The Numidian Sand Event in the Burdigalian Foreland Basin System of the Rif (Morocco) in a source-to-sink perspective

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anas Abbassi ◽  
Paola Cipollari ◽  
Maria Giuditta Fellin ◽  
Mohamed Najib Zaghloul ◽  
Marcel Guillong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Detrital Zircon ◽  
Large Population ◽  
Foreland Basin ◽  
Source Area ◽  
Western Mediterranean ◽  
Early Miocene ◽  
Calcareous Nannofossils ◽  
External Zone ◽  
Field Evidence ◽  
Basin System

<p>During the Tertiary evolution of the Western Mediterranean subduction system, the orogenic accretion at the Maghrebian margin let the stacking of three main tectonic zones of the Rif fold-and-thrust belt: 1) the Internal Zone; 2) the “Maghrebian Flysch” Nappes; and 3) the  External Zone. In this context, a migrating foreland basin system developed between the Maghrebian orogenic belt and the adjacent African Craton. </p><p>A comprehensive reconstruction of the foreland basin system of the Rif Chain for each phase of its accretional history is still missing. In this work, by integrating field observations with quantitative biostratigraphic data from calcareous nannofossils assemblages, sandstone composition, and detrital zircon U-Pb geochronology from selected stratigraphic successions, we reconstruct the foreland basin system that in the early Miocene developed in front of the growing Rif orogen. The analyzed successions are representative of (1) the “Beliounis Facies”, made of quartz-arenites and litharenites (Numidian-like “mixed succession”), from the Predorsalian Unit; (2) the “Mérinides Facies”, made of a Numidian-like “mixed succession”, from the “Maghrebian Flysch Basin”; and (3) the classical “Numidian Facies”, exclusively made of quartzarenites, from the Intrarifian Tanger Unit.</p><p>The petrographic analyses and the detrital zircon U-Pb ages show the provenance of the quartzarenites of the “Numidian Facies” from the African Craton, whereas the sublitharenites and feldspathic litharenites, of both the “Mérinides Facies” and “Beliounis Facies”, show provenance from a cratonic area and the growing and unroofing Rif Chain, respectively. </p><p>The Alpine signature of the detrital grains sedimented into the foredeep deposits of the early Miocene orogenic system of the Rif Chain is from the feldspathic litharenites of both the Mérinides Facies and the Beni Ider Flysch. Both show Mesozoic and Cenozoic U-Pb zircon populations, with a large population of zircons centered at ca. 32 Ma. The U and Th concentration, the Th/U ratio, and the REE pattern of this population of zircons suggest a possible source area from Oligocene doleritic rock intrusions, similar to the magmatic dyke swarms (diorite) cropping out in the Malaga region ( SE Spain).</p><p>The biostratigraphic analyses pinpoint the same age for the arrival of the quartz grains in the Numidian, Mérinides, and Beliounis deposits, indicating about 1 Myr for their sedimentation (ca. 20-19 Ma, early Burdigalian). Together with field evidence, the biostratigraphic results point to an autochthonous deposition of the Numidian Sandstones on top of the Tanger Unit, allowing to delineate the early Burdigalian foreland basin system of the Rif Chain. The foreland depozone involved the Tanger Unit and received the “Numidian Facies” deposits ; the foredeep depozone hosted about 2000 m of the “Mérinides Facies” and the Beni Ider Flysch, and developed on the so-called “Flysch Basin Domain”; and, finally, the wedge-top depozone, characterized by the “Beliounis Facies”, developed on top of the Predorsalian Unit.</p><p>The Numidian Sandstones and the Numidian-like deposits analyzed in Morocco show the same age of similar deposits from Algeria, Tunisia, and Sicily, suggesting a comparable early Burdigalian tectono-sedimentary evolution along the southern branch of the Western Mediterranean subduction-related orogen.</p>

scholarly journals The Numidian sand event in the Burdigalian foreland basin system of the Rif, Morocco, in a source-to-sink perspective

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anas Abbassi ◽  
Paola Cipollari ◽  
M.G. Fellin ◽  
M.N. Zaghloul ◽  
Marcel Guillong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Detrital Zircon ◽  
Foreland Basin ◽  
Western Mediterranean ◽  
Sedimentary Evolution ◽  
System A ◽  
Source To Sink ◽  
Petrographic Analyses ◽  
Sandstone Composition ◽  
Subduction System ◽  
Basin System

