THE LOWER MIOCENE (BURDIGALIAN) FORMATIONS OF THE

ADANA BASIN, THEIR RELATIONS WITH OTHER

FORMATIONS, AND OIL POSSIBILITIES

Zati TERNEK

ABSTRACT - The purpose of this study is to discuss the general geology of the Adana Basin
and especially to make a detailed description of the Lower Miocene formations, situated to the
northwest of the Mersin - Tarsus region, and to review in a general way the oil possibilities of
the basin, with a particular stress on the importance of the Lower Miocene formations in this
connection.
The Adana Basin is divided into three regions : The Hatay ( = Antakya), İskenderun, and Ada-
na regions; the latter is subdivided in its turn into two secondary regions, namely the Adana and
Mersin ( = İçel) regions. The direction of the tectonic ridges dividing these regions is NE-SW. The
general features of sedimentation in these regions are more or less alike; however, some differences
have been observed.
Although transgressions are predominant in the Miocene, regressive movements have also taken
place. At places, the Lower Miocene overlies discordantly the Paleozoic, Mesozoic, Paleocene,
Lutetian and Oligocene formations. The Lower Miocene consists of conglomerates, limestones,
sandy limestones, marly limestones, and marls; lateral and vertical facies changes can be observed
here. The calcareous parts are, in some places, reef-complex or biohermal in character. The reefs
are transgressive and they more or less follow the direction of the buried ridges and hills, which
are older in age. Despite the fact that the Lower Miocene is more calcareous at the periphery of
the basin, towards the center, it turns into fine-grained sediments. In the middle of the basin shales
are predominant.
The thickness of the Lower Miocene calcareous formations in the Adana Basin is 80 m. near
Kozan and some 500-700 m. in the proximity of Mersin. It may be said that in the vicinity of
Misis it is practically missing.
It is most probable that the Alpine tectonic forces came from the NW and the SE, the direction
of folds is NE-SW on the western and northwestern borders of the basin, and partly E-W in the
center. These folds are monoclinal. The southern parts of many of the anticlines have steeper slopes.
In general, the Miocene presents folds with slopes gradually decreasing towards the upper layers.
Certain structures are in the form of terraces. Faulting in the Tertiary is rare. The folding and
faulting movements in the İçel section of the Adana region, as compared with other regions, have
been more frequent, violent, and irregular.
The Lower Miocene formations are overlain discordantly by the Helvetian or, in some places,
by Tortonian. There are many places where the Lower Miocene is directly covered by river terraces,
caliches or alluvium.
Petroleum indications are observed in the Paleozoic and Miocene formations. The Lower Mi-
ocene formations display the characteristics of source-rock and reservoir-rock. The Middle Helvetian
sandstones and limestones and the Tortonian sandstones are of the reservoir-rock type, whereas the
Lower Helvetian or the Upper Helvetian marls and the Tortonian marly series are of the cover-rock
type. There are many anticlines in the basin.
A search for petroleum in the Adana Basin should be concentrated in reef-complex formations,
in terrace structures, in the vicinity of buried ridges and hills, and in the stratigraphic and tectonic
 BURDIGALIAN FORMATION IN ADANA BASIN 61

traps. In our opinion, it should be advisable to have the exploratory drillings conducted on reefs,
within the areas of some 15-25 km. further to the south of the southern boundaries of the Lower
Miocene, exposed on the surface, or in the proximity of the buried ridges and hills and where
facies changes of the Lower Miocene are observed. Furthermore, we believe that the drilling ope-
rations should be executed not in the center of the basin, but further to the periphery; or, to be
more exact, some distance from the periphery, avoiding, however, the central parts of the basin.
There is a great chance that such drillings should prove very productive, and in our opinion bearing
in mind of the above-stated recommendations should be very useful and efficient and the safest
way to find petroleum.

INTRODUCTION way, the Adana region, [1] which is a

By the Adana Basin we mean the part of the Adana Basin, we shall study
area which is limited by Osmaniye, Ka- the Lower Miocene formations at several
dirli, Kozan, Karsantı, Pozantı, Namrun, different places in this region, laying
Fındıkpınarı, and Elvanlı (pl. I). This particular stress on the Mersin ( = İçel)
basin, roughly speaking, consists of three part where detailed surveys have been
main parts: The Adana, İskenderun, and conducted, and we shall try to explain
Hatay ( = Antakya ) regions; this divi- the main characteristics of these forma-
sion of the basin into three distinct re- tions.
gions has taken place during the Eocene
epoch.
After discussing here, in a general
62 ZATİ TERNEK

