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Paleosubsidence and active subsidence due to evaporite dissolution in Spain

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Abstract

Evaporite formations crop out or are at shallow depth present in an extensive area of Spain. These soluble sediments occur in diverse geological domains and were deposited over a long time span, from the Triassic up to the present day. Broadly, the Mesozoic and Paleogene formations (Alpine cycle) are affected by compressional structures, wheras the Neogene (post-orogenic) sediments remain underformed. Subsidence caused by subsurface dissolution of evaporites (subjacent karst) takes place in three main types of stratigraphic settings: a) subsidence affecting evaporite-bearing Mesozoic and Tertiary successions (interstratal karst); b) subsidence in Quaternary alluvial deposits related to the exorheic evolution of present-day fluvial systems (alluvial or mantled karst); and c) subsidence in exposed evaporites (uncovered karst). These types may be represented by paleosubsidence phenomena (synsedimentary and/or postsedimentary) recognizable in the stratigraphic record, or by equivalent, currently active or modern examples which have a surface expression. Interstratal karstification of Mesozoic marine evaporites, and the consequent subsidence of overlying strata, is revealed by stratiform collapse breccias and wedge outs of the evaporites grading into unsoluble residues. In several Tertiary basins, the sediments overlying evaporites locally show synsedimentary and/or postsedimentary subsidence structures. Dissolution-induced subsidence coeval with sedimentation is accompanied by local thicknening of strata in basin-like structures with convergent dips and cumulative wedge-out systems. This sinking process controls the generation of depositional environments and lithofacies distribution. Postsedimentary subsidence produces a great variety of gravitational deformations in Tertiary supra-evaporitic units, including both ductile and brittle structures (flexures, synforms, fractures, collapse, and brecciation). Quaternary fluvial terrace deposits overlying evaporites show anomalous thickenings (>150m) caused by a dissolution-induced subsidence process in the alluvial plain, which is balanced by alluvial aggradation. The complex evolution (in time and space) of paleosubsidence leads to intricate and chaotic structures in the alluvium, which may be erroneously interpreted as pure tectonic deformations. The current subsidence and generation of sinkholes due to suballuvial karstification constitutes a geohazard which affects large, densely populated areas, and thus endangers human safety and poses limitations on development. An outstanding example can be seen in Calatayud, an important historical city where subsidence has severely damaged highly valuable monuments. Subsidence resulting from the underground karstification of evaporites has caused or influenced the generation of some important modern lacustrine basins, such as Gallocanta, Fuente de Piedra, and Banyoles Lakes. The sudden formation of sinkholes due to collapse of cave roofs is fairly frequent in some evaporite outcrops. Very harmful and spectacular subsidence activity is currently occurring in the Cardona salt diapir, where subsidence has been dramatically exacerbated by mining practices.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Geodinámica, Edificio Geológicas, University of Zaragoza, C. Pedro Cerbuna, 12, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain

    Francisco Guitérrez & Mateo Gutiérrez

  2. Departmento de Petrología, Geoquímica y Prospección Geológica, Facultad de Geología, Universidad de Barcelona, University of Barcelona, Zona Universitaria de Pedralbes, 08028, Barcelona, Spain

    Federico Ortí

  3. Departamendo de Geodinámica, Facultad de Geológicas, University Complutense of Madrid, Universidad Complutense, 28040, Madrid, Spain

    Alfredo Pérez-González

  4. Centro de Estudios Medioambientales, CSIC, Madrid, Spain

    Gerardo Benito

  5. Centro de Ciencias Medioambientales (C.S.I.C.), C. Serrano 115dpdo., 28006, Madrid, Spain

    Gerardo Benito

  6. Facultad de Ciencias del Mar, University of Cádiz, Universidad de Cádiz, 11510, Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain

    F. Javier Gracia

  7. Instituto Tecnológico y Geominero de España, Madrid, C. Rios Rosas, 23, 28003, Madrid, Spain

    Juan José Durán

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  1. Francisco Guitérrez
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  2. Federico Ortí
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  3. Mateo Gutiérrez
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Correspondence to Francisco Guitérrez.

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Guitérrez, F., Ortí, F., Gutiérrez, M. et al. Paleosubsidence and active subsidence due to evaporite dissolution in Spain. Carbonates Evaporites 17, 121–133 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03176478

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