Geodynamic-paleomagnetic mapping of the heterogeneous geological structure of the junction zone of the Mesozoic Terrane Belt and the Dead Sea Transform

In the region under study, two main types of geodynamical processes are developed: (1) final collisional and (2) initial spreading. The geodynamic-paleomagnetic mapping makes it possible to reveal not only the multilevel structural heterogeneity but also display complex elements of the geodynamics of different ages inherent in the junction (transition) zones. Just for these complex regions, paleomagnetic mapping is especially important, since makes it possible to obtain significant information unattainable by any other geological-geophysical methods. The methodology of paleomagnetic mapping of the complex junction zones is based on the integration of the mapping techniques for both continental and oceanic platforms: paleomagnetic reconstructions, results of radiometric dating of magnetized rocks, biogeographical studies, satellite data examination, plate tectonic reconstructions, and utilization of results of various geophysical surveys. All these data are used for the integrated identification of mapped geological bodies and structures. For paleomagnetic mapping, two different reference areas were selected: spreading area with younger traps (Sea of Galilee, northern Israel), and collisional area with older traps (Makhtesh Ramon, southern Israel). The supplemented edition of the paleomagnetic map of the Sea of Galilee region (northern Israel) was extended to the south where the Belvoir uplift exists with the detailed reference well, and a complex of radiometric dating of the Cenozoic traps is developed. The map has been significantly detailed due to analyzing new data from structural, radiometric, and paleomagnetic researches, which has expanded the understanding of both the tectonic-structural peculiarities and development of this complex area (Eppelbaum et al., 2022). The subterrane Makhtesh Ramon (southern Israel), is collisionally joined with the Arabian-Nubian part of Gondwana. The Ramon subterrane contains various tectonic units formed during the pre-collisional, collisional, and post-collision stages of its paleogeodynamic evolution. In this paleomagnetic scheme and diagram of geodynamic reconstructions, not all subterrane, but the edge of its submerged part corresponds to erosion-tectonic depression, and includes outcrops of Lower Cretaceous, Jurassic, Triassic, and Late Cenozoic (Eppelbaum and Katz, 2015). These rocks are penetrated by a variety of Mesozoic traps, whose radiometric age ranges from 165.7 to 93.8 Ma, and contain scattered ophiolite outcrops of the Sakharonim basalts. These ophiolites are associated with absorption of the Triassic-Jurassic crust of the Neotethys Ocean in Hauterivian and relate to the Levantine phase of tectogenesis. The pre-collision formations preceding this phase are represented by basalts dykes (Omolon and Gissar superzones) and laccolites of mainly alkalic olivine gabbro associated mostly with the Gissar superzone. Tectonic-paleomagnetic mapping as a new type of combined geological-geophysical survey contributed to an essential understanding of the junction zone of the Mesozoic Terrane Belt and the Dead Sea Transform.

 

Eppelbaum, L.V. and Katz, Yu.I., 2015. Eastern Mediterranean: Combined geological-geophysical zonation and paleogeodynamics of the Mesozoic and Cenozoic structural-sedimentation stages. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 65, 198-216.

Eppelbaum, L.V., Katz, Y.I. and Ben-Avraham, Z., 2022. Advanced combined geophysical-geological mapping of the Sea of Galilee and its vicinity, In: (A. di Mauro, A. Scozzari, S. Soldovieri, Eds.), "Instrumentation and Measurement Technologies for Water Cycle Management", Springer, 1-23.