Palustrine sedimentation in an episodically subsiding basin: the Miocene of the northern Teruel Graben (Spain)

Abstract

Lacustrine deposits form most of the sedimentary record accumulated throughout the Miocene in the northern part of the Teruel Graben, a landlocked basin situated in NE Spain. Three main stratigraphic units ( Units I–III ) spanning Late Vallesian to Late Turolian in age, are distinguished in the area. The two former units comprise mainly carbonate lacustrine deposits that were deposited in a palustrine or a more permanent but shallow lacustrine setting, the latter being related mainly to periods of lake expansion under more humid and cooler climatic conditions. In contrast, deposition of Unit III, characterised by gypsiferous lacustrine sediments in central parts of the basin, reflects the influence of source rocks of evaporitic nature (Upper Triassic formations) that were emplaced by diapiric uplift in the eastern margin during the Middle Turolian. Carbonate lake sediments belonging to Units I and II consist of four main lithofacies associations: (a) distal–alluvial lake margin deposits; (b) lacustrine carbonates and pedogenically modified lacustrine carbonates; (c) carbonate fill channels; and (d) organic-rich marlstone and carbonate (marshes). Lithofacies association (a) shows typically a sequential arrangement formed, from bottom to top, of red mudstone, carbonate palaeosols and biomicrite beds (sequence type 1a). These sequences are interpreted as a result of slow but continuous aggradation of the floodplain areas and subsequent rise of the water table, probably reflecting equilibrium between subsidence and sedimentation. Lithofacies association (b) consisting of biomicrite beds passing upward into palaeosols (sequence type 1b) is thought to be caused by marked pulses of tectonic subsidence that created the accommodation space required for fast development of a carbonate lake. Carbonate fill channels, showing erosive lower surfaces dig out on previous channels, marsh deposits and/or lacustrine carbonates, exhibit well-developed prismatic structure at their bed tops. The sequential arrangement suggests similar tectonic constrains than the envisaged for lithofacies 1b. The comparison of depositional styles of the lake systems with the palaeoclimatic evolutionary pattern of the basin throughout the Miocene indicates that the combined effect of tectonism, climate and source rock played a major role in the stratigraphic framework of the basin during this period.