Tamás Budai

MIDDLE TRIASSIC PLATFORM AND BASIN EVOLUTION OF THE SOUTHERN BAKONY MOUNTAINS (TRANSDANUBIAN RANGE, HUNGARY)

Middle Triassic history of the Southern Bakony Mts. is outlined on the base of horizontal and vertical facies changes of the formations. During the Pelsonian (Balatonicus Chron) the evolution of the basins and platforms was determined basically by synsedimentary tectonics. The Felsoors basin of the Balaton Highland opened due to the block-faulting of the Bithynian carbonate ramp (Megyehegy Dolomite). Above the drowning blocks „halfgraben” basins were formed (Felsoors Formation), while isolated platforms developed on the uplifted ones in the middle part of the Balaton Highland and on the Veszprem plateau (Tagyon Formation). Due to the relative sea-level fall in the early Illyrian, the platforms became subaerially exposed and karstified. As a consequence of the late Illyrian tectonic subsidence (manifested by neptunian dykes) the central platform of the Balaton Highland has been drowned (Camunum Subchron). On the contrary, the Anisian platform of the Veszprem plateau was totally flooded only during the latest Illyrian (Reitzi Subchron) due to eustatic sea-level rise. It was followed by a short highstand period (Secedensis Chron), characterised by the first progradation of the Budaors platform on the Veszprem plateau and highstand shedding in the basins and on the submarine high (Vaszoly Limestone) in the centre of the Balaton Highland basin. Due to the following rapid sea-level rise, carbonate sedimentation continued in eupelagic basin from the Fassanian (Buchenstein Formation). At the beginning of the late Longobardian highstand period (Regoledanus Chron) the Budaors platform intensively prograded from the Veszprem plateau to the southwest, causing highstand shedding in the Balaton Highland basin (Fured Limestone).

Genesis of Upper Triassic peritidal dolomites in the Transdanubian Range, Hungary

In the Late Triassic, a 2–3-km-thick platform carbonate succession formed along the passive margin of the Tethys Ocean. Certain parts of the succession were affected by pervasive dolomitization whereas other parts are only partially dolomitized or non-dolomitized. In the Transdanubian Range, Hungary, the Upper Triassic platform carbonates are extensively distributed and numerous data are available for the space and time relations of the dolomitized and non-dolomitized units. This geological setting provides a unique opportunity for the study of paleogeographical and diagenetic controls of dolomitization of the whole platform complex. This paper presents the characteristic features of the dolomite types of the dolomite-bearing formations and lithofacies types, with a view to interpret the dolomite-forming processes and to determine the main controlling factors of the dolomite genesis. Petrographic features and stable isotope characteristics of the studied successions suggest the predominance of penecontemporaneous and early diagenetic dolomite genesis. Study of the transitional interval between the pervasively dolomitized and the non-dolomitized sequences revealed the general presence of microcrystalline dolomite in the peritidal microbial deposits and the characteristics of partial dolomitization both in the peritidal and subtidal facies. In the peritidal facies, microbially induced Ca–Mg carbonate precipitation is inferred, which was probably complemented by penecontemporaneous mimetic dolomitization of precursor carbonates due to evaporative pumping or seepage influx. Dolomitization of the subtidal facies took place via reflux of slightly evaporated seawater. Dolomitization of the previously deposited carbonate mud commenced during subsequent subaerial exposure but the process of early diagenetic dolomitization may have continued during later exposure events. Recurring subaerial exposure is one of the factors that determine the areal extent of the early dolomitization of the platform carbonates. However, climatic conditions were also crucial. Although the sea-level-controlled, unconformity-bound cyclic facies pattern did not change significantly in the internal platform belt during the nearly 20-My-long time range, a drier climate favored dolomite formation while increasing humidity led to a gradual decreasing intensity of early dolomitization.

Similarities and differences in the dolomitization history of two coeval Middle Triassic carbonate platforms, Balaton Highland, Hungary

