Western Tethyan Epeiric Ramp Setting in the Early Triassic： An Example from the Central Dinarides (Croatia)

In the central part of the External Dinarides in Plavno, Croatia, near Knin, a remarkably thick （927.5 m） Early Triassic depositional sequence was investigated. The Plavno sequence starts in the EarlyGriesbachian and ends with a continuous transition into the Anisian strata. A complete 13C isotope curve has been achieved and combined with conodonts, bivalves and ammonoids to establish and correlate stage and substage boundaries. The 613C curve is consistent with former studies. It displays a general increase from the Griesbachian to a prominent maximum beyond the ＋8%0 amplitude around the Dienerian-Smithian boundary （DSB）, followed by a steep and continuous decline to low, negative values in the Smithian. Around the Smithian-Spathian boundary （SSB） a steep rise to a second maximum occurred. It is followed by a saw-tooth shaped decline in the Spathian and a similar increase to a peak at the Spathian-Anisian boundary （SAB）. Sedimentologically, the Plavno sequence is interpreted as having been deposited on an extensive epeiric ramp under long-term transgressive conditions, sharing depositional characteristics of both the epeiric platform and the carbonate ramp. The entire Plavno sequence was deposited above the storm-wave base and was storm influenced. Three informal members are differentiated： 1） the dolostone member （Early Griesbachian）; 2） the silicielastic member （red-coloured shale, siltstone, sandstone with oolitic/bioclastie grainstone intercalations）, which can be further divided into lower, middle and upper intervals （Late Griesbachian, Dienerian and Smithian）; and 3） the mudstone member （grey lime mudstones, marls and calcisiltites with common ammonoids and gastropods- Spathian）. The Plavno sequence is compared with other western Tethyan sections. Observed differences stem from local controls on deposition in the overall shallow marine environment.