Stratigraphy and formation conditions of the Jurassic siliceous and terrigenous deposits in southwestern Cyprus

The structure of the Jurassic deposits of the Episkopi Formation from south western Cyprus is considered. The section is composed (from the base upward ) of (1) the Callovian-Oxfordian siliceous rocks and turbidites (30 m) with rich radiolarian assemblages, (2) the Oxfordian mudstone (25 m) with poor radiolarian assemblage, and (3) the Kimmeridgian-Tithonian mudstone and tur bidite (10 m) with rich radiolarian assemblages. The radiolarian assemblage s are correlated with synchronous faunas from the West Mediterranean region and eastern Russia. The character of radiolarian assemblages from the Epis kopi Formation depends on types of sediments. The registered stratigraphic interval (Oxfordian), during which the assemblage was impoverished, coincid es with the time of intensified terrigenous influx that was accompanied by disappearance of coarse-grained turbidites. Thus, during the Jurassic sedim entogenesis in Cyprus, the gradual intensification of the terrigenous non-t urbidite sedimentation was combined with periods of growing silica accumula tion and formation of turbidites.