Discriminant Function Analysis of Miocene Volcaniclastic Rocks from North-Western Croatia Based on Geochemical Data

Abstract

Preliminary results of discriminant function analysis of geochemical data of Miocene volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks revealed that it is possible to distinguish rocks of different ages, namely Egerian - Eggenburgian, Karpatian and Badenian. On the basis of calculated coefficients of classification functions, presented in the paper, it is possible to indicate the age of Miocene volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks if their trace element content is known. The analysis also showed that, especially in the case of volcaniclastic rocks, the mineral and petrological composition of the rocks should also be considered. Most of the investigated volcaniclastic rocks from the Moždenec and Kalnik areas, the age of which was unknown, are, according to discriminant function analysis, of Egerian - Eggenburgian age.