The Psematismenos-Maroni Basin (South Cyprus): Cenozoic tectonic and sedimentary evolution

The Tertiary regressive sedimentary succession, which forms the sedimentary cover of the Troodos Ophiolitic Massif, was studied in the Psematismenos-Maroni Basin in Southern Cyprus. A series of unconformity surfaces were identified based on key surfaces, morphologies, and sedimentary facies. These observations are reinforced by numerous new biostratigraphic datings mainly based on calcareous nannofossil analysis. Unsuspected biostratigraphic hiatuses ranging from million to dozens of millions of years are illustrated. Some unconformity surfaces are tectonically enhanced leading to the emersion of this basin. In addition, our work highlights the importance of the Messinian Salinity Crisis in the shaping of an onshore erosion surface in Cyprus as it is the case in the Sorbas basin in the western Mediterranean. Constrained by new datings, this work finally proposes a tectono-stratigraphic calendar for the Psematismenos-Maroni Basin, starting from the Paleogene Lefkara Formation up to the first alluvial deposits at the end of the Neogene.