During the Tertiary evolution of the Western Mediterranean subduction system, a migrating foreland basin system developed between the Maghrebian orogenic belt and the adjacent African Craton. However, a comprehensive reconstruction of the foreland basin systems of the Rif Chain is still missing. By integrating field observations with quantitative biostratigraphic data from calcareous nannofossil assemblages, sandstone composition, and detrital zircon U-Pb geochronology from selected stratigraphic successions, we reconstruct the foreland basin system that developed in the early Miocene in front of the growing Rif orogen. The successions analyzed are representative of (1) the classical “Numidian Facies” from the Intrarifian Tanger Unit and (2) the Numidian-like deposits (mixed successions) of the “Mérinides Facies” from the “Maghrebian Flysch Basin” and the “Beliounis Facies” from the Predorsalian Unit. Our petrographic analyses and detrital zircon U-Pb ages show that the quartzarenites of the “Numidian Facies” originated from the African Craton, whereas the sublitharenites and feldspathic litharenites from the Mérinides and Beliounis Facies originated from a cratonic area and the exhuming Rif Chain. Our biostratigraphic analyses suggest a simultaneous arrival of the quartz grains in the Numidian, Mérinides, and Beliounis deposits, which indicates that their deposition occurred at ∼1 m.y. (ca. 20−19 Ma, early Burdigalian) and allows us to delineate the early Burdigalian foreland basin system of the Rif Chain. The foreland depozone received the “Numidian Facies,” the foredeep-hosted ∼2000 m of the “Mérinides Facies” and the Beni Ider Flysch, whereas the wedge-top depozone was characterized by deposition of the “Beliounis Facies.” The Numidian Sandstones and the Numidian-like deposits analyzed in Morocco show the same age as similar deposits from Algeria, Tunisia, and Sicily, which suggests a comparable early Burdigalian tectono-sedimentary evolution along the southern branch of the Western Mediterranean subduction-related orogen.

scholarly journals AGE DETERMINATION AND PALAEOGEOGRAPHIC RECONSTRUCTION OF PINDOS FORELAND BASIN BASED ON CALCAREOUS NANNOFOSSILS

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 864 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Vakalas ◽  
G. Ananiadis ◽  
N. Kontopoulos ◽  
K. K. Stoykova ◽  
A. Zelilidis
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sections ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Middle Eocene ◽  
Age Determination ◽  
Foreland Basin ◽  
Late Eocene ◽  
Early Miocene ◽  
Calcareous Nannofossils ◽  
Basin Fill

The study area is part of the Pindos foreland (Underhill, 1985). Pindos foreland is a tertiary turbiditic foreland basin fill trending parallel to the external Hellenides and occupies Gavrovo and Ionian isopic zones (Aubouin, 1959). The age of Pindos foreland sediments is still a matter of discussion. B.P. (1971) proposed an early Miocene to middle Miocene age, explaining the presence of Oligocene fauna as a product of large scale erosion and reworking of older sediments during Miocene. IGSR&IFP(1966) suggested a late Eocene to early Miocene age for the basin fill while Fleury (1980), Leigh (1991), Wilpshaar (1995), Bellas (1997) assigned an Oligocene age. Avramidis et al (1999) proposes a middle Eocene to early Miocene age assessment, using nannofosil zones from three studied cross sections in the Klematia-Paramythia basin (middle Ionian zone). The determination of the sediment ages was based on the study of calcareous nannofossils, which came from almost 120 samples covering 11 geological cross sections. The nannofosil marker species that were found in the samples were classified using the biozones proposed by Martini in 1971. According to the age assessments arose from the studied samples, clastic sedimentation in the study area began in the Middle Eocene, with small differences among the basin. The end of clastic sedimentation seems to be at different times in different parts of the basin.

scholarly journals Detrital zircon provenance record of the Zagros mountain building from the Neotethys obduction to the Arabia-Eurasia collision, NW Zagros fold-thrust belt, Kurdistan region of Iraq

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renas I. Koshnaw ◽  
Fritz Schlunegger ◽  
Daniel F. Stockli
Keyword(s):  
Detrital Zircon ◽  
Upper Cretaceous ◽  
Foreland Basin ◽  
Source Area ◽  
Late Eocene ◽  
Thrust Belt ◽  
Kurdistan Region ◽  
Angular Unconformity ◽  
Tectonic Processes ◽  
Provenance Data

