scholarly journals Morphotectonics of the Padul-Nigüelas Fault Zone, southern Spain

2014 ◽  
Vol 56 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jochen Hürtgen ◽  
Andreas Rudersdorf ◽  
Christoph Grützner ◽  
Klaus Reicherter
Keyword(s):  
Fault Zone ◽  
Sierra Nevada ◽  
Southern Spain ◽  
Tectonic Activity ◽  
Normal Faults ◽  
The South ◽  
Stream Length ◽  
Betic Cordilleras ◽  
Mountain Front ◽  
Granada Basin

The Padul-Nigüelas Fault Zone (PNFZ) is situated at the south-western mountain front of the Sierra Nevada (southern Spain) in the Internal Zone of the Betic Cordilleras and belongs to a NW-SE trending system of normal faults dipping SW. The PNFZ constitutes a major tectonic and lithological boundary in the Betics, and separates the metamorphic units of the Alpujárride Complex from Upper Tertiary to Quaternary deposits. Due to recent seismicity and several morphological and geological indicators, such as preserved fault scarps, triangular facets, deeply incised valleys and faults in the colluvial wedges, the PNFZ is suspected to be a tectonically active feature of the south-eastern Granada Basin. We performed morphotectonic GIS analyses based on digital elevation models (DEM, cell size: 10 m) to obtain tectonic activity classes for each outcropping segment of the PNFZ. We have determined the following geomorphic indices: mountain front sinuosity, stream-length gradient index, concavity index and valley floor width to height ratio. The results show a differentiation in the states of activity along the fault zone strike. The western and eastern segments of the PNFZ indicate a higher tectonic activity compared to the center of the fault zone. We discuss and critically examine the comparability and reproducibility of geomorphic analyses, concluding that careful interpretation is necessary, if no ground-truthing can be performed.

scholarly journals Facies analysis of the Lower-Middle Toarcian in the External Subbetic (provinces of Murcia and Granada, Southern Spain): palaeoenvironmental conditions

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Miguel Molina ◽  
Luis M Nieto
Keyword(s):  
Lower Jurassic ◽  
Southern Spain ◽  
Tectonic Activity ◽  
Oceanic Circulation ◽  
Carbonate Platforms ◽  
The South ◽  
Sea Floor ◽  
Western Tethys ◽  
Oceanic Anoxic Event ◽  
Facies Types

Toarcian sedimentary rocks are well recorded in the Subbetic (Betic External Zones, Southern Spain) as part of the Zegrí Formation (upper Pliensbachian-Aalenian). These rocks were deposited in the South Iberian Palaeomargin in the Western Tethys. We study the lower-middle Toarcian facies in two sections in the External Subbetic and their palaeoenvironmental interpretation. The lower-middle Toarcian have more than 160 m in thickness, the maximum for this time in all the Betic External Zones. Five types of lithofacies are differentiated: 1) Grey-yellow marl-marly limestone rhythmite and limestones (lower part of the Polymorphum Zone); 2) dark marls (upper part of the Polymorphum Zone and lower part of the Serpentinum Zone); 3) thin bedded grey-yellow limestones, locally with chert and abundant slumps (upper part of the Serpentinum Zone); 4) grey marls and marly limestones (Bifrons and Gradata Zones); and 5) yellow-brown laminated calcisiltites and calcarenites, intercalated in facies 3 and 4. Facies 1 to 4 are interpreted as hemipelagites, deposited by the slow accumulation, on a quiet sea floor of biogenic and very fine terrigenous particles. Facies 2 was deposited in rather depleted oxygen conditions with slightly dysoxic bottom waters but discarding completely anoxic conditions. The Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event (T-OAE) is recorded in this facies 2 by some increase of total organic carbon (maximum of 1.05 wt.%) and redox sensitive elements, the decrease of CaCO3, and the negative excursion of δ13C observed at the base of Serpentinum Zone. Facies 5 are mainly peloidal grainstone with bioclasts (brachiopods, bivalves, and echinoderms), ooids and allochthonous shallow water foraminifera, and packstone-wackestone of bioclasts (mainly radiolarians) and peloids. This facies 5 with parallel lamination and locally with normal grading, low angle, wavy, and hummocky cross stratification is interpreted as tempestites related with tropical cyclones, and/or internalites. The influence of adjacent emerged lands and carbonate platforms, differential subsidence by local tectonics, sediment winnowing by currents, sedimentation rates, bioturbation, and diagenesis, may have had more importance in the distribution of the facies types than depth. The evolution during the lower-middle Toarcian was mainly controlled by tectonics after the Pliensbachian break-up of the Lower Jurassic platform, together with a relative sea-level change. Also the beginning of basaltic submarine volcanism to the South in some Median Subbetic areas had influence. The diversified physiography related to synsedimentary tectonic activity and oceanic circulation patterns, determined different intensities of winnowing and oxygenation on the sea-floor. The T-OAE is recorded in the base of Serpentinum Zone. The general re-oxygenation after the T-OAE could be favoured by changes in oceanic currents and by the tempestite/internalite inputs during the upper part of Serpentinum and Bifrons zones.

