Geological-structural framework of the Greater Caucasus along the Georgian Military Road

Abstract

In the article is presented description of the more than 100 km length along the Georgian Military Road geological-structural cross section crossing the folded system of the Greater Caucasus. Given characteristics of the complicated fold-fault structure for all the tectonic zones of the Greater Caucasus by separate parts of the Georgian Military Road, allowing to receive notion about inner building of the region. Outlined short description of axial-plane cleavage crossing the folded structures of the Jurassic and Cretaceous formations. Discussed diabase dykes cutting the folded zones of the Main Rainge of the Greater Caucasus and delivered the idea of their origin during the Late Miocene-Early Pliocene time. Clarified that the Gveleti and the Dariali granitoid massives are in the secondary allochthonous position. They are fragments of rocks detached from Old Paleozoic Massif. Their recent position caused by subvertical protrusion and penetration into covering Upper Paleozoic and Lower Jurassic formations. It took place in conditions of intense tangential compression of the Greater Caucasus, during the Rhodanian and following phases of folding.