Abstract. Recognition of new angular unconformity and synthesizing of new detrital zircon U-Pb and (U-Th)/He provenance records, including zircon (U-Th)/(He-Pb) double dating, from the NW Zagros elucidate the basin dynamics of the foreland wedge-top and intermontane units, as well as the tectonic processes in the source terranes in response to different geodynamic phases. In this contribution, we present field observations and detrital zircon provenance data from hinterland basins to reconstruct the basin dynamics and the underlying tectonic controls in the NW Zagros in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. Results reveal that the deposition of the suture zone units of the Red Beds Series (RBS; Suwais Group, Govanda Formation, Merga Group) occurred in an intermontane basin on top of folded Upper Cretaceous units with an angular unconformity. The RBS provenance data point at the Paleogene Walash-Naopurdan-Kamyaran (WNK) arc-related complex as a source area and show substantial decrease of magmatism by ~ 36 Ma, as reflected by the youngest ages peaks. New detrital zircon provenance data from the hinterland wedge-top units of the proto-Zagros foreland basin (the Tanjero, Kolosh, and Gercus Formations) exhibit exclusive derivation from the Upper Cretaceous Neotethys ophiolitic terranes, different from the provenance of the older Lower Cretaceous and Paleozoic units that are dominated by the Paleozoic and Neoproterozoic age spectra. These shifts in provenance between different tectonostratigraphic units argue for sediment route reversal from E to W in response to ophiolite obduction, arrival of the WNK complex and commencement of the continental collision during the late Eocene, followed by deposition of the RBS in the hinterland of the proto-Zagros fold-thrust belt, and paleodrainage connection with the post-collisional Neogene foreland basin.

Detrital zircon U-Pb ages of Paleogene deposits in the southwestern Sichuan foreland basin, China: Constraints on basin-mountain evolution along the southeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau

2019 ◽  
Vol 132 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 668-686 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanyu Huang ◽  
Dengfa He ◽  
Di Li ◽  
Yingqiang Li
Keyword(s):  
Detrital Zircon ◽  
Sichuan Basin ◽  
Tectonic Setting ◽  
Foreland Basin ◽  
Source Area ◽  
Orogenic Belt ◽  
Sediment Supply ◽  
Scaling Analysis ◽  
The Tibetan Plateau ◽  
The Sichuan Basin

Abstract The tectonic setting of the southwestern Sichuan foreland basin, China, changed rapidly during the Paleogene period, and records from this period may provide crucial information about the formation and tectonic processes that affected the Sichuan Basin. To constrain the provenance and to reconstruct the paleogeography of the Paleogene successions, we conducted a detailed analysis of the petrology, geochronology, and sedimentary facies of rocks from the southwestern Sichuan foreland basin. The detrital components of the three analyzed sandstone samples indicate moderately to highly mature sediment that was primarily derived from a recycled orogen provenance. Five major age populations were identified in the U-Pb age spectra: Neoarchean to Siderian (2524–2469 Ma and 2019–1703 Ma), Neoproterozoic (Tonian to Cryogenian, 946–653 Ma), Ordovician to Carboniferous (Katian to lower Pennsylvanian, 448–321 Ma), and Carboniferous to Triassic (306–201 Ma). Each of these age populations corresponds to one or several potential sources around the southwestern Sichuan foreland basin. A multidimensional scaling analysis indicated that the Paleogene zircons were mainly derived from recycled sediments of the Songpan-Ganzi terrane and the Sichuan Basin, with minor input from the Yidun terrane, Kangdian terrane, Qinling orogenic belt, and Jiangnan-Xuefeng orogenic belt. More specifically, the sediment supply from the Songpan-Ganzi terrane to the foreland basin decreased significantly from the Mingshan stage to the Lushan stage, and the Sichuan Basin simultaneously became the most important source area. In addition, there is a high correlation between the detrital zircon U-Pb age spectrum of the southwestern Sichuan Basin and that of the Xichang Basin, which may suggest that a wider and unified Paleo-Yangtze Basin existed during the Late Cretaceous-early Paleogene.

scholarly journals Use of Detrital-zircon U–Pb age-distribution Comparison to Infer Source Location

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jialin Wang ◽  
Chaodong Wu ◽  
Yue Jiao ◽  
Bo Yuan
Keyword(s):  
Detrital Zircon ◽  
Age Distribution ◽  
Junggar Basin ◽  
Source Area ◽  
Source Location ◽  
Upper Triassic ◽  
Late Triassic ◽  
Provenance Analysis ◽  
Source Characteristics ◽  
Field Evidence

Abstract Provenance analysis for volcanism without field evidence remains a major challenge. Detrital zircon grains from 13 samples of the Middle–Upper Triassic Xiaoquangou Group in the Southern Junggar Basin (SJB) were analyzed using U–Pb geochronology to constrain the location and characteristics of Triassic volcanism in the area as well as to understand its tectonic implications. A comparison of the distribution of detrital zircon U–Pb ages reveals Triassic zircon ages predominate in northern Bogda Mountains, with subordinate contributions also in southern Bogda Mountains, and no or minimal input in North Tianshan piedmont. The geochronology data combined with the euhedral and angular zircon grains suggest that the Triassic zircons probably originate from Bogda Mountains. A comparative provenance analysis reveals varied sources for Xiaoquangou Group in the SJB, with sediments of the Bogda Mountains area derived mainly from North Tianshan, Central Tianshan, and Bogda Mountains. The supply of sediments from Bogda Mountains started in the Late Triassic, and is indicative of the initial uplift of Bogda Mountains. This study proves the effectiveness of the comparison of detrital zircon U–Pb age distributions for inferring source characteristics and is applicable in similar situations, particularly when the source area is poorly preserved.

