The investigated section of the Tarvis Breccia formation is located in the northern part of Slovenia, north of the town of Tržič in Dovžanova soteska gorge. Dovžanova soteska gorge is a well-known geological site, where Palaeozoic rocks outcrop. The aim of this thesis is to gain better sedimentological understanding of Tarvis Breccia in the Dovžanova soteska gorge. Particularly the sedimentary processes and the sedimentary environment that formed the Tarvis Breccia formation.
The investigated formation marks the start of the second Variscan tectono-sedimentary cycle in the Middle Permian and it belongs to the geotectonic unit of Southern Alps, more specifically to the Southern Karavanke Mountains. A detailed geological map of the studied area was made and the studied sequence was recorded in two detailed sedimentological sections. Thin-sections were made from collected samples and were later examined with a polarizing optical microscope. Additionally, cathodoluminescence microscopy (CL) was performed on some thin-sections. X-ray diffraction analysis was also made on some selected samples from the sections.
Rock formations that outcrop in the area covered by the geological map are Lower to Middle Permian in age and belong to: Born Formation, Rigelj Beds, Tarvis Breccia, Gröden Formation and Holocene sediments. The sequence of Tarvis Breccia consists of quartz conglomerates, red quartz sandstones, red siltstones, nodular limestone and limestone breccia.
The sequence of Tarvisio Breccia consists of exchanging alluvial fan deposits, alluvial plain deposits and sabkha deposits. The studied section represents distal sedimentary environments of alluvial fans. The provenances are carbonate rocks and either metamorphic rocks or sedimentary rocks that contained metamorphic grains.
During diagenesis, the studied rocks of Tarvis Breccia Formation were exposed to higher temperatures and higher pressures.
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