Sr, and decreasing Ba/Rb ratios; positive correlation between K/Rb and Eu/Eu* values of anatectic granite bodies. The elements ratios between the HFSE remain relatively unchanged overlapping mesosome ratios variation. For that reason the products of migmatization and precursors plot on the same fields of the discrimination diagrams and illustrate this way inheritance of geochemical features related to HFSE mainly.
   Acknowledgments. This study was supported by the Bulgarian National Scientific Fund grants DO 02-327 and DO 02-363.

The Koziakas massif, located at the western boundary of the Thessaly plain, consists of a stack of thrust units emplaced westward onto the Pelagonian (s.l.), which in turn thrusts onto the Eocene Pindos Flysch. The dismembered units of the Koziakas are unconformably overlain by the Oligocene-Miocene molasse of the Mesohellenic trough.
   In the Koziakas massif, at the top of the “Pelagonian” succession, three ophiolitic tectonic units crop out:
   a) the “Mélange and Fourka Units”. At the base of the Fourka Unit scattered outcrops of ophiolite-bearing mélange are exposed. The Fourka Unit consists of thrust sheets and blocks of pillow lavas locally covered by radiolarian cherts.
   b) an “Ophiolite Unit”, consists of slivers of sheared serpentinites, locally containing dunite bodies, plagiogranite and boninite dykes.
   All volcanic rocks studied herein come from the “Fourka Unit” and consist of basalts and basaltic andesites. Six samples display a clear alkaline affinity and are similar to the alkaline within-oceanic plate (WPB) and are interpreted to have generated in a seamount setting. Two samples display similarities with enriched MORB (E-MORB) and are interpreted as formed from a N-MORB type mantle source slightly enriched in a plume component during the early stage of oceanic spreading or in an off-axis oceanic setting.
   We examined 32 samples for radiolarian analyses. The assemblages of the samples collected near the WPBs indicate Middle and Late Triassic age, while the radiolarites collected near the E-MORBs indicate Late Triassic age.
   The occurrence of Late Triassic WPBs and E-MORBs points to the existence of an oceanic setting in which the N-MORB asthenospheric source was influenced by a plume-type component and resulted in the off-axis eruption of enriched alkaline basalts and enriched MORB-type basalts. This conclusion is in agreement with similar results obtained from other sectors of the Hellenide ophiolites. During the post-Late Jurassic compressive tectonic phase, which affected the Internal Hellenides, the Mélange and Ophiolitic Units tectonically overthrusted the “Pelagonian” continental margin represented by the sedimentary units of the Koziakas Massif. During the post-Late Eocene compressive tectonic phase all these units were refolded and thrusted southwestwards onto the Eocene Pindos Flysch.

The Xanthi Plutonic Complex (XPC) is one of a series of Oligocene subduction-related plutonic bodies comprising an “acid” group and a “basic” group. Based on mineral compositions and assemblages of the “basic” group, the XPC is assumed to have originally crystallized at a pressure of 5.4 kbar and at a temperature of 1300^oC under relatively dry conditions and oxygen fugacity (fO₂) near the NNO buffer. As the basic magma migrates to shallower levels and at a temperature of about 870^oC, water content increases and oxygen fugacity moves towards the MH buffer. The increase of water content could be the result of open system evolutionary processes. The “acid” group crystallizes at an average temperature of 729^oC and at a pressure of 0.7 kbar under oxidizing conditions, between the NNO and MH buffer, suggesting a possibly different origin and/or evolution for the “acid” group.

The oldest olistostromes in the Outer West Carpathians are related to the Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous rifting and post-rifting stage in which the Outer Carpathian deep sea sedimentary basins were opening. Then forming the proto-Silesian Basin later was split into separate tectonic units – Silesian and Subsilesian nappes. In the Silesian Nappe the oldest deposits are represented by the Vendryně Formation (Late Jurassic) that consists in many places of clasts and olistolithes of shales and marls. The Hradište Formation (Early Cretaceous) often bears debris-flow deposits rich of exotic-rock pebbles, but also olistostromes with olistoliths or olistoplaques of the Cieszyn and Vendryně formations.
   In the Late Cretaceous – Paleocene took place a contraction. It was a formation time of subduction zones along the active margins and development of deep-marine flysch basins. The Magura, Dukla, Silesian and Skole basins have been formed then. Ridges separated them supplying the basins with huge amounts of coarse-clastic material marked by numerous debris-flow sediments and occasionally olistostromes and levels with huge olistoliths. They occur in the Upper Cretaceous, Paleocene and Eocene strata of the Silesian, Subsilesian and Skole nappes. Specially known are large olistholits of the Węgierka from the Upper Cretaceous deposits of the Skole Nappe Marls and the Frydek Marls with huge blocks of andesites and pebbles of other exotic rocks from the Subsilesian. In the Silesian Nappe the debris-flow with flysch olistolites and exotics are frequent within the Godula and Istebna Beds (Late Cretaceous –Paleocene), the Ciężkowice Sandstones (Early – Middle Eocene) and occasionally within the Hieroglyphic Beds (Middle – Late Eocene). The Middle Eocene olistostromes are known also from the Bystrica and Rača subunits of the Magura Nappe.
   A collision of the European Platform with the Inner Carpathian terrain took place in the Oligocene and Early Miocene stage causing a development of the Outer Carpathian accretionary prisms. Evolving prism supported olistolithes and olistostromes to the basins until their structural closure. Especially in the inner part of the Silesian Nappe the Krosno Beds (Oligocene – Early Miocene) are rich of olistoliths and in some places olistostomes with large olistoplaques occur. Olistostroms at the top of the section of the Krosno Beds has finished sedimentation in the Silesian Beds. In the western part of the Subsilesian Nappe section of the Krosno Beds is ended with olistostrome rich of huge olistoliths of the Jurassic,Cretaceous and Palaeogene rocks as well as older crystalline. There occur spectacular blocks of Jurassic limestones forming the klippes of Andrychów, Pavlovske Kopce and Štramberg.
   During the Miocene tectonic movements caused final folding of the basins’ fill and created several imbricated nappes. The nappes are thrusted one upon another and all together overthusted the marine molasses of the Carpathian Foredeep developed on the North European Platform. From thrusting nappes large olistoliths glided down into the foredeep. Recently they are known from deep boreholes from bellow of the nappes. In front of the thrusting Outer Carpathian the molasses of fordeep were partly folded. It occasionally caused the formation of olistostromes, e.g. the Badenian evaporites known from the salt mines of the Wieliczka and Bochnia.
   Acknowledgments: This research has been financed by Ministry of Science and Higher Eeducation in Poland, grant no N N307 249733.

The Jurassic ophiolites in Albania are characterized by several mineralization types including chromites, Fe-Ni-Cu sulfides and arsenides, Fe-Ti-minerals and minerals of the Platinum Group Elements (PGE). Pentlandite-bearing mineralization is related to upper mantle serpentinized harzburgites, chromitite deposits associated with upper mantle dunites, dunites of the supra-Moho zone, ultramafic-mafic intrusions (wehrlites, lherzolites, pyroxenites and gabbros) and to cumulate layered sequences of olivine-gabbros and gabbronorites. Pentlandite occurs in several mineral associations including Ni-bearing sulfides, Fe-Ni-Cu-Co-PGE-bearing sulfides and chromite + Ni-bearing sulfides + PGM. It accompanies chromite, olivine, pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite, cubanite, magnetite, native copper, valleriite, mackinawite, heazlewodite, millerite and PGM. The chemical composition of pentlandite (metal: sulfur ratios, Fe:Ni ratios and Co and PGE contents) is variable depending on the geological setting, mineral associations and textural relationships. It is suggested that the pentlandite-bearing mineralization hosted within chromitite deposits, related to upper mantle dunites and dunites of the supra-Moho zone, is of primary magmatic origin, but the one hosted within upper mantle serpentinized harzburgites, ultramafic-mafic intrusions and to cumulate layered sequences of olivine-gabbros and gabbronorites is genetically related to hydrothermal activity combined with serpentinization processes, which played an essential role for the remobilization of some elements from the host rocks and the transformation of primary sulfides and PGM.

The Transylvanian Basin is surrounded by the Apuseni Mountains, the Eastern Carpathians and Southern Carpathians. It has a roughly circular shape with Upper Cretaceous to Upper Miocene sedimentary fill reaching in some place up to 8 km in thickness. It is a post-tectonic basin and represents a typical back-arc basin starting to the Upper Miocene. Geological and geophysical data show that the sedimentary cover of the Transylvanian Basin has formed during at least seven sedimentary cycles: Permian – Triassic, Jurassic – Lower Cretaceous, Upper Cretaceous, Paleogene, Lower Miocene, Middle – Upper Miocene and Pliocene. Structural elements of the Transylvanian basin basement belong to the Inner Dacides, Transylvanides and Median Dacides resulted from subduction and collision processes, especially collision between the Foreapulian block and Getic block during to the Austrian tectonic phase (Albian Collision) and pre-Gossau phase. These compressional tectonic phases have generated in the Transylvanian Basin the north-south overthrust lineaments with an eastward vergence by extensional reactivation of old structures from Middle Triassic-Lower Cretaceous (normal system faults generated by the Thetysian spreading processes). Later, the Carpathian tectonic phases (Laramian, Old Styrian, New Styrian, Moldavian and Wallachian Phase), recorded, especially, in the Eastern Carpathians through the emplacement of the other Carpathian nappes (Outer Dacides, Moldavides) contributed to the thrust reactivation, some with the appearance of the new structural elements, northwards tilting of the pre-Miocene basement, basin subsidence, uplift and erosions in the Transylvania Basin.
   An example on this way is the system of Cenade-Ruşi-Veseud reverse faults, which is a result of the Wallachian tectonic phase (Pliocene/Quaternary). The Middle Badenian Salt Formation overlies the Cenade-Rusi uplift and this uplifting was generated by the thrust Laramian tectonic phase. The system of Cenade-Ruşi-Veseud reverse faults was activated at the beginning of the Pliocene and it was ruled by a combined tectonokinetic-halokinetic mechanism. The structural map with isochronous (TWT) of the top of Salt Formation shows that fault has a sinuous trend with three segments: the Cenade is on N–S direction, the Ruşi segment becomes NW-SE orientated, and the last segment, the Veseud has a WNW-ESE trending with eastward vergence and affect sedimentary deposits, including Pliocene deposits. Along this system, the Badenian Salt Formation has a column diapiric shape. Due to the very high uplift of Eastern Carpathians which occurred in the Late Miocene-Pliocene (about 4 km uplift and continues to the present day) and higher Upper Badenian-Pliocene sedimentation rates (recorded in the Eastern and Central parts of basin) combined with the Pliocene- Quaternary uplift of the Apuseni Mountains and the presence of the some strike-slip faults developed a pushing pressure of the Salt Formation toward the center and southwestern parts (salt sliding) of basin with the initiation of these reverse faults. Coevally with the Pliocene uplift of the South Carpathians (considerate as rigid fix block for the Miocene-Pliocene sediments of the Transylvanian Basin - after this uplift) were developed normal faults in the southern part of this basin, parallel to the orogen and evolution of the Cenade-Ruşi-Veseud reverse system faults don't stop, it is still activate.

