Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD
Résumé : The Neogene geodynamics evolution of the south-Alboran realm in western Mediterranean has been clarified, based on sedimentological and chronostratigraphical studies. This work focuses on three main themes of research, the first is to establish the moments for the opening and closing of the North Rifian Corridor by studying two Neogene basins of the southern edge of the Alboran sea. The second, aims to understand the behavior of these two basins face a major event in the history of the Mediterranean: The Messinian Salinity Crisis. Finally, the third theme aims to understand the modalities Post-MSC reflooding in the southern part of the Alboran realm.The late Miocene evolution of the North Rifian Corridor is clarified on the basis of chronostratigraphic studies of the Neogene Boudinar and Arbaa Taourirt basins (northeastern Morocco). The marine sediments deposited in the Boudinar basin between the early Tortonian and the late early Messinian (10 Ma to 6.1 Ma) and in the late Tortonian-earliest Messinian interval in the Arbaa Taourirt basin. Palaeoenvironmental data record a major drowning in association with extensive tectonics in the Boudinar basin during the early Messinian at ~7.2 Ma. At the same time, prograding conglomerates and sandstones developed over the late Tortonian marls in the Arbaa Taourirt basin. During the late-early Messinian, a shallowing trend occurred in the Boudinar basin. Thus, the North Rifian Corridor opened at ~7.2 Ma ensuring Atlantic-Mediterranean connections, then was progressively restricted during the late-early Messinian and totally closed at ~6.1 Ma. New sedimentological and paleontological studies of the late Messinian-early Pliocene deposits in the Boudinar basin provide new information on the Messinian Salinity Crisis (« MSC ») and the Zanclean reflooding in the Alboran sea. The Messinian erosional surface « MES » is of late Messinian age and was emplaced in subaerial settings. It is polygenic, its original geometry is locally preserved and was re-shaped by the Pliocene transgressive surface. Above the « MES », the Boudinar basin infill is characterized by a wide variety of facies from continental settings to lower offshore conditions. Two major sets are recognized: a latest Messinian-Zanclean set that constitutes a transgressive-regressive megasequence interrupted at the top by a tectonic unconformity, and an Plio-Quaternary regressive set. During the late Messinian Zanclean interval, four successive depositional models were documented. They record major changes in palaeoflow and paleogeography related to base-level fluctuations. No Gilbert-type delta has ben identified at Boudinar. the beginning of base-level rise is marked by normal regressions and by the formation of several lacs and fan-delta complexes on the margins of the basin in the late Messinian and befor the marine reefloding in the early Zanclean. The marine reflooding of the basin appears later, with a transgressive surface of ravinment and a thick package of transgressive deposits. These transgressive deposits onlap over all previous deposits. The major part of the basin infill did not issue from an inner landward position (south of the basin) but from the northwestern side of the basin, i.e. near the Mediterranean. Sediments were subsequently reworked by storms and transported by longshore-drift towards the south. a maximum flooding surface is found several tens of metres above the « MES ». This fiding is consistent with a progressive and not a catastrophic early Zanclean flooding of the westernMediterranean after the Mediterranean base-level fall.
Sur la base d’études sédimentologiques et chronostratigraphiques dans les bassins de Boudinar et d’Arbaa Taourirt (Rif oriental, Maroc), l’évolution géodynamique néogène du domaine sud-Alboran en Méditerranée occidentale a été clarifiée. Ce travail est axé sur trois grandes thématiques de recherche. La première vise à l’établissement d’un cadre chronostratigraphique pour l’ouverture et la fermeture du Couloir Nord Rifain, par l’étude de deux bassins nèogènes de la bordure sud de la mer d’Alboran. La deuxième, vise à comprendre le comportement de ces deux bassins face à un événement majeur de l’histoire de la Mediterranée : la Crise de salinité messinienne. Finalement, la troisième vise à comprendre les modalités de remise en eau de la Méditerranée après la Crise : le reenoiement pliocène. L'évolution du Couloir Nord Rifain au Miocène supérieur est clarifiée sur la base des études chronostratigraphiques des bassins néogènes de Boudinar et d'Arbaa Taourirt (Maroc Nord oriental). Les sédiments marins miocènes se sont déposés entre le Tortonien inférieur et le Messinien inférieur (10 à 6.1 Ma) dans le bassin de Boudinar et entre le Tortonien supérieur et le Messinien inférieur dans le bassin d'Arbaa Taourirt. Les données paléoenvironnementales enregistrent un ennoyage important du bassin de Boudinar en relation avec une tectonique extensive pendant le Messinien inférieur (~7.2 Ma). En même temps, des conglomérats et de grès progradants se sont développés au-dessus des marnes tortoniennes dans le bassin d’Arbaa Taourirt. Le bassin de Boudinar a subi un désapprofondissement au Messinien inférieur. Ces résultats indiquent que le Couloir Nord Rifain s’est ouvert à ~7.2 Ma assurant les communications entre l’Atlantique et la Méditerranée, puis a subi une restriction progressive pendant le Messinien inférieur avant d’être totalement fermé à ~6.1 Ma.De nouvelles études sédimentologiques et paléontologiques des dépôts Messinien supérieur-Pliocène inférieur dans le bassin de Boudinar fournissent des informations sur la Crise de salinité messinienne (« MSC ») et le réennoiement zancléen dans la Mer d'Alboran. L’un des marqueurs majeurs de la Crise est identifié : la surface d’érosion messinienne « MES ». Elle est d'âge Messinien supérieur et a été mise en place dans des conditions subaériennes. Sa géométrie originale n’est préservée que localement et a été remodelée par la surface transgressive du Pliocène inférieur. Au dessus de la « MES » le remplissage sédimentaire du bassin de Boudinar est caractérisé par une grande variété de faciès allant des conditions de dépôts continentales jusqu’à des conditions d’offshore inférieur. Deux ensembles majeurs sont reconnus : un ensemble messinien terminal-zancléen qui constitue une mégaséquence transgressive-regressive, interrompue au sommet par une discordance tectonique, et un ensemble plio-quaternaire regressif. Durant l’intervalle Messinien terminal-Zancléen, quatre modèles de dépôts successifs ont été documentés enregistrant des changements majeurs de paléocourants et de paléogéographies, liés aux fluctuations de niveau de base. Nous n’avons pas identifié de Gilbert delta à Boudinar. La remontée du niveau de base est marquée par une régression normale et par le développement des lacs et de complexes de fan-deltas sur les marges du bassin pendant le Messinien supérieur, avant l’inondation marine au Zancléen basal. Le réennoiement marin du bassin apparait plus tard avec une surface de transgression ravinante et par d’épais dépôts transgressifs, en onlap sur tous les dépôts précédents. La majeure partie du remplissage sédimentaire du bassin n’est pas reçue des reliefs de la bordure sud du bassin, mais du côté Nord-Ouset au bord de la Méditerranée. Les sédiments sont alors remaniés par les tempêtes et transportés vers le sud par la dérive littorale. Une surface d’inondation maximale a été identifiée à plusieurs dizaines de mètres au-dessus de la « MES ». Ceci suggère un ennoiement progressif et non catastrophique, après la chute du niveau de base méditerranéen.
https://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-01473572

