Some examples of the Middle-Triassic Marine transgression in South-Western Mediterranean Europe

Abstract

In Southwestern Mediterranean Europe (NE Spain, Sardinia and NW Apennines e. g. Monti Pisani and Punta Bianca) the Middle-Triassic transgression on a margin of an intracratonic basin appears to be controlled by the different morphology and tectonic activity of the margin itself. The analysis of some sequences leads to recognize three different kinds of margins: 1. margin with a narrow shelf sloping toward a very shallow restricted basin (Central and Southwestern Sardinia); 2. margin with a broad shelf gently sloping toward a shallow basin (NE Spain, Monti Pisani, NW Sardinia); 3. margin with a narrow shelf and steep slope marked by tectonic and volcanic activity (Punta Bianca).