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The Eocene carbonate platforms of the westernmost Tethys: a review

According to the prevailing view in literature, two Eocene carbonate platform belts developed on northern and southern margins of the Tethys Ocean. However, Eocene platforms in the Malaguide −Ghomaride Units (Betic-Rifian Arc; Spain and Morocco, respectively) in intermediate position to the classic platform belts have been proposed in recent literature. A number of representative Ypresian to Priabonian stratigraphic sections have been revisited and empowered by new data collected for the scope. Ten lithobiofacies (consisting of limestones rich in Larger Benthic Foraminifera (LBF), algae, and corals) and ten microfacies (based on fossil assemblage and their relative abundance, texture, and fabric) were proposed for this intermediate platform belt. The paleoenvironmental reconstruction indicate inner to outer ramps (locally also the upper slope) arranged in two sedimentary sequences rich in LBF and corals. A great development of carbonate seagrass factories in most of the areas in which inner ramps developed has been identified. These factories correspond to a warm-temperate system with warm-water conditions mainly in low latitude settings. Trophic resources proposed in these works suggest oligo- to mesotrophic conditions in inner to mid ramp settings, which only evolve to eutrophic conditions in outer ramp and upper bathyal settings. A comparison of the three belts of carbonate platforms at the western Tethys scale has been performed, providing several important constraints in terms of the recorded time period according to the literature, tectonics, transgressive−regressive trendings, relative abundance of fossils, and paleoenvironmental conditions.


Environmental microfacies distribution for the Eocene marine Malaguide−Ghomaride Domains (modified from Maaté et al. 2000; Martín-Martín et al. 2020, 2021, 2023c; Tosquella et al. 2022). Ramp subdivision is based on Burchette and Wright (1992), while photic zones are modified from Pomar (2001); the new considered ‘mesophotic zone’ (zonation by Hottinger 1997) lies between the lower limit of occurrence of marine vegetation and the last occurrence of Larger Benthic Foraminifera, approximately coinciding with the storm wave base (swb). Key: Mf1, inner ramp lagoon, upper subtidal environment; Mf2, shoal, upper subtidal environment; Mf3, inner ramp seagrass, euphotic upper subtidal environment; Mf4, inner ramp coral-foralgal and acervulinid mounds, euphotic environment; Mf5, transgressive lag deposits in the transition between inner-to-mid ramp, euphotic to mesophotic environment; Mf6, mid ramp foralgal packstone–rudstone, mesophotic ma.rl environment; Mf7, proximal mid ramp LBF accumulations (nummulitids) in a mesophotic environment; Mf8, distal mid ramp LBF accumulations (orthophragminids) in a mesophotic to oligophotic environment; Mf9, outer ramp, oligophotic environment; Mf10, aphotic slope environment.

The Eocene platforms of the westernmost Tethys show a lacunose geological record registered from upper Ypresian (Cuisian) to Bartonian. It shows an important gap at the upper Ypresian (Cuisian)−Lutetian boundary. LBF remained the primary framework builders elsewhere until the Bartonian age, with zooxanthelle−coral build-ups playing a more significant role in the inner ramps than previously assumed.

Cite as: Martín-Martín, M., Tosquella, J., Guerrera, F., Maaté, A., and Martín-Algarra, A. (2024). The Eocene carbonate platforms of the westernmost Tethys: a review. International Geology Review, 1-33. https://doi.org/10.1080/00206814.2024.2397804

The Eocene carbonate platforms of the Ghomaride Domain (Internal Rif Zone, N Morocco): a segment of the westernmost Tethys

The Eocene platform deposits in the Moroccan Ghomarides have been studied. These marine carbonate platforms were located in the westernmost Tethys approximately 30°N and 0°–10°W during the Cuisian to Bartonian. The study includes observations from fossiliferous assemblages (such as larger benthic foraminifera and colonial corals), their palaeoenvironment aswell as rock texture and fabric. Eight microfacieswere identified that represent different ramp environments in a ‘distally-steepened carbonate ramp’ type of platform. The studied deposits are organised into a transgressive succession composed of three sedimentary cycles: lower Cuisian, middle Cuisian and middle Lutetian to Bartonian. In the lower cycle, photic inner to mid ramp environments in mesotrophic conditions were prevalent. In the second cycle, photic inner ramp (sea-grass) to mid ramp environments inmesotrophic to oligotrophic conditions were observed. The upper cycle, which is more extensive and variable, represents mesophotic mid ramp to aphotic slope environments and changes gradually from oligotrophic to eutrophic conditions. During the Eocene, larger benthic foraminifera were dominant overtaking the zooxanthellate corals in the Tethys regions. Nevertheless, our study and the performed comparison with other Tethyan sectors have revealed that in some areas both coexisted in similar proportions. In some western Tethys regions close to the Atlantic Ocean, coinciding with areas influenced by upwelling currents, larger benthic foraminifera and coral build-ups were replaced by oyster reefs. The Ghomaride Domain represents an intermediate case between fossil assemblages of the northern Tethyan margin and eastern sector of the southern margin of the Tethys, with a dominance of larger benthic foraminifera but with a certain presence of corals as well. A good correlation exists between Eocene warm intervals and carbonate platform deposits in these domains. Contrarily, during cooling ones shallowing and gaps in the sedimentation are registered.

A synthetic column of the Eocene Ghomaride succession, highlighting the correlation with transgressive–regressive depositional trends, terrigenous-nutrient inputs, sedimentary environments, photic and trophic conditions and main biotic assemblages.

Two anomalies have been detected in the Ghomaride Domain during Ypresian and Bartonian times indicating particular climatic conditions or local tectonic interferences.

Cite as: Martín-Martín, M., Tosquella, J., Guerrera, F., Maaté, A., Hlila, R., Maaté, S., Tramontana, M., Le Breton, E., 2023. The Eocene carbonate platforms of the Ghomaride Domain (Internal Rif Zone, N Morocco): a segment of the westernmost Tethys. Sediment. Geol. 452, 106423. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sedgeo.2023.106423