Submarine hydrothermal mineralization occurs in at least five locations in the South Aegean (Hellenic) Volcanic Arc; from west to east of Methana, Milos, Santorini, Kos and Nisseros/Yali. Manganese and iron enrichments in seawater and marine sediments are sensitive indicators of the presence of this hydrothermal activity and are sometimes the only obvious indication of it. Comparison of the Mn and Fe contents of hydrothermal waters from the five locations listed above show that those from the inner parts of the hydrothermal embayments of Santorini are more enriched in Mn and Fe than are those from almost all of the other hydrothermal locations studied, more than 400 ug/l Mn and 5000 ug/l Fe. Hydrothermal waters from the Santorini outer exhalative zone are much depleted in Mn and Fe (17 & 149 ug/l respectively) and fall within the range of values in hydrothermal waters found of Yali (4.5-28 ug/l Mn & 9-221ug/l Fe). Kephalos Bay, Kos contains hydrothermal waters averaging only 14 ug/l Fe while Mn there was beneath detection (0.5 ug/l). Milos offshore hydrothermal waters range from 21-522 ug/l Mn and 35-322 ug/l Fe, more similar to each other than at all of the other locations except Methana. Hydrothermal waters in Thiafi Bay, Methana, contain a relatively low 1-12 ug/l Mn & 7.5-24.4 ug/l Fe. Fe/Mn ratios also vary in hydrothermal waters along the arc. Those from Santorini vary between 11 & 16 in the inner exhalative zones of the embayments, 8.7 in the outer exhalative zones (probably reflecting the selective precipitation of Fe over Mn with increasing distance from the vents), and 2.5 in the caldera. Off Yali, Fe/Mn ratios vary from 6-13. By contrast, of Milos and Methana they are much lower, varying from only 0.37 to 1.66 at the former and 2.4 at the latter. Clearly therefore, Mn is enriched relative to Fe in the hydrothermal waters of Milos and Methana compared with other hydrothermal locations along the arc. There are variable hydrothermal enrichments of other elements such as Zn, Cu and As along the arc too, highest of Santorini. Thus it appears to be an increase in hydrothermal inputs in waters from the ends of the arc towards the centre. Along arc comparisons of the composition of metalliferous sediments from near the hydrothermal vents is complicated by their variable detrital and volcaniclastic content. In order to eliminate this, all comparisons below are made on the basis of analysis of the sediment fine fraction in which the hydrothermal precipitates are concentrated. The greatest concentrations of Fe and Mn oxides in sediments along the arc occur at Santorini, where Fe/Mn ratios decrease away from the vents due to the selective precipitation of Fe relative to Mn. Lesser enrichments in both elements occur off Yali where the average Fe/Mn ratio falls within the range of that between the Santorini inner and outer exhalative zones. At Kos, Fe is less and Mn more than at Yali,while at Milos Fe is less and Mn mostly close to(with the exception of Mn in the Voudia Bay sediments) their Aegean Sea sediment average. This could be due both to the sub-surface precipitation of hydrothermal minerals and to the metal rich hydrothermal waters that emerge on the seafloor being dispersed over a wider area at Milos than at either Santorini and Yali due to the more topographically restricted settings of the latter relative to that of the former. Fe/Mn ratios in sediments of Milos are amongst the lowest encountered in the South Aegean Volcanic Arc, except at Voudia Bay, where the ratio is elevated principally due to very low Mn there. In Thiafi Bay, Methana, Mn varies from 578-1360 ppm and Fe from 5-8.6%. The former values are similar to those found in the Santorini exhalative zones and some locations at Milos, and the latter are between those occurring at Milos and Yali. There appears, therefore, to be no clear increase in Fe and Mn values in sediments from the ends of the arc towards its centre, although they are highest at Santorini. Much of the variation in the Fe/Mn ratio in the sediment fine fraction between the different hydrothermal locations along the arc can probably be attributed to where the waters from which the oxides precipitate lie in the Fe-Mn hydrothermal fractionation sequence. As far as the writers are aware, ancient hydrothermal mineral deposits have only been described from two of the South Aegean Volcanic Arc islands, Milos and Santorini. At Milos, there are several hydrothermal mineral deposits including the Vani manganese deposit. Santorini has a much more limited known fossil hydrothermal mineral assemblage, consisting of iron oxides and other minerals impregnating basement rocks in bands up to several cm thick at the base of the caldera wall near Thermia. The enrichment of Fe in the Santorini waters and sediments would be in keeping with the only known fossil hydrothermal mineral deposits there also being iron rich, suggesting that the Santorini hydrothermal system may be richer in Fe than those of the other islands. The large variability in the composition of the ancient hydrothermal deposits on Milos precludes detailed comparison with the hydrothermal waters and sediments there at the present time, but is a worthwhile subject for future research.

The main aim of the WG project is to identify and correlate lithostratigraphic units developed within the CBGA region. Although there are some lithostratigrahic units the names of which are used internationally within the region, the overwhelming majority of the units has special names from country to country in spite of the fact that many of the units are crossing one or several country borders. Therefore we want to identify and correlate major lithostratigraphic units in order to exclude unnecessary repetitions of names for well identifiable lithostratigraphic units. Calculating just 400 Mesozoic lithostratigarphic units by countries, in the CBGA region altogether there can be around 5000 units from which let us say 10% are common at least in two countries. This way the great amount of names could be decreased by 500. Supposing there are several units crossing 3-5 or even more country borders the number of lithostratigraphic units could be diminished by another 500.
   What is the advantage of decreasing the numbers of names? It can promote a better understanding of the geological and geotectonic setting and via this the geological history of certain areas or broaden the frame of the known areas. Correlation of unified units from one segment of the Alpine orogen to the other will help in further understanding of the Tethyan closure and the Alpine mountain building. Besides that, how great advantage would it be for students if they could operate with fewer numbers of names.
   Difficulties may arise while trying to correlate and unify lithostratigraphic units from country to country. We know that there aren’t any formations with 100% identity; if we succeeded in correlating a few formations we shall select a common name from among those names used so far in one of the countries for the future to be accepted by the national committees. We shall agree in regulations in advance to follow it in those cases where the solution is not obvious for everybody. There can be several stand points such as: which name was given first; which formation was described most properly; which formation's stratotype is better and more easily accessible; which name can be written and pronounced more easily, etc.
   Because of the great number of lithostratigraphic units, and in order to promote the successful correlation the WG is subdivided into sub-WGs: Triassic Sub-WG, Jurassic Sub- WG and Cretaceous Sub-WG.
   The introductory talk wants to give general information about the aims and structure of the project, about the approach and steps to be used during the process and also wishes to introduce proper situation when the correlation was successful without forcing it.

An analysis of the operational “Hail Suppression Project” in Serbia that used silver iodide dispensed from anti-hail rockets was performed for the period 1981-1986 in order to estimate the seeding agent amount reaching the surface of the target area in precipitation. The primary aim of our investigation is to estimate whether amounts of silver iodide exceeds the threshold of 1 μg/m² from one seeding event, which in turn, may be of importance for an analysis of apparent afterseeding effects and environmental pollution. This period is selected due to the largest amounts of the seeding amount performed (the maximum is over 103 kg per a season, 4.4 tones per a six-year period). Our analysis is performed for areas monitored by S band radars located near Valjevo and Užice. The radar observations give us the possibility to estimate the precipitation area associated with a seeded hail cell. It is well known that this area is often much smaller than the analyzed target area independently of a storm type. Our method is based on the next assumptions: each seeding operation was performed according to the seeding criterion; both activated and non activated agent particles reach the ground; analyzed precipitation area is associated only with a single hail cell which satisfies the seeding criterion; the hailstorm precipitation efficiency is 60%; the agent particles are uniformly distributed within the accumulated precipitation area at the surface. In such way, we performed estimates of the seeding agent amount reaching the ground after seeding.
   We analyzed the seeded hailstorms tracking over analyzed area from NE, SE, SW and NW direction associated with the frontal passage and individual ones. The individual hail clouds from the north-western direction require the special treatment due to the formation of the hailstreaks along the major axis of the Western Morava valley. A hailstreak has the surface ranged in the interval between 100 and 500 km². For each storm passage, they are observed at the approximately same locations. As expected, the tracks of the hailstorms associated with the frontal passage do not show regular spatial pattern. On the other hand, they are correlated with larger amounts of convective precipitation and silver iodide particles at the ground. Our calculations show that the amounts of the silver iodide at the ground in average are below the threshold in many cases. Our analysis, however, shows that these amounts may exceed the lower boundary more times for some frontal passages and over a single hailstreak associated with an individual hailstorm. In this occasion we must emphasize an important fact. The silver iodide amounts at the ground are underestimated due to the reason that the silver iodide particles are not uniformly distributed in the accumulated precipitation area as well as they do not fall down suddenly via precipitation after seeding starts.
   Our preliminary results give the basis for further investigation of such a kind. In the next period, the total loss of the seeding material in the operational “Hail Suppression Project” was smaller. But, this does not mean that the critical threshold of silver iodide amount did not attain in some areas after one seeding event. This requires further detailed investigation for the whole target area and longer time period following the proposed method. The estimation of seeding agent amounts per seeding event only on the basis of total agent loss, the number of seeding events and for the whole target area is wrong for the reason of great underestimation of real seeding effects. Seeding scenarios with considerable amounts of the silver iodide at the ground after seeding are the warnings for ecologists to organize different observations after seeding events with extreme agent loss as well as for various microbiological observations associated with persistent effects of cloud seeding. We believe that the amounts of silver iodide may be decreased by the improvement of hail suppression methodology based on additional investigations.

