Geology of the Caucasus: A Review

The Caucasus region's geological structure and history are shaped by its position between the converging Eurasian and Africa-Arabian plates, marked by continental collision. This study reveals that the region transitioned from a Tethys Ocean margin with island arcs and rifts to a complex orogenic system. Key findings include the separation of Caucasian terranes from western Gondwana during the Early Palaeozoic due to back-arc rifting, followed by the formation of the Palaeotethys Ocean. The study also highlights the inheritance of the Mesozoic Tethys from the Palaeotethys and the role of the Arabian block in shaping tectonic deformations. The research integrates geological evidence to trace the region's evolution from pre-collisional stages to its current intracontinental mountainous edifice, emphasizing the influence of plate interactions on its geological history.

ADAMIA, S., ZAKARIADZE, G., CHKHOTUA, T., SADRADZE, N., TSERETELI, N., CHABUKIANI, A., & GVENTSADZE, A. (2011). Geology of the Caucasus: A Review. Turkish Journal of Earth Sciences. LOCKSS. https://doi.org/10.3906/yer-1005-11