Análisis composicional de la Formación Areniscas de Manuel (Triásico superior) en las secciones de Almansa, Montealegre y Manuel (provincias de Albacete y Valencia, Zona Prebética oriental): Resultados preliminares

Abstract

Modal compositional analysis of sandstones from the Manuel Sandstone Formation (Upper Triassic, Keuper facies) in the eastern Prebetic Zone of the Betic Cordillera (SE Spain) identifies a quartzose (Qm>K>P) and quartzolithic (Qm>Ls>Qp) petrofacies, with a quite homogeneus (S<7.5%) and predominantly subarkosic composition. Tectonic provenance for the detrital modes is interpreted as continental block (deeply weathered stable craton) and recycled orogen provenance. These results are in agreement with the paleogeographic setting identified in previous studies. Once characterized with sufficient detail, detrital modes of sandstones from the different Triassic units (Buntsandstein or Keuper) at different locations may be used as criteria for their differentiation, specially when no other more reliable means are available