Abstract Dolomitization of platform carbonates is commonly the result of multiphase processes. Documentation of the complex dolomitization history is difficult if completely dolomitized sections are studied. Two Middle Anisian sections representing two coeval carbonate platforms were investigated and compared in the present study. Both sections are made up of meter-scale peritidal–lagoonal cycles with significant pedogenic overprint. One of the sections contains non-dolomitized, partially dolomitized, and completely dolomitized intervals, whereas the other is completely dolomitized. Based on investigations of the partially dolomitized section, penecontemporaneous dolomite formation and/or very early post-depositional dolomitization were identified in various lithofacies types. In shallow subtidal facies, porphyrotopic dolomite was found preferentially in microbial micritic fabrics. Microbially induced dolomite precipitation and/or progressive replacement of carbonate sediments could be interpreted for stromatolites. Cryptocrystalline to very finely crystalline dolomite, probably of pedogenic origin, was encountered in paleosoil horizons. Fabric-destructive dolomite commonly found below these horizons was likely formed via reflux of evaporated seawater. As a result of the different paleogeographic settings of the two platforms, their shallow-burial conditions were significantly different. One of the studied sections was located at the basinward platform margin where pervasive fabric-retentive dolomitization took place in a shallow-burial setting, probably via thermal convection. In contrast, in the area of the other, smaller platform shallow-water carbonates were covered by basinal deposits, preventing fluid circulation and accordingly pervasive shallow-burial dolomitization. In the intermediate to deep burial zone, recrystallization of partially dolomitized limestone and occlusion of newly opened fractures and pores by coarsely crystalline dolomite took place.

Processes and controlling factors of polygenetic dolomite formation in the Transdanubian Range, Hungary: a synopsis

In the Transdanubian Range (Hungary), dolostone and dolomitic limestone appear in a number of sedimentary successions formed from the Late Permian to the Late Triassic in various depositional settings and under various diagenetic conditions, whereas only a negligible amount of dolomite was detected in the post-Triassic formations. Seven dolomite-bearing units representing ramp, small and large carbonate platforms, and intraplatform basin settings are presented in this synopsis. In most cases, multi-stage and polygenetic dolomitization was inferred. The main mass of the dolostones was formed via near-surface diagenetic processes, which were commonly preceded by the formation of synsedimentary dolomite. Accordingly, surficial conditions that prevailed during sediment deposition controlled the dolomite-forming processes and thus the lateral extension and the time span of dolomitization. The area of episodic subaerial exposure was a critical controlling factor of the lateral extension of the near-surface dolomite genesis, whereas its temporal extension was mostly governed by climate. Burial diagenesis usually resulted in only moderate dolomitization, either in connection with compactional fluid flow or via thermal convection. The Triassic fault zones provided conduits for fluid flow that led to both replacive dolomitization and dolomite cement precipitation. In the Late Triassic extensional basins, synsedimentary fault-controlled dolomitization of basinal deposits was reconstructed.

Influence of upwelling on the sedimentation and biota of the segmented margin of the western Neotethys: a case study from the Middle Triassic of the Balaton Highland (Hungary)

Abstract In the Middle Anisian, extensional tectonic movements led to the development of a small isolated carbonate platform in the middle part of the Balaton Highland, Transdanubian Range, Hungary. In the Late Illyrian, a condensed pelagic carbonate succession with phosphorite horizons was formed on the top of the already drowned platform. These strata contain an extraordinarily diverse ammonite fauna. This unit is overlain by radiolarian-rich carbonates, locally with radiolarite interbeds. We suggest that the drowning process and the post-drowning sediment deposition were controlled partly by regional factors, i.e., the onset of opening of the Neotethys Ocean, and partly by local factors such as the bottom topography and related current activity, which may also be connected with the opening of the ocean. The predominance of the radiolarian-rich sediments suggests eutrophic surface water, which may be explained by a monsoon-driven upwelling model. The segmented sea-floor topography together with the high-fertility surface water conditions may have provided favorable habitats for the ammonites, which may have adapted to various ecological conditions, leading to extreme diversification of this group. Since similar Middle to Late Anisian evolution was reported from many other units of the western Neotethys margin, regional factors such as the establishment of an extensional tectonic regime and related marginal basin formation, monsoon-driven upwelling, and related high surface water productivity seem to be of critical importance in controlling the depositional conditions.

Sideritic—kaolinitic and green clay layers in the Mecsek Mountains (SW Hungary): Indicators of Middle Triassic volcanism—Myth or reality?

Sideritic—kaolinitic and green clay layers were previously reported from the Mecsek Mountains (SW Hungary) as indicators of Tethyan volcanism in the otherwise germanotype Middle Triassic succession. The aim of the present study is to provide a review and a critical re-evaluation of the previously published data on both the sideritic—kaolinitic layers (the so-called “Manfa Siderite”) and the green clay layers. New results of mineralogical investigation of the green clay layers are also presented. The Middle Triassic volcanic origin of the “Manfa Siderite” cannot be confirmed. In addition to a possible volcanic contribution, the sideritic—kaolinitic layers were probably formed in a freshwater swamp under humid, tropical climatic conditions, whereby weathering in an organic-rich, acidic environment led to the formation of “underclays” and siderite in the coal-bearing formations of Late Triassic to Early Jurassic age. These layers were probably tectonically placed over Middle Triassic carbonates. The illitic ...