Transition from Paleotethys to Neotethys as a forgotten input for Vardar paleo‑oceanic studies: Differences between the early Alpine, Early Cimmerian (Middle–Late Triassic) and ”Neocimmerian” (latest Jurassic) deformation stages („weak accretion”)

Abstract

An analysis of the extensive geoscientific legacy of the late Professors Milorad Dimitrijević (“Kvaks”) and Stevan Karamata, a century after their birth, shows that both authors published numerous studies on the Neo‐Tethys, primarily focused on the Mesozoic Vardar Ocean. The term “Vardar Ocean”, in its modern sense, was introduced by Prof. Dimitrijević, whose work also addressed the geology of western Serbia and the Inner Dinaride Ophiolite Belt. Similarly, Prof. Stevan Karamata concentrated on the westernmost and central parts of the Vardar Zone (East Vardar Zone). Despite their detailed investigations of the exposed ophiolite belts across the western Balkan Peninsula, both authors made only a few, though highly significant, observations regarding the largely overlooked western Paleotethys Ocean, interpreted as a precursor oceanic domain. Despite these contributions, the role of the Paleotethys Ocean in the evolution of the Neotethys Vardar Ocean remains poorly understood. Terms such as “Early Cimmerian” (a post‐Variscan suturing event related to Paleotethys closure) and “Neocimmerian” (a suturing event related to the Neotethys and Innerdinaric oceans) have been omitted from many published studies. Importantly, both the Early Cimmerian and Neocimmerian events are characterized by weak accretion or “docking”. By examining the role of the Paleotethys Ocean, and whether its subduction and closure influenced the opening and development of the Neotethys Vardar Ocean, this study provides an initial insight into the overlapping early Alpine and Eocimmerian tectonic stages.