Sedimentary setting of Adriatic flysch formation (Middle Eocenemiddle Miocene), Southeastern Montenegro as revealed by turbidite sequences

A 750 m long outcrop of Middle Eocene-Miocene flysch is exposed in an asymmetrical syncline in Crnjak Cove, south of Bar, Montenegro. Texture, physical sedimentary structures, petrography, and trace fossil studied in these sediments allowed the recognition of turbidite facies that display various members of the Bouma sequence (Ta,b,c,d,e). These are interpreted in order to reconstruct the depositional setting of these gravitational deposits. Predominantly clastic lihologies in this 300 m thick sequence are arranged in seven distinct turbidite facies, which represent three superimposed submarine fans. The oldest fan consists of: 1) basal marl
(T₁: 0-30 m), which indicate basin to marginal-fan deposits; 2) thin to medium bedded graywackes intercalated with thin mudstones (T₂: 30-140 m), which represent mid fan; and 3) thinly bedded graywackes intercalated with mudstones (T₃: 140-160 m), which indicate outer fan deposits. The second fan is comprised of: 1) thin to medium bedded, coarsening upward graywackes (T₄: 160-190 m) that represent mid fan environment; 2) conglomerates (T₅; 190-200 m) which, in addition to carbonate clasts, also contain large rip-up clasts of siltstones, indicating locally derived channel deposits; and 3) thinly bedded graywackes intercalated with mudstones (T₆; 200-230 m), which represent outer fan deposits. The youngest submarine fan is made of thin bedded graywackes intercalated with mudstones (T₇: 230-300 m) that represent mid fan environment. The graywackes from mid fan facies consist of Bouma's Tb,c,d sets, and at their bases contain flute casts, prod casts, and scour marks. Thin greywackes from outer fan facies contain abundant and diverse Nereites ichnofacies.