"History and current state of marine geology research in Albania" by Sokol Marku Albanian Geological Survey

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1 "History and current state of marine geology research in Albania" by Sokol Marku Albanian Geological Survey

2 Geographic position Albania Albania, is a country in Southeastern Europe (Balcan Peninsula). It spans 28,748 square kilometres and had a total population of about 3 million people. Albania s capital is Tirana

3 Geographic position Albania Albania, has a favorable geographic position. Much of the country is mountainous but its coast touches the Adriatic Sea to the west and the Ionian Sea to the southwest Albania is less than 72 km away (45 mi) from Italy across the Strait of Otranto, which connects the Adriatic to the Ionian

4 Shortly on Geology of Albania First information regarding Geological setting of Albania, come from the end of XIX century, from foreign explorers, mainly French or Austro Hungarian. Franz Baron Von Nopsca published the first geological Map of Northern Albania in the beginning of 20 th century. In March 1922 was founded the first governmental institution, called Geological Office, which was headed by Dr. Ernst Nowack, who in 1929 published the first Geological Map of Albania in scale 1: , and an explanatory text in German language. After re foundation of Albanian Geological Survey in 1952 improved versions of Geological Map in 1: was published in continuity in 1953, 1967, 1983 and finally in Every map presents the progress of scientific concepts in the time of publication Dr. Ernst Nowack Geological Map of Albania in scale 1: Salzburg 1929

5 Geological setting of Albania Geological Map of Albania in scale 1: The geological ensemble of Albania is called Albanide. Albanides constructing the central part of Dinarides s.l. (Suess,1883) are followed nothward by Dinarides s.s and southward by Helenides. Tectonic units are divided in Inner and Outer units. The oldest formations in Albanides belong to Ordovician, Silurian and Devonian age. A significant spreading has the magmatic formations concentrated the inner tectonic unit called Mirdita Zone Tectonic scheme of Albaniades

6 Marine Research in Albania The earlier research in marine area of Albania was performed during 1909, by Austro Hungarian researcher on the board of research vessel Naiade The only data we have from that expedition is the participation on research team of Dr. Ernst Nowack, which mean that also geological surveys was performed during this expedition. The expedition covered whole Adriatic Sea Area Institute of Hidro meteorology in Academy of Sciences of Albania leads in 1960 and 1962 two expedition in South Adriatic Basin. The researchers group was leaded by the hydrologist Prof. Dr. Niko Pano. The goals was to make evaluation quality of sea waters, measurement on sea currents, bathymetry and biological observations. The ship used in second expedition, called the modern expedition was the 500 tons mercantile vessel Dajti. That has a iron body, more appropriate for the measurements meantime in first expedition the ship used (unknown name) was woody constructed. Area of coverage was the entire basin of South Adriatic basin excluding national seas of Italy and Yugoslavia Niko Pano

7 Research in Marine Geology Those began since the late 70 th with an experimental seismic profiling from Institute of Petrol and Gas The goal was to clarify the continuity of outer zones of Albanides in seaward direction. Research team has in disposal a vessel of 34 meters, constructed in naval shipyard of Durrës named Naftëtari. In this shipyard, in , was realized also an experimental bathyscaph, to be used in marine research, but this machine remain in experimental state, and was abandoned in 1989 After political changes in 1990 the research performed by IPG was abandoned, but several foreign companies continues the recognition exploring in Albanian sea area and realized a number of seismic profiles from north to south

8 Research in Marine Geology Some political wrong decisions lead in 1992 to the transformation of Albanian Geological Survey into a limitated company That decision was rejected in 1998 with the reforming of AGS. Since that moment to AGS was recognize the role of scientific and technical adviser of government in field of geosciences. According to this began the periodical monitoring of coastline behavior. During that time specialists of AGS was part of Italian Albanian expedition in board of research Vessel Universitatis performed in framework of Interreg III during in Vlora Gulf

9 Organization of Marine Geology Directorate in AGS Since 2014 AGS pay a special attention to the Marine Geology. This was concretize with the foundation of Marine geology Directorate. The Directorate is organized in two branch, Sector for Marine Dynamic and Sector for Continental Shelf, The Directorate has the task to building marine geology maps, studying the lithologic composition of the seabed substrate and sea floor, bathymetric changes and morphology of the seabed, identification of natural resources in the marine and coastal areas also to study subordinate ecosystems, monitoring the behavior of the coastline, contributes to geo engineering works, archaeological research, etc. The Directorate is completed with a staff of engineers, and is slowly going to be equipped with boats, measuring equipments for specific study purposes. Since the beginning of this activity directorate was involved in the international project EMODnet, part of the European Horizon 2020 program.

10 Organization of Marine Geology Directorate in AGS For monitoring of coast behavior we have build a system of 36 geodetically fixed points along the coastline during , and will use them as constant point of monitoring During a generalized map of for marine area of Ionian Sea was completed, based on archival data combined with new observations. This study will be realized now for Adriatic sea. The project begin this year. New projects are proposed to be performed regarding the protection of coast by erosion, evaluation of hydrocarbon potential etc. By our results, now we have began to publish and paper with problems of coastline behavior and coast classification Our staff need to be professionally trained in equipments and methodologies used in marine research, and this actual training is a appreciated help for this purpose. We hope that Turkish help will be permanent and will be concretized in the future also in join projects for the maritime area of Albania

11 Organization of Marine Geology Directorate in AGS

12 Organization of Marine Geology Directorate in AGS

13 Organization of Marine Geology Directorate in AGS

14 Organization of Marine Geology Directorate in AGS

15 Organization of Marine Geology Directorate in AGS

16 Organization of Marine Geology Directorate in AGS

17 Organization of Marine Geology Directorate in AGS

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21 Thank You for your attention