Tectono-sedimentary evolution of Jurassic–Cretaceous diapiric structures: Miravete anticline,Maestrat Basin,Spain |
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| Authors: | Jaume Vergés Yohann Poprawski Ylènia Almar Peter A Drzewiecki Mar Moragas Telm Bover-Arnal Chiara Macchiavelli Wayne Wright Grégoire Messager Jean-Christophe Embry David Hunt |
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| Institution: | 1. Group of Dynamics of the Lithosphere (GDL), Institute of Earth Sciences Jaume Almera, ICTJA-CSIC, Barcelona, Spain;2. Department of Environmental Earth Science, Eastern Connecticut State University, Willimantic, CT, USA;3. Departament de Mineralogia, Petrologia i Geologia Aplicada, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain;4. EQUINOR ASA, International Offshore Exploration, Brazil, Fornebu, Norway;5. EQUINOR ASA, Exploration Research, Fornebu, Norway;6. EQUINOR ASA, Exploration Regional & Access, Houston, TX, USA;7. EQUINOR ASA, Research Center, Bergen, Norway |
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| Abstract: | Integration of extensive fieldwork, remote sensing mapping and 3D models from high-quality drone photographs relates tectonics and sedimentation to define the Jurassic–early Albian diapiric evolution of the N–S Miravete anticline, the NW-SE Castel de Cabra anticline and the NW-SE Cañada Vellida ridge in the Maestrat Basin (Iberian Ranges, Spain). The pre shortening diapiric structures are defined by well-exposed and unambiguous halokinetic geometries such as hooks and flaps, salt walls and collapse normal faults. These were developed on Triassic salt-bearing deposits, previously misinterpreted because they were hidden and overprinted by the Alpine shortening. The Miravete anticline grew during the Jurassic and Early Cretaceous and was rejuvenated during Cenozoic shortening. Its evolution is separated into four halokinetic stages, including the latest Alpine compression. Regionally, the well-exposed Castel de Cabra salt anticline and Cañada Vellida salt wall confirm the widespread Jurassic and Early Cretaceous diapiric evolution of the Maestrat Basin. The NE flank of the Cañada Vellida salt wall is characterized by hook patterns and by a 500-m-long thin Upper Jurassic carbonates defining an upturned flap, inferred as the roof of the salt wall before NE-directed salt extrusion. A regional E-W cross section through the Ababuj, Miravete and Cañada-Benatanduz anticlines shows typical geometries of salt-related rift basins, partly decoupled from basement faults. These structures could form a broader diapiric region still to be investigated. In this section, the Camarillas and Fortanete minibasins displayed well-developed bowl geometries at the onset of shortening. The most active period of diapiric growth in the Maestrat Basin occurred during the Early Cretaceous, which is also recorded in the Eastern Betics, Asturias and Basque-Cantabrian basins. This period coincides with the peak of eastward drift of the Iberian microplate, with speeds of 20 mm/year. The transtensional regime is interpreted to have played a role in diapiric development. |
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| Keywords: | Iberian Ranges Jurassic–Early Cretaceous halokinetic depositional sequences Maestrat Basin Miravete salt anticline salt walls salt-welds Triassic diapirism |
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