scholarly journals TECTONIC GEOMORPHOLOGY OF ESCARPMENTS: THE CASES OF KOMPOTADES AND ΝΕΑ ANCHIALOS FAULTS

2004 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 1716 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Zovoili ◽  
E. Konstantinidi ◽  
I. K. Koukouvelas
Keyword(s):  
Active Tectonics ◽  
Tectonic Activity ◽  
Tectonic Geomorphology ◽  
Stream Length ◽  
Sinuosity Index ◽  
Geomorphic Indices ◽  
Tectonic Processes ◽  
Uplift Rates ◽  
Mountain Front ◽  
Active Processes

Most active processes on the surface imply that tectonics and geomorphology converge in a way that landscape change may be used as a tectonic signal, given that erosion and weathering have been taken into account. We selected two faults, the Kompotades and the Nea Anchialos faults in the Sperchios and South Thessaly rift zones respectively, and we performed a morphometric analysis. This analysis comprises geomorphic indices that have been used successfully in studies of active tectonics, as the mountain front sinuosity index (Smf), stream gradient index (SL) and valley floor width to valley height ratio (Vf). At both studied mountain fronts, the Vf index ranged between 0,4 to 1,2, implying high uplift rates, while the Smf «1 index revealed relatively high tectonic activity, which decreases towards the west. On the other hand, the SL index though more sensitive to non-tectonic processes, (i.e. the rock resistance, stream length) is less indicative of tectonic activity. Based on the distribution of the geomorphic indices a two-fault strand model is suggested forming the mountain front in the two examples with the range-ward fault strand to be more appropriate for Kompotades fault and the basinward fault strand for Nea Anchialos fault.

scholarly journals The Carboneras Fault Zone (southeastern Spain) revisited with Ground Penetrating Radar – Quaternary structural styles from high-resolution images

2001 ◽  
Vol 80 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 129-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
K.R. Reicherter ◽  
S. Reiss
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Fault Zone ◽  
Ground Penetrating Radar ◽  
Late Quaternary ◽  
Strike Slip ◽  
Tectonic Activity ◽  
Active Set ◽  
Southeastern Spain ◽  
Betic Cordilleras ◽  
Ground Penetrating

AbstractThe Carboneras Fault Zone (CFZ) represents an active set of sinistral strike-slip faults in the Betic Cordilleras of southeastern Spain. It constitutes a major segment of the ‘Trans-Alboran shear zone’ during the Cenozoic, striking NE-SW. The CFZ separates the Cabo de Gata Block (Neogene volcanics) against Neogene basinal sediments and the metamorphic basement of the Alpujarride Complex.Three sites along the CFZ were examined with Ground Penetrating Radar techniques. Radar surveying was complemented by structural studies. Shallow-depth high-resolution imaging of Tyrrhenian beach terraces exhibited both vertical and minor horizontal offsets in the Rambla Morales site in the south. A sinistral strike-slip fault associated with minor thrust faults in a positive flower structure was detected in the middle segment along the La Serrata ridge, sealed by a caliche of late Pleistocene age (> 10 ka). The Playa de Bolmayor section yielded sub-surface evidence for several faults probably related to recent activity of individual fault strands. Our results suggest a distributed tectonic activity of the CFZ during the Late Quaternary.

