Composition and Structure of the Upper Cretaceous Mamonia Mélange in the Ayia Varvara Area (Southwestern Cyprus)

The Mamonia Mélange in the Ayia Varvara area (southwestern Cyprus) is characterized by a matrix supported mélange which is composed of tectonized siltstones and mudstones with numerous blocks that were derived from the Mamonia Allochthonous Complex (Petra tou Romiou Formation reefal limestones, Phasoula Formation volcanics, Kholetria Member pelagic limestones, Akamas Member sandstone, Parekklisha Member sandstone, Ayia Varvara Formation metamorphics and Episkopi Formation radiolarian cherts). Subordinate blocks were derived from the Troodos Ophiolite Complex: serpentinites, gabbro, pillow lavas and cherty umbers (Perapedhi Formation). Radiolarian assemblages from chert blocks display a broad spectrum in age, ranging from the Late Triassic (latest Carnian–early Norian) to the youngest Cenomanian. The composition of the mélange in the Ayia Varvara area differs from the one described in the Petra tou Romiou area (SW Cyprus), as various lithologies were recorded (like Akamas Member sandstone and Parekklisha Member sandstone) which were not detected previously. The Mamonia Mélange was formed during the Late Cretaceous, most probably after the end of deposition of the Perapedhi Formation (late Santonian–early Campanian).