N144 Rift Systems, Faulting and Fault-Controlled Sedimentary Architecture: Gulf of Corinth (Greece)

The Gulf of Corinth is one of the fastest opening rifts in the world with a rate of NS extension of up to 1.6 cm/yr. On the south side of the Gulf, the rift’s tilted fault blocks and their synrift succession (Late Pliocene-Middle Pleistocene) are exceptionally well-exposed due to rapid uplift up to 1200 m and deep incision by rivers. The onshore clastic rift succession, up to 2.8 km thick, includes a series of spectacular giant Gilbert-type fan deltas (up to 800 m thick, radii up to 4 km) that are used as analogues for reservoirs. These are exposed on cliffs up to 800 m high, where their stratigraphic architecture and facies can be studied in detail.

Theme 1

The behaviour of the normal fault network during evolution of the rift, in particular the distribution of displacement on the fault network in space and time and the apparent abandonment of large parts of the network as tectonic activity became focussed within a relatively narrow basin in the last one million years. The narrowness of the fault blocks (4 to 8 km wide) is also a topic of debate.

Theme 2

The stratigraphic architecture and facies distribution within the Plio-Pleistocene syn-rift stratigraphy. Particular attention has been focused on the giant Gilbert-type fan delta systems.

Exercise topics and practical work that will be taught with this fieldtrip:

• Geometry and kinematics of extensional fault systems.
• Interpretation of rift geometries and successions.
• Lithostratigraphy of rifts. Typical facies and thickness distributions in space and time.
• Geodynamics of rifts (theoretical analysis of processes involved in rift evolution. syn-rift, post-rift phases, necking, the uniform stretching model and more recent models).
• Cross-section construction based on field observations, reconstruction of the Corinth rift history.

Itinerary

The course will undertake field excursions to the Vouraikos Valley, Kerinitis Valley, Krathis valley and Derveni area, all within 1 hour’s drive from the hotel. Participants will construct cross-sections and make stratigraphic correlations across a series of fault blocks, each with a different geometry and stratigraphic architecture.

Day 0:

Assemble at Athens airport, travel to the Gulf of Corinth with short visit to the Corinth canal. Check in to hotel at Elaionas, followed by Course Introduction, and Safety Brief.

Day 1:

General overview and introduction to the Corinth Rift. Geometry and stratigraphy of a single fault block (Trapeza, Ano Diakofto, Asomati Plateau, West Helike Fault)

Day 2:

Vouraikos section: Fault block geometry and stratigraphic architecture (Mikros church, Doumena east, Kato Zachlorou, Megha Speleo, Kalavryta road junction, Railway crossing)

Day 3:

Krathis section: relay ramp evolution, lateral variations in rift infill and fault geometries (Bridge to Kalamia and Bougsismos, Vallimi North, Tsivlos road exercise,Tsivlos Lake, Mavra Litharia, Krathis-Diakopto Road corals)

Day 4:

The Keranitis Gilbert-type fan delta (Aghio Andreas area, Keranitis valley)

Day 5: 

Eastern rift and its Gilbert deltas and prodelta turbidites (Evrostini delta panorama, Medourianika south, Evrostina road).

Travel to Athens, final group dinner.

Day 6:

Depart Athens.