Droits : http://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/licences/copyright/
tel-01473572
https://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-01473572
https://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-01473572/document
https://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-01473572/file/Th%C3%A8se-achalhi.pdf

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Geological Society of America
Résumé : International audience
Integrated Ocean Drilling Program Expedition 313 continuously cored uppermost Eocene to Miocene sequences on the New Jersey shallow shelf (Sites M27, M28, and M29). Previously, 15 Miocene (ca. 23-13 Ma) seismic sequence boundaries were recognized on several generations of multichannel seismic profi les using criteria of onlap, downlap, erosional truncation, and toplap. We independently recognize sequence boundaries in the cores and logs based on an integrated study of core surfaces, lithostratigraphy and process sedimentology (grain size, mineralogy, facies, and paleoenvironments), facies successions, stacking patterns, benthic foraminiferal water depths, downhole logs, core gamma logs, and chronostratigraphic ages. We use a velocitydepth function to predict the depths of seismic sequence boundaries that were tested by comparison with major core surfaces, downhole and core logs, and synthetic seismograms. Using sonic velocity (core and downhole), core density, and synthetic seismograms, we show that sequence boundaries correspond with acoustic impedance contrasts, although other stratal surfaces (e.g., maximum fl ooding and transgressive surfaces) also produce refl ections. Core data are suffi cient to link seismic sequence boundaries to impedance contrasts in 9 of 12 instances at Site M27, 6 of 11 instances at Site M28, and 8 of 14 instances at Site M29. Oligocene sequences have minimal lithologic and seismic expression due to deep-water locations on clinoform bottomsets. Miocene sequences (ca. 23-13 Ma) were sampled across several unconformity clinothems (prograding units) on topset, foreset, and bottomset locations. Excellent recovery allows core-seismic integration that confi rms the hypothesis that unconformities are a primary source of impedance contrasts. Our core-seismic-log correlations predict that key seismic surfaces observed in other sub surface investigations without core and/or well logs are stratal surfaces with sequence stratigraphic signifi cance.
EISSN: 1553-040X

