Published: 2026-06-18
VIEW ON MESOZOIC GEODYNAMICS OF THE BALKANS THROUGH 2D AND 3D NUMERICAL GEODYNAMIC MODELS
Authors: Nikola Stanković, Vladica Cvetković, Vesna Cvetkov, Dejan Prelević, Ana Mladenović
Abstract:
Jurassic and Cretaceous geodynamics of the Balkan peninsula encompasses final phases of the evolution of a Jurassic ocean Neotethys, i.e. its intraoceanic subduction and obduction of the Vardar zone ophiolites. The life of this ocean is correlated by many authors with the Upper Cretaceous magmatism in the Sava-Vardar zone (SVZ) and Timok magmatic complex (TMC). In this communication, we are presenting the results of 2D and 3D numerical modelling of different phases of the geodynamic evolution of Neotethys‘s Vardar branch and the accompanying geologic phenomena and processes – obduction of ophiolites and magmatism in the SVZ and TMC. With the goal of modelling these processes, the continuity equation, Stokes equation as well as the temperature equation are discretized by conservative finite differences on a staggered numerical grid. The advection problem is addressed via marker-in-cell method and marker displacement based on velocity field via 4th order Runge-Kutta schemes. This approach is accomplished by utilizing the I2VIS and I3VIS numerical codes for 2D and 3D modelling, respectively. In the scope of this modelling, a widespread conception of the existence of a single oceanic domain in the present-day Balkans during the Jurassic, is accepted. Our numerical simulations show that a single NE-dipping intraoceanic subduction, initiated in Mid Jurassic (~175 Ma) can account for two roughly contemporaneous and structurally different ophiolite belts within the Vardar Zone (Eastern and Western Vardar zone), where the obduction of these ophiolites in the Uppermost Jurassic – Lowermost Cretaceous (~145 Ma) presents the last instance of the existence of the Vardar segment of the Neotethys ocean. This scenario warrants an explanation for the subsequent magmatism in the TMC and SVZ. Our modelling shows that TMC magmatism, which is indubitably of subduction-like geochemical character, can be explained by complex subsurface dynamics of the already subducted and hydrated Neotethys slab which underwent a deep detachment at around 400 km, significantly after the closure of the ocean on the surface. Shallower (attached) parts of this lithospheric slab subsequently rebound and partially melt, allowing for the development of the TMC magmatism. Regarding SVZ magmatism, we have accepted the evidence that its basalts do not represent portions of ophiolite sequences and have sought the explanation of their origin in transtensional reactivation of the suture zone. To this end, we also present 3D modelling results which investigate the possibility of subsequent lithospheric thinning along the suture zone due to dextral strike-slip motions.
Presented at 19th Congress of Geologists of Serbia
Jurassic and Cretaceous geodynamics of the Balkan peninsula encompasses final phases of the evolution of a Jurassic ocean Neotethys, i.e. its intraoceanic subduction and obduction of the Vardar zone ophiolites. The life of this ocean is correlated by many authors with the Upper Cretaceous magmatism in the Sava-Vardar zone (SVZ) and Timok magmatic complex (TMC). In this communication, we are presenting the results of 2D and 3D numerical modelling of different phases of the geodynamic evolution of Neotethys‘s Vardar branch and the accompanying geologic phenomena and processes – obduction of ophiolites and magmatism in the SVZ and TMC. With the goal of modelling these processes, the continuity equation, Stokes equation as well as the temperature equation are discretized by conservative finite differences on a staggered numerical grid. The advection problem is addressed via marker-in-cell method and marker displacement based on velocity field via 4th order Runge-Kutta schemes. This approach is accomplished by utilizing the I2VIS and I3VIS numerical codes for 2D and 3D modelling, respectively. In the scope of this modelling, a widespread conception of the existence of a single oceanic domain in the present-day Balkans during the Jurassic, is accepted. Our numerical simulations show that a single NE-dipping intraoceanic subduction, initiated in Mid Jurassic (~175 Ma) can account for two roughly contemporaneous and structurally different ophiolite belts within the Vardar Zone (Eastern and Western Vardar zone), where the obduction of these ophiolites in the Uppermost Jurassic – Lowermost Cretaceous (~145 Ma) presents the last instance of the existence of the Vardar segment of the Neotethys ocean. This scenario warrants an explanation for the subsequent magmatism in the TMC and SVZ. Our modelling shows that TMC magmatism, which is indubitably of subduction-like geochemical character, can be explained by complex subsurface dynamics of the already subducted and hydrated Neotethys slab which underwent a deep detachment at around 400 km, significantly after the closure of the ocean on the surface. Shallower (attached) parts of this lithospheric slab subsequently rebound and partially melt, allowing for the development of the TMC magmatism. Regarding SVZ magmatism, we have accepted the evidence that its basalts do not represent portions of ophiolite sequences and have sought the explanation of their origin in transtensional reactivation of the suture zone. To this end, we also present 3D modelling results which investigate the possibility of subsequent lithospheric thinning along the suture zone due to dextral strike-slip motions.
Presented at 19th Congress of Geologists of Serbia
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