Peraluminous granites are often found in collision-related geotectonic frameworks and usually were attributed to various crustal melting. Their composition proved to be very important as an indicator of particular conditions or specific tectonic phases in the frame of the existence of an orogen. The tectonic framework of the southern margin of the Pannonian realm and northern Dinarides was finally established during the Miocene. In this area, fingerprints of transitional tectonics, from the Oligocene post-collision, which dominated in the Dinarides, to the
Miocene extension, occurring predominantly within the Pannonian/Intra-Carpathian area, may be reconciled.
   In this context, granitoid rocks of Mt. Bukulja show characteristics that should be linked to specific geodynamics: (1) it is situated at the very southern margin of the Pannonian Basin, (2) it is characterized by Neogene peraluminous granitic rocks, and (3) it shows Nb- Ta-Sn metalogenetic features. Therewith, they differ from the widespread plutono-volcanoplutonic provinces in Serbia, which are dominated by Late Oligocene, mostly calc-alkaline igneous rocks related to Pb/Zn±Ag±Sb metallogeny.
   The granitic mass of Mt. Bukulja crops out about 60 km southern of Belgrade as an EW laccolite-shaped igneous body covering an area of about 40 km2. It is concordantly intruded into low-grade metamorphosed Devonian/Carboniferous schists in the West and into Cretaceous sandy marbles, clay sandstones and limestones in the East.
   The bulk of the granitoid mass is represented by medium-grained to slightly porphyritic, slightly peraluminous two-mica granite (TMG). Metaluminous hornblende-biotite and biotite-bearing (H-BG) granite and rare aplitic granite are subordinate, and the former occur as patches or enclaves of various dimensions (from several decimeters to several tens of meters) or as isolated outcrops within deep creeks. The available radiometric age suggests that TMG was emplaced around 20 Ma whereas the age of H-BG is inadequately constrained. A lamprophyre dyke (BLD) similar in composition and age to other Serbian primitive minettes with a K/Ar age of 26 Ma has been found in the vicinity of Mt. Bukulja. TMG and H-BG show similar petrographic characteristics but the evidence of magma interaction processes are found only in H-BG. In comparison to H-BG, TMG are less enriched in most trace elements including REE and have a more fractionated REE-pattern and higher Euanomaly. TMG display a wider range of initial Sr-Nd isotope ratios normalized on 20 Ma (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr_i=0.70652-0.71368 and ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd_i=0.51223-0.51283) than do H-BG (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr_i=0.70768-0.70781 and ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd_i=0.51242-0.51256). Geochemical modelling suggests that H-BG could have derived from a BLD-like melt by mixing plus fractionation processes assuming a batch of TMG-like magma as the acid end-member. On the other hand, the geochemical variability of TMG is reproduced by an AFC model with assimilation/fractionation ratio r=0.5 and with high amount of crustal component (~20-50 %) starting from the least evolved TMG rocks. In the modelling, the average composition of the least evolved TMG samples were used to represent parental magma composition whereas the composition of adjacent metamorphic rocks was adopted as possible contaminant. The composition of the least evolved TMG implies that TMG parental magma likely originated by melting of a mafic lithology such as earlier basalts underplating in the lower crust. The high proportions of assimilation along with other geochemical and geological evidence suggest that the Mt. Bukulja TMG originated within the same geotectonic setting as acid volcanics of the north Pannonian Basin. The results of this study support the hypothesis that the Mt. Bukulja pluton is related to tectonomagmatic events controlled by the early extensional phases in the opening of the Pannonian basin.

The Thrace Basin (Turkey and Greece) is located between the Rhodope-Strandja Massif to the northwest, the Marmara Sea and Biga Peninsula to the south and the Black Sea to the east. It consists of a complex system of depocenters and uplifts with very articulate paleotopography indicated by abrupt lateral facies variations. Most of the basin fill ranges from the Eocene to the Late Oligocene and consists mainly of turbiditic deposits with a significant volcaniclastic component, evolving upwards to shelf and continental deposits.
   Sediment source areas and paleodispersal pattern of the southern Thrace Basin were determined by studying framework and heavy-mineral compositions of arenite samples (78 samples for framework composition and 40 samples for heavy minerals). Samples were collected at six localities, which are from west to east: Gökçeada, Gallipoli and South-Ganos (south of Ganos Fault), Alexandroupolis, Korudağ and North-Ganos (north of Ganos Fault). The Thrace Basin fill is made mainly of lithic arkoses and arkosic litharenites with variable amount of low-grade metamorphic lithics (also ophiolitic), neovolcanic lithics, and carbonate grains (mainly extrabasinal). Picotite is the most widespread heavy mineral in all petrofacies.
   The average values and distribution of several petrographic parameters discriminate six petrofacies. These parameters are: Q+F/NCE+CE (occurrence of granitic rocks in source area), OF/L (total of ophiolitic rock fragments), F+S/L (amount of metamorphic lithics), CE/L (quantity of carbonate extrabasinal grains), NEOV/NCE (presence of neovolcanic component, both single grains and lithics), CI/L (total carbonate intrabasinal grains), and the amount of the four principal heavy minerals (picotite, sphene, glaucophane and epidote groups).
   Integration of the petrographic dataset (gross and heavy mineral composition) with stratigraphic analyses and paleocurrent measurements points to a complex sediment dispersal pattern in the southern Thrace Basin during Eocene-Oligocene times. The main sediment source area was located to the south, including the region of the İzmir-Ankara suture and another poorly dated suture located in the Biga Peninsula. Detrital input from this source area is characterized by the abundance of picotite and ophiolites with low-grade metamorphic rock fragments and extrabasinal carbonate grains. A possible secondary source area is represented by the Rhodope Massif to the west. Detritus possibly derived from this area is characterized by picotite with plutonic and metamorphic rocks. Such Rhodopian provenance, although quantitatively subordinate in the study area, seems to have played a significant role in providing detritus to the central and northern sectors of the basin. An important penecontemporaneous volcanic component is widespread in late Eocene-Oligocene times, indicating widespread post-collisional (collapse?) volcanism following the closure of the Vardar-Izmir-Ankara ocean.
   In summary, the most important source area for the sediment of Thrace Basin in the study area was represented by the exhumed subduction-accretion complex along the southern margin of the basin (Biga Peninsula and western-central Marmara Sea region). Most measured paleocurrent indicators show an eastward paleoflow but this is most likely the result of gravity flow deflection. This is possible considering the strong control of the east-westtrending synsedimentary transcurrent faults which cut the Thrace Basin, generating a series of depocenters and uplifts, which deeply influenced sediment dispersal and the areal distribution of paleoenvironments.

We present an overview of the well developed and commonly followed standard methodologies in underwater archaeological research along with recent technological progress in deep water surveys. Our aim is to identify challenges posed by the state of the art marine engineering achievements and to explore perspectives towards an interdisciplinary methodology and concept for the benefit of underwater archaeological research and in the frame of the archaeological deontology.
   Remote sensing marine geological-geophysical techniques enable quite high resolution mapping of the seafloor at almost any depth. Underwater vehicles, manned or unmanned, autonomous or remotely operated, equipped with highly sophisticated scientific devices extend the limits of underwater archaeology to include almost full ocean depths.
   Mutual understanding and close collaboration between archaeologists, marine scientists and engineers is a prerequisite for the best use of technology and experiences for the benefit of deep water archaeology.

The studied area is located in the western part of the Tauride carbonate axis forming a north pointing cusp, so-called Isparta Angle, in SW Turkey. Autochthonous carbonates and flysch type sedimentary rocks form the basement of the area and are tectonically overlain by ophiolitic melange of the Lycian nappes. All these units are cut in some places by the Plio-Quaternary Gölcük volcanics and covered by Quaternary pyroclastic tuffs and alluvial deposits. Additionally, the rest of Isparta area is made up of sedimentary rocks (Jurassic to Oligocene) and Pliocene-Quaternary (6.75 Ma-24,000 year) volcanic rocks. Hydrogeologically, the rocks in the area are classified as permeable, semipermeable, slightly permeable, and impermeable. Among these hydrogeological units, the alluvium, volcanic tuffs, and limestones are considered as aquifers in the area. The groundwater flow direction in the Isparta plain is generally from SW to NE comparable with the gently slope of pyroclastic fall deposits extending from Gölcük caldera in the SW to province capital of Isparta.
   The water is one of the most important basic resources for the human life. The drinking water must be of drinkable quality corresponding to drinking water standards. Therefore, the quality control of drinking water is very important. In this study, to determine the distribution of water in drinking water system, 46 samples were collected from town of Isparta and its surroundings accompanying with the in situ measurements of temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, redox potential, dissolved oxygen, alkalinity and acidity tests. 46 water samples have been analysed for their anions, cations and some trace element contents by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectromety (ICP-OES) and Ion Chromatography (IC). It was concluded that the results are comparable with national (Turkish Standards Institution – TS 266 2005) and international (World Health Organisation – WHO 2006, United States-Environmental Protection Agency – US EPA 2002 and European Union – EU 1998) drinking water standards. The waters in the studied area can be considered as Ca-Mg-HCO₃ and Ca-HCO₃ type exchange-waters. Until 1995, the drinking water for the people from the capital of Isparta have been supplied by water springs of Andık and Gölcük lake. Since 1995 due to increasing water requirements, drinking water system are ensured by Eğirdir lake waters. The results of hydrogechemical analyses show that the Eğirdir Lake water dominates in drinking water system of Isparta. Nowadays, the high fluoride contents in drinking waters from Isparta and its surroundings are reduced by mixing process with the waters of Eğirdir Lake which reach sometimes standard fluoride values and lie under standard fluorine values (<0.5 mg/l). F-contents in waters below the standard value (<0.5 mg/l) may give rise to dental and medicine problems. Therefore, mixing operations for the drinking waters used in town of Isparta must be carried out very carefully.