insu-00946235
https://hal-insu.archives-ouvertes.fr/insu-00946235
DOI : 10.1130/GES00858.1

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier
Résumé : International audience
The chronostratigraphy of the lower Miocene deposits of northwestern Sardinia is refined in the Castelsardo Basin. The combination of new 40Ar/39Ar isotopic datings, 19 micropalaeontological datings (calcareous nannofossils, planktonic and large benthic foraminifers) and 16 palaeomagnetic polarity measurements led to a new chronostratigraphic framework. The continental deposits of the first megasequence (Valledoria and Casteldoria members) are possibly Aquitanian. The overlying marine sediments are early Burdigalian (Vaginella depressa Molasse). The marine transgression can be dated to around 19.7 Ma. Marine conditions ceased 18.83 ± 0.13 Ma, the age of the index aerial τ2 ignimbrite. The continental part of the second megasequence (“Lacustre” unit) is early–middle Burdigalian, between 18.8 and 18 Ma. The overlying marine part (Campulandu and Sedini members) is middle–late Burdigalian. The second marine transgression began in the earliest–late Burdigalian, during the Chron C5Dr reversal, at the time of the eustatic Bur 4 event. The Castelsardo basin went through two main extensional tectonic episodes. The first one occurred as the Valledoria Member was deposited and possibly dates back to the Aquitanian. The second one occurred as the uppermost part of the Vaginella depressa Molasse was deposited during the early Burdigalian. The second extensional episode is related to a rapid rotation of Sardinia. Palaeomagnetic results confirm that Corsica and Sardinia acted as a single block which suffered a 28 ± 17° ccw rotation after 19.2 Ma. The Castelsardo basin is held to be an Aquitanian–early Burdigalian intra-arc rift basin that later evolved in a thermally controlled subsident margin of the Ligurian-Provençal Basin during the middle–late Burdigalian.
ISSN: 0031-0182

hal-00498288
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00498288
DOI : 10.1016/j.palaeo.2010.06.007

Éditeur(s) : Elsevier Science Bv
Résumé : The timing, routing and processes of sediment transfer from the continents to the oceans at millennial time-scale are still largely unknown. The potential of turbidite systems (dominantly deposited during sea-level lowstands) to record global or regional environmental fluctuations is usually under-exploited because of the difficulty to obtain robust chronostratigraphic constraints in turbiditic deposits, and therefore to tie changes in sedimentary processes to environmental fluctuations. We were able to obtain a millennial-scale chronostratigraphy based on oxygen isotopes of the scarce foraminifera preserved in turbiditic deposits of the Rhone Turbidite System within the Western Mediterranean. Our results show that 1) objective criteria can be defined for the selection of foraminifera preserved within the pelagic intervals between the turbiditic sequences, in order to obtain a reliable isotope stratigraphy; 2) Turbidites triggered by hyperpycnal currents are described for the first time within the Rhone Turbidite System. They are related to the periods of direct fluvial connection with the canyon head (during the sea-level lowstand and early rise), and to a period of high sediment flux in relation with the massive recession of the Rhone glaciers in the Alps; 3) The lithofacies change passing from hyperpycnal to “Bouma-type” is dated at ca 19 cal. ka BP, which might correspond to an acceleration of sea-level rise (19-ka Meltwater Pulse,).
Sedimentary Geology (0037-0738) (Elsevier Science Bv), 2015-06 , Vol. 323 , P. 148-166

