Our paper aims to give a thorough description of the infra-ophiolitic
melanges associated with the Mersin ophiolite. We propose new regional
correlations of the Mersin melanges with other melange-like units or
similar series, located both in southern Turkey and adjacent regions.
The palaeotectonic implications of the correlations are also discussed.
The main results may be summarized as follows: the infra-ophiolitic
melange is subdivided into two units, the Upper Cretaceous Sorgun
ophiolitic melange and the Ladinian-Carnian Hacialani melange. The
Mersin melanges, together with the Antalya and Mamonia domains, are
represented by a series of exotic units now found south of the main
Taurus range, and are characteristic of the South-Taurides Exotic Units.
These melanges clearly show the mixed origin of the different blocks and
broken formations. Some components have a Palaeotethyan origin and are
characterized by Pennsylvanian and Lower to Middle Permian pelagic and
slope deposits. These Palaeotethyan remnants, found exclusively in the
Hacialani melange, were reworked as major olistostromes in the Neotethys
basin during the Eo-Cimmerian orogenic event. Neotethyan elements are
represented by Middle Triassic seamounts and by broken formations
containing typical Neotethyan conodont faunas such as Metapolygnathus
mersinensis Kozur & Moix and M. primitius s. s., both present in the
latest Carnian interval, as well as the occurrence of the middle Norian
Epigondolella praeslovakensis Kozur, Masset & Moix. Other elements are
clearly derived from the former north Anatolian passive margin and are
represented by Huglu-type series including the Upper Triassic syn-rift
volcanic event. These sequences attributed to the Huglu-Pindos back-arc
ocean were displaced southward during the Late Cretaceous obduction
event. The Tauric elements are represented by Eo-Cimmerian flysch-like
and molasse sequences intercalated in Neotethyan series. Additionally,
some shallow-water blocks might be derived from the Bolkardag
para-autochthonous and the Taurus-Beydaglari marginal sequences.