RT Journal Article
T1 Model of Pleistocene geomorphological evolution in active Alpine neotectonics controlled margins in the western Mediterranean area: The case of SE Iberian Peninsula
A1 Torres, Trinidad
A1 Ortiz Menéndez, José Eugenio
A1 Mediavilla, Rosa
A1 Santisteban Navarro, Juan Ignacio
A1 Blázquez, Ana
A1 Sierro, Francisco Javier
A1 Sánchez-Palencia, Yolanda
A1 ópez Cilla, Ignacio
A1 Vega, Rogelio de la
AB At the northern tip of the Betic realm (SE Iberian Peninsula), some troughs (synclines) and elevations (anticlines) alternate, marking the present-day coastal lobed morphology of cape-bounded bays, where subsidence and uplift conditions prevailed, respectively. In this study, we were able to establish a clear coastal evolution. To this end, we considered the sedimentological and palaeoenvironmental conditions, the palaeogeographical reconstruction, and recent tectonics until Middle Pleistocene times (MIS 5) through the interpretation of onshore cores, raised marine deposits and geophysical profiles. In this regard, as reflected by both onshore and offshore information, there seems to be a stratigraphical gap from the end of the Pliocene to MIS 15 (Middle Pleistocene). In areas under uplift conditions, linked to tardive Alpine tectonics, the deposits of ancient shorelines and raised beaches were located at different post-depositional elevations, which were dated from odd MIS 15 to MIS 5 using amino acid racemization. Only deposits aged MIS 7 and MIS 5 are roughly at the present-day sea level or some meters above. In the troughs, which remain mostly as lagoons and salt marshes, subsidence did not allow the sedimentary record to be discerned. However, many borehole cores were recovered, attesting lagoonal, marsh, sabkha, or alluvial environmental conditions, which were usually unconnected from the sea. Micropaleontological and amino acid racemization dating revealed these cores to be of MIS15 to MIS5 age. Offshore seismic research revealed five erosive-bounded deposits that are stacked accretionary prisms corresponding to highstands between odd MIS 15 and MIS 5. In contrast, even MISs can be correlated to the erosive horizons that separated the seismic units, reflecting lowstands. In this regard, some bars, at a range of distances from the present-day coastline, protected wetlands from marine influence, allowing the development of diverse sub-environments under changing paleogeographical and paleoclimatological conditions.
PB Elsevier
SN 0278-4343
YR 2024
FD 2024-04
LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/102551
UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/102551
LA eng
NO MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033
DS Docta Complutense
RD 23 jul 2024