Large displacements of the Western Black Sea coastline have been encountered during the Late Pleistocene and Holocene due to the Danube Delta’s lobs evolution in time which gradually restricted and finally closed the former Danube Estuary and Halmyris Bay. The notable consequences of this processes were the change of the number and position of the Danube River’s branches discharging mouths and related human activities such as: habitation, navigation, trade, etc. According to ancient historians (e.g. Herodotus in the 5^th Century BC, Polybius in the 2^nd Century BC, Strabo in the 1^st Century BC, Pliny the Elder in the 1^st Century AD, Ptolemy in the 2^nd Century AD and others), at that time, the Istros River (the ancient name of the Danube River) discharged its waters into the Black Sea through five to seven mouths (branches), among which the most important was the Hieron Stoma (Holly Mouth), identified today as being the Sfântu Gheorghe branch of the Danube.
   The combined result of the coastal zone subsidence (estimated amplitude of -2 to -4 mm/y) and the accumulative sedimentary regime within the Danube Delta area place the prospective cultural layer corresponding to late Prehistory – Early Antiquity at a burial depth that now exceeds 4-5 m, the only feasible way to investigate its extension being provided by geophysics. The applicability of the geophysical methods is also very closely linked to the ability of ancient human beings to modify, through their past activities, the habitation environment by generating local petrophysical contrasts. Such contrasts of physical properties (density, magnetic susceptibility, conductivity, etc.), all of anthropogenic origin, on which existence beneath the earth surface all geophysical investigation methods rely on, were only generated when the ancient inhabitants started to use the fire in increasingly larger scale, to excavate, to build (especially when using materials of allochthon origin) and, never the less, to use metallic tools and weapons. According to information gathered on the archaeological sites excavated on the adjacent Northern Dobruja, all these steps toward a better geophysical discoverability have been concluded since Early Bronze Age (3^rd Millennium BC). The deep burial of the past cultural layers, set close to the sea level in ancient time, could explain the lack of success of all archaeological works carried out during the last decades toward the discovery of the Histria’s and Argamum’s ancient harbors.
   The present position of the inhabited areas suggests the ancient ones were also located along the paleo-branches of the Danube and in the vicinity of the shoreline, at a safe distance from the effects of sea storms. Therefore, the most promising areas in this regard should be of course located in the close vicinity of the Sfântu Gheorghe branch’s paleo-banks, the most important distributor of the Danube River in Ancient times. Here, on several points located on the littoral sector confined by the present day Sfântu Gheorghe and Sulina branches’ mouths, the sea waves bring on the beach pottery remains originating from undiscovered yet antique wrecks caught in the relict beach ridge system and dug out by the intense erosion that presently deepens the seabed by 0.25 – 0.5 m/y.
   The possibility that the beach ridges system was born until approximately 500 years AD in the southernmost part of the Danube Delta, that gradually closed the former Halmyris Bay, partly covered today by Sinoie Lagoon and marine shallow waters, to host remains of fortified points and mostly wrecks of the ancient ships connecting Histria and Argamum fortresses with other harbours of the Black and Mediterranean Sea, must be considered. Numerous fragments of pottery brought today by waves on the beach south of Gura Portiţa could be reworked from the erosion submerged beach ridges and clearly sustain this hypothesis. This entire prospective archaeological load, with ages ranging from 8^th Century BC to 5^th Century AD, contained by the Împuţita - Câşla Vădanei and Coşna - Vadu littoral sectors, supposed to be represented mainly by wrecks of ancient ships, are in an imminent threat of being washed out by the intense erosion that now affects the shoreline as well as the adjacent seabed.

The irregular geographic distribution of the raw materials for the energy industry such as oil and gas on the world geographic map creates a problem with their transportation to the end consumer. Nowadays hydrocarbons are transported by tankers or via pipelines. Pipelines are preferable due to a number of reasons. Their advantages make them very attractive and are expressed as follows:
   - considerably shorten the distance to the end consumer;
   - transport charges for the transit of the products are avoided;
   - risks of pollution during this means of transportation are reduced.
   Russia and the countries from the Caspian region, the Middle East, the North Sea and Middle Asia are seen as the natural centers of energy resources for Europe. Since these centers of energy resources are available the economic advantage of their use is determined mainly by the methods of their transportation to the end consumers. Two competitive projects - the South Stream and Nabucco – are launched.
   Even today we can often hear apocalyptic prophesies of the near end of oil and gas era and appeals to industrial societies to quit the use of oil and natural gas and to start using alternative energy sources and raw materials.
   The only outcome is the search for unconventional (alternative) sources of energy, moreover that the prices of these resources will continue to grow in the foreseeable future. The search for unconventional alternative (oil and natural gas) resources and the prospects for their use will bring reassurance for the future of humanity.
   New results were obtained over the past 20 years in the sphere of unconventional resources of energy in the Black Sea and the sophisticated technologies that made possible the development of several pilot projects. The topmost is the project for research and production of methane gas from the gas hydrate deposits on the bottom of the Black Sea.
   The studies of DSOMS as a complex resource have indicated broad perspectives for their application in the sphere of agrobiotechnologies, nanotechnologies, construction sector, medicine and other spheres. Under the conditions of chronic energy crisis and shortage of quality food products we have to pay special attention to unconventional raw materials and resources of energy. An important factor for the organic farming in Bulgaria is the use of the practically inexhaustible reserves of natural ecological fertilizers found in the Bulgarian
economic zone in the Black Sea.
   The Black Sea is a powerful Natural Geobiotechnological Reactor, capable of producing various natural resources. The Black Sea is the biggest generator of H₂S in the world and is a global source for the production of hydrogen and sulphur.
   The adoption of new, renewable sources of energy and the production of hydrogen and the accompanying products from the hydrogen sulphide extracted from the marine water and the sediments provides the hydrogen energy sector with a new perspective.
   The unlimited reserves of H₂S in the Black Sea are an important challenge to the modern technologies for production of a new type of energy resources as H₂ and the accompanying products (S). The reserves of H₂S are evaluated to be between 2.88 and 4.18 billion tons or 169 – 245 million tons of H₂ and 2.7 – 3.9 billion tons of S.
   Undoubtedly, the suggested energy corridors will contribute to the energy security of the Balkans. However, we should remember the immense potential of the unconventional resources of the Black Sea which studies and utilization will secure the future of the energy sector of Europe.
   Acknowledgments: Project: No 02 – 35. National Science Fund Ministry of Education and Science. Bulgaria – Ukraine. “Non-traditional resources from Black sea bottom and their possibilities to use as complex raw material”
   Project: No 02 – 337. National Science Fund
   Ministry of Education and Science. “Ancient coastlines of the Black Sea and conditions for human presence”

The territories of Serbia and Bosnia are very interesting for studies of Mesozoic Radiolaria. Radiolarian ages determined in the Dinarides reveal the following age clusters: Middle to Late Triassic, Middle Jurassic, Late Middle to Late Jurassic, Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous and Late Cretaceous. No Early Jurassic faunas were found.
   In the internal Dinarides radiolarian cherts can generally be found in 3 different tectonic settings: (1) Radiolarian chert sequences which are a part of an ophiolitic mélange formed during the Late Jurassic, underlying obducted (Dinaric or West Vardar) ophiolites of Jurassic age. Within blocks, the radiolarites are often in original stratigraphic contact with basalts. Therefore, such blocks either represent gravitationally emplaced olistoliths, or alternatively, tectonically emplaced slivers. Interestingly, the mélanges often contain Triassic (Ladinian and Carnian to Norian) as well as Jurassic radiolarite sequences, both occasionally associating with basalts. This indicates that the mélange underlying the obducted Jurassic ophiolites also incorporated blocks that represent the remnants of Triassic in age ocean floor (Maliac-Meliata ocean). These occur side by side with blocks that are derived from the obducted Dinaric and West Vardar ophiolites. We interpret the Triassic and Jurassic ophiolites within the mélange to be a part of one and the same Triassic-Jurassic oceanic domain. (2) Jurassic in age radiolarian cherts are also found as an integral part of a still preserved in situ passive margin sedimentary sequence in the footwall of the ophiolitic mélange (East-Bosnian-Durmitor and Drina Ivanjica units). Deposition of radiolarites onto Triassic to Early Jurassic platform carbonates of the distal Adriatic margin indicates subduction of the platform below the CCD initiated during the Aalenian. The onset of subduction predates final obduction which occurred soon afterwards (i.e. at the end of the Jurassic). The radiolarian faunas from different localities in Serbia indicate ages that range from the Aalenian to the Tithonian. (3) Radiolaria may also occur within the so-called “Radiolarite Formation” and within the background sediments of the “Flysch Bosniaque” (or Vranduk Flysch) in Bosnia. The Radiolarite Formation represents a very thick sequence of radiolarites which were separated from their original substratum that belongs to the Adriatic margin. This formation yielded ages ranging from the Bajocian to the Berriasian and the earliest Valanginian. These radiolarites are tectonically overlain by the ophiolitic melange. In contrast to the melange no Triassic radiolarians were found. The radiolarite formation probably represents the detached cover of the East Bosnian Durmitor unit, since both directly underlie the ophiolitic mélange formation. The radiolaria found within the Vranduk flysch, located in the footwall of the Radiolarite Formation are of Oxfordian age and indicate that this flysch basin, which is characterized by ophiolitic detritus, came into existence in the Oxfordian.
   Radiolarites contained in Scaglia Rossa type sediments were dated as Campanian. These form the matrix of MORB-type pillow basalts that are part of the Sava Zone. The Sava Zone forms the suture zone between the Dinarides and the Tisza and Dacia blocks. This latter age group provides evidence that the final collision between Adria and Tisza did not take place before Latest Cretaceous times.

This article is about results of cadastre of unique geological and geomorphological values in the Castle Hill, in Hungary. The Castle Hill situated in Szanda (528,6 m) has preserved the remnant of the dyke ridge developed during the Miocene volcanism (16-14 Ma) in the Cserhát Mts., the special geological structure and landforms of the dyke and anthropogenic aspects of the mining activity. We would like to show these particular geological structures and landforms with a geological and educational trail extended new stages for tourists today. During our field works, geological and geomorphological values of the Castle Hill have been mapped and surveyed by the Cadastre data sheet of unique landscape values. We have made detailed description of different objects, we have taken photographs of them and we have mapped the route of the new, more detailed geological trail and the topographic situation and landscape values of the stages. Where it was possible, we have measured dips and strikes. Our aim was to cadastre and survey unique geological and geomorphological values of this important nature protection territory. Our investigation has explored 28 new geological outcrops and landform values and these can be built to the route of the older geological and educational trail.

In situ U/Pb zircon geochronology was carried out on some minor granitoids intrusions from the western Getic domain (Buchin and Slatina-Timis intrusions) and on the swarm of trondhjemitic dikes, sills and small granodiorite bodies from the northern Getic domain - South Carpathians. According to previous petrological studies these intrusions are related to partial melting of a thickened continental crust. Most of the dated zircon crystals are composite, with xenocrystic cores surrounded by multiple overgrowths. Age results on inherited cores of the Buchin and Slatina-Timis intrusions reveal ages from Neoarchean to Late Proterozoic-Cambrian that represent inheritance from old crust. As revealed by ages from zircon overgrowths characterised by oscillatory zoning, the intrusion occurred in the Upper Cambrian-early Silurian. The outer rims of the Buchin zircons record the Variscan metamorphic peak conditions suffered by the Getic basement. The U-Pb ages on inner cores from rocks of the northern Getic domain reveal Paleoproterozoic to Neoproterozoic inheritance. Prevalent ages in zircon cores and rims are in the range 539-428 Ma and seem to date a major component forming the Caledonian crustal basement of the South Carpathians. Scarce but ubiquitous ages of 320-214 Ma on rims overlap the ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages on mylonites from the shear zone and indicate imprints of the Late Variscan dynamic retromorphism. The magmatic intrusion occurred between 110 Ma and 105 Ma in agreement with previous Ar/Ar ages (109-108 Ma).

