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Mineralogical changes through the Paleocene/Eocene transition in the Malaguide Domain (Internal Betic Zone, SE Spain)

Abstract:

The Paleocene/Eocene transition in the Malaguide Domain, upper and unmetamorphosed nappe of the Internal Betic Zone (Western Alpine Belt), is characterized by a stratigraphic unconformity with a stratigraphic gap affecting the Ilerdian. Some depositional changes, conditioned by the nature of the source areas, were detected during the Paleocene/Eocene transition. The sedimentary marine environment evolved from a mixed platform to a carbonated platform, whereas in the continental realm a change from fluvial to lacustrine conditions took place. The mineralogical record found in marine sediments allowed the observation of a variation in the relative sea level curve due to regional compressive tectonic processes and a transition from a seasonally dry climate to a humid tropical climate. This transition favoured, in the marine environment, the change from eutrophic conditions during the Paleocene to oligotrophic conditions during the Eocene.