Submarine canyon and fan deposits in the Upper Cretaceous of the South-Central Pyrenees, Spain

Abstract

This preliminary study shows the existence of a submarine canyon during Upper Cretaceous time in the South-Central Pyrenees. Deposits filling up this canyon are mainly an alternation of thick limestone breccias and calcareous quartz sandstone layers in the western part of the area, grading into an alternation of limestone breccias, turbidites and blue marls in the east. A western location of the source area of breccia components is demonstrated by their stratigraphic record and measured current directions. After a short transport on a relatively steep slope in a submarine canyon, material was deposited in the canyon mouth building up submarine fans.