PS-InSAR processing methodologies in the detection of field surface deformation—Study of the Granada basin (Central Betic Cordilleras, southern Spain)

2010 ◽  
Vol 49 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 181-189 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joaquim J. Sousa ◽  
Antonio M. Ruiz ◽  
Ramon F. Hanssen ◽  
Luisa Bastos ◽  
Antonio J. Gil ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surface Deformation ◽  
Southern Spain ◽  
Betic Cordilleras ◽  
Granada Basin

Geological setting of the barite-fluorite deposit at Jeżów Sudecki (Kaczawa Mts.)

2018 ◽  
Vol 472 (472) ◽  
pp. 231-254
Author(s):  
Cezary Sroga ◽  
Wojciech Bobiński ◽  
Wiesław Kozdrój
Keyword(s):  
Fault Zone ◽  
Fracture Zone ◽  
Normal Faults ◽  
Average Content ◽  
The South ◽  
Geological Setting ◽  
Multi Stage ◽  
Stage Process ◽  
Main Components ◽  
Western Sudetes

From 1969 to 1993, investigation for the Ba-F mineralization was executed within the metamorphic Kaczawa complex, north of the Intra-Sudetic Fault in the Jeżów Sudecki-Dziwiszów area (Kaczawa Mts., Western Sudetes). The article presents unpublished results of those prospecting works. A small deposit of Ba-F with Zn, Pb, Cu-sulphides, on the SE slope of the Szybowisko hill near Jelenia Góra, was documented in 1994. The economic mineralization is developed in the Jeżów Sudecki fault, steep fracture zone running parallel to the Intra-Sudetic Fault, and was identified at a distance of 600 m along the strike of the fault (in the W–E direction) and up to a depth of 500 m along the dip (towards the south). Two (locally three) bifurcating veins were found. The average content of the main components is: BaSO4 – 63.18%, CaF2 – 8.60%. The Ba-F mineralization is associated with the Jeżów Sudecki fault, synchronous with the formation of the Intra-Sudetic Fault zone. Both of these faults are Variscan and fall steeply southward. Younger, alpine (?) inverse and transverse normal faults were formed after the intrusion of a rhyolite dyke into the Kaczawa complex rocks and after the formation of the barite deposit. The Ba-F mineralization developed in a multi-stage process and shows a pulsatory nature. Five mineral parageneses were distinguished in the deposit. The age of the Ba-F mineralization has not been definitively established.

Basement structure of the Granada basin, Betic Cordilleras, southern Spain

1990 ◽  
Vol 177 (4) ◽  
pp. 337-348 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Morales ◽  
F. Vidal ◽  
F. De Miguel ◽  
G. Alguacil ◽  
A.M. Posadas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Southern Spain ◽  
Basement Structure ◽  
Betic Cordilleras ◽  
Granada Basin

Cenozoic crustal deformation of the offshore Burgos basin region (NE Gulf of Mexico). A new interpretation of deep penetration multichannel seismic reflection lines

2008 ◽  
Vol 179 (2) ◽  
pp. 161-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlotte Le Roy ◽  
Claude Rangin
Keyword(s):  
Gulf Of Mexico ◽  
Fault Zone ◽  
Coastal Plain ◽  
Crustal Deformation ◽  
Seismic Reflection ◽  
Tectonic Activity ◽  
Normal Faults ◽  
Deep Penetration ◽  
Reverse Fault ◽  
Seismic Profiles