Droits : 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00266/37712/35730.pdf
DOI:10.1016/j.sedgeo.2015.04.009
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00266/37712/

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Société géologique de France
Résumé : In the western Mediterranean Sea, the Liguro-Provençal Basin (LPB) is a key area for studying passive margins because of its recent formation and abundance of onshore and offshore data. The Nerthe area located in the northern margin of LPB provides the unique continuous Oligo-Miocene deposits contemporaneous of the transition rifting to drifting. However, the age of the deposits remains debated and the link between outcrops and offshore seismic data is poorly constrained. The purpose of this paper is double. First, we intend to propose a new chronostratigraphic frame based on bio- (planktonic foraminifera, calcareous nannofossils) and magneto-stratigraphy. Second, we aim to make, through the integration of new highly time-resolved seismic data and field works, a coherent onshore-offshore link concretized by a 3D geological model. The new temporal and spatial data presented in this paper allow correlating the Oligo-Miocene sequences, defining their geometry and specifying precisely the timing of syn- and post-rift stages. The first marine transgression is now precisely dated latest Chattian within the syn-rift deposits and appears to be synchronous with the first marine deposits in the offshore wells and other marginal basins. The transition from syn-rift to post-rift appears to last 3.3 Ma at maximum, between 21.8 and 18.5 Ma (late Aquitanian to early Burdigalian). It is underlined by two major erosional unconformities bearing a hiatus of around 1 Ma. The post-rift started with a major marine transgression that is now dated from middle Burdigalian, at around 18.5 Ma, as elsewhere in the LPB. Contrarily to recent proposals, the post-rift deposits are widely represented on the northeastern margin of the "Golfe du Lion". There, the subsidence of the margin was low during the syn-rift and the transitional periods and high during the post-rift. The onset of this high post-rift subsidence appears to be synchronous with the slowdown of the Corsica-Sardinia block (CSb) motion.
EISSN: 1777-5817

hal-00558497
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00558497
DOI : 10.2113/gssgfbull.181.6.591

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD
Résumé : International audience
Pollen records, marine faunal associations and stable isotope compositions of sediments from Rhodes, Greece, have been determined to track environmental changes in the eastern Mediterranean during the Early and Middle Pleistocene. A detailed chronostratigraphic curve, based on magnetostratigraphic data, was obtained by correlating pollen spectra with the Mediterranean oxygen isotopic curve of Ocean Drilling Program Site 975. Five sedimentary sequences that correspond to marine oxygen isotope stage (MIS) 31–27 and to MIS 20–17 have been investigated in the confined Tsampika microbasin. High-amplitude Pinus variations confirm glacio-eustatic changes deduced from changes in marine faunal associations and sedimentary depositional environments. Reflecting climatic cycles identified in the marine carbonate oxygen isotope record, eight vegetation successions (characterized by the dominance first of mesothermic elements, then of mid- and high-altitude elements with Pinus, and ending with maxima in herb and steppe elements) have been documented. Most of them were probably driven by changes in insolation occurring in high northern latitudes (obliquity impact) during the late Early Pleistocene and early Middle Pleistocene.
Journal of the Geological Society, London

hal-00470360
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00470360

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Société géologique de France
Résumé : International audience
The Messinian salinity crisis (MSC) is characterized by gigantic erosion that remodels the margins while a thick, essentially evaporitic and detrital, sedimentary sequence forms in the deep basins. Based on recent (MAURESC, 2003) and earlier (MESEA 1, 1990; MAGIRAA, 1996; GEOBREST, 2002) seismic reflection data, this work brings to light the record of the MSC on the Provençal margin, which has until now been rarely explored from this perspective. Beyond its strictly regional interest, this study fits into a larger synthesis of MSC seismic markers in the Mediterranean and Black Sea marine domain [Lofi et al., 2011] and employs the new nomenclature established on this occasion. The results obtained reveal a Messinian detrital body (CU unit) of 625 metres maximum thickness at the foot of the margin, accumulating at the mouths of the principal canyons. Its form, facies and extension assimilate it to clastic fans, fed by subaerial erosion linked to the MSC. The relative geometry of CU and the Messinian units MU and UU deposited in the deep basin give indications to their chronostratigraphic relations. The deposition of the CU unit is posterior to the basal part of the mobile unit consisting of halite (MU), but contemporary to its top. These results agree with the recent scenarii, which propose that the precipitation of MU in the basin began early, during the lowering of the sea level, and ended at a low level during the MSC [Blanc, 2000; Martin et al., 2001; Sage et al., 2005; Ryan, 2009]. The UU unit surmounts MU and is subdivided into two sub-units with perceptibly different seismic facies : UU1 at the base and UU2 at the summit. UU1 could correspond to a unit containing more halite and/or more clastic material than UU2. The UU1 sub-unit could be partially contemporary to the CU unit. Concerning salt tectonics and its markers, three structural provinces have been evidenced in the sector of study, respectively : an upslope domain in extension (normal faults), an intermediary domain in translation (tabular MU) and a downslope domain in contraction (salt diapirs). These domains are directly linked to the gravity spreading and/or gliding of the brittle sedimentary cover formed by the CU, UU and Plio-Quatenary units and of the mobile level, MU. In the study area, a close relation between the distribution and thickness of CU and salt tectonics has additionally been evidenced at the mouths of the large Messinian canyons, being best expressed where CU is thick.
EISSN: 1777-5817