PHYSIOGRAPHIC OUTLINE
I —-Orography ofthe Ada-
na Region
The Adana Basin (in the narrow
sense of the word) is encircled from
Kozan to Mersin by such mountains as
Andıl Dağ (750m.), Kale Dağ (1835 m.),
Akdağ (2471 m.), and Çığırcak Dağ
(2500 m.), which are known as the
Taurus Mountains. This Taurus Range
extends ,in the NE - SW direction. In
the southeast the basin is bordered by
Misis Mountains (pl. I).
As we go from the north towards
the south of the basin, we descend from
the mountainous region towards the hills
and finally down to the Adana plain,
which covers practically half of the ba-
sin.
II — H y d r o g r a p h y of the
Adana Region
The largest principal running waters
of the Adana Basin are the Seyhan Ri-
ver, the Ceyhan River and the Tarsus
River, all of which flow from the east
to the west (pi. I). The Ceyhan River
takes its tributaries in the proximity of
Maraş and the neighbouring areas. The
tributaries of the Seyhan River flow as
far as the environs of Kayseri; the Tar-
sus River begins in the Taurus Moun-
tains (Bolkar Dağları) and flows into
the sea near the mouth of the Seyhan
River. All these rivers flow into the
Mediterranean; they cut deep canyons
in the limestone area of the Taurus
Range. These rivers are fed by spring
waters and rainfalls, but mainly by
melting snow.

STRATIGRAPHY

I - OUTLINE OF THE STRATIGRAPHY OF

THE ADANA BASIN
a - Paleozoic
The Paleozoic formation is observed
at Dede Dag in the Misis Mountains; at
 BURDIGALIAN FORMATION IN ADANA BASIN 63

the Ashabı Kehif Hill (fig. 1) and its in texture. Among fossils collected in
vicinity, northwest of Taurus; at the this formation some Fusulinidae, found
Bolkar Dağları mountains, north of in the vicinity of Fındık Pınarı to the
Namrun; and to the north of Kozan. northwest of Mersin, can be mentioned.
The Paleozoic formation consists ge- The direction of the folds of the
nerally of black, sometimes white,- gray- Paleozoic rocks is, in general, NNE-SSW
colored, fine - grained, recrystallized, or NE - SW. The Paleozoic limestones
fetid limestones; gray sandstones; bluish- are overlain by schists and sometimes
colored schists; and chlorine- schists. by sandstones. The folding movement has
The limestones are sometimes complete- been strong, the dips varying between
ly recrystallized and sometimes porous 45° and 60°.
64 ZATİ TERNEK

b - Mesozoic The Cretaceous band in the Misis

There are some areas covered by Range -branches out into another band,
dioritic intrusions, partly schistous, radi- in the neighbourhood of Ceyhan (bet-
olaritic or cherty, which occur mainly ween Kozan and Ceyhan); this band
to the north and northwest of Mersin has a N - S direction.
(pl. II, III; fig. la, lb). Generally they The Cretaceous, formations show two
are Mesozoic in age. facies: 1) limestones and 2) flysches.
According to the Paleontologists, The Cretaceous limestones are white,
certain fossils, observed in the dark - red gray, buff or pink in color; sometimes
colored limestones of the Misis Moun- recrystallized or hard, with fine-grained
tains, resemble the Liassic fossils found and sublithographic texture. They con-
in the vicinity of Gümüşhane and the tain such fossils as Globigerina sp. and
Triassic fossils of the Kocaeli Peninsula. Globotruncana linnei.
In the vicinity of Belemedik, near In the Adana Basin the Tertiary is
the northern boundary of the region, represented by the Nummulitic (Paleo-
Triassic and Jurassic deposits have been cene, Oligocene) and Neogene (Miocene,
found in the lower levels of the border Pliocene) formations.
limestones.
d - Paleocene
c - Cretaceous The Paleocene is limited to a small
The Cretaceous formations are area, south of the Gülek ( = Külek) Bo-
found in two bands: one starting at the ğazı; it consists of basal conglomerates
Gülek Boğazı and extendig, at intervals, and gray, pink, sandy limestone beds
in the NE-SW direction (photo 1), and containing Rotalia sp., Miliolidae, Asteri-
another one in the south, extending gerina sp., Amphistegina sp., Miscellanea
again in the NE - SW direction, along miscella, Alveolinellidae, Chlamys, Coral
the Misis Mountain Range. fragments and Bryozoa.
 BURDIGALIAN FORMATION IN ADANA BASIN 65