Abstract Along northeastern Mexico close to the Texas-Mexico border, the Burgos basin and its extension offshore was developed and deformed from the Paleocene up to Present time. This is a key triple junction between the sub meridian dextral transtensive coastal plain of the Gulf of Mexico extending far to the south in Mexico, the NE Corsair fault zone offshore and the sinistral Rio Bravo fault zone, a reactivated segment of the Texas lineament. Offshore NE Mexico, in the main study area covered by available seismic profiles, we have evidenced below the main well known gravitational décollement level (5 to 7 s twtt → 6 to 8 km) a Cenozoic deep-rooted deformation outlined by a N010° W trending deep-seated reverse fault zone and crustal folding down to the Moho (11 s twtt → ~ 20 km). Based on extensive offshore 2D industrial multi-channel seismic reflection surveys, deep exploration wells and gravimetric data, we focus our study on the deep crustal fabric and its effects on the gravitational tectonics in the upper sedimentary layers: submeridian crustal transtensional normal faults and open folding of the identified Mesozoic basement were interpreted as Cenozoic buckling of the crust during a major phase of oblique crustal extension. This deformation has probably enhanced gravity sliding along N030° growth-faults related to salt withdrawal and halokinesis in the offshore Burgos basin. We have tentatively made a link between this crustal deformation episode and the Neogene tectonic inversion of the Laramide foredeep basin of the Sierra Madre Oriental. The latter is still affected by crustal strike slip faulting associated with basaltic volcanism observed into the gulf coastal plain. This study favours a dominant crustal Cenozoic tectonic activity along the gulf margin without any clear evidence of Mesozoic tectonic reactivation. We propose that the large gravity collapse of the gulf margin was triggered by subsequent crustal deformation.

3D stratigraphic and structural synthesis of the Dannemarie basin (Upper Rhine Graben)

2005 ◽  
Vol 176 (5) ◽  
pp. 433-442 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Le Carlier de Veslud ◽  
Olivier Bourgeois ◽  
Marc Diraison ◽  
Mary Ford
Keyword(s):  
Fault Zone ◽  
Normal Faults ◽  
Upper Rhine Graben ◽  
Fault Propagation ◽  
The South ◽  
The West ◽  
Vosges Mountains ◽  
Rhine Graben ◽  
Western Border ◽  
Upper Rhine

Abstract The Dannemarie basin is the southwesternmost depocentre of the Upper Rhine Graben, which belongs to the West-European Tertiary rift system. It is bounded to the west by the Vosges mountains, to the south by the folded Jura belt and to the east by the Mulhouse block. The rifting reached its maximum activity during the Priabonian and early Rupelian (35-31 Ma). In the framework of the GeoFrance 3D project “Fossé rhénan”, a 3D geometrical model of the Dannemarie basin was built in the gOcad 3D modeler. It incorporates the BRGM well database and geological maps, and 40 seismic cross-sections. These data are used to study the structure and geological history of the area. Seismic data have been converted from time to depth using a 1D time-to-depth polynomial law deduced from the analysis of the Bellemagny borehole. The Dannemarie basin is bounded to the west by the Vosges fault zone and to the east by the Illfurth fault zone. On both borders, basin subsidence was controlled by normal faults and associated syn-rift flexures. The minimum throw on the Vosges fault zone is about 1400 m to the north of the model, decreasing to the south, where it is replaced by a syn-rift flexure. On the Illfurth fault zone, subsidence is accommodated by faults (with about 1000 m throw) and by a flexure (about 300 m). Stratigraphic data indicate that these flexures were active during Priabonian and early Rupelian extension. These monoclinal flexures are interpreted as fault-propagation folds that developed above upward propagating normal faults in the basement. As displacement accumulates, the fault propagates upwards and cuts the overlying fold. Similar fault-fold geometries have been described on the western border of the Rhine graben, close to Colmar and in other extensional tectonic contexts. In the Colmar area, the Vosges fault zone cuts through the basin margin fold, while further south along the western border of the Dannemarie basin, displacement on the fault decreases and subsidence is accommodated on a major flexure. Flexure locations correspond to gravimetric discontinuities attributed to Variscan structures, suggesting reactivation of deep structures during rifting. The Illfurth fault zone displays upwardly divergent fault geometries that resemble “flower structures”. The data can be interpreted as follows, either that (a) the Illfurth fault zone accommodated a minor sinistral strike-slip component due to a post-Miocene NW-SE compressive regional stress field or (b) these faults developed in association with the fault propagation folds.