hal-00622998
https://hal-brgm.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00622998
DOI : 10.2113/gssgfbull.182.2.181

Éditeur(s) : Pergamon-elsevier Science Ltd
Résumé : A complete and optimized scheme of lettered marine isotope substages spanning the last 1.0 million years is proposed. Lettered substages for Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 5 were explicitly defined by Shackleton (1969), but analogous substages before or after MIS 5 have not been coherently defined. Short-term discrete events in the isotopic record were defined in the 1980s and given decimal-style numbers, rather than letters, but unlike substages they were neither intended nor suited to identify contiguous intervals of time. Substages for time outside MIS 5 have been lettered, or in some cases numbered, piecemeal and with conflicting designations. We therefore propose a system of lettered substages that is complete, without missing substages, and optimized to match previous published usage to the maximum extent possible. Our goal is to provide order and unity to a taxonomy and nomenclature that has developed ad hoc and somewhat chaotically over the decades. Our system is defined relative to the LR04 stack of marine benthic oxygen isotope records, and thus it is grounded in a continuous record responsive largely to changes in ice volume that are inherently global. This system is intended specifically for marine oxygen isotope stages, but it has relevance also for oxygen isotope stages recognized in time-series of non-marine oxygen isotope data, and more generally for climatic stages, which are recognized in time-series of non-isotopic as well as isotopic data. The terms “stage” and “substage” in this context are best considered to represent climatostratigraphic units, and thus “climatic stages” and “climatic substages”, because they are recognized from geochemical and sedimentary responses to climate change that may not have been synchronous at global scale.
Quaternary Science Reviews (0277-3791) (Pergamon-elsevier Science Ltd), 2015-03 , Vol. 111 , P. 94-106

Droits : 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00251/36216/35796.pdf
DOI:10.1016/j.quascirev.2015.01.012
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00251/36216/

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Société géologique de France
Résumé : International audience
The Messinian salinity crisis (MSC) is characterized by gigantic erosion that remodels the margins while a thick, essentially evaporitic and detrital, sedimentary sequence forms in the deep basins. Based on recent (MAURESC, 2003) and earlier (MESEA 1, 1990; MAGIRAA, 1996; GEOBREST, 2002) seismic reflection data, this work brings to light the record of the MSC on the Provençal margin, which has until now been rarely explored from this perspective. Beyond its strictly regional interest, this study fits into a larger synthesis of MSC seismic markers in the Mediterranean and Black Sea marine domain [Lofi et al., 2011] and employs the new nomenclature established on this occasion. The results obtained reveal a Messinian detrital body (CU unit) of 625 metres maximum thickness at the foot of the margin, accumulating at the mouths of the principal canyons. Its form, facies and extension assimilate it to clastic fans, fed by subaerial erosion linked to the MSC. The relative geometry of CU and the Messinian units MU and UU deposited in the deep basin give indications to their chronostratigraphic relations. The deposition of the CU unit is posterior to the basal part of the mobile unit consisting of halite (MU), but contemporary to its top. These results agree with the recent scenarii, which propose that the precipitation of MU in the basin began early, during the lowering of the sea level, and ended at a low level during the MSC [Blanc, 2000; Martin et al., 2001; Sage et al., 2005; Ryan, 2009]. The UU unit surmounts MU and is subdivided into two sub-units with perceptibly different seismic facies : UU1 at the base and UU2 at the summit. UU1 could correspond to a unit containing more halite and/or more clastic material than UU2. The UU1 sub-unit could be partially contemporary to the CU unit. Concerning salt tectonics and its markers, three structural provinces have been evidenced in the sector of study, respectively : an upslope domain in extension (normal faults), an intermediary domain in translation (tabular MU) and a downslope domain in contraction (salt diapirs). These domains are directly linked to the gravity spreading and/or gliding of the brittle sedimentary cover formed by the CU, UU and Plio-Quatenary units and of the mobile level, MU. In the study area, a close relation between the distribution and thickness of CU and salt tectonics has additionally been evidenced at the mouths of the large Messinian canyons, being best expressed where CU is thick.
EISSN: 1777-5817

