Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Microfacies of carbonate slope boulders: Indicator of the source area (Middle triassic: Mahlknecht cliff, western Dolomites)

Mikrofazies allochthoner Hangkarbonate: Hinweise auf das Liefergebiet (Mitteltrias: Mahlknecht-Wand, Westliche Dolomiten)

  • Published:
Facies Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Paleontological and microfacies criteria of limestone boulders occurring within megablocks deposited on clinogonal slopes provide indications of the source area of Middle Triassic allochthonous carbonates exposed in the Mahlknecht cliff, Seiser Alm, Dolomites. Microfacies, biotic composition, a high percentage of low-growing binding and baffling communities (sponges, algae, microproblematica) as well as the remarkable coincidence with distributional patterns observed on other Ladinian paleoslopes indicate a source area characterized by common bioconstructions, which is situated on a subtidal upper and middle foreslope and not at the platform/slope-margin or on the carbonate platforms.

Riassunto

I megablocchi calcarei del Trias medio affioranti vicino al Rif. Molignon (Alpe di Siusi, Dolomiti) sono costituiti di clasti carbonatici risedimentati. Il loro studio ha permesso di formulare un’ipotesi sull’area di alimentazione dei clasti stessi.

I dati paleontologici, l’analisi e la distribuzione delle microfacies, l’alta percentuale di organismi ‘binding’ e ‘baffling’ a basso tenore di crescita) spugne, alghe e microproblematici) indicano una sorgente di alimentazione caratterizzata da biocostruzioni simili a quelle osservate in altre paleoscarpate ladiniche. In particolare tale sorgente doveva essere ubicata in ambiente subtidale nella parte media ed alta della scarpata e non al margine piattaforma/scarpata o sulla piattaforma stessa.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Biddle, K.T. (1979): Characteristics of Triassic carbonate buildups, Dolomite Alps, Italy: evidence from the margin-to-basin depositional system.—Diss. Rice Univ., 216 p., Houston

  • — (1981): The basal Cipit boulders: Indicators of Middle to Upper Triassic buildup margins, Dolomite Alps, Italy.—Riv. Ital. Palaeont. Strat.,86, 779–794, Milano

    Google Scholar 

  • — (1984): Triassic sea-level change and the Ladinian-Carnian stage boundary.—Nature,308, No. 5960, 631–633, 2 Figs., London

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Buczynski, C. &Chafetz, H.S. (1991): Habit of bacterially induced precipitates of calcium carbonate and the influence of medium viscosity on mineralogy.—J. Sed. Petrol.,61/2, 226–233, 3 Figs., Tulsa

    Google Scholar 

  • Blendinger, W. &Blendinger, E. (1989): Windward-leewardeffect on Triassic carbonate bank margin facies of the Dolomites, northern Italy.—Sed. Geol.,64, 143–166, 18 Figs., Amsterdam

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bosellini, A. (1984): Progradation geometries of carbonate platforms; examples from the Triassic of the Dolomites, northern Italy.—Sediment.,31, 1–24, 20 Figs., Oxford

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • — (1989): Dynamics of Tethyan carbonate platforms.—Soc. Econ. Paleont. Min. Spec. Publ.,44, 3–13, 13 Figs., Tulsa

    Google Scholar 

  • Bosellini, A. & Doglioni, C. (1988): AAPG field trip in the Dolomites. Guidebook.—Amer. Ass. Petrol. Geol. Meeting, Nizza 1988, 42 p., Tulsa

  • Bosellini, A. &Rossi, D. (1974): Triassic carbonate buildups of the Dolomites, Northern Italy.—Soc. Econ. Paleont. Min. Spec. Publ.,18, 209–233, 33 Figs., Tulsa

    Google Scholar 

  • Brachert, T. & Dullo, W. Chr. (in press): Laminar micrite crusts from Red Sea forereefs.—J. Sed. Petrol., Tulsa

  • Brandner, R. (1982): Mittel- und Obertrias in Frötschbach und Seiser Alm.—Exkursionsführer Jahrestagung Österr. Geol. Ges., Seis a,m Schlern, Südtirol 1982, 80–97, 6 Pls., Innsbruck

  • Brandner, R. & Mostler, H. (1982): Der geologische Aufbau des Schlerngebietes und seiner weiteren Umgebung.— Exkursionsführer. Jahrestagung Österr. Geol. Ges., Seis am Schlern, Südtirol 1982, 1–42, 3 Pls., 19 Figs., Innsbruck

