Journal Article

Geodynamic Implications of the Latest Chattian-Langhian Central-Western Peri-Mediterranean Volcano-Sedimentary Event: A Review

Martín-Martín, Manuel, Tramontana, Mario, Guerrera, Francesco

2020

Overview

High amounts of Chattian-Langhian orogenic magmatism have generated volcaniclastic deposits that are interbedded within the penecontemporaneous sedimentary marine successions in several central-western peri-Mediterranean chains. These deposits are widespread in at least 41 units of different basins located in different geotectonic provinces: (1) the Africa-Adria continental margins (external units), (2) the basinal units resting on oceanic or thinned continental crust of the different branches of the western Tethys, (3) the European Margin (external units), and (4) the Western Sardinia zone (Sardinia Trough units). The emplacement of volcaniclastic material in marine basins was controlled by gravity flows (mainly turbidites; epiclastites) and fallout (pyroclastites). A third type comprises volcaniclastic grains mixed with marine deposits (mixed pyroclastic-epiclastic). Calc-alkaline magmatic activity is characterized by a medium- to high-potassium andesite-dacite-rhyolite suite and is linked to complex geodynamic processes that affected the central-western Mediterranean area in the ∼26 to 15 My range. The space/time distribution of volcaniclastites, together with a paleogeographic reconstructions, provide keys and constraints for a better reconstruction of some geodynamic events. Previous models of the central-western Mediterranean area were examined to compare their compatibility with main paleotectonic and paleogeographic constraints presented by the main results of the study. Despite the complexity of the topic, a preliminary evolutionary model based on the distribution of volcaniclastites and active volcanic systems is proposed.

• Publisher: The University of Chicago Press,University of Chicago Press,University of Chicago, acting through its Press
• Subject: Africa / Alps / Andesite / Apennines / Betic Zone / Calabrian Arc / calc-alkalic composition / Cenozoic / Chattian / Complexity / Continental crust / Continental margins / crust / depositional environment / Deposits / Dinaric Alps / Distribution / Eastern Alps / emplacement / Europe / Fallout / geodynamics / Geophysics / Gravity / Iberian Peninsula / igneous and metamorphic rocks / igneous rocks / Italy / Langhian / Maghreb / Magma / magmatism / marine environment / Mediterranean region / Mediterranean Sea / middle Miocene / Miocene / Morocco / Neogene / North Africa / Ocean basins / Oceanic crust / Oligocene / Orogeny / Paleoceanography / Paleogene / paleogeography / Peloritani Mountains / Petrology / Potassium / Pyrenees / pyroclastics / reconstruction / Rhyolite / Rhyolites / Rif / Sardinia Italy / Sicily Italy / solid Earth (tectonophysics) / Southern Europe / Spain / spatial distribution / Tell / Tertiary / Tethys / turbidite / Turbidites / upper Oligocene / Volcanic activity / volcanic rocks / volcaniclastics / volcanism / Volcanoes / West Mediterranean