hal-00498286
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00498286

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier
Résumé : An integrated magneto-biostratigraphic study, based on calcareous nannofossils and foraminifers, together with the radiometric dating of a volcaniclastic layer found in several outcrops, was carried out on the hemipelagic deposits of the Lindos Bay Formation (LBF) at six localities on the island of Rhodes (Greece). Our highly refined chronostratigraphic framework indicates that the lower and upper lithostratigraphic boundaries of the LBF are diachronous. Associated with the 40Ar/39Ar age determination of 1.85 ± 0.08 Ma for the volcaniclastic layer, our data show that among the investigated outcrops, the Lindos Bay type locality section provides the longest record (1.1 Ma) of the LBF. Hemipelagic deposition occurred continuously from the late Gelasian (∼1.9 Ma) to the late Calabrian (∼0.8 Ma), i.e., from Chrons C2n (Olduvai) to C1r.1r (Matuyama) and from nannofossil Zones CNPL7 to CNPL10. This long record, together with the hemipelagic nature of the deposits, make the Lindos Bay type locality section a unique element in the eastern Mediterranean region, allowing future comparisons with other early Quaternary deep-sea sections available in the central and western Mediterranean regions.
ISSN: 0033-5894

hal-01467764
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01467764
DOI : 10.1016/j.yqres.2016.05.002

Éditeur(s) : American Geophysical Union
Résumé : [1] A multiproxy integrated chronological framework, based on oxygen and carbon stable isotope stratigraphy, biostratigraphy (foraminifera and nannoplankton bioevents and foraminifer assemblage-based climate cyclicity), magnetostratigraphy, sapropel stratigraphy, and C-14 AMS radiometric dates, has been achieved for borehole PRAD1-2, collected in 185.5 m water depth in the central Adriatic. This work was carried out within the European Community project Profiles across Mediterranean Sedimentary Systems (PROMESS1). The 71.2 m long borehole spans a time interval between late MIS 11 and MIS 1 (the last 370 ka), showing a chronological resolution of 500 and 250 years per cm during interglacial and glacial intervals, respectively. At present, this record is the most expanded and continuous marine record available for the Adriatic Basin. Several orbital cycles can be recognized in the PRAD1-2 record: the 100 ka glacial-interglacial fluctuations and the 23 ka precession-related cycles, which in turn control the deposition of sapropel layers. An integrated analysis of short-term oscillations within the Last Glaciation interval (MIS 4-MIS 2) allowed the identification of the Adriatic signature of Dansgaard-Oeschger events, showing the potential to achieve a more refined chronostratigraphic framework for the top part of the PRAD1-2 record. Finally, the age model obtained by this study allowed the chronological integration of the main foraminifera bioevents detected in the borehole as well as of the volcanoclastic layers present in the upper part of the record. Despite its proximal location, PRAD1-2 presents a continuous record and shows the potential to be consistently correlated both with deep-sea and continental records in the Mediterranean region and beyond.
Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems (1525-2027) (American Geophysical Union), 2008 , Vol. 9 , P. NIL_107-NIL_127

Droits : 2008 American Geophysical Union
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/2008/publication-3605.pdf
DOI:10.1029/2007GC001713
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/3605/

