Turkish Journal of Earth Sciences

Abstract: The Upper Cretaceous Korkuteli (Antalya) carbonate sequence of the Bey Dağları autochthonous unit (western Taurides) comprises two formations. The Cenomanian-Santonian Bey Dağları formation lies at the base of this sequence and can be divided into two parts. Neritic part is characterized by platform-type, peritidal limestones and comprises an approximately 600-m-thick sequence that contains two main rudistid horizons corresponding to Cenomanian and early Santonian. The neritic limestones pass gradually upward into the 15-m-thick, middle-upper Santonian massive hemipelagic limestones that form the upper part. The upper Campanian-middle Maastrichtian Akdağ formation consists totally of pelagic limestones that indicate basinal conditions and disconformably overlies different stratigraphic levels of the Bey Dağları formation. Palaeogene pelagic marls form the base of the Tertiary sequence and disconformably overlie different stratigraphic levels of the Upper Cretaceous sequence. The presence of two erosional phases in the Upper Cretaceous sequence is obvious. The autochthonous unit was subaerially exposed after post-Santonian and middle Maastrichtian regressions.

Key Words: Upper Cretaceous, Bey Dağları, carbonate platform, erosion, planktonic foraminifera