Liquefaction and fluidization structures in Messinian storm deposits (Bajo Segura Basin, Betic Cordillera, southern Spain)

Abstract

Synsedimentary deformation structures are recognized in Upper Miocene deposits of the eastern Betic Cordillera (SE Spain). A singular stratigraphic section in these deposits shows several levels with soft-sediment deformation structures (load casts, ball-and-pillows and pipes) induced by liquidization (liquefaction and/or fluidization) of sandy sediments. The morphologic analysis of these structures reveals a liquidized sediment thickness ranging from 0.1 to 1.5 m. Although they have been previously interpreted as a result of seismic shocks, their origin was most likely related to the action of storm waves as the structures are always associated with tempestites. Facies analysis, geometrical features of the deformed beds and appraisal of geotechnical properties for shelf and coastal sediments allow the soft-sediment deformation structures to be interpreted as a result of the cyclic effect of storm waves on unconsolidated sediments, and excludes other processes such as overloading, tsunamis or the impact of breaking waves.

Earthquake-induced soft-sediment deformation structures in Upper Jurassic open-marine microbialites (Neuquén Basin, Argentina)

“…Soft-sediment deformation structures related to earthquakes (i.e., seismites) are often preserved in deposits with contrasting granulo metry, such as the alternating sands and argiUaceous beds that characterize many alluvial plains, lacustrine environments, coastal and deltaic systems, and turbidite settings (e.g., Ringrose, 1989;Obermeier et al, 1989Obermeier et al, , 1993Seth et al, 1990;Alfaro et al, 1997;Enzel et al, 2000;Alfaro et al, 2002;Rossetti and Santos, 2003;jewell and Ettensohn, 2004;Singh and jain, 2007;Fortuin and Dabrio, 2008;Perucca et al, 2009). More rarely, they have been described from more homogeneous sediments, such as fine aeolian sands (e.g., Moretti, 2000), sabkha evaporites (Bachmann and Aref, 2005), peritidal carbonates (Kahle, 2002), or lacustrine laminated deposits (e.g., Calvo et al, 1998).…”

Evidence for Late Messinian seismites, Nijar Basin, south‐east Spain

“…However, not all synsedimentary deformations in the Betic basins are seismites. A case in point is the Messinian 'seismites' reported in the San Miguel de Salinas Basin (Montenat, 1980) that have been re-interpreted as storm wave-induced deformation (Alfaro et al, 2002), an interpretation recently refuted by Montenat et al (2007).…”

High-Frequency Rhythmicity in a Mixed Siliciclastic-Carbonate Shelf (Late Miocene, Guadix Basin, Spain): A Model of Interplay Between Climatic Oscillations, Subsidence, and Sediment Dispersal

“…The regular presence of hummocky cross-stratification indicates that these tempestites were deposited below fair-weather wavebase and above storm wave-base by stormebb surges (see similar models in Walker 1979;Cheel 1991;and Brenchley et al 1993). The soft-sediment deformation structures associated with the tempestites are interpreted to be due to the loading effect of waves during the deposition of storm beds, similar to the model proposed by Molina et al (1998) and Alfaro et al (2002).…”