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier
Résumé : International audience
The barrier reef tract of New Caledonia is the second largest in the world enclosing lagoons of variable width. The Late Quaternary evolution of these barrier reefs and lagoons is poorly known. A recent high resolution seismic and multibeam bathymetry survey was carried out in the south-western lagoon from shoreline to open ocean across the barrier reef pass systems to perform sequence stratigraphy and to better understand the Quaternary evolution of the lagoon. Two depositional sequences bounded by type-1 erosional surfaces can be identified. The bounding surfaces delineate the bottom of two generations of incised valleys. System tracts comprising a complete succession of regressive, lowstand, transgressive and highstand tracts were observed only in the upper sequence. Chronostratigraphic and sedimentological interpretations of the seismic data are based on correlations with the chronology defined in the nearby cores drilled through the reefs and in the gravity cores previously recovered in the inner lagoon. Interpretation of seismic data is also carried out on the basis of correlation with multibeam bathymetric data. Our results indicate that the history of the New Caledonian lagoon probably does not exceed 200ka marked by two or three brief episodes each of immersion of about ten thousand years. The bathymetric data reveal that during successive low sea level stands, the lagoon was dependent upon erosional fluvial networks. The deep fluvial valleys were connected to the continental slope through the passes. Seismic records reveal that upstream palaeo-channels are not connected to the modern coastal rivers. In contrast, many aggrading deposits, including numerous stacking channels, and extending across the proximal part of the outer lagoon, can be identified. Examination of drainage network morphology suggests a progressive tilt of the outer lagoon. Such evolution reveals that the Nouméa lagoon which is one of the widest in the world is an exceptional modern example of a rimmed shelf providing data to analyze the past counterparts.
ISSN: 0031-0182

insu-00338953
https://hal-insu.archives-ouvertes.fr/insu-00338953
DOI : 10.1016/j.palaeo.2008.08.012

Éditeur(s) : Springer
Résumé : The Balearic Basin is a young basin composed of thick Plio-Quaternary sediments, including active gravity sedimentation. During the Quaternary, gravity processes deposited (1) turbidite systems, either as symmetrical fans (Petit-Rhone and Valencia fans) or asymmetrical ridges (Marseille-Planier, Grand- Rhone and Pyreneo-Languedocian ridges) and (2) several mass-transport deposits, indicating recurrent sedimentary failures of the margin. This paper synthesizes previous works and proposes a chronological sedimentary evolution for the basin. Except for the last 20 ka, the chronostratigraphy remains poorly constrained but should soon be established for the last 500 ka, based on the PROMESS1 drillings on the outer shelf of the Gulf of Lions, and hopefully for the last 30 Ma, based on ultra-deep drilling in the deep basin from aboard the Chikyu research vessel (IODP proposal Pre699).
Geo-Marine Letters (0276-0460) (Springer), 2006-12 , Vol. 26 , N. 6 , P. 347-359

Droits : 2006 Springer Science+Business Media
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/2006/publication-2171.pdf
DOI:10.1007/s00367-006-0044-0
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/2171/

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Geological Society
Résumé : International audience
An integrated stratigraphic study was conducted on the shallow water carbonate platforms of the Guadeloupe archipelago to refine the tectonic evolution of the Lesser Antilles forearc. The carbonate platforms are now dated to the Zanclean-Calabrian interval, and their demise occurred between 1.5 and 1.07 Ma. The precise chronostratigraphy allows dating of the main extensional tectonic events since the late Miocene. An initial episode occurred during the late Miocene, related to the reactivation of inherited N130°E-trending shear zones, and led to the emergence of most parts of the forearc. Subsequently, Zanclean to early Piacenzian carbonate platforms developed in association with a general subsidence of the forearc. During the late Piacenzan, a second extensional episode occurred. At this time La Désirade underwent major uplift and emergence whereas most of the forearc remained submerged. Prior to 1.07 Ma, a third north-south extensional episode occurred and led to the final demise of the carbonate platforms. Thus the forearc was characterized by general subsidence since the early Pliocene interrupted by three main extensional episodes and related differential uplifts. This suggests that the Lesser Antilles subduction is probably erosive north of latitude 15°N since c. 5 Ma, related to aseismic ridge subduction.
ISSN: 0016-7649

hal-01053696
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01053696
DOI : 10.1144/jgs2013-005

