Correlations and sequence stratigraphic model for Messinian carbonate platforms of the western and central Mediterranean

Abstract

Distance correlations of Late Tortonian-Messinian littoral carbonate complexes are proposed from the study of eight platforms in the western and central Mediterranean. Correlations are based on the identification of two major biological sedimentary cycles and of two index surfaces. Surface A is a maximum flooding surface during cycle 1 at around 6.7 Ma. Surface B is a regional marine planation surface at around 5.95 Ma, at the base of cycle 2 (Terminal Carbonate Complex). A general sedimentary model is proposed for the 7-5.6-Ma time-span. The boundary between cycles 1 and 2 is coincident with the onset of the Messinian Salinity Crisis, and appears to be related to major environmental-paleooceanographic changes in the Mediterranean, rather than to a major sea-level drop or to climatic change.

Precise 40Ar/39Ar dating of volcanic tuffs within the upper Messinian sequences in the Melilla carbonate complex (NE Morocco): implications for the Messinian Salinity Crisis

“…In this study, we will use the most recent stratigraphic and sedimentological framework (e.g. Corne´e et al 2002Corne´e et al , 2004, which differs from the one previously established by Cunningham et al (1994Cunningham et al ( , 1997. The differences between these two frameworks have already been extensively discussed in Saint Martin and , Corne´e et al (1996Corne´e et al ( , 2002Corne´e et al ( , 2004, Roger et al (2000), Mu¨nch et al (2001Mu¨nch et al ( , 2003 and Garcia et al (2004).…”

“…However, brackish to marine environments persist until the end of TCC deposition as oolitic facies or stromatolites, or both, are reported in the sub-cycle 2c deposits in the Medouar and In Allah sections (Garcia et al 2004). Near the top of the TCC deposits there is a sub-aerial lava flow dated at 5.77±0.08 Ma (Corne´e et al 2002) or an erosional surface, both observable in the southwestern parts of the Melilla basin and both indicative of an emersion of regional extent (Guillemin and Houzay 1982;Corne´e et al 2004). Within the northern platform and basinal areas, the erosional surface is poorly identified as the cycle 3 deposits conformably rest upon the top of cycle 2 and the aerial lava flow is lacking.…”

“…2), were studied. The lower unconformity, which is positioned between cycles 1 and 2 (surface B in Corne´e et al 2004) is considered as a marine planation surface associated with a minor drop in sea level (Corne´e et al 2002). From the reef-talus slopes (Ifounassene section) to the proximal basin (Rostrogordo section), two volcanic tuffs have been found surrounding the Halimeda index-bed (Fig.…”

An Upper Miocene siliciclastic-carbonate ramp: depositional architecture, facies distribution, and diagenetic history (Capo Vaticano area, southern Italy)

“…During the early Messinian (Late Miocene), before the Messinian Salinity Crisis, circum-Mediterranean areas were characterized by extensive reef complexes and rhodalgal platforms (e.g., Esteban 1996;Martín et al 1996;Brachert et al 1998;Betzler et al 2000;Cunningham and Collins 2002;Gläser and Betzler 2002;Cornée et al 2004;Reuter et al 2006). In the central Mediterranean Basin, several Upper Miocene rhodalgal platforms are unrimmed and show coral patch reefs in the shallower parts of the depositional system (Grasso and Pedley 1988;Saint Martin and Andrè 1992;Pedley 1996;Pomar 2001a;André et al 2002).…”

Geodynamic Framework of Saline Systems in Eastern Tunisia: Saline Depressions Inherited from the Triassic Intrusions and/or the Messinian Salinity Crisis

“…Since the discovery of Messinian evaporites in the subsurface of the Mediterranean Sea (e.g., [24,25]), numerous works and scenarios were devoted to understand the Messinian Salinity Crisis (MSC) (e.g., [26,27]). Paleomagnetic and astrochronologic studies indicate that the Messinian Salinity Crisis developed between circa 5.94-5.96 and 5.32 Ma (e.g., [28]).…”