Meriem L. Moulana, A. Hubert‐Ferrari, M. Guendouz, M. El Ouahabi, A. Boutaleb, F. Boulvain
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引用次数: 1
Abstract
The Messinian (Upper Miocene) is characterized at the level of its marginal basins by the development of numerous carbonate platforms. This study concerns the Messinian platform of the Boukadir region in the south of the Chelif Basin in Algeria. It is composed of a lower prograding rimmed platform and an upper aggradational homoclinal ramp resting upon the Tortonian–Lower Messinian Blue Marl Formation, and its thickness reaches ~280 m in the Chelif Basin. The upper red-algae unit is uniform and subhorizontal with a minimum thickness of 90 m. Petrographic analysis of the upper ramp reveals three different microfacies, characterized by Lithothamnium, foraminifera, high porosity, and a microsparitic matrix. MF1 is a packstone, MF2 a packstone/bindstone deposited above the fair-weather wave base and MF3 is a wackestone to packstone deposited below this level. The upper unit is made up entirely of autochthonous biogenic elements without significant external fluvial contribution. It was formed in a shallow marine environment, with very high productivity and a significant export of the sediments produced. This aggradation was followed by a rapid exhumation (regression) transforming all the aragonite into calcite. The platforms correspond to the T2 complex reef formation (6.7–5.95 Ma) documented on the other Messinian carbonate platforms in the South of the Alboran Sea that formed just before the Messinian Salinity Crisis.
期刊介绍:
Geologica Belgica is a Belgian journal that welcomes papers concerning all aspects of the earth sciences, with a particular emphasis on the regional geology of Belgium, North West Europe and central Africa. Papers not dedicated to the geology of Belgium, North West Europe and central Africa are only accepted when one of the authors is linked to a Belgian University or Institution. Thematic issues are highly appreciated. In this case, guest editors take in charge the selection of the manuscripts and the subject of the papers can be enlarged. The journal is in open access.
Submitted manuscripts should be concise, presenting material not previously published. The journal also encourages the publication of papers from Belgian junior authors. Short letters are accepted. Papers written in English are preferred. Each mansucript will be reviewed by at least two reviewers.