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier
Résumé : International audience
The Tarim and Junggar basins in central Asia are capped by a thick pile of conglomerates, called the Xiyu Formation, that are commonly linked to a change in climate and/or accelerated uplift near the Plio-Pleistocene boundary. In order to better understand their origin and significance, we carried out a combined structural and magnetostratigraphic study in the Quilitage syncline (southern Tianshan), where the base of the Xiyu conglomerates is observed at both sides of the syncline. A balanced cross-section shows that, even at a local-scale, the base of the Xiyu conglomerates cannot be regarded as a single continuous stratigraphic layer. On the southern flank of the Quilitage syncline, we collected 172 samples collected for magnetostratigraphic dating identify 17 polarity chrons that date the new section from 5.2 to ~ 1.7 Ma and constrain the base of the Xiyu conglomerate here at ~ 1.7 Ma. This is 4.2 Ma younger than the age of the Xiyu previously found on the northern limb of the same syncline. Together with other magnetostratigraphic studies carried out around the Tianshan, our study unambiguously demonstrates that the onset of deposition of the Xiyu conglomerates is diachronous, and that the conglomerates are systematically younger toward the basin. Consequently, the Xiyu Formation should not be considered as a chronostratigraphic marker related to any particular tectonic or climatic event, but is instead a prograding gravel wedge that has prograded over the underthrusting forelands. A synthesis of chronologic and structural results yields progradation rates over the last 10 Ma on the order of ~ 2.0 mm/yr and ~ 3.9 mm/yr south and north of the Tianshan Mountains respectively. These rates are comparable to the shortening rate across the Tianshan range, suggesting that underthrusting is the main factor governing the progradation rate of the Xiyu Formation.
ISSN: 0012-821X

insu-00414151
https://hal-insu.archives-ouvertes.fr/insu-00414151
https://hal-insu.archives-ouvertes.fr/insu-00414151/document
https://hal-insu.archives-ouvertes.fr/insu-00414151/file/Charreau-EPSL-2009.pdf
DOI : 10.1016/j.epsl.2009.07.035

Éditeur(s) : American Geophysical Union
Résumé : Thick forced regressive units on the wide continental shelf of the Gulf of Lions (western Mediterranean) recorded the composite effect of sea level changes during the Quaternary. They are mostly composed of coastal siliciclastic and bioclastic wedges showing clinoform geometry. These deposits have been intensively explored through high-resolution seismic investigations, but only recently it was possible to ground truth seismic interpretations, based on a long (100 m) borehole that crossed the succession and recovered a large part of the mainly sandy deposits (similar to 84% recovery). A multiproxy analysis of the sedimentary succession shows that (1) the stratal architecture of the shelf margin is defined by major bounding surfaces that are polygenic erosion surfaces associated with coarse-grained material incorporating abundant and diverse shells, including cold-water fauna (presently absent from the Mediterranean Sea). Between each surface, coarsening upward units with steep (up to 5 degrees) foresets are made of massive (more than 20 m thick) sands with possible swaley and hummocky cross-stratification, passing seaward to sands with muddy intervals and, further offshore, alternating highly boiturbated sands and silts. Each prograding wedge corresponds to a forced-regressive shoreface (or delta front/prodelta), deposited during the overall sea level falls occurring at (relatively slow) interglacial/glacial transition and therefore represents the record of 100 ka cyclicity. Higher-frequency Milankovitch cyclicities are also probably represented by distinct shoreface/delta front wedges; (2) detailed examination of the architecture and chronostratigraphy of the most recent sequence shows that minor bounding surfaces, corresponding to abrupt shallowing of sedimentary facies, separate downward stepping parasequences within the last 100 ka sequence. These events are in phase with millennial-scale glacial climatic and sea level variability, the downward shift surfaces corresponding to the falls during the coldest stadials. These deposits provide a comprehensive and well-constrained Pleistocene analog to the numerous shoreface deposits attributed to falling-stage systems tracts recognized in ancient stratigraphic records, studied at the outcrop scale.
Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems - G3 (1525-2027) (American Geophysical Union), 2008-11 , Vol. 9 , N. Q11R05 , P. NIL_40-NIL_66

Droits : 2008 American Geophysical Union
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/2008/publication-4929.pdf
DOI:10.1029/2007GC001854
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/4929/