Age of the Jurassic hemipelagic sediments from the Ljubiš area (Zlatibor Mt., SW Serbia)

Abstract

The type section of the Ljubiš Formation, (Djokov Potok, Zlatibor area, western Serbia) is characterized by abundant poorly-to-moderately preserved radiolarians. The lower part of the type section is characterized by Middle Jurassic (?Bajocian to Bathonian) radiolarian assemblages with Japonocapsa fusiformis (YAO), Takemuraella weghae (GRILL & KOZUR), Eoxitus hungaricus KOZUR, E. baloghi KOZUR, Helvetocapsa matsuokai (SASHIDA), Quarkus japonicus (YAO), Hexasaturnalis suboblongus (YAO), H. tetraspinus (YAO). Taking into account previous data from the upper part of the Ljubiš Formation, the age of the formation can be estimated to be in the interval from the ?Bajocian to Bathonian-Oxfordian. The new biostratigraphic data clearly show the onset of tectonic motion in the Middle Jurassic, documented by the presence of mass transport deposits intercalated in the radiolarite successions. This suggests a Middle Jurassic onset of ophiolite obduction which triggered the rapid deepening of the Adria margin, documented by the abrupt change from carbonate to radiolarite deposition.