1887
Volume 30, Issue 3
  • E-ISSN: 1365-2117
PDF

Abstract

Abstract

Understanding ancient deep‐water sedimentary systems that accumulated at complex plate boundaries requires confronting the stratigraphic record of deformed sedimentary successions by tracking sand‐fairways and identifying original relationships in later deformed sequences. Here, we investigate the Numidian turbidite system (early to mid‐Miocene) of Central‐East Sicily to explore a deep‐water sedimentary system deposited at an active thrust belt on the Central Mediterranean. Turbidites include multi‐metre thick‐bedded, ultra‐mature quartz sandstones that were sourced from North Africa and are now deformed and dismembered within the Apennine‐Maghrebian orogen. To date, much research has focused on the little‐deformed sections that sample discrete parts of the original turbidite pathways. Yet the bulk of these systems are represented by deformed successions and these have attracted little modern sedimentological and stratigraphic investigation. We present new data based on field mapping, sedimentological/structural fieldwork, and biostratigraphy (planktonic foraminifera and nannofossils) that focus on the Numidian turbidites of Central‐East Sicily. Thickness and facies variations, together with evidence of large‐scale sediment bypass and local substrate reworking, characterize the Numidian turbidites of the study area, consistent with a partially confined turbidite system. Our work demonstrates that the Numidian turbidite system accumulated across active structures and these provided tortuous, evolving corridors through which turbidity currents were routed, transporting coarse sand over many hundreds of km. These results provide insight on structurally confined turbidites in analogous tectonic settings and demonstrate the need to seek sedimentological and stratigraphic data from deformed and dismembered parts of deep‐water systems.

Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/journals/10.1111/bre.12261
2017-09-20
2024-04-24
Loading full text...

Full text loading...

/deliver/fulltext/bre/30/3/bre12261.html?itemId=/content/journals/10.1111/bre.12261&mimeType=html&fmt=ahah

