Estructuras sedimentarias de deformación interpretadas como sismitas en el Mioceno Superior (Turoliense) de la cuenca de Granada (Cordillera Bética)

Abstract

We studied various Upper Miocene (Turolian) layers of superimposed soft-sediment deformation structures induced by liquefaction in the Granada basin (Betic Cordillera). These are principally load structures: sagging and dome load casts, ball-and-pillow and drop structures. Based on analyses of their morphology and of the facies, these have been interpreted as being the result of liquefaction of non-cohesive sediments during earthquakes. The intense synsedimentary fracturing and the presence of seismites highlight the strongly influence of tectonic activity in the Granada basin during the Late Miocene, with earthquakes of moderate to high magnitude occurring which were capable of liquefying the sediment.