Paleomagnetic Evidence of the Deformation of the Pontides during the closure of the Intra-Pontide Ocean in the Early Cretaceous

Several models exist concerning the deformation history of the Pontides in North Anatolia during the Cretaceous period, which vary depending on the positions of the Istanbul and Sakarya zones, the consumption of the northern branches of the Neotethys ocean and the rifting of several sub-basins. Notably, the early Cretaceous tectonic history of the Pontides involved the closure of the northern Neotethys ocean (Intra-Pontide ocean), and the collision between the Istanbul and Sakarya zones, producing thrust structures along the collisional front. The lack of paleomagnetic data providing evidence for this deformation pattern demonstrates that further investigation is required, particularly focusing on the Lower Cretaceous strata in the Pontides. Thus, the present study aimed to examine samples from a total of 78 sites from the Lower-Upper Cretaceous sedimentary rocks, and Middle Eocene to Middle Miocene sedimentary and volcanic rocks. Results of the present study indicated large counter-clockwise rotations up to R±DR=-73.9°±9.1°, and small clockwise rotations of R±DR= 14.2°±12.2° in the Istanbul and Sakarya zones, during the Early Cretaceous and Late Cretaceous periods. These rotation patterns are accompanied by the closure of the Intra-Pontide ocean, and the collision between the Istanbul and Sakarya zones during the Early and Late Cretaceous periods. On the other hand, in the Middle Eocene, small counter-clockwise rotations of R±DR=-6.4°±13.9° and R±DR=4.6°±12.9° along the western coastline of the Pontides indicated that the northern margin of the Pontides was stable during this period.