The “Bicaz Gorge – Hăşmaşul Mare” Natural Park belongs to the Central Group of the Eastern Carpathians, it is located in the Hăşmaşul Mare Mountains. Due to its natural characteristics, geological, biological, zoological, components, these 2128 ha, in 1980, then in 1995, were denounced as Natural Reservation by the County Council. In 2000, under the 5^th law, 3^rd paragraph, of National Territorial Planning and Administration, the 6575 ha, of the “Bicaz Gorge – Hăşmaşul Mare” region was declared a Natural Park along with the Lacu Rosu Lake Tourism Resort. In the management of the “Bicaz Gorge – Hăşmaşul Mare” Natural Park we should consider three points of criteria: the management of the inland, the management of border areas (buffer areas), the management of the surrounding settlements, around the national park.

Besides the detailed photogeological and volcanological maps, the geological photointerpretation on the Oas and Gutai Mountains (OGM) led to the detailed deciphering of the fractural elements which affected the area following the lower Miocene obduction of the Pienidic Units from the Central-East Carpathians. The photogeological interpretation reveals the nappe units disposal of the Pienides system (Botiza, the Wildflysh and some other already mentioned units in the area like Magura, Babesti-Tiacovo, Kricevo, with different spatial and structural disposal from author to author). The slides structure composed by imbricate entities WSW/ENE oriented, with maximal development on 300-400 m width and 1-2 km length within an entity with frequent sequences of discordance is revealed. This image closely fits to the structural model of the frontal Nappes of the Botiza Unit as outlined in the area of maximum outcropping and is extended upon the entire Botiza and Wildflysch Units (conformable to the main entity of the nappe units upon which sporadic outcropping and consistent Upper Miocen sedimentary cover are observed). The development of the crystalline rocks assigned to the Internal Dacides Units vs. Tisia-Dacia as well as of the Cretaceous, Paleogene and Upper Miocene deposits and mostly of the Badenian-Pannonian volcanics have defined a crustal puzzle difficult to decipher, which favored different cartographic and structural interpretations. Based on the photogeologic image, the tectonic interpretation evidenced the major fractures in OGM area: 1. NE Gutai Fault, 2. Dragos Voda-Bogdan Voda Fault, 3. Suior-Baia Sprie Fault (the last two ones being frequently taken one for another), all sinistral strike-slips. We designed also the corresponding sintetic/antitetic faults, as well as other minor faults with considerable structural effects.
   The statistic analyses of all fractural alignments quantified by discordant measurable segments (considered proportionally with the value of the fractural amplitude) led to the vectorial representation of the major fractures and their associated syntetic/antitetic secondary faults (1., 2., 3.) advancing the cinematic model (translational and rotational) of the analyzed tectonic block (OGM). The model indicates northeastward movement and counterclockwise rotation (45°-60°) as compensation (retreating) effect of the convergence generated by the oblique collision of the major tectonic plates (East European Plate/African Plate). This cinematic hypothesis (collision at open angle to WSW) seems to infirm the closing sense of the oceanic basin, illustrated by the migration of the foreland basin depocenter in front of the Carpathian arc from W to SE and can be explained only by a specific oblique collision of this tectonic area. The reconciliatory advanced solution of the two interpretative scenarios regarding the Miocene kinematics of the area is a NE peninsula part of the Tisia-Dacia block or of a distinct crustal entity with its own kinematics (Zemplin), at northern joint of the Alcapa/Tisia-Dacia Units. A detailed evaluation of each fractural entity including compressive/distenssive associated assembles (pull apart, positive flower structure, double compressive bands, bypass bends, distenssive and compressive bends etc.) has been performed.

Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) are used for the extraction of land-surface parameters and objects through geomorphometric analysis. Landforms are examples of objects that can be extracted or mapped through wall-to-wall classifications and further used in any application where discrete representations of land surface might serve as variable of interest. In a somehow counter-intuitive manner, most of landform classification systems work through the classification of cells, which could be further clustered to define the borders of objects. This approach is limited in several aspects, including the scattered aspect of classification in the so-called ‘salt-and-pepper effect’, tying the scale of analysis by the raster resolution, difficulties in including topological relationships in classification and also in developing hierarchies of landforms.
   This work aims at investigating methods of producing hierarchical mapping of landforms from DEMs. In our approach, homogeneous objects are produced first through image segmentation of DEMs and their derivatives, which are further used as building-blocks in classification/mapping of landforms. Image segmentation is coupled with multi-scale pattern analysis so that the objects are delineated at characteristic scales in a data-driven fashion. Thus, land-surface parameters as derived from DEMs are segmented into relatively homogeneous areas with eCognition Developer® at a range of scales. At each scale level, local variance (LV) is calculated as the mean value of standard deviation of segments. The values so obtained are plotted against scale levels. High values of LV and its rate of change (ROC-LV) indicate scale levels where objects are associated in patterns of land-surface parameters satisfying the condition of maximizing internal homogeneity while maximizing external heterogeneity. The whole procedure has been implemented as an algorithm called Estimation of Scale Parameters (ESP). This procedure produces homogeneous spatial entities with boundaries such that coarser scale entities have precise boundaries within which finer scales entities nest perfectly. This is a condition for developing hierarchical classifications of landform elements.
   We are currently investigating two methods of developing such hierarchies:
   1. Breaking down complexity through segmentation and successive partitions by nested means. The initially segmented DEM at the scale corresponding to the maximum value of LV is classified in two areas separated by the mean value of elevation. Each area is extracted as independent layer on which segmentations are performed again at the scale indicated by the maximum value of LV and then partitioned at the mean value of another land-surface parameter. This procedure is iterated to produce the third level of the hierarchy. This method is being applied at macro-scale to classify the physiographic units of Africa, as well as at micro-scale to classify landform elements in a flat Dutch landscape for archaeological purposes. Both applications have produced encouraging preliminary results.
   2. Semantic modeling. Real-world features and relationships between them (both horizontal and vertical) are conceptualized based on pre-existing knowledge about morphology, morphometry, and spatial context. Characteristic scales selected as above are integrated within a hierarchy where shape attributes and topologies are formalized so that targeted landforms are extracted or classified. This method is being applied to classify glacial landforms.

Within a complex scientific program of surveying the Alpine semiclosed ecosystems, the content of seven heavy elements (Sc, Cr, Co, As, Sb, Br and Se) as determined by Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis in 29 samples of sediments and adjacent rocks from proglacial lake Bâlea (Fagaras Mountanins) and crater lake St. Ana (Harghita Mountains) has been used to establish at which extent these elements could be considered as having an anthropogenic nature. Sc is used as reference elements, as its content was not influenced by any anthropogenic activity. Digital radiography as well as sediments granulometry were also used to get more quantitative data about investigated sediments. Principal component analysis performed in Q as well as R mode was used to evidence the relationship between sediments and neighbour rocks as well as between heavy elements themselves.
   Bâlea Lake with an area of 19.5 ha is a typical high altitude (2050 m) proglacial lake while St. Ana Lake area of 4.6 ha and situated at an altitude of 950 m is the unique crater lake in Romania. Although Bâlea as well as St. Ana lakes have different location and origin, they are characterized by a total absence of any source of industrial pollution.
   Both lakes collect pluvial water from relative restricted areas (about 234 ha in the case of lake Bâlea and 147 ha for the lake Sf. Ana) so the mineralogical and element composition of their sediments will reflect the geochemical characteristics of surrounding geological formations. Accordingly, the sediments of Lake Bale are expected to reflect the mineralogical composition of the neighbour Suru formation, mainly consisting of metamorphic rocks such as amphibolitic schists, quartzo-felspatic gneissic rocks and mylonites as well as limestones. The sediments of Lake St. Ana, which occupies the bottom of now extinct Ciomatu volcano, mainly consists of fragments of weathered andesite together with an appreciable amount of vegetal detritus, the last one originated from the coniferous an deciduous forests that cover the caldera walls. It is worth mentioning that in the case of Bâlea Lake, the maximum thickness of sediments is not greater than 85 cm, while in the case of St. Ana Lake, sediments thickness is greater than 4 m. This fact reflects the environmental peculiarities of both lakes.
   Final data showed that the average content of all seven elements was different for the two lakes, sediments content being relatively closed to average content of surrounding formations. PCA allowed us to establish that in the case of R-mode analysis, all elements form two similar clusters, regardless the lake, while in the case Q-mode analysis, the samples form few clusters, reflecting their location.
   At the same, by comparing the sediment contents with those of surrounding rocks as well as with the numerical values stated by Romanian Regulations concerning the Environmental Pollution, it was established that, although their average content was different for the two lakes, all considered heavy elements could be regarded as natural, without any visible traces of anthropogenic influence.

The Iron Gates (“Porţile de Fier”) Natural Park is located in South-Western Romania and extends along the Danube Gorges and the affluent valleys. The Park is one of the biggest in Romania, having a surface of 115665.8 hectars and including 18 Natural Reserves. The geodiversity of the Iron Gates Natural Park is given by the distribution of a large variety of magmatic, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks, and particularly of limestones of Jurassic and Cretaceous age, affected by a large number of karst phenomena: caves, swallow-holes, gorges, dolina, lapies, uvalas.
   The most representative caves in the Park are those from Gura Ponicovei, Padina Matei and Gaura cu Muscă. All of them contain important deposits of fossil bat guano, with a large diversity of phosphate species, including apatite-(CaOH), taranakite, ardealite, brushite, monetite, francoanellite and leucophosphite. These mineral species generally occurs as crusts of yellow cream or reddish brown color deposed on the cave floor or on some speleothems, or, rarely, as earthy masses of white or white cream color. They were identified using a combination of X-ray powder diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared absorption and electron microscopy.
   In the upper basin of Mraconia Valley, a system of galleries oppened a tungsten-bearing skarn deposit, which develops at the very contact between crystalline limestones and a porphyric granodiorite of Mesozoic age. The skarn is mainly andraditic, but also contains plagioclase, potassic feldspar, feroactinolite, magnetite, epidote, apatite, vesuvianite and wollastonite. Four stages of mineralization overprint the primary skarn: (1) a high temperature stage conduced to the deposition of scheelite in the mass of skarn; a parallel deposition of quartz and molybdenite on cracks affecting the granodiorite mass is likely; (2) a second hydrothermal stage conduced to deposition of pyrite, chalcopyrite and calcite on the cracks and of impregnations of pyrite and chalcopyrite in the skarn mass; (3) a third hydrothermal stage conduced to the massive deposits of chalcopyrite, pyrite, sphalerite, galena, scarce pyrrhotite and tertahedrite, as veins and lenses in the skarn mass; (4) a low temperature hydrothermal stage yields the formation of bornite and covellite on chalcopyrite but also of hematite (specularite) on magnetite.