e - Eocene these, there exist Oligocene deposits of

Sandy limestones have been found marly and sandy-like flysches in the
in the Misis Mountain Range and in Misis area.
the neighbourhood of Namrun. Due to
the presence of Nummulites, the Eocene g - Lower Miocene
formations in the vicinity of Namrun The Lower Miocene is transgressive
were attributed to the Lutetian age. and consists of conglomerates (basal

f- Oligocene
The Oligocene deposits in the vici- conglomerates), marly limestones, sandy
nity of Gülek and north of Mersin are limestones, marls and limestones; bet-
lacustrine, terrestrial and estuarine in ween these beds there are horizontal as
character. They, consist of gray, red well as vertical transitions (fig. 2, 2a,
marls, sandy marls, sandstones, lime- 2b, 2c, 2d).
stones and conglomerates and contain The following are the principal fos-
such fossils as Meretrix incrassata SOWER- sils found in the Lower Miocene for-
BY, Pecten, Pirula, Amphistegina, solitary mations : Globigerina, Heterostegina assilli-
Corals, and plant fossils. Apart from noides BLANCKENHORN, Heterostegina prae-
66 ZATİ TERNEK

cursor TAN, Heterostegina costata d'ORB., POMEL, Clypeaster pentadactylus GAU-

Heterostegina sp., Operculina complanata THIER, Pectunculus, Flabellipecten, Amussium
(DEFRANCE), Operculina complanata DE- aff. duodecimlamellatum (BRONN), Chlamys
FRANCE var. heterostegina SILVESTRI, holgeri GEINITZ, Ostrea gryphoides SCHLO-
Cydoclypeus, Quinqueloculina, Rotalia viennoti THEIM, Alectrionia aquitanica MAYER, Pita-
GREIG, Textularia, Meandropsina, Alveoli- ria (Callista) aff. erycinoides (LAMARCK),
nellidae, Archaias, Lithothamnium bourcarti Panopea faujasi MENARD, Turbo, Xeno-
(LEMOINE), Lithophyllum cf. prelichenoides phora.
(LEMOINE), Lithophyllum cf. giraudi (LE- The Burdigalian formations begin
MOINE), Tarbellastraea reulini M. EDW. at Karsantı, in the northern part of
and J. HAIME, Tarbellastraea reussiana the basin, and continue as a band gra-
M. EDW. and J. HAIME, Favites neglecta dually widening to the north of Mersin.
d'ARCHIAC, Heliastraea considea REUSS, This band is interrupted west of Kar-
Thegiostrae cf. lyensi GREGORY sp., The- santı. The narrowest and the widest
giostraea miocenica ZUFF, Solenastraea sp., parts of this band are 3 km. and some
Hypsoclypeus doma POMEL, Echinolampas 20-25 km.., respectively (pl. I).
scutiformis LESKE var. angulatus MERIAN,
Echinolampas aff. tagliafenoi COTTEAU, h - Middle Miocene
Schizaster sp. du gr. de S. eurynotus The Middle Miocene in this area
AGASSIZ, Schizaster sp. Schizaster lovisatoi is represented by Helvetian and Torto-
COTTEAU, Clypeaster latirostris AGASSIZ, nian formations.
Clypeaster (Bunactis) aff. scillae DESM.,
Clypeaster scillae DESM. var. geneffensis Helvetian Deposits :
GAUTHIER, Clypeaster aff. geneffensis The Helvetian deposits can be di-
GAUTHIER, Clypeaster (Oxyclypeina) obtusus vided into three layers : the lower, the
 BURDIGALIAN FORMATION IN ADANA BASIN 67

1) Lower Miocene (= Burdigalian) formation

a - Hard, white or yellow-colored, partly porous, fossiliferous limestones
b - Algal limestones
c - Coral, reef-like limestones
d - White or grayish-white colored, fossiliferous (Echinoid) and shaly limestones
e - Light-gray colored marls
2) Gray or bluish-gray colored, Pteropod - bearing marls - lower marls = Lower Helvetian
3) Middle Helvetian formation
f - Buff, yellowish or whitish-colored, rough-surfaced, sandy limestones
g - Buff or yellowish - colored, nodular, rough-surfaced, fossiliferous limestones
h - White or light gray - colored, coarse sandstones
4) Heterostegina and Turritella-bearing gray marls = upper marls - Upper Helvetian
5) Caliche

