Evolución sedimentaria y estructural del Cretácico inferior en el sector Benicàssim-Orpesa, Cadena Ibérica oriental

Abstract

The Penyagolosa sub-basin is located in the south-eastern margin of Maestrat basin. Its structure is characterized by a system of listric faults NE-SW to ENE-WSW. These faults record two well differentiated periods of rifting: 1) Triassic-Jurassic initial 2) Late Jurassic-early Cretaceous, which are related to the opening of the Maestrat basin. The synrift succession of the Lower Cretaceous is formed by a carbonatic sequence of facies of more than 1300 m in thickness, Early Barremian to Albian in age, which includes nine cartographic units (from Kw to K5 and unit D). The postrif t succession is constituted by two cartographic units (FU and K5). The Lower Cretaceous synrif t succession in the Penyagolosa sub-basin, does not present significant differences with the other areas of the Maestrat basin. Never theless, the Benassal Fm (cartographic units K3m, K3s and K4) is much thicker than in depocenter of the basin. This significant increase in the accommodation space is produced by the sin-sedimentary activity of the Benicàssim fault (F.B). Features the Benicàssim fault was reactivated later during the Neogene extension, it still conser ves clear characteristics of their early Cretaceous activity, such as the disposition of layers in fans of the Benassal Fm and the depositional polarity of the involved carbonate facies