The Plio-Quaternary stratigraphy in the Eastern Alboran Sea

Juan, Carmen ... et. al. -- 86° Congresso Società Geologica Italiana 18-20 Settembre 2012, Arcavacata di Rende (CS). -- 2 páginas, 1 figura, 1 tabla.

The Alboran Sea is a Neogene extensional basin developed in a convergence tectonic setting that generates a complex physiography. The SW-NE-trending Alboran Ridge separates three main basins, Western, Eastern and Southern. The filling of the Alboran Basin is composed of Early Miocene to Quaternary deposits (CAMPILLO et alii, 1992). The Plio-Quaternary deposits lies over a strongly erosive surface (the Messininan surface -M reflector-) with three major types of features: the Zanclean Channel, several terraces, and canyons (ESTRADA et alii, 2011). The Plio-Quaternary sedimentary evolution has been controlled mainly by the interplay of tectonics, sea-level changes, and a complex ocean circulation (ERCILLA et alii, 1994). Most of the geological studies done since the 80’s in the Alboran Sea suggested that downslope processes were dominant, (ERCILLA et alii, 1992). Locally, contourite features had been defined in the westernmost slope of the Moroccan margin (ERCILLA et alii, 2002). Critical reviews of the available seismic records and of our previous literature allowed us re-nterpreting themorphosedimentary features that characterize the Alboran Sea. We propose the dominance of alongslope processes in the Alboran Sea, that are locally modified by the downslope processes at the margins, submarine fans, and walls of the Alboran Ridge and seamounts.

This work has been developed thanks to the CONTOURIBER (REF. CTM2005-08071-C03-02/MAR) and MONTERA (REF. CTM-14157-C02-02/MAR) projects, and Action Marges Program.

Peer reviewed