Up-to-date Spanish continental Neogene synthesis and paleoclimatic interpretation

Carlos.Santisteban@uv.es

A sinthesis of the Spanish continental Neogene is presented by designing an integrated correlative chart of the Neogene successions of the Iberian Peninsula. Nine main sedimentary breaks have been distinguished in most of the basins. They are considered a valuable criteria for correlation as they occur in similar time intervals fron basin to basin. The determined sedimentary breaks occur in the Agenian, Ramblian, Middle Aragonian, Late Aragonian, Late Vallesian, Middel Turolian, Late Tourolian, Late Ruscinian-Early Villafranchian, and Villafranchian ages. The larger interior basins (Ebro, Tajo, Duero) show a fairly complete Neogene sedimentary record in wich the above mentioned sedimentary breaks are usually well recognized. A good correlation may be establishe from basin to basin. Likewise, there is a fairly godd correlation among the Upper Miocene-Pliocene sedimentary record of basins spreading out in Levante and southeastern Spain. However, the correlation is not as clear in those basins located within the Iberian and Catalan Coastal Ranges, wich usually do not show a similar sedimentary events from currently accepted Cenozoic Cycle Charts allows recognition of chronological coincidences, especially with regard to the age of seven major sedimentary ruptures (those developed at about 24.5 Ma, 22 Ma, 16 Ma, 13.5 Ma, 9.5 Ma, 5.5 Ma, 3.3 Ma). Evolutionary sedimentary trends in both offshore Mediterranean areas and inland peripheral zones of the Iberian Peninsula show also striking coincidences regarding the chronology of major sedimentary breaks observed in continental succesions. Paleoclimatic curves for the Spanish continental Neogene display four relative temperature peaks indicative of warm climatic conditions (Late Ramblian, Early- Middle Aragonian, Vallesian-Turolian,and Late Villafranchian) as well as five relatively dry periods (Early Ramblian, Middle-Late Aragonian, Middle Turolian, Late Ruscinian, and Middle Villafranchian ages).