Flexural interaction and the dynamics of neogene extensional Basin formation in the Alboran-Betic region

Quantitative tectonic modelling demonstrates an interaction of flexure of the lithosphere underlying the western Betics with crustal thinning in the Alboran Basin and flank uplift in the Internal Zone. In the eastern Betics the flexural response is overprinted by post-thrusting extensional events. Lateral variations in thermal structure and rheology of the lithosphere along strike of the Betics shed light on changes in tectonic configuration and are consistent with evidence for lateral variations in the mode of extension in the Alboran Basin. Flexural modelling and subsidence analysis of Neogene basins in the Internal Zone of the Betics, with spatial development controlled by contrasts in lithosphere rheology, demonstrate that at least two extensional events have affected the orogenic evolution of the Betics. The first event appears to reflect Oligocene-Early Miocene rifting observed throughout the Western Mediterranean. The second phase, which caused the present configuration of the Betics, corresponds to Tortonian-Recent extension centered in the Alboran Basin.     

Sandy-gravelly mass-flow deposits in an ice-marginal lake (Saalian,Leuvenumsche Beek Valley,Veluwe, the Netherlands), with emphasis on plug-flow deposits

In three pits in the Leuvenumsche Beek Valley (near Ermelo and Elspeet), massive and diffusely banded clean gravelly sands, found in association with sandy sediments showing some similarities to the Bouma sequence, were interpreted as originating from sediment gravity flows. The flows, which came to rest on a ca. 6° paleoslope, probably originated from slumping of parts of the ice-pushed ridges at either side of an ice-marginal lake.Major characteristic features in the three sand pits studied are U-shaped channel forms with a maximum depth and width of 10 × 25 rmm. The fills consist of sand and gravels, locally containing giant sand-clasts. The sediments just below the base of these channel-forms are commonly distorted and folded. Especially the massive more sandy fills are surrounded by a finer-grained diffusely bedded and inversely graded zone.These sedimentary features suggest that “rigid” sediment plugs sheared downslope, generating a finer-grained shear zone around the plug scouring a slide scar till its present semi-cylindrical form and preserving the steep sides (exceeding the angle of repose) of the channel-form by “freezing”.The U-shaped channel forms (plugged troughs) are locally overlain by shallower gently sided trough structures, with mainly diffusely banded infillings. Very shallow and often smaller troughs are found again on top of these massive and diffusely banded infillings. The sediments in these troughs consist of repetitions of two types of microsequences: (1) thickly bedded sequences of normally graded massive sands, near-horizontal stratifications, plane beds and cross-bedded sets; and (2) thinly bedded sequences of relatively thick units T_A and thin units T_C and T_D of the Bouma sequence.The repetitions of the microsequences are interpreted as flow pulsations. Upwards thinning of the sequence, together with a finer grain size may point to waning flow conditions. Their association with plugged troughs is suggestive of retrogressive flow-slides.     

Oligocene to Middle Miocene basin development in the Vélez Rubio Corridor – Espuña (Internal-External Zone Boundary; Eastern Betic Cordilleras,SE Spain)

The Vélez Rubio Corridor and the area northwest of the Sierra Espuña are located on the Internal-External Zone Boundary. The External Zone is represented by the Southern Subbetic, the most basinward part of the former passive margin of Iberia, the Internal Zone by its unmetamorphosed highest unit, the Malaguide Complex, tectonically underlain by the metamorphosed Alpujarride Complex. During the Oligocene and Aquitanian, the Southern Subbetic was the locus of slope deposition with northeastern provenance of detritus. In the Malaguides of the Espuña, the detritus of Lower Oligocene transgressive conglomerates and Middle Oligocene fan deltas indicates Sardinian proximity. The Upper Oligocene to lower Aquitanian Ciudad Granada and Pliego formations of the Malaguide Complex, carrying exclusively Malaguide detritus, were deposited in grabens within the Malaguide realm during an extensional rifting phase. The Malaguides, still far removed from the Subbetic, underwent major thrusting during the Aquitanian. Of the sedimentary units found between the Internal and External Zones, the oldest unit (the allochthonous Aquitanian Solana formation) was deposited in submarine fans outside the Subbetic or Malaguide realms proper, but in close connection with the latter. The Internal Zone collided with the External Zone in the early Burdigalian with concomitant disruption of the Southern Subbetic slope. On the suture, a deep basin was formed and filled in by the Burdigalian Espejos formation carrying detritus from the Subbetic and from the Malaguide and Alpujarride Complexes. In the late Burdigalian, the Subbetic was thrust southward over the Espejos formation, thus double-sealing the collisional contact. During the latest Burdigalian to Langhian, new basins were formed along the Internal-External Zone Boundary and within the Southern Subbetic. The onset of strike-slip faulting caused shoaling and uplift of these basins. Onset of a new pattern of strike-slip faulting induced the formation of a new suite of basins during the Tortonian, e.g. the Lorca Basin.     

Further notes on the geology of the betic of Málaga,the Subbetic,and the zone between these two units,in the region of Vélez Rubio (southern Spain)

The stratigraphy of Betic of Málaga and of Subbetic near Vélez Rubio is given. No major tectonic movement took place between Paleozoic and Oligo-Miocene in the area of deposition of the Betic of Málaga and neighbourhood. The geology and formations of the narrow zone between Betic of Málaga and Subbetic are described. Nappe movement of the Betic of Málaga is older than the thrusting of Subbetic over Prebetic. Age of the former movement and origin of major tectonic units are tested on the characteristics of a pre-Orbulina marl formation and on the distribution of the detritus contained in this formation.

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Zusammenfassung Die Stratigraphie des Betikums von Málaga, des Subbetikums und der zwischen beiden Einheiten liegenden Zone wird aus dem Gebiet von Vélez Rubio beschrieben.Größere tektonische Bewegungen haben zwischen Paläozoikum und OligoMiozän im Ablagerungsgebiet des Betikums von Málaga und in der näheren Umgebung nicht stattgefunden. Die Deckenbewegung des Betikums von Málaga ist älter als die Überschiebung des Subbetikums über das Präbetikum. Das Alter der Deckenbewegung und der Ursprung der größeren tektonischen Einheiten werden an Hand der Merkmale einer Prä-Orbulina Mergel-Einheit und an Hand der Verbreitung des in dieser Einheit enthaltenen Schutts überprüft.

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Résumé Les auteurs exposent la stratigraphie du Bétique de Málaga et du Subbétique dans les environs de Vélez Rubio. Aucun mouvement tectonique important n'a eu lieu entre le Paléozoïque et l'Oligo-Miocène dans l'aire sédimentaire du Bétique de Málaga et les régions limitrophes. Les formations de l'étroite zone comprise entre Bétique de Málaga et Subbétique sont étudiées, ainsi que leur relations mutuelles. Le mouvement de nappe du Bétique de Málaga est plus ancien que le chevauchement du Subbétique sur le Prébétique. L'âge de celui-là, ainsi que l'origine des unités tectoniques principales sont examinés en utilisant les caractéristiques d'une formation d'âge pré-Orbulina ainsi que la répartition des débris dérivés de ces unités tectoniques qu'elle contient.

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