middle and the upper, which, are in Lithocarpus, Bryozoa; in the Middle Hel-
the order of sequence : 1 - Pteropod - vetian: Heterostegina, Globigerina, Amus-
bearing marls (a - Flaggy marls, b - sium cristatum BRONN mut. badense FON-
bluish marls = soft marls = lower marls = TANNES, Pec ten aff. subarcuatus TOUR-
Lower Helvetian (1000-1400 m. thick); NOUER, Chlamys solarium LAMARCK,
2 - coarse sandstones and limestones = Clypeaster aff. depressus VADASZ, Lunulites.
Middle Helvetian (400-700 m. thick);
and 3 - gray marls with Helero.stegina = In the Upper Helvetian marls the
upper marls = Upper Helvetian (400 - following fossils were found : Astraea
600 m. thick) (fig. 3, 4 - photo 2, 3, 4). (Bolma) rugosa (LINNE), Turrittella (Ar-
chimediella) bicarinata EICHWALD var.
The following fossils have been percingulata ERENTOz, Turritella turris
found in the flaggy marls : Cavolinia BASTEROT var. taurocrassula SAGCO,
audeninoi VINASSA, Vaginella, Cuspidaria, Aponhais uttingerianus (RISSO), Charonia
Lunulites, Amussium sp. and in the soft (Sassia) tarbellianum (GRATELOUP), Murex
marls : Hyalea, Cavolinia audeninoi VINAS- (Alipurpura) delbosianus GRATELOUP, Eut-
SA, Balantium pedemontanum MAYER-EY- ria (Eutria) cornea (LINNE) mut. curvirostris
MAR and Amussium duodecimlamellatum GRATELOUP, Ancilla (Baryspira) glandi-
BRONN. formis LAMARCK, Volutilithes (Athleta)
In the foliated («cartonne») marls ficulina (LAMARCK) var. rarispina LA-
of the Lower Helvetian, we found : MARCK, Drillia (Crassispira) cf. scillae
68 ZATİ TERNEK

BELLARDI, Clavatula (Clavatula} calcarata a) Ostrea-bearing sandstones (500-

(GRATELOUP) var. francisci TOULA, 700 m. thick).
Clavatula (Clavatula) aff. granulato - cincta b) Formations where calcareous
MUNSTER, Clavatula (Perrona) taurinensis layered marls and ' sandstones
(MAYER), Tunis( Tunis) rotata (BROCCHI) , alternate.
Tunis (Tunis)'contigua (BROCCHI), Moni- c) Gray-colored marls, sandstones,
liopsis (Bathytoma) cataphracta (BROCCHI), and sandy marl alternation.
Conus (Dendroconus} betulionides LAMARCK,
Conus (Chelyconus) aff. pyruloides BROCCHI, The Ostrea level of (a) is known
Conus (Conospirus) dujardini DESHAYES, as the «Second Ostrea Zone».
Conus (Conospirus) ante diluvi anus (BRU- In these sandstones the following
GUIERE) var. taurocatenatoides SACCO, fossils were found : Ostrea crassissima
Conus (Lithoconus) antiquus LAMARCK, LAMARCK, Ostrea edulis var. lamellosa
Dentalium inaequale BRONN, Dentalium sp. BROCCHI, Lutraria (Psammophila) oblonga
CHEMNITZ, Turritella (Haustator) tripli-
cata BROCCHI aff. var. depressiplicata
SACCO, Pleurotoma cf. calcarata LAMARCK,
Terebralia bidentata var. cingulatior SACCO,
Terebralia lignitamm EICHWALD, Conus
(Dendroconus) berghausi MICHELOTTI.
In the formations' with calcareous
layered marls and sandstones we have
found these fossils : Pecten aduncus
EICHWALD, Pecten praebenedictus TOUR-
NOUER, Linga columbella LAMARCK, Co-
dakia aff. lennina BASTEROT, Cardium aff.
turonicum MAYER, Thracia cf. pubescens
PULTEXEY, Turritella (Archimediella)
cf. bicarinata EICHWALD.
The Middle Miocene formations
cover mostly the area of the Taurus
Mountain Range, where it is gradually
1) White, light-gray, buff - colored, fine crystalline,
sloping towards the Adana plain in a
jointed, sublithographic limestones (Cretaceous)
2) Eruptive rocks and serpentines series of hills. These formations are
3) Conglomerates, limestones, shaly limestones and seldom encountered in the Misis
shales (Lower Miocene = Burdigalian) Mountain Range.
4) Pteropod - bearing shales - lower shales = (Lower
Helvetian) i - Pliocene
5) Coarse sandstones and limestones (Middle Helvetian)
This formation begins with conglo-
6) Gray shales containing Heterostegina and Turritella
— upper shales = (Upper Helvetian) merate beds. Further up come anhyd-
rites, sandstones with pink or brown
There is a slight discordance bet- surfaces, and layers of limestones, peb-
ween the Helvetian and Burdigalian bles and marls. The total thickness is
formations. 700-800 meters.
Tortonian Deposits : j - Qu a t e r n a r y
The Tortonian deposits can be di- The Quaternary consists of caliches
vided as follows : and alluvium.
 BURDIGALIAN FORMATION IN ADANA BASIN 69

