The age of the foredeep sedimentation in the Betic–Rifian Mauretanian Units: A major constraint for the reconstruction of the tectonic evolution of the Gibraltar Arc

Abstract

In the Gibraltar Arc, the age of the turbiditic formations capping the Mauretanian successions, deposited in the internal side of the Maghrebian Flysch Basin Domain and testifying to the foredeep stage of the basin occurring immediately before its deformation, has been re-examined using the calcareous nannoplankton. The base of the successions resulted to be not older than Chattian or Early Miocene, whereas the top is not older than Late Burdigalian. Therefore, the foredeep evolution and the deformation of the Mauretanian Sub-Domain started not before the Late Oligocene and the Late Burdigalian, respectively, and the Iberia-Africa collision occurred as from the Middle Miocene.

The Rif Chain (Northern Morocco) in the Late Tortonian‐Early Messinian Tectonics of the Western Mediterranean Orogenic Belt: Evidence From the Tanger‐Al Manzla Wedge‐Top Basin

“…The “Maghrebian Flysch” Basin starts with Jurassic pelagic successions and thick Cretaceous‐lower Miocene calcareous and siliciclastic turbiditic series, which are imbricated into sheets and nappes such as the Tisirène‐Beni Ider and Chouamat‐Melloussa‐Numidian nappes. These nappes are classically considered to belong respectively to the Mauretanian and Massylian subbasins (Alcala et al, 2013; Bouillin et al, 1970, 1986; de Capoa et al, 2007; Dercourt et al, 1986; Durand‐Delga, 1980, 2006; Durand‐Delga & Fontboté, 1980; Wildi, 1983; Zaghloul et al, 2007).…”

The Betic-Rif Arc and Its Orogenic Hinterland: A Review

“…These quartz-rich sandstones almost certainly have an African provenance, given the predominance of Mesozoic carbonate shelves in Iberia, Adria, and the Alborán Domain. Immature micaceous sandstones of late Oligocene to early Miocene age (Beni Ider Flysch and the equivalent Algeciras Flysch in the westernmost Betics) were probably deposited on the north side of the basin, however, and appear to be trench or foreland basin deposits derived from the Alborán Domain (de Capoa et al 2007, Guerrera et al 2005, which was undergoing active deformation, metamorphism, and uplift by the end of the Oligocene. The youngest sediments are Burdigalian mélange deposits consisting of blocks of older sediment (particularly the Numidian Flysch) in a matrix of sheared brown shale (Bourgois 1977).…”

Comment on `European provenance of the Numidian Flysch in northern Tunisia' by Fildes et al. (2010)

“…(1977) suggested as a European affinity. These two contrasting petrofacies are mirrored in Alpine nappes throughout North Africa, resulting in two flysch zones termed the Mauretanian and Massylian subdomains, characterised by immature and ultramature petrofacies respectively (see De Capoa et al. , 2007).…”