Marco Roveri1,3, Rocco Gennari2,3, Stefano Lugli4 and Vinicio Manzi1,3
1 Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, University of Parma, Via G.P. Usberti, 157/A, 43100 Parma, Italy. E-mail: marco.roveri@unipr.it
2 Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, University of Turin, Via Valperga Caluso 35, 10123 Torino, Italy
3 ALP Laboratory, Via Madonna dei Boschi 76, 12016 Peveragno (CN), Italy
4 Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Largo S. Eufemia 19, 41100 Modena, Italy
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The Terminal Carbonate Complex: the record of sea-level changes during the Messinian salinity crisis
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PDF (4,7 MB)
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Abstract
Based on new cyclostratigraphic data and considerations, the Messinian Terminal Carbonate Complex (TCC), consisting of oolite and microbial-dominated carbonate platforms mainly preserved in the western Mediterranean basins, developed between 5.97 and 5.42 Ma. In the Sorbas basin (southern Spain), the TCC offers an almost continuous record of MSC stages 1 (5.97-5.6 Ma), 2 (5.6-5.55 Ma) and lower 3 (5.55-5.42 Ma). As a consequence, the TCC carbonate platforms can be considered as a shallow-water equivalent of both Lower Gypsum and Upper Gypsum units, developed respectively during MSC stages 1 and 3. The MSC peak during stage 2 caused a significant change in reef-builder communities, allowing subdivision of TCC into two units. TCC 1 dominated by oolites, Porites reefs and stromatolites. and TCC 2, dominated by thrombolites. The surface separating the two units corresponds to the Messinian erosional surface; facies and stratigraphic relationships suggest that only a modest relative sea-level fall (tens of meters) can be associated to this unconformity, thus questioning the high-amplitude sea-level drop (800-1500 m) commonly envisaged for this event, which led to the accumulation of giant salt bodies in deep Mediterranean basins.
Keywords: Messinian salinity crisis, Terminal Carbonate Complex, Mediterranean, sea-level changes, astrocyclostratigraphy
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