Occurrence of clastic injectites in the Oligocene strata of the Carpathians and their significance in unravelling the Paleogene and Neogene evolution of the Carpathian orogeny (Poland, Ukraine and Romania)

The irregular distribution of sand injections, traditionally termed “dykes” in the Polish geological literature, within individual Carpathian units and within individual lithofacies were observed during long-lasting field works. Injectites have been observed in the Magura Beds and in the Inoceramian Beds of the Polish and Romanian Carpathians, and in the Central Carpathian Paleogene deposits. However, they are most common in the Oligocene-Miocene Menilite Beds, where they are typical and abundant, particularly in the Skole Unit. Two clastic injectite types were distinguished: sedimentary (S-type) and tectonized (T-type). Based on the occurrence and interpretation of these injectites a new two-stage conceptual model is proposed for the Polish segment of the progressive Oligocene-Miocene Carpathian orogenic belt evolution. Type S clastic injectites are interpreted as having formed in the compressional stage, during foredeep basin migration while depositional slope changes were taking place in the Late Oligocene to Early Miocene. Type T injectites are interpreted as having formed by reactivation of S-type injectites in the last, mainly strike-slip, phases of Carpathian orogenic belt formation.