scholarly journals Facies analysis of the Lower-Middle Toarcian in the External Subbetic (provinces of Murcia and Granada, Southern Spain): palaeoenvironmental conditions

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Miguel Molina ◽  
Luis M Nieto
Keyword(s):  
Lower Jurassic ◽  
Southern Spain ◽  
Tectonic Activity ◽  
Oceanic Circulation ◽  
Carbonate Platforms ◽  
The South ◽  
Sea Floor ◽  
Western Tethys ◽  
Oceanic Anoxic Event ◽  
Facies Types

Toarcian sedimentary rocks are well recorded in the Subbetic (Betic External Zones, Southern Spain) as part of the Zegrí Formation (upper Pliensbachian-Aalenian). These rocks were deposited in the South Iberian Palaeomargin in the Western Tethys. We study the lower-middle Toarcian facies in two sections in the External Subbetic and their palaeoenvironmental interpretation. The lower-middle Toarcian have more than 160 m in thickness, the maximum for this time in all the Betic External Zones. Five types of lithofacies are differentiated: 1) Grey-yellow marl-marly limestone rhythmite and limestones (lower part of the Polymorphum Zone); 2) dark marls (upper part of the Polymorphum Zone and lower part of the Serpentinum Zone); 3) thin bedded grey-yellow limestones, locally with chert and abundant slumps (upper part of the Serpentinum Zone); 4) grey marls and marly limestones (Bifrons and Gradata Zones); and 5) yellow-brown laminated calcisiltites and calcarenites, intercalated in facies 3 and 4. Facies 1 to 4 are interpreted as hemipelagites, deposited by the slow accumulation, on a quiet sea floor of biogenic and very fine terrigenous particles. Facies 2 was deposited in rather depleted oxygen conditions with slightly dysoxic bottom waters but discarding completely anoxic conditions. The Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event (T-OAE) is recorded in this facies 2 by some increase of total organic carbon (maximum of 1.05 wt.%) and redox sensitive elements, the decrease of CaCO3, and the negative excursion of δ13C observed at the base of Serpentinum Zone. Facies 5 are mainly peloidal grainstone with bioclasts (brachiopods, bivalves, and echinoderms), ooids and allochthonous shallow water foraminifera, and packstone-wackestone of bioclasts (mainly radiolarians) and peloids. This facies 5 with parallel lamination and locally with normal grading, low angle, wavy, and hummocky cross stratification is interpreted as tempestites related with tropical cyclones, and/or internalites. The influence of adjacent emerged lands and carbonate platforms, differential subsidence by local tectonics, sediment winnowing by currents, sedimentation rates, bioturbation, and diagenesis, may have had more importance in the distribution of the facies types than depth. The evolution during the lower-middle Toarcian was mainly controlled by tectonics after the Pliensbachian break-up of the Lower Jurassic platform, together with a relative sea-level change. Also the beginning of basaltic submarine volcanism to the South in some Median Subbetic areas had influence. The diversified physiography related to synsedimentary tectonic activity and oceanic circulation patterns, determined different intensities of winnowing and oxygenation on the sea-floor. The T-OAE is recorded in the base of Serpentinum Zone. The general re-oxygenation after the T-OAE could be favoured by changes in oceanic currents and by the tempestite/internalite inputs during the upper part of Serpentinum and Bifrons zones.

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