Influence of terrestrial sedimentation in Pennsylvanian rocks of Croatia

Abstract

Sedimentary rocks of Pennsylvanian age outcrop at several regions in Croatia. Most of these rocks were deposited in a marine environment, in different tectonic units: Karst (External) Dinarides, Internal Dinarides and Tisia. Pennsylvanian deposits contain a significant amount of terrestrial debris, related to the uplift of the Hercynian mountain belt and its intense erosion. Remnants of land flora are not common, but are present at almost all localities. The most diverse and the best preserved Pennsylvanian land flora in Croatia was discovered on the Velebit Mt. and in the Lika Region. It was dominated by ferns, pteridosperms and cordaitales. The fossil flora from Banovina is less diverse, with pteridosperms, scarce ferns, horsetails and lycopods. The sporadic occurrence of lycopods and horsetails was reported from the mountains of NW Croatia. In the Gorski Kotar Region only plant detritus was observed. Ferns and pteridosperms from Papuk Mt. were discovered in older, Mississippian deposits. Palaeobotanical data reopen the discussion about the palaeogeographic position of the research areas.