have been eroded and appear on the

surface (photo 1), but generally they
follow the b u r i e d h i l l s a n d rid-
g e s covered by the recent Tertiary.
These older formations present a dis-
cordance both at the contacts between
themselves and at their contacts with
the Lower Miocene (fig. 5).
Besides the dicordance of the Lower
Miocene formations with the older for-
mations, the Lower Miocene, in certain
localities, begins with thick basal con-
glomerates, which may be — as for in-
stance in the vicinity of the Gülek Bo-
ğazı — some 350 meters thick. On the
other hand, the contact may be direct,
II - OLDER FORMATIONS IN CONTACT as observed in several parts of the Cre-
WITH THE LOWER MIOCENE taceous limestones.
The older formations are the Pa-
Ill - EXTENSION OF THE LOWER MIO-
leozoic limestone and schist formations, CENE DEPOSITS IN THE ADANA
the Cretaceous limestone and flysch BASIN
formations, the calcareous, conglomera-
The formations, occupying the bor-
tic and marly formations of the Paleo-
der-line of the basin, extend along the
cene and Eocene, and, finally, the
Taurus Mountain Range from Karsantı
marly, sandstone, calcareous and mostly
to the north of Mersin and from there
conglomeratic formations of the Oligo-
towards Silifke. These formations are
cene. Sometimes the Lower Miocene
generally forming rather gentle folds
formations are also in contact with
which plunge towards the plain; they
serpentines (fig. 4a; photo 5).
cannot be clearly seen from the Misis
Some of the above formations, es- Mountains. These formations are appa-
pecially the Paleozoic, Cretaceous and rent, however, towards southwest where
partly the Paleocene- Eocene formations, they reach the Göksu-Mut Basin. These
70 ZATİ TERNEK

1) Hard, grayish-white, dense, partly recrystallized limestones (Cret.?]

2) Serpentine
3) Conglomerate
4) On the surface dark - red or brown - colored, hard, dense, partly massive, algal and reef - like limestones
5) Hard, loose, fine crystalline limestones with Lithothamnium
6} White or grayish-white colored marly limestones
7) Greenish, bluish-colored, hard limestones in the lower part, yellow and fossiliferous limestones toward the top
8) Light - gray, partly conchoidal marls
9) Yellowish-white, hard, partly porous, seldom fossiliferous limestones

two basins are connected by the green- limestones are in the form of banks.
stones and serpentines of the Mersin - Their structure is often cavernous and
Silifke regions (pl. I, II). porous; sandy parts are also observed.
These hard limestones display lateral
IV - CHARACTERISTICS OF THE LOWER facies transitions (fig. 7) in the form of
MIOCENE FORMATIONS marls and marly limestones; sometimes
The Lower Miocene is transgressive a vertical change is also observed (fig.
and consists of conglomerates, marly 7a, 7b; photo 6).
limestones, sandy limestones, marls and Let us study the Lower Miocene of
limestones. Between the various layers the Adana Basin in various places, start-
of the Lower Miocene there are lateral ing from the northeast to the south-
transitions from one layer to another west (i. e. from Karsantı towards Mer-
(fig. 3, 6). In some places the limesto- sin) (pl. I).
nes are of the reef-complex character
(pl. III) and it can be said that prac-
tically all of the layers contain fossils.
Despite the fact that the conglo-
merates of the Lower Miocene are basal
conglomerates, they are not observed
everywhere in this basin. Their maxi-
mum thickness is 350 meters; however,
in many places, between the Lower
Miocene and the older formations, they
are lenticular. In some places they are
missing.
The hard limestones are white,
creamy or yellowish in color and usually
constitute thick beds. Sometimes these
 BURDIGALIAN FORMATION IN ADANA BASIN 71

Lower Miocene age. Further upward,

also discordantly, come Helvetian con-
glomerates and sandstones.

b - L o w e r M i o c e n e in the
v i c i n i t y of Egnar
The Lower Miocene formations in
this locality, situated some 20 km. SW
of Akdam, consist (from bottom to the
top) of gray - colored marls overlain by
algal and marly limestones; above these
lie discordantly the bluish - gray, hard
shales (Lower Helvetian). The latter are
covered by sandstones (Middle Helve-
tian) alternating with thin-bedded marls.
Here the Lower Miocene is greatly
faulted and fragmented (pl. IV, IVa).

