Platform margin collapses and sequence stratigraphic organization of carbonate slopes: Cretaceous–Eocene, Gargano Promontory, southern Italy

Abstract

We describe the sequence stratigraphic organization and the associated sedimentological characteristics of Cretaceous to Eocene slope and baseof-slope carbonate successions. The study area is located in the Gargano Promontory which belongs to the stable foreland of southern Italy. The succession consists of three superimposed depositional sequences separated by major unconformities. The upper two sequences are clear examples of sequence stratigraphic organization; in fact, they both start with huge megabreccia wedges (LST) followed upward by thin pelagic units (TST) and a thick package of calciturbidites and debrites that alternate with pelagic mudstone (HST). The Cretaceous highstand systems tract is clearly arranged in a number of coarsening-upward cycles while the Eocene one which also comprises a toplap shallow water unit, is not.Apulia Platform show remarkable similarities with present-day carbonate platform margins and slopes where irregular, convexbankward embayments suggest large-scale failures. It is clear that classic sequence stratigraphic organization can result from simple platform dismantling, having no or little time relation with global sealevel fluctuations. In fact, as the margin failure (LST) interrupts the carbonate production, a period of starvation (TST) along the entire slope and base-of-slope follows necessarily. Finally, when the margin once again becomes active and productive, sediment exportation starts again and the system begins to prograde (HST).The Gargano stratigraphic palimpsest and the entire margin of the Terra Nova, 5,282-297,1993.

Albian high-resolution biostratigraphy and isotope stratigraphy: The Coppa della Nuvola pelagic succession of the Gargano Promontory (Southern Italy)

“…The current lithostratigraphic terminology of the Cretaceous basin-and-slope units varies according to different authors who have undertaken modern stratigraphical researches on the Gargano Promontory. The stratigraphical framework here adopted follows Bosellini et al (1993), Cobianchi et al (1997) and Bosellini et al (1999 Zappaterra, 1990, modified) ther south to the Gargano Promontory, near the margin of the Apulia carbonate platform, though some lithological differences exist (Cobianchi et al 1997;Cobianchi et al 1999;Luciani et al 2001). The Cretaceous pelagic succession across these areas consists of three superimposed stratigraphic units: Maiolica (Valanginian-early Aptian), Marne a Fucoidi (early Aptian-late Albian), and Scaglia (late Albian-Coniacian).…”

“…The Cretaceous pelagic succession across these areas consists of three superimposed stratigraphic units: Maiolica (Valanginian-early Aptian), Marne a Fucoidi (early Aptian-late Albian), and Scaglia (late Albian-Coniacian). Near the margin of the platform, the Mattinata Formation, rich in gravity-displaced deposits, laterally replaces the Maiolica (Bernoulli 1972;Bosellini et al 1993;Luciani & Cobianchi 1994;Cobianchi et al 1997;Graziano 2000). The Apulian Platform, during the Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous interval, was a productive carbonate platform with the rim colonized by bioconstructors and the inner area characterized by typical peritidal environments.…”

Contribution to the understanding of the Ionian Basin sedimentary evolution along the eastern edge of Apulia during the Late Cretaceous in Albania

“…(C) Location of the studied outcrops, projected on the geological map modified from Moisiu and Gurabardhi (2004). calciturbidites of mixed pelagic and benthic fauna (Skourtsis-Coroneou et al, 1995;Karakitsios, 2013) compose the Senonian limestones. In Italy, the Ionian Basin deposits of the Gargano promontory expose megabreccias attesting syn-sedimentary tectonics affecting the Apulian platform during Aptian-Albian (Bosellini et al, 1993(Bosellini et al, , 1999Borgomano, 2000;Graziano, 2000;Hairabian et al, 2014-in this volume). During the Late Cretaceous, base-of-slope deposits composed of carbonate breccias and bioclastic grainstones are reported during the Cenomanian and Coniacian-Maastrichtian (Monte San Angelo, Nevarra, Caramanica Formations) while the Turonian corresponds to a sedimentary hiatus in the basin, related to an emersion phase of the platform (Borgomano, 1987(Borgomano, , 2000.…”

“…The latter exposes resedimented deposits that have been extensively studied by a number of authors in a small area, i.e. the Gargano promontory, exposing an example of a platform-to-basin relation (Borgomano, 1987(Borgomano, , 2000Bosellini et al, 1993Bosellini et al, , 1999Graziano, 2000Graziano, , 2001Hairabian et al, 2014-in this volume). In contrast, little information exists with regard to the sedimentary processes involved in the sedimentation of a thick succession of about 300 m of Upper Cretaceous deposits outcropping in Albania.…”

A New Approach Based on Terrestrial Remote-sensing Techniques for Rock Fall Hazard Assessment

“…In the north-eastern part of the Gargano promontory (Fig. 2), the basin deposits (formations of: Maiolica, Scisti a Fucoidi and Scaglia) are overlaid, with an on-lap unconformity contact, by the Calcari di Peschici limestones (Speranza and Kissel 1993;Bosellini et al 1993Bosellini et al , 1999. The Monte Pucci reflects this geological setting: the Peschici limestones constitute the top layer of the relief, while the Scaglia formation is at the basis and outcrops only in the lower portion of vertical coastal cliffs.…”