Analysis of a travertine system controlled by the transpressional activity of the Alhama de Murcia fault: The Carraclaca site, eastern Betic Cordillera, Spain

Abstract

Continental carbonates, such as travertines and tufas, formed from CO2-rich groundwater degassing as it emerges at the Earth’s surface, are often associated with major crustal-scale faults. The Carraclaca site, in the Lorca-Totana section of the Alhama de Murcia Fault, Spain, presents a complex geomorphological landscape controlled by active tectonics. The geology here records the interaction between Quaternary alluvial fans, travertines, and a pop-up structure developed in a transpressional section of the fault. The Alhama de Murcia Fault is an 80 km long left-lateral strike-slip fault that is one of the main seismogenic structures in the Iberian Peninsula. In this work, we examined the relation between travertine precipitation in the Carraclaca site and the tectonic activity of this fault zone through morphological and geochemical studies. The δ13C and δ18O isotopic signals indicate that the carbonate deposits are hydrothermal. In addition, the 87Sr/86Sr ratios in the samples suggest subsurface fluid interaction with the Miocene sediments and the Alpujárride basement, located below the alluvial deposits. Tectonic activity in the Alhama de Murcia Fault might generate the opening of deep water circulation in the crust every time a seismic event occurs, giving rise to hydrothermally derived carbonates precipitation. Deep waters rise and reach the surface interacting with meteoric waters, resulting in travertine formation. Therefore, the Carraclaca carbonate deposits study can inform us about the seismogenic cycle of the fault in the Lorca-Totana section.

Was fire use a cultural trait of the Gravettian? New micro-archaeological data from Fuente del Salín cave (Val de San Vicente, Cantabria)

“…It displays a spongy microstructure, growing lamellar structures, as well as calci ed colonies of bacteria, which are all diagnostic for tufa deposits (Figs. 3e-g; 4a-d) (Ajuaba et al, 2021;Canora et al, 2023;Capezzuoli et al, 2014;Chafetz & Folk, 1984;Dabkowski, 2014;Diniz et al, 2022;Duarte, 2019;Fernandes et al, 2023;Irion & Müller, 1968;Nicoll et al, 1999;Oste et al, 2021;Pentecost, 2005b;Perri et al, 2012;Ranjbaran & Zamanzadeh, 2021;Scholl & Taft, 1964;Suchý et al, 2019;Ukey & Pardeshi, 2019). In agreement with our micromorphological observations, SEM-EDX analysis revealed the occurrence of stacked algae and mosses as well as abundant calci ed algae and bacteria laments (Fig.…”

Tectonically induced travertine deposition in the Middle Miocene Levač intramountain basin (Central Serbia)

“…Hancock et al ., 1999; Faccenna et al ., 2008; Brogi et al ., 2012, 2014; Van Noten et al ., 2013; Bigi et al ., 2014; Vignaroli et al ., 2016), while travertine is less common in compressional to transpressional settings (e.g. Mesci et al ., 2008; Sanchez et al ., 2020; Canora et al ., 2023). In all of these settings, active faulting and fracturing provide paths for the circulation and mixing of carbonate‐enriched endogenic and meteoric fluids from which thermogene travertines precipitate upon reaching the surface (e.g.…”