Mesozoic and Cenozoic Sediments in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Mesozoic Sediments in the Dinarides

Mesozoic sediments in the outer Dinarides are classic carbonate sediments, while the central and inner Dinarides have volcano-sedimentary and flysch sediments.

Triassic Period

The Triassic sediments spread over the Vrnograč and Bosanski Novi band over western Bosnia, north and northeast Herzegovina, and southeast Bosnia. The second broader band goes from Vareš over Olovo, Glasnica, and Romanija to Višegrad.

Jurassic Period

The Jurassic period sediments occupy the largest part of the outer Dinaric zone, where it is mostly developed in the limestone-dolomite facies. It is located in the area of Bihać to Gacko and Trebinje. The Jurassic age volcano sediment formations are also found in the central zone from Kozara through central Bosnia to Drina.

Cretaceous Period

The Cretaceous deposits are widespread in the wider or narrower bands from the border with Montenegro to Bosnian Grahovo, Bihać, and Bosanska Krupa in the northwest, and in the interior between Jajce, Banja Luka, and mountains Ranča and Vlašić.

Cenozoic Sediments in Bosnia and Herzegovina

The beginning of the sedimentation of this epoch started 70 million years ago and continues to this day. The Quaternary is present in the geological structure of the Dinarides in the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The youngest era in the evolution of Earth's crust is the Cenozoic, which is present on the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is divided into three major periods: the Paleogene, Neogene, and Quaternary, while the Quaternary is divided into Pleistocene and Holocene.

Paleogene and Neogene Periods

Deposits are developed on the peripheral northeastern and northern parts, and on the southern and southwestern parts of the country. Igneous rocks are represented in these sedimentations, especially coal deposits. In addition, beside Neocene limestone and classic deposits, freshwater sediments are present, of which the largest one is the Sarajevo-Zenica coal basin.

Quaternary Period

The youngest Pliocene and Quaternary deposits are widespread, in almost all basins and valleys. Special are the Holocene deposits represented by pebbles, sand, loam and clay, and limestone and cave deposits.