An unusual Messinian succession in the Sinis Peninsula, western Sardinia, Italy

Recently completed sedimentological and palaeontological analyses of the Messinian deposits of western Sardinia yielded dating, palaeoenvironmental and new sequence stratigraphic interpretations. The Basal Marls and the Capo San Marco Formation are referred to the Messinian. Both formations were dep...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Sedimentary geology 2004-05, Vol.167 (1), p.41-55
Main Authors: André, Jean-Pierre, Martin, Jean-Paul Saint, Moissette, Pierre, Garcia, Frédéric, Cornée, Jean-Jacques, Ferrandini, Michelle
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Bioherms
Earth Sciences
Late Miocene
Mediterranean
Microbialite
Paleontology
Sardinia, Italy
Sciences of the Universe
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Summary:Recently completed sedimentological and palaeontological analyses of the Messinian deposits of western Sardinia yielded dating, palaeoenvironmental and new sequence stratigraphic interpretations. The Basal Marls and the Capo San Marco Formation are referred to the Messinian. Both formations were deposited in a ramp setting, whereas the overlaying Sinis Limestone Formation is interpreted as a carbonate platform of wide extent, probably equivalent to part of the Terminal Carbonate Complex. All these deposits are considered to have formed under normal marine conditions. The three formations developed during one and a half cycles of progradation–retrogradation. Compared with other Messinian Mediterranean carbonate platforms, the Sinis Peninsula exhibits several unusual features: (1) The notable absence of scleractinian coral reefs is related to dominantly cool seawater in this area. (2) The Capo San Marco Formation contains widespread microbial–bryozoan–serpulid carbonate buildups, partially associated with upwelling currents. (3) The breccias at the top of the Sinis Limestone Formation are regarded as resulting from a major seismic shock over the whole peninsula.
ISSN:0037-0738
1879-0968
DOI:10.1016/j.sedgeo.2004.02.004