  • Brandner, R. &Resch, W. (1981): Reef development in the Middle Triassic (Ladinian and Cordevolian) of the Northern Limestone Alps near Innsbruck, Austria.—Soc. Econ. Paleont. Min. Spec. Publ.,30, 203–231, Tulsa

    Google Scholar 

  • Buser, St., Ramovs, A. &Turnsek, D. (1982): Triassic Reefs in Slovenia.—Facies,6, 15–24, 2 Figs., Erlangen

    Google Scholar 

  • Chavetz, H.S. (1986): Marine peloids: a product of bacterially induced precipitation of calcite.—J. Sed. Petrol.,56, 812–817, Tulsa

    Google Scholar 

  • Ciarapica, G., Cirilli, S., Martini, R., Rettori, P., Salvini Bonard, G. &Zaninetti, L. (1990): Carbonate buildups and associated facies in the Monte Facito Formation (Southern Apennines).— Boll. Soc. Geol. Ital.,109, 151–164, 11 Figs., Roma

    Google Scholar 

  • Cros, P. (1967): Origine des certains blocs calcaires de ‘Cipit’ du Trias Dolomitique.—C. R. Acad. Sci., 556–559, Paris

  • — (1974a): Évolution sédimentologique et paléostructurale de quelques plate-formes carbonatées biogènes (Trias des Dolomites italiennes).—Sci. Terre,19, 299–379, Paris

    Google Scholar 

  • Cros, P. (1974b): Un modèle de sédimentation carbonatée marine: les platformes dites récifales du Trias des Dolomites et leur environnement.—Diss. Univ. Paris VI, 4 volumes, 888 p., Paris

  • Fagerstrom, J.A. (1987): The evolution of reef communities.—600 p., New York (Wiley)

    Google Scholar 

  • Flügel, E. (1981): Paleoecology and facies of Upper Triassic reefs in the Northern Calcareous Alps.—Soc. Econ. Paleont. Min. Spec. Publ.,30, 291–359, Tulsa

    Google Scholar 

  • — (1982): Evolution of Triassic reefs: Current concepts and problems.—Facies,6, 197–228, Erlangen

    Google Scholar 

  • — (1989): ‘Algen/Zement’-Riffe.—Arch. Lagerstättenforsch. Geol. Bundesanst., 10, 25–32, 4 Figs., Wien

    Google Scholar 

  • Flügel, E., Riedel, P. &Senowbari-Daryan, B. (1988):Plexoramea cerebriformis Mello, ein häufiges Mikrofossil in triadischen Flachwasserkalken: Alge oder Pilz?—Mitt. Ges. Geol. Bergbaustud. Österr.,34/35, 263–277, 3 Pls., Wien

    Google Scholar 

  • Fois, E. (1982): The Sass da Putia carbonate buildup (western Dolomites): Biofacies succession and margin development during the Ladinian.—Riv. Ital. Paleont. Strat., 87/4, 565–598, Pls. 44–45, 10 Figs., Milano

    Google Scholar 

  • Fois, E. &Gaetani, M. (1980): The northern margin of the Civetta buildup. Evolution during the Ladinian and the Carnian.—Riv. Ital. Paleont. Strat.,86/3, 469–542, Pls. 49–56, 18 Figs., Milano

    Google Scholar 

  • Fürsich, F.T. &Wendt, J. (1977): Biostratigraphy and palaeoecology of the Cassian Formation (Triassic) of the Soutern Alps.—Palaeogeogr., Palaeoclimatol., Palaeoecol.,22, 257–323, 26 Figs., Amsterdam

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gaetani, M. (1979, ed.): Field Guide Book, Riccardo Assereto and Giulio Pisa Field Symposium on Triassic Stratigraphy in Southern Alps, Bergamo, 1979, 73 p., Bergamo

  • Gaetani, M., Fois, E., Jadould, F. &Nicora, A. (1981): Nature and evolution of Middle Triassic carbonate buildups in the Dolomites (Italy).—Marine Geology,44, 25–57, 15 Figs., Amsterdam

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goldhammer, R.K. (1988): Platform carbonate cycles, Middle Triassic of Northern Italy: The interplay of local tectonics and global eustady.—Unpubl. PhD Thesis, Johns Hopkins Univ., 446 p., Baltimore

    Google Scholar 

  • Goldhammer, R.K. &Harris, M.T. (1989): Eustatic controls on the stratigraphy and geometry of the Latemar buildup (Middle Triassic), the Dolomites of Northern Italy.—Soc. Econ. Paleont. Min. Spec. Publ.,44, 323–338, 18 Figs., Tulsa

