Evolution of the central Catalan margin of the Valencia trough (western Mediterranean)

摘要: Abstract The evolution of the central Catalan margin was conditioned by major fault activity and thermal processes generated crustal thinning. continental structure is characterised NE-SW-striking, southeast-dipping basement faults which have given rise to a graben, half-graben horst system. These acted essentially as normal faults. No Neogene strike-slip has affected margin, although minor episodic variations from dominant extensional regime tectonics cannot be discounted. Two structural evolutionary stages took place at transition one stage other being gradual: (1) rifting (Late Oligocene? early Burdigalian) related opening Valencia trough originated both Barcelona Valles-Penedes half-grabens; (2) subsidence (late Burdigalian present) subsequent cooling Fault during this concentrated in bounding sedimentary sector controlled tectonic well successive sea-level paleoclimatic changes region. Drastic depositional systems into stage. During Aquitanian-Langhian time—characterized an overall trend pulsating encroachment marine conditions over margin—a noticeable diversity (alluvial, lacustrine, coastal evaporitic, fan delta-bay-shelf, carbonate platform systems) developed. From latest Serravallian up present, framework less varied due general lowering final onlapping most older highs, are now buried below Miocene sediments. progradational terrigenous shelf-talus separated Messinian erosive surface developed Serravallian-Tortonian Pliocene-Quaternary.