References

  1. Abdul Aziz, H., Di Stefano, A., Foresi, L.M., Hilgen, F.J., Iaccarino, S.M., Kuiper, K.F., Lirer, F., Salvatorini, G. & Turco, E. (2008) Integrated stratigraphy and 40Ar/39Ar chronology of early Middle Miocene sediments from DSDP Leg 42A, Site 372 (Western Mediterranean). Palaeogeogr. Palaeoclimatol. Palaeoecol., 257, 123–138.
    [Google Scholar]
  2. Amore, T. (1969) La sezione stratigrafica di Gagliano nelle marne azzurre mesoautoctone del Miocene inferiore‐medio della Sicilia. Riv. Mineraria Sicil., 118–120, 3–24.
    [Google Scholar]
  3. Backman, J., Raffi, I., Rio, D., Fornaciari, E. & Pälike, H. (2012) Biozonation and biochronology of Miocene through Pleistocene calcareous nannofossils from low and middle latitudes. Newsletters Stratigr., 45, 221–244.
    [Google Scholar]
  4. Baldassini, N. & Di Stefano, A. (2015) New insights on the Oligo‐Miocene succession bearing phosphatic layers of the Maltese Archipelago. Ital. J. Geosci., 134, 355–366.
    [Google Scholar]
  5. Baldassini, N. & Di Stefano, A. (2017) Stratigraphic features of the Maltese Archipelago: a synthesis. Nat. Hazards, 86, 203–231.
    [Google Scholar]
  6. Bello, M., Franchino, A. & Merlini, S. (2000) Structural model of Eastern Sicily. Mem. Soc. Geol. Ital., 55, 61–70.
    [Google Scholar]
  7. Bianchi, F., Carbone, S., Grasso, M., Invernizzi, G., Lentini, F., Longaretti, G., Merlini, S. & Mostardini, F. (1987) Sicilia Orientale: profilo geologico Nebrodi‐Iblei. Mem. Soc. Geol. Ital., 38, 429–458.
    [Google Scholar]
  8. Broquet, P. (1972) Étude Géologique de la Région des Madonies (Sicile). Geol. Rom., 11, 1–114.
    [Google Scholar]
  9. Brunt, R.L., Hodgson, D.M., Flint, S.S., Pringle, J.K., Di Celma, C., Prélat, A. & Grecula, M. (2013) Confined to unconfined: anatomy of a base of slope succession, Karoo Basin, South Africa. Mar. Pet. Geol., 41, 206–221.
    [Google Scholar]
  10. Butler, R.W.H. & Grasso, M. (1993) Tectonic controls on base‐level variations and depositional sequences within thrust‐top and foredeep basins: examples from the Neogene thrust belt of central Sicily. Basin Res., 5, 137–152.
    [Google Scholar]
  11. Butler, R.W.H. & Lickorish, W.H. (1997) Using high‐resolution stratigraphy to date fold and thrust activity: examples from the Neogene of south‐central Sicily. J. Geol. Soc. London, 154, 633–643.
    [Google Scholar]
  12. Carbone, S. & Grasso, M. (2012) Note illustrative della Carta Geologica d'Italia alla scala 1:50.000 – Fogli 597 e 610 “Cefalù‐Castelbuono”. S.EL.CA., Florence.
  13. Carbone, S., Catalano, S., Grasso, M., Lentini, F. & Monaco, C. (1990) Carta geologica della Sicilia centro‐orientale. Scala 1:50.000. S.EL.CA., Firenze.
    [Google Scholar]
  14. Catalano, R., D’ Argenio, B. & De Castro, P. (1974) Rapporti tra le facies di piattaforma carbonatica del Giurassico e del Cretaceo delle Madonie orientali (Sicilia). Bollettino della Società dei Naturalisti in Napoli.
  15. Catalano, R., Di Stefano, P., Sulli, A. & Vitale, F.P. (1996) Paleogeography and structure of the central Mediterranean: sicily and its offshore area. Tectonophysics, 260, 291–323.
    [Google Scholar]
  16. De Capoa, P., Di Staso, A., Guerrera, F., Perrone, V. & Tramontana, M. (2004) The age of the oceanic accretionary wedge and onset of continental collision in the Sicilian Maghrebian Chain. Geodin. Acta, 17, 331–348.
    [Google Scholar]
  17. Deville, E., Mascle, A., Callec, Y., Huyghe, P., Lallemant, S., Lerat, O., Mathieu, X., Padron de Carillo, C., Patriat, M., Pichot, T., Loubrieux, B. & Granjeon, D. (2015) Tectonics and sedimentation interactions in the east Caribbean subduction zone: an overview from the Orinoco delta and the Barbados accretionary prism. Mar. Pet. Geol., 64, 76–103.
    [Google Scholar]
  18. Di Stefano, A., Baldassini, N., Maniscalco, R., Speranza, F., Maffione, M., Cascella, A. & Foresi, L.M. (2015) New bio‐magnetostratigraphic data on the Miocene Moria section (Northern Apennines, Italy): connections between the Mediterranean region and the North Atlantic Ocean. Newsletters Stratigr., 48, 135–152.
    [Google Scholar]
  19. Elter, P., Grasso, M., Parotto, M. & Vezzani, L. (2003) Structural setting of the Apennine‐Maghrebian thrust belt. Episodes, 26, 205–211.