During the field geological mapping and accompanied laboratory studies of the samples for the Basic Geological Map in the wider area of the town of Valjevo (Central Serbia) were distinguished serpentinites, gabbros, peridotites, andesites, diabases and amphibolites. In addition, at one locality within the area (i.e. the village of Danilović, site Suva česma), there was detected one unusual rock in the contact with serpentinite, which is in this paper further determined by the optical microscopic, XRPD and chemical methods, as rodingite.
   Rodingite is characterized with a massive structure and granoblastic texture. It has mostly white color, with unevenly distributed concentrations of a green mineral.
   Rodingite dominantly consists (over 80 %) of macroscopically white, microscopically transparent, and slightly anisotropic grossular, close to the end member with Grs98Adr2 composition. Grossular appears in a coarse-grain granular form, with size from 0.5 to 1.5 mm.
   Green Mg-Al-Fe chlorite occupies interstitials between the grossular grains. This chlorite was most probably formed as secondary phase replacing pyroxene, which is preserved as relic pseudomorphic forms with size up to about 0.5 mm.
   Up to now, there were not registered the appearances of such kind of rocks on the territory of Serbia. Nearest sites of rodingites have been previously registered in Bosnia and Herzegovina (11 localities from Brnača at NW to Rijeka at SE; belonging to the Outer Ophiolite Zone), and in FYR Macedonia (1 locality-Raduša; which belongs to the Inner Ophiolite Zone).
   According to this classification, discovered rodingite in the area of Valjevo also belongs to the Inner Ophiolite Zone. It occurs in contact with gabbro and peridotite rocks, and most probably originated from veined gabbro by subsequently metasomatic processes.

In the Małopolska District two underground routes located in old mine workings have been opened to the public. They were developed in the Forecarpathian Basin, in the salt mines in Wieliczka and Bochnia. The salt deposits are hosted in Tertiary - Miocene formations accompanied by anhydrites, gypsum and clays. From the south, these formations are surrounded by the sandstones and shales (flysch), which belong to the Carpathian Foredeep. In both the salt mines in the tourists visit the old mine workings, mainly in the form of spacious chambers and galleries. In those mines the visitors experience a small boat trip across the underground sweet lakes. In Bochnia’s salt mine visitors are also carried by the historical underground railway along 1km distance. Those salt mines are very popular underground health resorts. People ill of breathing system can spend there some time for inhalation.

Platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), rhodium (Rh) and gold (Au) were investigated along high-ways of Attica, Greece, with varying traffic, like Katehaki, Messoghion, the intersection between Katehaki, Messoghion and Acharnon avenues, and residential roads, like Pindos and Navarinou roads. Platinum ranges between 110 and 960 ppb in dust samples and from 44 to 820 ppb in soils, Pd ranges between 90 and 1300 ppb in dust samples and from 36 to 1100 ppb in soils. The analysis of dust collected from parts of the roadsides closed to water sewerages reached as high as 2070 ppb Pt and 1980 ppb Pd contents. Gold ranges from 14 to 990 ppb Au (average 230) in dust samples and from 27 to 160 ppb Au (average 95) in soil ones. Any relationship between Au and Pt or Pd is not obvious. The significant fraction of the traffic-related emissions, reaching values over 4 ppm (Pt+Pd), suggest that they may be concentrated into local water systems resulting an environmental risk. Palladium was the most abundant PGE in the grasses ranging from 0.6 to 23 ppb (average 6.8 ppb), Pt ranges between 2.3 and 6.6 ppb (average 4.2 ppb) while Rh is < 0.1 ppb. Average values of the Pd/(Pd+Pt+Rh), Pt/(Pd+Pt+Rh) and Rh/Pd/(Pd+Pt+Rh) ratios decrease from 0.62 to 0.33 and 0.05 respectively, suggesting the Pd>Pt>Rh bioavailability order.

The laterite deposits (Fe–Ni-laterite and bauxites) in the Balkan Peninsula are mainly located in the Mirdita–Sub-Pelagonian and Pelagonian geotectonic zones and are of great economic significance. These deposits have been affected by intense tectonism, which has created overthrusting, foliation, folding, and faulting. The investigation of arsenic in laterites is thought to be important for the ferronickel smelting process and the serious affect of the health. Minerals such as iron oxides and pyrite are of particular significance in controlling arsenic mobility, and hence aquifer contamination. Laterite samples from Ni-laterite deposits of Greece (Lokris, Vermio, Edessa, Olympos, Kastoria), Albania (Bitinca and Gouri-Perjuegjiun), Serbia (Rzanovo and Topola), bauxitic laterites and the Parnassos-Ghiona bauxite deposit were analyzed for major and trace elements, including arsenic (As). Arsenic concentrations for all laterite samples from the Balkan Peninsula range from < 2 ppm to a few decades ppm. However, arsenic concentrations for the individual laterite occurrences and deposits from Aghios Ioannis vary significantly from <2 ppm to 2600 ppm. Arsenic in the Parnassos-Ghiona deposit ranges from <10 ppm in typical red colored ore to 900 ppm in yellow-grey colored ore. The latter type occurs along and near faults and constitutes a significant (approximately 30 vol. %) portion of the bauxite ores. They are characterized by the presence of abundant pyrite and micro-organisms. Elevated arsenic contents are mostly associated with Fe-oxides/hydroxides in Ni-laterites, showing enrichment in REE, Co, Ni, Th and U contents, and with Al-oxides in bauxites. The sulphur isotope compositions of Fe sulphides from the bauxite deposit show a range from +10.2 to –30.2 per mil. Most negative values were obtained from grey-coloured ore samples. The organic matter may be related to the source of arsenic and play a major role in controlling the redox conditions, since they can drive the formation of pyrite or Fe-oxides.

Stavrakia fault scarp occurs along the Heraklion – Mires highway adjacent to Stavrakia and Siva villages, forming the western slopes of a valley. The fault scarp is developed mainly in Tortonian marly, conglomerate and sand intercalations of the Ampelouzos formation and to the north, in Pliocene marls. It is NNE – SSW trending and southeast-dipping at 70^º. Its apparent length is about 7.5 km fading out northwards in the river valley, whereas it is geologically unclear if it continues further to the south. In few places flat surfaces can be found with microstructures which indicate a normal sense of movement under an E – W extensional regime, whereas a vertical slip of about 30m can be determined.
   Using GIS software, topographic maps of 1:5000 and satellite images we mapped 33 streams and small catchments that drain the footwall of the fault which appears as an elongated range at about 7,8 km at the study area. Basins develop almost perpendicular to the main valley and are elongated in shape, but quite small in size (about 90.000 m²) with high mean slope values. 23 triangular facets of various sizes occur along the range frond formed by stream down-cutting and fault activity. In order to study uplift rates and erosion style of the footwall, as well as fault activity we have calculated three morphometric indices of the footwall catchments, i.e. the hypsometric integral (HI), the basin asymmetry (AF) and the valley width-to-height ratio (Vr). Additionally, we have also calculated the range sinuosity (S) as well as the facet size and mean slope (MS).
   Although studied basins have a very small size and thus stream development and erosion are not so profound, several important results can be extracted from the morphometric analyses. Sinuosity value is S=1,11 indicating thus an actively deformed range for the footwall, which is in contrast with the opposite range sinuosity (Se=1,63) occurring at the hanging wall. The hypsometric integral of catchments shows generally values around 0,41 to 0,72 which indicate a high mean topography as a result of high rates of tectonic uplift. The higher value was observed for the B5 catchment at the southern edge of the fault scarp, whereas a strong trend for smaller values appears towards north. The basin asymmetry study didn’t show any certain erosion pattern along the range. Values vary significantly among catchments from AF=80 to 24, however the higher values appear at the southern part and the lower at the northern indicating probably a decrease of erosion rate to the north. Except of few extreme values, the valley width-to-height ratio Vr is relatively very low (<1) in most catchments with an average of Vr=0,5 indicating high incision rates due to tectonic uplift. Rate values are randomly distributed along the range presenting no specific erosion pattern. Morphometric analyses of the facets indicated also that the largest facets appear at the southern edge of the fault scarp, whereas they become smaller towards north. The mean facet slopes, except three, vary generally between 22 – 30º, without presenting any spatial distribution.
All the above observations indicate that: (1) the study area is actively deformed; (2) the higher uplift rates occur about 1 km away from the southern edge of the fault scarp and; (3) uplift decreases gently towards the northern edge. The uplift pattern along the studied fault represents thus a half elliptical structure, leading us to suggest that the fault might extend 5 more kms to the south. Hence, in a possible reactivation its length can be a serious seismic threat for the nearby towns of Heraklion, located 6 kms to the north and the adjacent villages of Stavrakia and Siva.

The origin and deformation style of the Thrace Basin, NW Turkey represent the target of ongoing debate. Uncertainties are partly due to imprecise knowledge of the stratigraphy of basin-fill sediments. In our contribution we report surface structural data including fault-slip analysis which are important for understanding the origin and structure of the Thrace Basin. Measurements were executed along the northern, north-eastern and south-western margin of the basin. The data from the SW margin also contribute to characterisation of the surface segment of the North Anatolian Fault between the Marmara and Aegean seas.
   The earliest detected deformation occurs just SW from the Thrace basin, in the Gelibolu peninsula, along the shore of the Aegean Sea. Folding and faulting of Palaeocene to early Eocene sequence was associated with very low-grade metamorphism. Middle Eocene succession seals the deformation features. Small-scale syn-sedimetary structures (sedimentary dykes and faults) indicate NE-SW to E-W extension along the NE margin of the basin in the Bartonian to Priabonian. Gradual tilting of the beds could occur in map-scale tilted blocks of extensional origin. The repeated normal faulting is deduced from fractures which formed before, during and after the tilting. This deformation process is reflected by progressive transgression on basin margin and intrabasin block margin.
   Extensional fractures were also observed in Eocene sequence near the SW margin, in the Ganos Mountains. The age of faulting is not precisely constrained but pre-dates the latest Oligocene – early Miocene folding and related uplift.
   All data on early deformation phases point to extensional deformation along both the north-eastern and south-western margin of the basin. Regional geodynamic considerations would agree with fore-arc origin of the Thrace basin.
   Before the folding in the Ganos Mountain a strike-slip type deformation occurred during the Late Oligocene - Early Miocene. The E-W compression could induce dextral faulting along the ENE trending southern margin of the Ganos Mountain, the Ganos fault, a precursor of the North Anatolian Fault. This confirms the suggestion that dextral faulting parallel to the NAF could be active already in the late Oligocene-early Miocene.
   The large-scale folding itself occurred in a slightly different stress field, in NNW-SSE compression. Progressive fracturing and folding happened in a coaxial deformation process. The folding and related uplift is constrained by fission track data as ~16 Ma.
   Post-early Miocene deformation history can be detected south from the Ganos fault, in the Sarköy area. Before the tilting of mid- to late Miocene sediments, a peculiar stress field with SE-NW extension and NNE-SSW compression occurred. This deformation was already observed, but its geodynamic interpretation is not clear. Strike-slip type deformation with EW to NW-SE compression is connected to dextral faulting and folding (transpression) along the Ganos segment of the North Anatolian Fault. This is in agreement with Pliocene-Quaternary dextral faulting along the North Anatolian Fault. A slight change in compression direction can be suspected during the progressive deformation; this non-coaxial character can also be connected to strike-slip faulting.

