Biostratigraphy and microfacies of the sedimentary sequences within volcano-sedimentary Maden Complex in Southeastern Turkey

Maden Complex is a volcano-sedimantary unit, mainly composed of shallow and deep marine sedimentary rocks and associated volcanics. Deep marine units of Maden Complex, exposed between Çatak (Van) and Kozluk (Batman) regions have been studied with a combined sedimentological and paleontological approaches. The following species are recorded within the Melefan formation: Morozovella aragonensis, Acarinina collactea, Acarinina cf. esnehensis, Acarinina soldadoensis, Acarinina boudreauxi, Acarinina bullbrooki, Acarinina mckanni, Acarinina pentacamerata, Acarinina cf. pseudosubsphaerica, Acarinina topilensis, Acarinina esnehensis, Chiloguembelina sp., Globanomalina planoconica, Globanomalina australiformis, Globigerinatheka sp., Parasubbotina hagni, Pearsonites broedermanni, Pseudoglobigerinella bolivariana,   Planoglobanomalina pseudoalgeriana, Pseudohastigerina wilcoxensis,  Subbotina roesnaensis, Subbotina yeguaensis. Based on the defined planktonic foraminiferal species, the unit corresponds to the E7 zone and the depositional age of the formation is proposed as Early Eocene (Ypresian) to Middle Eocene (Lutetian). The deep marine sedimentary sequence mainly consists of pinkish to red colored micritic limestones including shale intercalations. The formation is represented by the pelloidal wackestone-packstone facies and comprises abundant planktonic foraminiferal assemblages.