Abstract

Well-logs and seismic lines from hydrocarbon exploration of the Gulf of Valencia can be analysed in the light of the concepts of sequence stratigraphy. Two major tecto-sedimentary stages are recognized: an early (Paleogene) continental molasse stage, which is correlative with the compressional deformation of the Iberian and Pyrenean mountain belts, and a later (Neogene) stage, marking the establishment of a marine foreland to the Betic Cordillera. Internal discontinuities in the continental molasse are results of changes in position and deformational kinematics of the compressional mountain fronts from which the sediments were derived. In the second stage, eight marine sequences are recognized. Seven of these contain only transgressive and highstand systems tracts. The eighth starts with a lowstand system tract, which is correlative with the Messinian unconformity. Detailed study of the sequences shows that the ‘Messinian Crisis’ was a brief climatic crisis, which was followed by a eustatic fall of sea level. During the climatic–eustatic events the Mediterranean Sea generally maintained a geometry and water depth very similar to the present.

Introduction

The Gulf of Valencia Basin became a geographically and geologically distinct entity with the tectonic emergence of the Balearic Islands during the Middle Miocene.

The present SW–NE orientation of the Basin (Fig. 1) is subparallel to the trend of the Betic Orogen (Lower Miocene), slightly oblique to the trend of the Catalan Coast Range (Upper Eocene), and perpendicular to the trend of the Iberian Range structures (Oligocene).