    Google Scholar 

  • Harris, M.T. (1988): Margin and foreslope deposits of the Latemar carbonate buildup (Middle Triassic), the Dolomites, northern Italy.—Unpubl. PhD. Thesis, Johns Hopkins Univ., 473 p., Baltimore

    Google Scholar 

  • Henrich, R. (1982): Middle Triassic carbonate margin development: Hochstaufen-Zwieselmassiv, Northern Calcareous Alps, Germay.—Facies,6, 85–106, Erlangen

    Google Scholar 

  • — (1983): Der Wettersteinkalk am NW-Rand des tirolischen Bogens in den Nördlichen Kalkalpen: Der jüngste Vorstoß einer Flachwasserplattform am Beginn der Obertrias.—Geologica et Palaeontologica,17, 137–177, 9 Pls., 7 Figs., Marburg

    Google Scholar 

  • Henrich, R. &Zankl, H. (1986): Diagenesis of Upper Triassic Wetterstein reefs of the Bavarian Alps.—In:Schroeder, J. &Purser, B.H. (eds.): Reef diagenesis, 245–268, 9 Figs., Berlin (Springer)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kenter, J.A.M. (1990): Carbonate platform flanks: slope angle and sediment fabric.—Sedimentology,37/5, Oxford

  • Kraus, O. &Ott, E. (1968): Eine ladinische Riff-Fauna im Dobratsch-Gipfelkalk (Kärnten, Österreich) und Bemerkungen zum Faziesvergleich von Nordalpen und Drauzug.—Mitt. Bayer. Staatssamml. Paläont. hist. Geol.,8, 263–290, Pls. 17–20, 3 Figs., München

    Google Scholar 

  • Krystyn, L. &Gruber, B. (1974)Daonella lommeli (Wissmann) im Hallstätter Kalk der Nördlichen Kalkalpen.—N. Jb. Geol. Paläont., Mh.,1974/5, 279–286, Stuttgart

    Google Scholar 

  • Leonardi, P. (1961): Triassic coralligenous reefs in the Dolomites. —Ann. Univ. Ferrara,8, 127–157, 20 Figs., Ferrara

    Google Scholar 

  • — (1967): Le Dolomiti. Geologia dei Monti tra Israco e Piave.—1, 552 p.,2, 1019 p., Rovereto (Manfrini)

    Google Scholar 

  • — (1979): Considérations sédimento-stratigraphiques sur les ‘recifs’ triasiques des Dolomites (Italie).—Mem. Atti Accad. Naz. Lincei, Cl. Sci. Fis. Mat. Nat.,15, 69–76, Roma

    Google Scholar 

  • Leonardi, P. &Rossi, D. (1957): La scogliera coralligena del Serla nelle Dolomiti occidentali.—Ann. Univ. Ferrara, N.S., Sez. IX, Sci. Geol. Paleont.,3/1, 1–36, 9 Pls., 27 Figs., Ferrara

    Google Scholar 

  • Lobitzer, H., Mandl, G.W., Mazzullo, S.J. & Mello, J. (1990): Comparative study of Wetterstein carbonate platforms of the easternmost Northern Calcareous Alps and West Carpathian Mountains: Preliminary results.—In:Minarikova, D. & Lobitzer, H. (eds.): Thirty years of geological cooperation between Austria and Czechoslovvakia, 136–158, 6 Pls., 9 Figs., Wien-Praha

  • Moisisovics, E.M. (1879): Die Dolomit-Riffe von Südtirol und Venetien.—551 p., Wien (Hölder)

    Google Scholar 

  • Moore, C.H. (1989): Carbonate diagenesis and porosity.—Dev. Sed.,46, 338 p., Amsterdam (Elsevier)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ott, E. (1967): Segmentierte Kalkschwämme (Sphinctozoa) aus der alpinen Mitteltrias und ihre Bedeutung als Riffbildner im Wettersteinkalk.—Bayer. Akad. Wiss. math.-naturwiss. Kl., Abh., N.F.,131, 1–96, 10 Pls., 9 Figs., München

    Google Scholar 

  • — (1972): Mitteltriadische Riffe der Nördlichen Kalkalpen und altersgleiche Bildungen auf Karaburun und Chios (Ägäis).— Mitt. Ges. Geol. Bergbaustud.,21, 251–276, 2 Pls., 7 Figs., Innsbruck

