Cyclic mass flow sedimentation in the Upper Eocene to Lower Miocene flyschbasin of the eastern Ionian Zone near Ioannina (Epirus/NW-Greece)

The uppermost part of the eastern Ionian Zone comprises approximatly 4.5 km of deep sea deposits of the Westhellenic Flysch. These Eocene to Miocene s iliciclastic sediments have been investigated with regard to their cyclic e volution. Relative sea level changes have been reconstructed using 3(rd) or der sequences and from the distribution of mass flows deposits. In addition to subsidence and sedimentary input, the sedimentation pattern of the West hellenic Flysch deposits is primarily controlled by sea level changes until the Oligocene / Miocene boundary. In the Miocene the influence of eustatic changes decreased and the deposits thereafter were mainly controlled by te ctonic factors. The correlation of three profile sections based on the prox imal or distal turbidites and plastic mass flow deposits - especially grain flow units - defines a regional pattern of sedimentation: On the one hand the turbidity currents prefer a flow direction along the long axis of the b asin, and on the other hand at least two input sources for the terrigenous material can be postulated.