    [Google Scholar]
  20. ENI‐AGIP
    ENI‐AGIP (1972) Acque Dolci Sotterranee, Inventario dei Dati Raccolti Dall'AGIP Durante la Ricerca di Idrocarburi in Italia. Grafica Palombi, Roma.
    [Google Scholar]
  21. Faugères, J.C., Broquet, P., Duée, G. & Imbert, P. (1992) Sedimentary Record of Volcanic and Paleocurrent Events in the Numidian Sandstones of Sicily – the Tuffites and Contourites of Karsa. Comptes Rendus L Acad. Des Sci., 315, 479–486.
    [Google Scholar]
  22. Foresi, L.M., Verducci, M., Baldassini, N., Lirer, F., Mazzei, R., Salvatorini, G., Ferraro, L. & Da Prato, S. (2011) Integrated stratigraphy of St. Peter's Pool section (Malta): new age for the Upper Globigerina Limestone Member and progress towards the Langhian GSSP. Stratigraphy, 8, 125–143.
    [Google Scholar]
  23. Foresi, L.M., Baldassini, N., Sagnotti, L., Lirer, F., Di Stefano, A., Caricchi, C., Verducci, M., Salvatorini, G. & Mazzei, R. (2014) Integrated stratigraphy of the St. Thomas section (Malta Island): a reference section for the lower Burdigalian of the Mediterranean Region. Mar. Micropaleontol., 111, 66–89.
    [Google Scholar]
  24. Fornaciari, E. & Rio, D. (1996) Latest Oligocene to early middle Miocene quantitative calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy in the Mediterranean region. Micropaleonology, 42, 1–36.
    [Google Scholar]
  25. Fornaciari, E., Di Stefano, A., Rio, D. & Negri, A. (1996) Middle Miocene quantitative calcareous nannofossil bio in Mediterranean. Micropaleontology, 42, 37–63.
    [Google Scholar]
  26. Giunta, G. (1985) Problematiche ed ipotesi sul Numidico nelle Maghrebidi Siciliane. Boll. Della Soc. Geol. Ital., 104, 239–256.
    [Google Scholar]
  27. Grasso, M., Lentini, F. & Vezzani, L. (1978) Lineamenti stratigrafico‐strutturali delle Madonie (Sicilia Centro‐Settentrionale). Geol. Rom., 17, 45–69.
    [Google Scholar]
  28. Guerrera, F., Martín‐Martín, M., Perrone, V. & Tramontana, M. (2005) Tectono‐sedimentary evolution of the southern branch of the Western Tethys (Maghrebian Flysch Basin and Lucanian Ocean): consequences for Western Mediterranean geodynamics. Terra Nov., 17, 358–367.
    [Google Scholar]
  29. Guerrera, F., Martín‐Algarra, A. & Martín Martín, M. (2012) Tectono‐sedimentary evolution of the “Numidian Formation” and Lateral Facies (southern branch of the western Tethys): constraints for central‐western Mediterranean geodynamics. Terra Nov., 24, 34–41.
    [Google Scholar]
  30. Haq, B.U. & Lohmann, G.P. (1976) Early Cenozoic calcareous nannoplankton biogeography of the Atlantic Ocean. Mar. Micropaleontol., 1, 119–194.
    [Google Scholar]
  31. Hubbard, R.J., Pape, J. & Roberts, D.G. (1985) Depositional sequence mapping as a technique to establish tectonic and stratigraphic framework and evaluate hydrocarbon potential on a passive continental margin. In: Seismic Stratigraphy II: An Integrated Approach to Hydrocarbon Exploration (Ed. by O.R.Berg & D.Woolverton ), pp. 79–91. American Association of Petroleum Geologists, Memoir 39, Tulsa.
    [Google Scholar]
  32. Iaccarino, S.M., Premoli, S.I., Biolzi, M., Foresi, L.M., Lirer, F., Turco, E. & Petrizzo, M.R. (2007) Practical manual of Neogene Planktonic Foraminifera. In: Neogene Planktonic Foraminifera, International School of Planktonic Foraminifera (Ed. by M.Biolzi , S.M.Iaccarino , E.Turco , A.Checconi , R.Rettori ), p. 141. Tipografia Pontefelicino, Perugia.
    [Google Scholar]
  33. Iaccarino, S.M., Di Stefano, A., Foresi, L.M., Turco, E., Baldassini, N., Cascella, A., Da Prato, S., Ferraro, L., Gennari, R., Hilgen, F.J., Lirer, F., Maniscalco, R., Mazzei, R., Riforgiato, F., Russo, B., Sagnotti, L., Salvatorini, G., Speranza, F. & Verducci, M. (2011) High‐resolution integrated stratigraphy of the upper Burdigalian‐lower Langhian in the Mediterranean: the Langhian historical stratotype and new candidate sections for defining its GSSP. Stratigraphy, 8, 199–215.
    [Google Scholar]
  34. Jobe, Z., Sylvester, Z., Pittaluga, M.B., Frascati, A., Pirmez, C., Minisini, D., Howes, N. & Cantelli, A. (2017) Facies architecture of submarine channel deposits on the western Niger Delta slope: implications for grain‐size and density stratification in turbidity currents. J. Geophys. Res. Earth Surf., 122, 473–491.
