Diagnostic criteria using microfacies for calcareous contourites, turbidites and pelagites in the Eocene–Miocene slope succession, southern Cyprus
Metadatos
Afficher la notice complèteEditorial
Wiley
Materia
Carbonate microfacies Continental slope Contourites Cyprus Deep-marine deposits Pelagites Turbidites
Date
2020-08-17Referencia bibliográfica
Hüneke, H., Hernández-Molina, F. J., Rodríguez-Tovar, F. J., Llave, E., Chiarella, D., Mena, A., & Stow, D. A. (2019). Diagnostic criteria using microfacies for calcareous contourites, turbidites and pelagites in the Eocene-Miocene slope succession, southern Cyprus. Sedimentology. [doi: 10.1111/sed.12792]
Patrocinador
Spanish Ciencia y Tecnologias Marinas projects CTM 2012-39599C03 CGL2016-80445-R CTM2016-75129-C3-1-R; Secretaria de Estado de I+D+I, Spain CGL201566835-P PID2019-104625RB-100P; FEDER Andalucía B-RNM-072-UGR18; Junta de Andalucía P18-RT-4074; Universidad de Granada UCE2016-05; Projekt DEAL (University of Greifswald in the Alliance of German Science Organizations)Résumé
Interbedded contourites, turbidites and pelagites are commonplace in many
deep-water slope environments. However, the distinction between these different
facies remains a source of controversy. This detailed study of calcareous
contourites and associated deep-marine facies from an Eocene–Miocene
sedimentary succession on Cyprus clearly documents the diagnostic value of
microfacies in this debate. In particular, the variability of archetypical bi-gradational
contourite sequences and their internal subdivision (bedding, layering
and lamination) are explored. Contourites can be distinguished from
turbidites, pelagites and hemipelagites by means of carbonate microfacies in
combination with bed-scale characteristics. Particle composition provides
valuable information on sediment provenance. Depositional texture, determined
by the ratio between carbonate mud and bioclasts, is crucial for identifying
bi-gradational sequences in both muddy and sandy contourites, and
normally-graded sequences in turbidite beds. Equally important are the type
and preservation of traction structures, as well as the temporality and impact
of bioturbation. Shell fragmentation under conditions of increased hydrodynamic
agitation (textural inversion) is recognized as a carbonate-specific feature
of bioclastic sandy contourites.