Description: Multivariate analysis of the elemental composition of hemipelagic sedimentary successions has provided invaluable information about palaeoenvironmental evolution, including records of short-lived Eocene hyperthermal events. However, few studies have analyzed the sedimentary record of these climatic events in turbidite-rich continental margin successions. In order to test the usefulness of multivariate statistical techniques (factor and cluster analysis) in palaeonvironmental and palaeoclimatic research on turbiditic successions, the lowermost Eocene Solondota section, which accumulated on the North Iberian continental margin, was studied. A prominent negative carbon isotope excursion from Solondota was correlated with the Ypresian (early Eocene) hyperthermal event J, also known as C24n.2rH1. High-resolution sedimentological, geochemical (stable isotopes, major and trace elements) and mineralogical (bulk and clay mineralogy) data show that multivariate statistical analysis helps to manage large-sized quantitative datasets objectively, avoiding arbitrary choice of representative elements and identifying environmental factors (virtual variables) that may not be evident otherwise. Variations in major and minor elements from hemipelagic carbonates across the Solondota carbon isotope excursion suggest a temporarily more humid continental climate, which caused increased terrigenous material input into the marine environment. The finer grained fraction boosted hemipelagic carbonate dilution, whereas the coarser grained sediment was transported by temporarily more frequent and voluminous turbidity currents. Thus, the results from the Solondota carbon isotope excursion revealed similarities with deep marine records of other early Eocene minor hyperthermal events. This demonstrates the validity of deep-marine turbiditic successions for providing reliable sedimentological, mineralogical and geochemical records of global palaeoclimatic significance, complementing the information obtained from other sedimentary environments. Furthermore, the generally expanded nature of turbiditic successions can potentially provide palaeoclimatic information at very high resolution, enriching, and perhaps improving, the commonly condensed and sometimes discontinuous record of hemipelagic- only successions.

Description: Published

Description: 881-904

Description: 1A. Geomagnetismo e Paleomagnetismo

Description: JCR Journal

Description: This paper presents a sequentially restored cross-section of the Organyà and Montsec minibasins based on geological mapping, new field observations and available borehole data. The main objective was to describe the geometry and evolution of both basins in terms of salt tectonics and minibasin mobility. To this end, a comprehensive palaeomagnetic database has been used to constrain vertical-axis rotations potentially related to minibasin translation and pivoting. The Organyà minibasin constitutes an asymmetric depocentre formed during the Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous by translation above a southerly inclined salt layer. Salt evacuation and minibasin touchdown induced salt accumulation on the northern side of the basin that culminated in the development of the major Santa Fe unconformity during the late Albian—early Cenomanian. Indicative of salt quiescence is the following isopachous Cenomanian to lower Santonian sequence Salt tectonics resumed during the late Santonian—Palaeocene, with the Montsec minibasin downbuilding coinciding with the onset of Pyrenean convergence. Changes of the base-salt topography reflects regional-scale geodynamic processes. The acceleration of crustal thinning in the North Pyrenean zone during the late Albian-early Cenomanian favoured uplift in the Axial Zone, increasing slope and triggering salt mobilization in the Southern Pyrenees. Likewise, the onset of contraction renewed the downslope gliding of the Organyà and Montsec minbasins, and supports the idea that the early stages of basin inversion were governed by gravity tectonics. The kinematic reconstruction suggests that the more that 30° counterclockwise vertical axis rotation records pivoting during the suprasalt translation of the Organyà minibasin rather than solely the Iberian microplate rotation.

Description: Published

Description: e12846

Description: OSA1: Variazioni del campo magnetico terrestre, imaging crostale e sicurezza del territorio

Description: JCR Journal