Messinian to Piacenzian deposits, erosion, and subsequent marine bioevents in the Dahra Massif (Lower Chelif Basin, Algeria)

New insights on the latest Messinian-to-Piacenzian stratigraphic series from the Dahra Massif (Lower Chelif Basin, Algeria): Lago Mare, reflooding and bio-events

“…In light of these considerations, Rouchy et al (2007) described several localities corresponding to these facies in the Lower Chelif Basin, including Beni Chougrane (Sig, Sahaouria, El Ghomri) and the Dahra Massif (Djebel Meni-Abreuvoir, Oued El Aicha). Additionally, Osman et al (2021) described similar facies in the Dahra region at Azaizia and Ain Yakoub. These studies instead of authors identified the presence of a Lago Mare (Rouchy et al, 2007), also referred to as Lago Mare 1 (Osman et al, 2021), during the Messinian Salinity Crisis (MSC).…”

“…Additionally, Osman et al (2021) described similar facies in the Dahra region at Azaizia and Ain Yakoub. These studies instead of authors identified the presence of a Lago Mare (Rouchy et al, 2007), also referred to as Lago Mare 1 (Osman et al, 2021), during the Messinian Salinity Crisis (MSC). This Lago Mare that has been interpreted as a result of the flow of freshwater coming from the Paratethys into the Mediterranean Sea represents a high sea-level exchange (Clauzon et al, 2005;Snel et al, 2006;Popescu et al, 2009Popescu et al, , 2015Manzi et al, 2009;Suc et al, 2011;Do Couto et al, 2014).…”

“…The results of these sections are supplemented by data from other sections, including the basal part of the Oued Tarhia section. Previous studies have only inventoried deposits with Globorotalia puncticulata, more than 200 m above the gypsum (Osman et al, 2021). In this study, the Oued Tarhia section is described in detail with a focus on its lower part (brown to variegated marls, sandy marls and sandstones), overlying the gypsum and capped by the Pliocene marls.…”

“…These blue marls are rich in microfauna (Perrodon, 1957;Mazzola, 1971;Belkebir and Anglada, 1985;Thomas, 1985;Belkebir et al, 1996). This transgression appears to have resulted in the inundation of certain morphological structures inherited from the MSC (Dahra: Osman et al, 2021;Oued Rhiou Boukadir: Moulana et al, 2021. The overlying grey marls are still of Zanclean age and are in turn overlain by Piacenzian alternating marls and sandstones.…”

“…The overlying grey marls are still of Zanclean age and are in turn overlain by Piacenzian alternating marls and sandstones. They are marked by bivalve shell concentrations (Rouchy et al, 2007;Belhadji et al, 2008;Mansouri et al, 2008;Atif et al, 2008;Satour et al, 2013Satour et al, , 2020Bendella et al, 2021;Satour, 2021;Osman et al, 2021;Benyoucef et al, 2021;Mansouri, 2021).…”