    Google Scholar 

  • Pantic-Prodanovic, S. (1975): Les microfacies triasiques des Dinarides.—Soc. Sci. Arts Montenegro, Cl. Sci. Nat., Monograph. 4, 56 p., 100 Pls., Titograd

  • Pfeiffer, J. (1988): Paleontology and microfacies of a platform margin in the Carnic Alps (Austria, Middle Triassic).—Facies,19, 33–60, Pls. 7–14, 6 Figs., Erlangen

    Google Scholar 

  • Reid, R.P. (1987): Nonskeletal peloidal precipitates in Upper Triassic reefs, Yukon Territory (Canada).—J. Sed. Petrol.,57, 893–900, 8 Figs., Tulsa

    Google Scholar 

  • Richthofen, F. (1860): Geognostische Beschreibung der Umgebung von Predazzo, St. Cassian und der Seiser Alpe in Südtirol, 327 p., Gotha

  • Rossi, D. (1957): La scogliera del Latemar (note preliminari).— Ann. Univ. Ferrara, Sez. 9,2, 213–241, Ferrara

    Google Scholar 

  • — (1959a): La scogliera del Sasso Lungo (con alcune considerazioni sul Trias delle Dolomite occidentale).—Studi Trentini Sci. Nat.,36, 10–48, Trento

    Google Scholar 

  • — (1959b): La scogliera del Catinaccio.—Studi Trentini Sci. Nat.,36, 10–48, Trento

    Google Scholar 

  • Russo, F., Neri, C., Mastrandea, A. &Laghi, G. (1991): Depositional and diagenetic history of the Alpe di Specie (Seelandalpe) fauna (Carnian, Northeastern Dolomites).— Facies,25, 187–210, Pls. 49–55, 5 Figs., 10 Tabs., Erlangen

    Google Scholar 

  • Scherer, M. (1977): Preservation, alteration and multiple cementation of aragonitic skeletons from the Cassian beds (U. Triassic, Southern Alps): Petrographic and geochemical evidence.—N. Jb. Geol. Paläont. Abh.,154/2, 213–262, Stuttgart

    Google Scholar 

  • Turnsek, D., Buser, S. &Ogorolec, B. (1984): The role of corals in Ladinian-Carnian reef communities in Slovenia, Yugoslavia. —Palaeontographica Americana,54, 202–209, 9 Figs., Ithaca

    Google Scholar 

  • Urlichs, M. (1977): Zur Altersstellung der Pachycardientuffe und der Unteren Cassianer Schichten in den Dolomiten/Italien).— Mitt. Bayer. Staatssammulung Paläont. hist. Geol.,17, 15–25, München

    Google Scholar 

  • Wendt, J. (1980): Coral-sponge reefs in the South Alpine Upper Triassic.—In:Hartman, W., Wendt, J. & Wiedenmaier, F. (eds.): Living and fossil sponges—notes for a short course. Sedimenta,8, 122–130, Miami

  • — (1982): The Cassian patch-reefs (Lower Carnian, Southern Alps).—Facies,6, 185–202, Pls. 25–26, 4 Figs., Erlangen

    Google Scholar 

  • — (1986): Progradation geometries of carbonate platforms: examples from the Triassic of the Dolomites, northern Italy.— Sed.,33, 445–451, 4 Figs., Oxford

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wolff, H. (1973): Fazies-Gliederung und Paläogeographie des Ladin in den bayerischen Kalkalpen zwischen Wendelstein und Kampenwand.—N. Jb. Geol. Paläont. Abh.,143/2, 246–274, 7 Figs., Stuttgart

    Google Scholar 

  • Zorn, H. (1972): Mikrofazielle Analyse eines mitteltriadischen Riffkomplexes in den Tessiner Alpen.—Mitt. Ges. Geol. Bergbaustud. Österreich,21, 123–142, 2 Figs., Wien

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Geologie und Paläontologie, Universität, Am Innrain, A-6020, Innsbruck

    Rainer Brandner

  2. Institut für Paläontologie, Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Loewenichstraße 28, D 8520, Erlangen

    Erik Flügel &  Baba Senowbari-Daryan

Authors
  1. Rainer Brandner
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Erik Flügel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Baba Senowbari-Daryan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Brandner, R., Flügel, E. & Senowbari-Daryan, B. Microfacies of carbonate slope boulders: Indicator of the source area (Middle triassic: Mahlknecht cliff, western Dolomites). Facies 25, 279–295 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02536762

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02536762

Keywords

Search

Navigation