c - Lower Miocene Forma-

t i o n s n o r t h o f t h e Ha-
cıkırı Station
In this region the Lower Miocene
overlies discordantly in some places the
Paleozoic formations and in other

a - L o w e r M i o c e n e in t h e
v i c i n i t y of A k d a m , NW
of K o z a n
Here, the Lower Miocene, resting
on the basal conglomerates, overlies dis-
cordantly the Paleozoic formations. Abo-
ve these conglomerates, from bottom
upward, follow marls and limestones of
72 ZATİ TERNEK

places the Upper Cretaceous limestones. overlying these conglomerates — Burdi-

The succession of the layers is as follows: galian marls and limestones. Here and
Burdigalian, basal conglomerates, and— there can be seen marly limestones.
BURDIGALIAN FORMATION IN ADANA BASIN 73

d - L o w e r M i o c e n e in the
neighbourhood of the
Gülek Boğazı
Here the Lower Miocene beds
overlie discordantly the Oligocene lime-
stones containing marly and sandy
layers. These layers vary between 1 m.
to 40 m. in thickness; they are fossil-
bearing layers and can be shortly descri-
bed as follows (from bottom to the top) :
buff-colored limestones, brown limesto-
nes, whitish limestones, conglomeratic
sandstones, hard, nodular limestones,
gray, sandy limestones, sandy marls,
greyish, yellowish, hard marly limesto-
nes, algal and coral - bearing limestones,
marly limestones and hard, white lime-
stones.

e - Lower Miocene F o r m a -
t i o n s in the n o r h t w e s t
of M e r s i n - T a r s u s
Here also the Lower Miocene for-
mations lie discordantly either on the
Mesozoic rocks or on the serpentines
(pl. III; photos 1, 5). However, it cannot
be said that there are Miocene basal
conglomerates everywhere in the neigh-
bourhood. Overlying the conglomerates
are hard, porous, light-gray, buff-col-
ored, yellowish, sandy or cavernous li-
mestones; sometimes these are also over-
lain by marly limestones or marls.
Between these hard limestones, sandy
limestones, marly limestones, and marls
there are characteristic lateral transi-
tions and vertical facies changes.
However, in some places of this re-
gion —between Seydişık and Çopurlu
villages, at Turunçlu— practically none
of the above formations of the Lower
Miocene can be found (pl. II, fig. 8).
These formations show some other
typical characteristics : in some places
the limestones do not display any ap-
parent stratification, or they are entirely
74 ZATİ TERNEK

massive and are of reef cores or bio- V - YOUNGER FORMATIONS IN CONTACT

herm character, by their color, faunal WITH THE LOWER MIOCENE
association, hardness and texture. In There are Pterepoda-bearing marls
these reef-cores, the coral colonies and and the Lower Helvetian marls overly-
abundant algae are present. It has been ing the Lower Miocene deposits almost
observed., in tliese reef- cores, that some everywhere in the Adana Basin (fig.
large or small hills are entirely formed 2, 9): However, at certain places — al-
by masses of ball-shaped algal nodules though rarely — some Tortonian sand-
of various sizes. These reef - cores have stones overlying directly these deposits
been mostly seen near the Lower Mi- have been observed.
ocene, Middle Miocene boundaries (pl. Of the younger formations, with
III). which the Lower Miocene formations

From the geologic evidence obser- are in contact in the western parts of
ved by us, it can be assumed that to- the basin, we may mention the Quater-
wards the south of the basin, in the area nary caliches.
covered by the Lower Miocene and the
Besides these, in certain parts of
Middle Miocene formations, there exists
the Seyhan and Ceyhan river-beds, we
a reef - line, transgressive in character,
can see, as younger formations, the
and consisting of a succession of reef-
Quaternary terraces, which overlie the
cores connected to one another as in a
Lower Miocene.
string of beads. Furthermore, based on
the data made available from the wells
VOLCANISM
drilled in the Adana Basin, it is un-
derstood that the Lower Miocene lime- There is little evidence of volcanic
stones, which show vertical and horizon- activity in the Adana Basin. The for-
tal facies changes, turn into sandy marls mation of serpentines, observed in the
or entirely into shales, towards the northwest and in the southeast of the
middle of the basin. basin (Misis Mountain Range), has ta-
BURDIGALIAN FORMATION IN ADANA BASIN 75