    [Google Scholar]
  35. Joseph, P. & Lomas, S.A. (2004) Deep‐water sedimentation in the Alpine Foreland Basin of SE France: new perspectives on the Gres d'Annot and related systems–an introduction. Geol. Soc. London. Spec. Publ., 221, 1–16.
    [Google Scholar]
  36. Kneller, B.C. (1995) Beyond the turbidite paradigm: physical models for deposition of turbidites and their implications for reservoir prediction. Geol. Soc. London. Spec. Publ., 94, 31–49.
    [Google Scholar]
  37. Lentini, F., Carbone, S., Catalano, S., Grasso, M. & Monaco, C. (1990) Principali elementi strutturali del thrust belt Appenninico‐Maghrebide in Sicilia Centro‐Orientale. Mem. Soc. Geol. Ital., 45, 495–502.
    [Google Scholar]
  38. Lentini, F., Carbone, S., Catalano, S., Grasso, M. & Monaco, C. (1991) Presentazione della Carta Geologica della Sicilia centro‐orientale. Mem. Soc. Geol. Ital., 47, 145–156.
    [Google Scholar]
  39. Lentini, F., Carbone, S., Catalano, S. & Grasso, M. (1996) Elementi per la reconstruzione del quadro strutturale della Sicilia Orientale. Mem. Soc. Geol. Ital., 51, 179–195.
    [Google Scholar]
  40. Lourens, L., Hilgen, F.J., Shackleton, N.J., Laskar, J. & Wilson, D. (2004) The Neogene Period. In: A Geologic Time Scale (Ed. by F.M.Gradstein , J.G.Ogg , A.G.Smith ), pp. 409–440. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
    [Google Scholar]
  41. Mayall, M., Jones, E. & Casey, M. (2006) Turbidite channel reservoirs – Key elements in facies prediction and effective development. Mar. Pet. Geol., 23, 821–841.
    [Google Scholar]
  42. McCaffrey, W.D. & Kneller, B.C. (2004) Scale effects of non‐uniformity on deposition from turbidity currents with reference to the Gres d’ Annot of SE France. In: Deep Water Sedimentation in the Alpine Basin of SE France, New Perspectives on the Gres D’ Annot and Related Systems (Ed. by P.Joseph & S.A.Lomas ), pp. 301–310. Geological Society of London, London.
    [Google Scholar]
  43. McCaffrey, W.D., Gupta, S. & Brunt, R.L. (2002) Repeated cycles of submarine channel incision, infill and transition to sheet sandstone development in the Alpine Foreland Basin, SE France. Sedimentology, 49, 623–635.
    [Google Scholar]
  44. Morley, C.K. (2009) Growth of folds in a deep‐water setting. Geosphere, 5, 59–89.
    [Google Scholar]
  45. Morley, C.K. & Leong, L.C. (2008) Evolution of deep‐water synkinematic sedimentation in a piggyback basin, determined from three‐dimensional seismic reflection data. Geosphere, 4, 939.
    [Google Scholar]
  46. Ogniben, L. (1960) Nota illustrativa dello schema geologico della Sicilia nord‐orientale. Riv. Mineraria Sicil., 11, 184–212.
    [Google Scholar]
  47. Pickering, K.T., Underwood, M.B. & Taira, A. (1993) Open‐ocean to trench turbidity‐current flow in the Nankai Trough: flow collapse and flow reflection. Proc. Ocean Drill. Progr. Leg, 131, 15–34.
    [Google Scholar]
  48. Pinter, P.R., Butler, R.W.H., Hartley, A.J., Maniscalco, R., Baldassini, N. & Di Stefano, A. (2016) The Numidian of Sicily revisited: a thrust‐influenced confined turbidite system. Mar. Pet. Geol., 78, 291–311.
    [Google Scholar]
  49. Renda, P., Tavarnelli, E. & Tramutoli, M. (1999) La distensione tetidea ed il suo controllo sulle strutture compressive del sistema appenninico‐maghrebide: l'esempio dei Monti delle Madonìe (Sicilia centro‐settentrionale). Boll. Della Soc. Geol. Ital., 118, 179–190.
    [Google Scholar]
  50. Rio, D., Raffi, I. & Villa, G. (1990) Pliocene‐Pleistocene Calcareous Nannofossil distribution patterns in the Western Mediterranean. In: Proceedings of the Ocean Drilling Program, Scientific Results (Ed. by K.Kastens & J.Mascle ), pp. 513–533. ODP, College Station, TX.
    [Google Scholar]
  51. Salles, L., Ford, M. & Joseph, P. (2014) Characteristics of axially‐sourced turbidite sedimentation on an active wedge‐top basin (Annot Sandstone, SE France). Mar. Pet. Geol., 56, 305–323.
    [Google Scholar]
  52. Servizio Geologico d'Italia
    Servizio Geologico d'Italia (2012) Carta Geologica d'Italia in scala 1:50.000 Fogli 597‐610 “Cefalù‐Castelbuono”. S.EL.CA., Firenze.
  53. Sinclair, H.D. & Tomasso, M. (2002) Depositional evolution of confined turbidite basins. J. Sediment. Res., 72, 451–456.
