Up-to-date Spanish continental Neogene synthesis and paleoclimatic interpretation

Abstract

A synthesis of the Spanish continental Neogene is presented by designing an integrated correlative chart of the Neo ·gen·e ·succes-siuns-ofthe -Iberian-Peninsula-. -Ninemain-sedimentary-breaks-have-been -distinguished-in-most-of-the -basins~ -'l'hey are considered a valuable criteria for correlation as they occur in similar time intervals from basin to basin. The determined sedimentary breaks occur in the Agenian, Ramblian, Middle Aragonian, Late Aragonian, Late Vallesian, Middle Turolian, Late Turolian, Late Ruscinian-Early Villafranchian, and Villafranchian ages. The larger interior basins (Ebro, Tajo, Duero) show a fairly complete Neogene sedimentary record in which the above mentioned sedimentary breaks are usually well recognized. A good coiTelation may be established from basin to basin. Likewise, there is a fairly good correlation among the Upper Miocene- Pliocene sedimentary record of basins spreading out in Levante and southeastern Spain. However, the correlation is not as clear in those basins located within the Iberian and Catalan Coastal Ranges, which usually do not show a similar sedimentary pattern. The comparison between Neo gene stratigraphic logs in most of the Spanish continental basins and the pattern of global events from currently accepted Cenozoic Cycle Charts allows recognition of chronological coincidences, especially with regard to the age of seven major sedimentary ruptures (those developed at about 24.5 Ma, 22 Ma, 16 Ma, 13.5 Ma, 9.5 Ma, 5.5 Ma, 3.3 Ma). Evolutionary sedimentary trends in both offshore Mediterranean areas and inland peripheral zones of the Iberian Peninsula show also striking coincidences regarding the chronology of major sedimentary breaks observed in continental successions. Paleoclimatic curves for the Spanish continental Neogene display four relative temperature peaks indicative of warm climatic conditions (Late Agenian, Early-Middle Aragonian, Vallesian-Turolian, and Late Villafranchian) as well as five relatively dry periods (Early Ramblian, Middle-Late Aragonian, Middle Turolian, Late Ruscinian, and Middle Villafranchian ages).