The Muschelkalk (Middle Triassic) in the SE sector of Sierra del Espadán (Iberian Range, Spain)
Hernaiz-Huerta, Pedro Pablo (Centro Nacional Instituto Geologico y Minero de España)
Ramos, Adrià (Universitat de València)
Ardévol, Lluis (Universitat d'Alacant)

Date:	2026
Abstract:	Detailed mapping of the southeastern sector of the Sierra del Espadán (Eastern Iberian Range) shows that the Muschelkalk M2 intermediate unit is extensively distributed across the region, including its coastal areas. The M2 unit forms a thin (up to 25-30m), incompetent horizon predominantly composed of marly-dolomitic facies. Local stratigraphic omissions of this unit, resulting from facies changes or lateral wedging, occasionally led to continuous dolomitic successions corresponding to the Muschelkalk M1 plus the lower M3 (M3i) units. The M1 unit has been consistently mapped throughout the area, maintaining stratigraphic continuity with the underlying Röt facies, which cap the Buntsandstein B2 succession. Similar stratigraphic patterns have been observed in the adjacent Sierra Calderona to the South. These features collectively support the interpretation that both mountain ranges belong to the Mediterranean Triassic Domain, rather than to the Levantine-Balearic Domain. The Muschelkalk is transitionally overlain, by a previously undescribed, thick marly-clayey succession which includes thin, wellbedded dolostones-resembling those of the lower M3 (M3i) unit-and abundant packages of dolomitic breccias. This newly identified interval is herein provisionally interpreted as a possible stratigraphic unit, the "supra-Pina de Montalgrao" facies referring to its position overlying the uppermost Muschelkalk M3 (M3s) Pina de Montalgrao Formation, pending paleontological evidence to confirm its age. The dolomitic breccias are interpreted as the result of fragmentation of thin, well-bedded dolostones, possibly triggered by gravitational instabilities associated with late-stage reactivation of Permian-Triassic rifting. Nonetheless, a dissolution process involving stratigraphically related evaporitic deposits remains a plausible alternative origin for some of these breccias.
Grants:	Agencia Estatal de InvestigaciónPID2020-119651RB-I00
Note:	Altres ajuts: Centro Nacional Instituto Geologico y Minero de España (CN IGME-CSIC) projecte intern núm. 2938 ; European Social Fund Plus i Generalitat Valenciana (CIAPOS/2022/082)
Rights:	Aquest document està subjecte a una llicència d'ús Creative Commons. Es permet la reproducció total o parcial, la distribució, la comunicació pública de l'obra i la creació d'obres derivades, sempre i quan aquestes es distribueixin sota la mateixa llicència que regula l'obra original i es reconegui l'autoria.
Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió publicada
Subject:	Muschelkalk ; "supra-pina de montalgrao" facies/unit ; Dolomitic breccias ; Sierra del espadán ; Iberian range
Published in:	Geologica acta, Vol. 24 (2026) , p. 1-25 (Articles) , ISSN 1696-5728

Adreça original: https://revistes.ub.edu/index.php/GEOACTA/article/view/50697
DOI: 10.1344/GeologicaActa2026.24.1

25 p, 25.3 MB

The record appears in these collections:
Articles > Published articles > Geologica acta
Articles > Research articles