ken place during the Mesozoic and

particularly during the Cretaceous (fig.
10). These serpentines are sometimes
found associated with diorites and ra-
diolarites.
There has been a period of volca-
nic tranquility between the Paleocene
and Middle Miocene. A white-colored,
thick tuff bed series, containing very
few diatomites, is observed between the
Tortonian beds. After the Tortonian
no volcanic activity has taken place in
this area.
PALEOGEOGRAPHY AND TECTONICS
The Adana Basin was covered by
a rather deep sea during the Paleozoic.
The deposits of this sea, in which some
Fusulinidae have been found, have been
subjected to folding by the Hercynian
movements (probably «Pfalzian» phase).
Thus the core of the Ashabi-Kehif
— with the related Paleozoic hill
chains — and of the Misis Mountains
has been formed.
The Triassic and Jurassic seas in
the Adana Basin have left deposits, a
major part of which has been eroded.
Later on, the basin was covered by the
sub-continental Cretaceous sea. Starting
from the Middle Cretaceous until the
end of this epoch, volcanic activities
have taken place; towards the end of
the Cretaceous the sea became deeper
and very favorable for organic life.
The oscillatory movements of the sea
formed series of flysch-like deposits;
finally these deposits were folded during
the Laramian folding period. The trans-
gressive Paleocene sea left deposits which
lie in discordance with the Cretaceous.
Following this, the Eocene deposits ha-
ve taken place, which were folded du-
ring the Pyrenean folding period, but
have been eroded later on.
The culmination which has divided
the basin into small areas, the core of
76 ZATİ TERNEK

which was originated by the Hersinian At the beginning of the Helvetian,

folding, became a well-formed cordillera the sea" made a sudden transgression:
during the Eocene. Thus, the Paleozoic later on there were oscillatory move-
Ashabı - Kehif hills have made another ments at the bottom of the sea. In the
division in the west of the Mersin dis- middle of the Helvetian, the depth of
trict. During the Oligocene, lacustrine, this sea decreased, and towards the
lagunary and estuarine conditions most- end of the Helvetian it increased once
ly prevailed. During the Oligocene im- more.
portant erosion processes have taken
place. The Tortonian sediments too are
At the beginning of the Burdigalian the deposits of a transgressive sea. The
there happened a major transgression, sea underwent also oscillatory move-
at the end of which folding — corres- ments and towards the end it regressed,
ponding to the Styrian folding —took as a result of which brackish and lagu-
place and the sea regressed. The Bur- nary formations have been deposited.
digalian sea was favorable for the living At the beginning of the Pliocene,
of organisms, particularly of Corals, lacustrine and lagunary conditions pre-
Algae and Bryozoa, and for the for- vailed, whereas during the Quaternary
mation of reefs. conditions started to prevail,
 BURDIGALIAN FORMATION IN ADANA BASIN 77

and the epirogenic movements conti- the south; however, a NE-SW plunge,
nued. or from the east to the west, is often
In the region, the direction of the observed. The lengths of these anticlines
Paleozoic beds is most frequently N - S and synclines vary between 2 and
and the general direction is NE-SW. 28 km. (mostly 8-10 km.) and their
The Mesozoic strata have practically width is 2-5 km. The southern flanks
the same direction. Later on, the Al- of many of the anticlines are steep.
pine movements have affected more
or less, these directions. The direction The pressure from the SE and NW
of the folding of the Tertiary .strata is has resulted in folds, generally SW-NE
NE-SW, in general; however, the ENE - in direction. The crevices, joints and
WSW and rarely the E-W directions faults, which originated during the
also occur. The movements, which took folding, are rather large and numerous
place during the Tertiary, in particular in the formations older than the Lower
during the end of the Burdigalian, have Miocene (as, for instance, the Gülek
raised the basin, and especially the Boğazı fault) (fig. 11, 12).
Taurus Mountains raised as a.block. The lateral pressure greatly affected
The Miocene strata are uniform in the area west of the line, passing
folding; there are continuous or discon- through Mersin in a NE-SW direction,
tinuous anticlines and synclines, but and the forces were rejuvenated. The fol-
they are not very typical. The Miocene ding movements, west of this line, have
strata descend from the Taurus Moun- been stronger; going towards the center
tains to the Mediterranean Sea topo- of the basin, from this line and from
graphically and tectonically in a series the Misis Mountain Range, we can
of steps, by forming wide and mostly expect to see milder and wider folds,
asymmetrical anticlines and synclines. with fewer joints and faults (in the
These are generally homoclinal folds; Miocene strata). In the Miocene form-
there are also many anticlines which ation the thickness of the faults varies
form terraces. The anticlines and syn- between 10 to 15 m. and sometimes it
clines are plunging from the north to attains some 100-150 m.
78 ZATİ TERNEK

