Quantitative dating of Pleistocene deposits of the Kyrenia Range, northern Cyprus: implications for timings, rates of uplift and driving mechanisms

Palamakumbura, R. N., Robertson, A. H.F., Kinnaird, T. C., van Calsteren, P., Kroon, D. and Tait, J. A. (2016) Quantitative dating of Pleistocene deposits of the Kyrenia Range, northern Cyprus: implications for timings, rates of uplift and driving mechanisms. Journal of the Geological Society, 173(6), pp. 933-948. (doi: 10.1144/jgs2015-130)

Abstract

The Kyrenia Range underwent tectonically driven uplift during the Pliocene to Pleistocene in response to the interaction of various tectonic processes. To understand the tectonic processes driving the uplift and how this is related to uplift of other areas of the Eastern Mediterranean, uranium-series disequilibrium and optically stimulated luminescence dating were applied to marine and non-marine terrace deposits exposed on the northern flank of the range. Palaeomagnetism and strontium isotope dating were used in conjunction to date the final stages of the marine environment adjacent to the Kyrenia Range prior to major surface uplift. Uplift rates range from >1.2 mm a−1, inferred during the Early Pleistocene, to <0.2 mm a−1 during the Late Pleistocene. The new data show that the Kyrenia Range was uplifted contemporaneously with the Troodos Massif in southern Cyprus. The uplift of the Kyrenia Range appears to have been significantly faster than that affecting other comparable regions in the easternmost Mediterranean during the Pleistocene (e.g. Lebanon coast; southern Anatolian plateau). The driving mechanism for the uplift of both the Kyrenia Range and the Troodos Massif is inferred to be the collision of the Eratosthenes Seamount with the Cyprus trench to the south of Cyprus.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: R.N.P. acknowledges the NERC CASE scholarship at the University of Edinburgh. Additional field and laboratory work was aided by the DARIUS Programme to A.H.F.R. and T.C.K. We are grateful for the additional financial support provided by the John Dixon Memorial Fund.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Kinnaird, Dr Timothy
• Authors: Palamakumbura, R. N., Robertson, A. H.F., Kinnaird, T. C., van Calsteren, P., Kroon, D., and Tait, J. A.
• Subjects: G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GB Physical geography; Q Science > QE Geology
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre
• Journal Name: Journal of the Geological Society
• Publisher: Geological Society of London
• ISSN: 0016-7649
• ISSN (Online): 2041-479X
• Published Online: 03 June 2016
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2016 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Journal of the Geological Society 173(6): 933-948
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License