scholarly journals Mesoproterozoic−Early Cretaceous provenance and paleogeographic evolution of the Northern Rocky Mountains: Insights from the detrital zircon record of the Bridger Range, Montana, USA

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chance B. Ronemus ◽  
Devon A. Orme ◽  
Saré Campbell ◽  
Sophie R. Black ◽  
John Cook
Keyword(s):  
Early Cretaceous ◽  
Detrital Zircon ◽  
Foreland Basin ◽  
Mountain Range ◽  
Thrust Belt ◽  
Sediment Sources ◽  
Middle Cambrian ◽  
Sediment Dispersal ◽  
Northern Rocky Mountains ◽  
Basin System

The Bridger Range of southwest Montana, USA, preserves one of the most temporally extensive sedimentary sections in North America, with strata ranging from Mesoproterozoic to Cretaceous in age. This study presents new detrital zircon geochronologic data from eight samples collected across this mountain range. Multidimensional scaling and non-negative matrix factorization statistical analyses are used to quantitatively unmix potential sediment sources from these and 54 samples compiled from previous studies on regional correlative strata. We interpret these sources based on reference data from preserved strata with detrital zircon signatures likely representative of ancient sediment sources. We link these sources to their sinks along sediment dispersal pathways interpreted using available paleogeographic constraints. Our results show that Mesoproterozoic strata in southwest Montana contain detritus derived from the nearby craton exposed along the southern margin of the fault-bounded Helena Embayment. Middle Cambrian strata were dominated by the recycling of local sources eroded during the development of the Great Unconformity. In Devonian−Pennsylvanian time, provenance in southwest Montana shifted to more distal sources along the northeastern to southeastern margins of Laurentia, but more western basins received detritus from outboard sources along a tectonically complicated margin. By the Late Jurassic, provenance in the developing retroarc foreland basin system was dominated by Cordilleran magmatic arcs and fold-thrust belt sources to the west. Eastward propagation of the fold-thrust belt caused recycling of Paleozoic and Jurassic detritus into the foreland basin to dominate by the Early Cretaceous.

scholarly journals A calcite crisis unravelling Early Miocene (Ottnangian) stratigraphy in the North Alpine–Carpathian Foreland Basin: a litho- and chemostratigraphic marker for the Rzehakia Lake System

2018 ◽  
Vol 69 (4) ◽  
pp. 315-334 ◽  
Author(s):  
Markus Palzer-Khomenko ◽  
Michael Wagreich ◽  
Wolfgang Knierzinger ◽  
Maria Meszar ◽  
Susanne Gier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Foreland Basin ◽  
Sharp Decrease ◽  
Early Miocene ◽  
Time Interval ◽  
Calcareous Nannofossils ◽  
Lake System ◽  
The North ◽  
North Alpine Foreland Basin ◽  
Alpine Foreland Basin ◽  
Minimum Interval

Abstract Within the Lower Austrian part of the North Alpine Foreland Basin (NAFB), up to 1000 m of sediments were deposited throughout the Ottnangian (Early Miocene, Burdigalian). According to homogeneous compositions and sparse biostratigraphic resolution, a consistent stratigraphic concept from the basin margins into the foreland depocenter was still lacking. New investigations on several deep drill cores throughout the basin provide comprehensive sedimentological, mineralogical, chemical and micropaleontological data. A calcite poor, fossil- and pyrite-free, smectite-rich, up to 800 m thick interval was identified and correlated to the time interval of the late Ottnangian brackish Rzehakia Lake System. For this section, we introduce the term Calcite Minimum Interval (CMI). We define the onset of the CMI by a sharp decrease of calcite contents and the disappearance of autochthonous (and reworked) calcareous nannofossils. We define the termination of the CMI by the permanent increase of pyrite contents and the reappearance of calcareous nannofossils. The CMI as a litho- and chemostratigraphical marker for the Rzehakia Lake System constitutes a stratigraphic key horizon. Within the NAFB in Lower Austria, its onset corresponds to the middle/upper Ottnangian transition while its termination correlates roughly to the Ottnangian / Karpatian boundary. This allows a precise definition, identification and correlation of (upper) Ottnangian stratigraphic units of the NAFB. For the central basinal parts of the Rzehakia Lake System, we introduce the new lithostratigraphic term Wildendürnbach Formation which correlates to the marginal Traisen Formation.

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