OIL POSSIBILITIES OF THE ADANA BASIN resemblance between these limestones

AND THE IMPORTANCE OF THE LOWER and the Asmari limestones of Iran.
MIOCENE FORMATIONS
Some of the horizons of the Burdi-
In the first place let us see the galian formation — especially in places
oil seepages of the basin. where lateral transition from limestones
At Fındıkpınarı, Mersin, there exists to finer-textured sediments are obser-
in the Permo - Carboniferous limestones ved— contain abundant accumulations
some distilled liquid oil in the form of fossils, Algae and Corals. During the
of bubbles; when broken, these lime- formation of these limestones, fossil
stones emit bituminous odor. accumulations, bioherms and reefs origi-
nated at the levels with a favorable
There exist also asphalt traces in
basement. The cores of these bioherms
the Paleozoic formations, in the vicinity
and reefs follow, more or less, the di-
of Kozan. An asphalt seepage is also
rection of the buried hills and ridges.
observed in the Burdigalian limestones
in the Miocene series, at the Çukur It is in the vicinity of these bioherms
Çömlek village. There is a bituminous and reefs that the most favorable con-
impregnation, coming from a fault, in ditions for the formation of oil prevail.
the flyschy Helvetian series, near To- Because of these reasons the impor-
pallı, and a gas seepage in the Helve- tance of the Burdigalian limestones as
tian shales, near a fault, at the AH a source-rock is very great.
Hocalı.

Reservoir Rocks
Source-rocks
The Burdigalian limestones, being
The parts of the Permo - Carboni- in places of reef-complex type and hav-
ferous limestones, which have not un- ing porous and sandy parts, display ex-
dergone much metamorphism, have not cellent characteristics of reservoir rock.
lost their characteristics of source-rock. In addition, Helvetian sandstones and
The importance of the Paleozoic is limestones, as well as Tortonian sand-
somewhat lessened by the presence of stones, may also represent perfect reser-
a hiatus which occurred in many places voir rocks.
after the Paleozoic. The Cretaceous
and especially the Upper Cretaceous
Cover-Rocks
formations with abundant fossil-horizons
display only in a feeble way the fea- The marls of the Lower Helvetian
tures of a source-rock. and Upper Helvetian possess excellent
characteristics of cover - rock.
Burdigalian Limestones
Structures
These limestones possess the most
characteristic features of source-rock. Among the structures present in the
The fact that many horizons of these Adana Basin the following can be men-
formations are rich in fossils, the trans- tioned : the Ali Hocalı-Dağcı, Çotlu-
gressive reef- complex characteristics Misis, Dikili, (Çatalan, Sevinçli,
observed in places, and particularly the and Adana structures and some ten
existence of some reef- cores and bio- structures of secondary importance in
herms, are strong arguments for the the vicinity of Mersin.
 BURDIGALIAN FORMATION IN ADANA BASIN 79

Some f o r m a t i o n s i n t h e CONCLUSIONS
A d a n a Basin favorable We have tried in this article to
f o r oil a c c u m u l a t i o n point out the main characteristics of the
The following formations are favor- Burdigalian formations.
able for oil accumulation : The important points to bear in
mind in connection with the oil research
1 — Reef-complex formations, in the Adana Basin are as follows :
2 — Terrace formations, 1 — A search for reef-complex in
3 — Vicinity of the buried hills the entire basin must be conducted,
and ridges, 2 — The subsurface positions of the
reefs should be studied,
4 — Places, where Burdigaliari li- 3 — Drilling for oil must be con-
mestones have been faulted and traps ducted on the reefs, some 10-15 km.
have been formed by the marls overlying south of the existing southern bound-
these faults, aries of the Lower Miocene,
4 — Drilling operations must be
5 — Facies changes: - At the places
conducted not far from the probable
where -Burdigalian formations have sites of buried hills and ridges,
formed lateral passages. The possibility 5 — Drilling operations must be
finding oil at the lateral passages in the carried out not in the center, but near
of Middle Miocene is also very strong. the periphery of the basin.

R E F E R E N C E S

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tolie. Bull, of the M. T. A. No. 4/2, 1939.

LEVORSEN, A. I. : Geology of Petroleum. San Francisco, 1954.

EGERAN, N. : Geological characteristics and oil possibilities of the Adana Basin. Bull, of the
M. T. A. M. 39, Ankara, 1949.
ERENTÖZ, C. : Geologie detaillee de la structure petrolifere de Kışla Köy (İskenderun - Hatay).
Bull, of the M. T. 'A. No. 46/47, Ankara, 1954-1955.

LEROY, J. W. : Subsurface Geologic Methods (As symposium). Colorado School of Mines Department
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BLUMENTHAL, M, M. : Un apergu de la geologie du Taurus dans les Vilayet de Niğde et

d'Adana. «Metea», Serie B: Memoires, No. 6, Ankara, 1941.
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