La plataforma carbonatada Aptiense superior de Benicàssim-Orpesa (Cuenca del Maestrat, Cadena Ibérica): modelo de depósito

Abstract

A Lower Cretaceous (Upper Aptian) succesion of carbonate rocks in the southwestern Maestrat Basin (Iberian Chain) was analysed according to sedimentological and palaeontological criteria. The shallow marine sequence was deposited upon a homoclinal carbonate ramp. Six main facies types were distinguished and grouped into facies belts allowing the elaboration of a conceptual depositional model. The inner ramp is represented by rudist floatstones forming a non-restricted lagoon and bioclastic and peloidal grainstones forming shoals affected by wave base. The middle ramp consists of platestones and domestones of corals that developed in moderate energetic environments, occasionally affected by storms. The outer ramp is characterized by coral sheetstones growth fabrics, wackestones of orbitolines and spiculites indicating deep and poorly light environments probably with nutrient-rich waters