    [Google Scholar]
  54. Smith, R.U. (2004) Silled sub‐basins to connected tortuous corridors: sediment distribution systems on topographically complex sub‐aqueous slopes. In: Confined Turbidite Systems (Ed. by S.A.Lomas & P.Joseph ), pp. 23–43. Geological Society of London, London.
    [Google Scholar]
  55. Southern, S.J., Patacci, M., Felletti, F. & McCaffrey, W.D. (2015) Influence of flow containment and substrate entrainment upon sandy hybrid event beds containing a co‐genetic mud‐clast‐rich division. Sediment. Geol., 321, 105–122.
    [Google Scholar]
  56. Speranza, F., Maniscalco, R. & Grasso, M. (2003) Pattern of orogenic rotations in central‐eastern Sicily: implications for the timing of spreading in the Tyrrhenian Sea. J. Geol. Soc. London, 160, 183–195.
    [Google Scholar]
  57. Sprovieri, M., Caruso, A., Foresi, L.M., Bellanca, A., Neri, R., Mazzola, S. & Sprovieri, R. (2002) Astronomical calibration of the upper Langhian/lower Serravallian record of Ras Il‐Pellegrin section (Malta Island, central Mediterranean). Riv. Ital. di Paleontol. e Stratigr., 108, 183–193.
    [Google Scholar]
  58. Spychala, Y.T., Hodgson, D.M., Flint, S.S. & Mountney, N.P. (2015) Constraining the sedimentology and stratigraphy of submarine intraslope lobe deposits using exhumed examples from the Karoo Basin, South Africa. Sediment. Geol., 322, 67–81.
    [Google Scholar]
  59. Spychala, Y.T., Hodgson, D.M., Stevenson, C.J. & Flint, S.S. (2017) Aggradational lobe fringes: the influence of subtle intrabasinal seabed topography on sediment gravity flow processes and lobe stacking patterns. Sedimentology, 64, 582–608.
    [Google Scholar]
  60. Stevenson, C.J., Jackson, C.A., Hodgson, D.M., Hubbard, S.M. & Eggenhuisen, J.T. (2015) Deep‐water sediment bypass. J. Sediment. Res., 85, 1058–1081.
    [Google Scholar]
  61. Thomas, M.F.H., Bodin, S., Redfern, J. & Irving, D.H.B. (2010) A constrained African craton source for the Cenozoic Numidian Flysch: Implications for the palaeogeography of the western Mediterranean basin. Earth‐Science Rev., 101, 1–23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2010.03.003.
    [Google Scholar]
  62. Tinterri, R. & Tagliaferri, A. (2015) The syntectonic evolution of foredeep turbidites related to basin segmentation: facies response to the increase in tectonic confinement (Marnoso‐arenacea Formation, Miocene, Northern Apennines, Italy). Mar. Pet. Geol., 67, 81–110.
    [Google Scholar]
  63. Turco, E., Cascella, A., Gennari, R., Hilgen, F.J., Iaccarino, S.M. & Sagnotti, L. (2011) Integrated stratigraphy of the La Vedova section (Conero Riviera, Italy) and implications for the Burdigalian/Langhian boundary. Stratigraphy, 8, 89–110.
    [Google Scholar]
  64. Vinnels, J.S., Butler, R.W.H., McCaffrey, W.D. & Paton, D.A. (2010) Depositional processes across the Sinú Accretionary Prism, offshore Colombia. Mar. Pet. Geol., 27, 794–809.
    [Google Scholar]
  65. Wade, B.S., Pearson, P.N., Berggren, W.A. & Pälike, H. (2011) Review and revision of Cenozoic tropical planktonic foraminiferal biostratigraphy and calibration to the geomagnetic polarity and astronomical time scale. Earth‐Science Rev., 104, 111–142.
    [Google Scholar]
  66. Wang, X., Luthi, S.M., Hodgson, D.M., Sokoutis, D., Willingshofer, E. & Groenenberg, R.M. (2017) Turbidite stacking patterns in salt‐controlled minibasins: insights from integrated analogue models and numerical fluid flow simulations. Sedimentology, 64, 530–552.
    [Google Scholar]
  67. Williams, G.D. (1993) Tectonics and seismic sequence stratigraphy: an introduction. In: Tectonics and Seismic Sequence Stratigraphy (Ed. by G.D.Williams & A.Dobb ), pp. 1–13. Geological Society Special Publication.
    [Google Scholar]
http://instance.metastore.ingenta.com/content/journals/10.1111/bre.12261
Loading
/content/journals/10.1111/bre.12261
Loading

Data & Media loading...

Supplements

Sample location and main calcareous planktonic species recognised in the studied sections.

  • Article Type: Research Article

Most Cited This Month Most Cited RSS feed

This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was a Success
Invalid data
An Error Occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error