Forearc-dipping, orogen-parallel low-angle extensional faults have been described in various orogens, including the Apennines, Italy and, recently, southern-central Crete, Greece. Such a fault system is also present in the central-western Peloponnesus, in the south-western Aegean Arc. It comprises low- and high-angle normal faults which control the western border of Mt Mainalon. The Alpine nappe sequence of the studied area includes the metamorphic rocks of the Phyllites-Quartzites Unit (PQ), overlain by the carbonates and flysch of the Gavrovo - Tripolis Unit, which also overlies the Ionian Unit to the west. The uppermost nappe is the Pindos Unit, which is a sequence of Mesosoic pelagic limestones and clastics, topped by a Paleocene flysch.
   Most of the extensional structures were previously thought of as the original thrust contact between the Pindos and Tripolis Units. However, our geological mapping and the cross-cutting relationships among these structures indicate that these are SW-dipping faults – their dip, in other words, is towards the arc- and they downthrow the original Pindos thrust by a few tens or hundreds of meters each. Some of these faults sole into the underlying thick Tripolis flysch, but most of them reach deeper, affecting the contact between the flysch and the carbonate platform. In SW Mainalon we mapped low-angle normal faults that juxtapose the metamorphic rocks of the PQ Unit against the non-metamorphic sequence of the Tripolis Unit. High-angle normal faults found further to the west have truncated or even sole to the low-angle ones. The whole extensional fault architecture has resulted in the Pindos thrust stepping down from altitudes higher than 1000 m in Mainalon, to negative heights in North Messinia and southern Ilia; and the gradual disappearance of the Phyllite-Quartzite metamorphics of Mainalon towards the west.
   In the north-west, these faults are truncated by NE to NNE-striking, NW-dipping faults, which transfer the whole fault system towards the north, where it forms the eastern boundary of the Pyrgos graben. On the other hand, the south-eastern members of this fault system are truncated by E-W to ENE-WSW faults, which relay fault activity to the eastern boundary of the Megalopolis basin. All these extensional structures form the eastern boundary of the Megalopolis-Lycaion-Minthi-Tetrazion (MeLyMiTe) and the Pyrgos tectonic depressions, which in turn are separated by the E-W Lapithas horst, at the western end of which the Ionian Unit crops out. The northern and southern boundaries of these tectonic depressions are controlled by oblique-normal faults, perpendicular to the eastern boundary. The throw of these faults increases towards the west and the interplay of all these faults has led to the composite deformation pattern of the MeLyMiTe, which displays extension on its flanks and compression in its centre.
   The combination of these extensional faults (which may reach down to the Ionian decollement) with the low-angle floor thrusts of the Pindos, Tripolis and Ionian Units leads to additional ENE-WSW shortening, normal to the Hellenic Arc, west of the Peloponnesus.

This paper presents the diagnosis and interpretation of the sulphatic-evaporitic facieses from the Southern side of Eastern Carpathians, Slănic syncline, in Badenian deposits at Piatra Verde. The succession of evaporitic facieses, with different gravity flow stages facies modelling and basin evolution by means of sequential stratigraphy.

Middle Eocene – Late Miocene (36 to 11 Ma ) orogenic evolution of north-eastern Outer Carpathians and their foreland basin has been simulated by a kinematic modeling. The model is based upon a new balanced and restored cross section integrating structural (surface and subsurface), seismic and stratigraphic data. It illustrates the internal kinematics of the Outer Carpathian accretionary wedge and the evolution of the wedge-foreland system as a whole.
   Restoration of the balanced cross section indicates at least 496 km of post-Middle Eocene convergence between the Inner Carpathians and European Plate, which is more than most of previous estimates. The higher shortening results from application of more accurate thicknesses of lithostratigraphic units in most cases smaller than in previous works. However, we believe this number to be still the minimum value.
   The restored section illustrating the Middle Eocene configuration of sedimentary basins is used as a starting point of the 2D kinematic model. Successive stages of the model are constrained by syn-orogenic sedimentary record and reproduced by kinematic algorithms relevant for thin-skinned deformation. Its quality is evaluated by comparison of successive intermediate geometries with available geological data (stratigraphy, provenance and transport directions of syn-orogenic deposits, palaeobathymetric estimates etc.). Ultimate verification is performed by a comparison of the model’s final geometry with the present structure in the balanced section.
   The model shows a migration of the Outer Carpathian accretionary wedge towards the foreland and its growth by a successive accretion of new thrust sheets. Position of deformation front in particular time-steps is constrained by stratigraphic data, in particular onset of syn-orogenic deposition, getting progressively younger towards the foreland. However, the kinematic simulation suggests that evolution of the Outer Carpathians cannot be consistently explained by a uniform in-sequence nucleation of successive thrusts. Significant repetitive out-of-sequence thrusting is needed in order to maintain geometry of the modeled accretionary wedge in agreement with existing stratigraphic and sedimentological data as well as with the critical wedge theory. This conclusion is consistent with the present structure of Outer Carpathians, composed of groups of thrust sheets emplaced one on top of the other. The
most important of the inferred out-of-sequence events was an emplacement of the Magura Unit on top of previously deformed and partly eroded Dukla imbricates between 20.0 and 17.5 Ma.
   Integration of geometries, kinematics and sedimentation into a single model offered us a possibility for tracing evolution of a convergence rate. Relatively low shortening rate of 10 mm/y between 36 and 25 Ma was followed by its increase first to 19.8 and ultimately to 34.1 mm/y since 19.2 Ma until locking of deformation front at around 11 Ma. However, the variations in convergence rate are not directly reflected in a migration of the deformation front of the Outer Carpathians. Propagation of the leading edge towards the foreland was controlled simultaneously by large-scale processes and a mode of shortening accommodation within the accretionary wedge itself. A shift from frontal accretion to out-of-sequence thrusting was resulting in stagnation of the deformation front, regardless the rate of shortening.
   The deduced acceleration of convergence coincides well with an onset of back-arc extension in the Pannonian Basin, commonly related to the roll-back of the subducted lithosphere.
   Acknowledgments: Our research has been inspired and supported by TOTAL®. We are grateful for donation of data and permission to publish the results.

Interest to deep sources of hydrocarbons has appeared after the finding of oil/gas fields in magmatic rocks. For research of oil/gas bearing deep layers, the Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) in basalt rocks of Dead Sea Rift have been studied. The samples were selected both to the north and south from Kinneret Lake in a few ten kilometers distance from basalts, altered basalts, tuffs. Identification of the PAH have been carried out in Biosphere’s Carbonaceous substances Laboratory of Lomonosov Moscow State University (Russia) by "spectroscopy of E. Shpolsky” using a “Fluorat-Panorama” spectrofluorometer (LUMEX, Russia).
   GOLAN HEIGHTS.
   There are 16 associations of PAH. 4 associations form 51,5% all samples. Most spread associations are: 1) Naphthalene/ Phenanthrene / Pyren (SUM of PAH from 28,3 to 117,5 ng/g, Naphthalene from 51,2 to 80,9%). Presents in Basalts and Tuffs. Locate in West, Center, South /West and South of North Batholith. 2) Phenanthrene/ Naphthalene/, Pyren. (SUM of PAH from 52,6 to 124,5 ng/g, Phenanthrene from 47 to 60,2 %). Presents in Basalts. Locate in West, Center, South /West and South of North Batholith. 3) Naphthalene/Phenanthrene/ Benzo(ghi)perylene (SUM of PAH from 53,3 to 87,5 ng/g, Benzo(ghi)perylene from 1,9 to10,5 %). Presents in Basalts. Locate in West and South/West of North Batholith. 4) Naphthalene/ Pyren/ Chrysene (SUM of PAH from 81,1 to 95,5 ng/g, Chrysene from 0,25 to 0,52, Pyren from 4,6 to 57,3). Presents in Basalts. Locate in the Center of North Batholith. All 4 associations belong to higher temperature formations (Naphthalene and Phenanthrene). And Pyren and Benzo (ghi) perylene belong to lower temperature formations. In the same time existence such components as Phenanthrene, Chrysene, and Pyrene probably pointed on migrations of Hydrocarbons from depth.
   BASALT WEST.
   There are 8 associations. 3 associations form 70% all samples. Most spread associations are: 1) Naphthalene/ Phenanthrene/ Pyren. Presents in Basalts. Locate in: West of North Batholith; West of South Batholith; West of separate dyke. 2) Naphthalene/ Phenanthrene. Presents in Basalts. Locate in: West of North Batholith; West and South of South Batholith; West of Separated dyke. 3) Naphthalene/ Pyren. Presents in Basalts and Tuffs. Locate in: West of North Batholith; West of South Batholith; in West of separated dyke.
   All 3 associations belong to higher temperature formations (Naphthalene and Phenanthrene). And Pyren and Benzo (ghi) perylene belong to lower temperature formations. In some samples Phenanthrene, Chrysene, Pyrene was identified.
   Presence of diverse groups of PAH in the rocks of highly fractured and secondary basalts alterated, point at migrations of Hydrocarbons through faults from possible deep reservoirs/source of Dead Sea Rifts.

The Caucasus represents complicated polycyclic geological structure involving mountain fold systems of the Greater and Lesser Caucasus and adjacent foredeeps and intermountain troughs. Paleomagnetic, paleokinematic and traditional geological data indicate that within the oceanic area of Tethys in geological past relatively small continental or subcontinental plates (terranes) were situated having various geodynamic nature and characterized by specific lithologic-stratigraphic section and magmatic, metamorphic and structural features. During the Neoproterozoic, Paleozoic and Early Mesozoic they underwent horizontal displacement in different directions within the oceanic area of Proto-, Paleo-and Mesotethys (Neothetys) and as a result of Variscan, Early Kimmerian, Bathonian and Austrian orogeny underwent mutual accretion and ultimately joined the Eurasian continent. South of the Scythian platform (Sp) the Greater Caucasian (GC), Black Sea-Central transcaucasian (BC), Baiburt-Sevanian (BS) and Iran-Afghanian (IA) terranes are identified in the Caucasian segment of the Mediterranean mobile belt, which in geological past represented island arcs or microcontinents.
   In modern structure they are separated by ophiolite sutures of different age, which mark the location of small or large paleooceanic basins. All terranes of the East order (superterranes), as well as the southern edge of Sp are characterized by manifestation of polymetamorphism, though in various terranes, separate stages of regional metamorphism established by geological observation, but mostly confirmed by isotopic-geochronological data (K-Ar, Ar-Ar, Rb-Sr,U-Pb, Sm-Nd), became unequally apparent. For instance, Grenville regional metamorphism is observed only in GC (T - 700-750C, P - 3.2-3.5kbr), BC (T - 600-700°C, P - 3.2-3.5kbr) and IA (T - 500-550°C, P - 3.8kbr) terranes, whereas the Baikalian - only in Sp (T - 300-400°C,) and IA (T - 460°C, P - 4kbr) terrene. Late Baikalian metamorphism took place only in GC (T - 430-540°C, P - 3.3-3.5kbr) and BC (T - 540-570°C, P - 2.5kbr) terranes. Caledonian regional metamorphism strictly characterizes Sp (T - 700 ± 50°C, P - 17.8 ± 4kbr) and GC (T - 500-620°C, P - 2.2-2.8kbr) terranes. Early Variscan (Bretonian) metamorphism is observed almost in all terranes of the Caucasus: GC (T - 350-630°C, P - 1.35-2.7kbr), BC (T - 320-380°C, P - 1.5-1.8kbr), BS (T - 330-550°C, P - 1.5-2.6kbr) excluding IA terrene, and southem edge of Sp. Late Variscan metamorphism also comprises almost the whole Caucasus (T<430°C, P<1.4kbr) excluding Sp and IA terranes. Within separate terranes, as well as in Sp, synchronously or almost synchronously with principal stages of metamorphism (connected with main phases of tectogenesis) formation of pre-synand postmetamorphic granitoids of different type took place. Based on a vast analytical material concerning the petrogenic and rare elements in pre-Alpine granitoids of the Caucasus, it is established that the Neoproterozoic granitoids, occurring in all terranes excepting SP, are represented mainly by the crustal and upper crustal formations of the subduction mantle-crust and mantle island arc categories.
   The Late Baikalian granitoids are developed in GC and BC only. They are represented by the subduction mantle-crust and crust-anatectic categories. The Caledonian granitoids, cropping out only on SP, are represented by the subduction mantle-island arc formations formed with participation of the mantle and lower crustal material, and also subduction granitoids emerging due to melting of the immature continental crust. The Bretonian granitoids appear only in GC and BS. Granitoids of GC as whole correspond to the upper crustal granitoids of the other regions of the world, whereas the granitoids of BS are represented by the subduction formations of the mixed mantle-crust category; sialic part of the continental crust has an insignificant role during their formation. The late Variscan (Sudetian) granitoids are present in all terranes, excluding IA. The Sudetian orophase is the time of post-metamorphic potassium granitoid formation and consequently of true continental crust. The Sudetian granitoids of all exposures are characterized by similar composition, pelrogeochemical parameters and geodynamic conditions of formation. Their major part corresponds to the upper crustal formations, and the minor part - to the common crustal ones. The observed occurrence of different age and diversity of endogenic activity in various terranes of the Caucasus show asynchronism of episodic activity of subduction zones on different sides of oceanic basins separating these terranes.

Isotopic studies on carbonates and lake sediments are a major source of paleoclimate and paleoenvironment data from continental records. Studies on recently deposited travertines from Northern Slovakia were basis for correlation of isotopic record with recent climate changes.
   Many sites with presently deposited travertine are located in North Slovakia and they annual sedimentation rate is up to several tens of centimetres. The geochemical and isotopic measurements give possibility to precise description of deposition process and its relation to air and water temperatures. This was useful for revision of paleotemperature records obtain from fossil travertines in the region.
   Two sets of data were collected for realisation of the project: water samples of stream flows through travertines cascades and samples of travertine. Actinide activity and stable isotope composition were measurement for both sets of data.
   The results point to: (1) a high sedimentation rate of travertines – 1 mm of sediment is deposited during 2-4 days, (2) a high activity of actinides in water and travertine samples, (3) changes of actinides’ activity during the year, probably related to changes in metabolism of algae growing in travertine cascades, (4) no correlation between oxygen isotopic composition and changes in air temperature in annual scale.

For the detailed stratigraphic division of the Upper Cretaceous sediments of the Zhinvali-Gombori subzone of the Mestia-Tianeti zone GCFS, and for specifying the volume and age of the formations, in the facies of Sadzeguri-Shakhveli and Zhinvali-Pkhoveli nappes the sections of the Ksani and Aragvi river basins (the rivers Aleura, Sakanaphe, Arkala, Didi Jakha, Patara Jakha; near the villages Sadzeguri, Korinta, Ananuri, Muguda, Avenisi, Pavleuri) have been studied.
   Detailed study of the assemblage composition of calcareous plankton contents (calcareous nannofossil and planktonic foraminifera) of the Late Cretaceous sediments of the Zhinvali-Gombori subzone of the Mestia-Tianeti zone of the Greater Caucasus fold system (GCFS) has been carried out for the first time in this region to define biozonation. Within the limits of the Cenomanian-Maastrichtian 9 small foraminiferal and 19 nannoplankton biostratigraphic units (zones and subzones) have been established. Here are specified volume and age of lithostratigraphic units (successions) composing the Upper Cretaceous of the Mestia-Tianeti zone of GCFS: the Ukughmarti succession – СС9 (Early Cenomanian); the Ananuri succession – СС9-СС11 (Early Cenomanian-Early Turonian); the Margalitisklde succession – СС12-СС13 and planktonic foraminifera zones Marginotruncana pseudolineiana-M. lapparenti and Marginotruncata sigali. (Late Turonian-Early Coniacian); the Eshmakishevi succession - СС14-CC19 (Late Coniacian-Early Campanian) and zones Archaeoglobigerina basquensis and Globotruncana arca (upper part of the succession); the Jorchi succession – СС20-СС25а (Middle Campanian-Lower Maastrichtian), in the sediments of СС22с is established the small foraminiferal zone Globotruncana ventricosa-Rugoglobigerina rugosa; the Sabue succession – СС25b-СС26 and foraminiferal zone Gansserina gansseri (Late Maastrichtian).
   The analysis of the Late Cretaceous nannoplankton and foraminifers association of the Zhinvali-Gombori subzone of the Mestia-Tianeti zone of GCFS has shown the existence of four sedimentary cycles: Cenomanian-Early Turonian, Middle Turonian-Early Campanian, Late Campanian-Early Maastrichtian and Late Maastrichtian On the territory of Georgia contained in the Late Albian pool there were is established some large sites of a land, where the Cenomanian sediments with the washout rest on the underlying formations. In the Cenomanian-Early Turonian there was a basin of isolated, regressive sea in the southern part of the moderately cold-water belt. From the Late Turonian the boundary between the warmand moderately cold-water belts moved to the north. Transgression that started in the Late Turonian lasted till the Early Coniacian. In the middle part of the Early Coniacian is outlined shoaling of the basin. From the Late Coniacian to the end of the Santonian sedimentation took place in the shallow, calm marine basin. The omission of the nannoplankton СС19, СС20, СС21 and СС22a, b zones from the sections of the Zhinvali-Pkhoveli nappe and the analysis of the redeposited forms enables to admit break in sedimentation caused by Early Campanian regression and Late Campanian transgression. At the end of the Middle Maastrichtian took place a short-term regression that was replaced by the Late Maastrichtian transgression.

Eocene-Oligocene sequence of the northern Ukraine consists of diversified, mainly non-calcareous clastic deposits representing following lithostratigraphic units: Kanev Formation (?Ypresian), Buchak Formation (Lutetian), Kiev Formation (Upper Lutetian Bartonian), Obuhov Formation (Priabonian), Mezhigor Formation (Rupelian) and Bereka Formation (?Chattian).
   We compared results of palynofacial analysis (i.e., composition of organic remains of marine and terrestrial origin) and taxonomical diversity of aquatic palynomorphs representing both marine and freshwater taxa. Our palynological analysis revealed variable sedimentological settings of these deposits reflecting various palaeoenvironments.
   The oldest investigated strata (the Kanev Formation) contain high ratio of marine dinoflagellate cysts (occasionally up to 90%) pointing to marine environment optimal for development of rich and diversified dinoflagellate flora during the Early Eocene (Ypresian).
Younger strata (the Buchak Formation) contain already palunofacies that could be interpreted as indicative to deposition in more proximal setting than Kanev Formation. It contains higher ratio of terrestrial plant remains, whereas dinoflagellate cysts are dominated by near-shore species Homotryblium tenuispinosum.
   Bartonian strata (the Kiev Formation) yieldrich and diversified dinoflagellate cysts assemblages, which are indicative for marine environments. Taxonomical richness and occurrence of an oceanic genus Impagidinium suggests offshore sedimentary setting during Bartonian. A gradual sea withdraw can be interpreted as Priabonian: diversified assemblages in basal part of the Obuhov Formation, become relatively impoverished in the upper part of this unit where representatives of the genus Deflandrea and Prasinophyta algae (Pterospermella, Tasmanites) occur. Land-influences are markedly evident in Lower Oligocene Miezhigor Formation: palynofacies is dominated by sporomorphs and land plant tissue remains. Moreover, freshwater algae also frequently occurs.
   Preliminary comparison of our data with palynology of coeval strata from Polish part of epicontinental sea and Carpathian basins suggests that these basins were presumably connected during the Middle and Late Eocene. This is based on general taxonomical composition similarity of our assemblages to those known from Middle and Upper Eocene strata of the Flysch Carpathians (e.g., the Variegated Shale, the Hieroglyphic Beds). Throughout Early Oligocene, however, epicontinental basins were rather separated from Carpathian ones. Dinoflagellate cysts from the Miezhigor Formation are relatively diversified, whereas the ones from coeval Menilite facies of the Carpathian basins are almost absent.
   Acknowledgements: This research was supported by the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education research grant N N307 107035.