Discovery of Messinian Canyons and new seismic stratigraphic model, Offshore Provence (SE France): implications for the hydrographic network reconstruction

Type Article
Date 2014-11
Language English
Author(s) Tassy A.1, 7, Fournier F.1, Munch P.2, Borgomano J.1, 8, Thinon I.3, Fabri Marie-ClaireORCID4, Rabineau M.5, Arfib B.1, Begot J.5, Beslier M. -O6, Cornee J. -J.2, Fournillon A.1, Gorini C.7, Guennoc P.3, Leonide P.1, Oudet J.1, Paquet F.3, Sage F.6, Toullec R.1
Affiliation(s) 1 : Ctr Europeen Rech & Enseignement Geosci Environm, UMR7330, F-13331 Marseille, France.
2 : Univ Montpellier 2, Geosci Montpellier UMR5243, Montpellier, France.
3 : DGR GBS BRGM, Orleans, France.
4 : Ifremer Mediterranee Lab Environm LER PAC, ZP Bregaillon, La Seyne Sur Mer, France.
5 : IUEM, UMR 6538, F-29280 Plouzane, France.
6 : UMR 73 29 GeoAzur, Villefranche Sur Mer, France.
7 : Univ Paris 06, CNRS, UMR7193, Inst Sci Terre Paris iSTeP, F-75252 Paris 05, France.
8 : TOTAL CST JF, Pau, France.
Source Marine And Petroleum Geology (0264-8172) (Elsevier Sci Ltd), 2014-11 , Vol. 57 , P. 25-50
DOI 10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2014.05.001
WOS© Times Cited 8
Keyword(s) Western Mediterranean, Provence continental shelf, Base Plio-Quaternary surface, Submarine canyon, Karst, Offshore seismic data, Shallow coring, Geological mapping
Abstract The interpretation of high-resolution 2D marine seismic profiles together with the analysis of sea-bottom cores allowed a stratigraphic and structural framework of the Provence continental shelf to be proposed. The integration of onshore and offshore stratigraphy, structure and geomorphology provided new insights into Messinian paleotopography and paleohydrography. A geological map of the offshore Provence continental shelf, isobath map of the base Plio-Quaternary surface are presented for the first time in this area. The base Plio-Quaternary surface is a polyphased unconformity that is composed of deep canyons developed by fluvial erosion during the Messinian event, and wave-cut surfaces formed during post-Messinian transgressions. The study evidenced a deep, E-W-trending canyon (Bandol canyon) connected to the head of the Cassidaigne canyon, and filled with up to 600m-thick Plio-Quaternary deposits. The development of canyons on the Provence margin during the Messinian event was dominantly controlled by the lithology and structure of pre-Messinian formations. A map of the Messinian paleo-drainage network is proposed to explain the presence of deep canyons in the Eastern area and the lack of incision in the Western area. An underground karst drainage scheme is proposed, linked with the current submarine Port-Miou spring.
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Tassy A., Fournier F., Munch P., Borgomano J., Thinon I., Fabri Marie-Claire, Rabineau M., Arfib B., Begot J., Beslier M. -O, Cornee J. -J., Fournillon A., Gorini C., Guennoc P., Leonide P., Oudet J., Paquet F., Sage F., Toullec R. (2014). Discovery of Messinian Canyons and new seismic stratigraphic model, Offshore Provence (SE France): implications for the hydrographic network reconstruction. Marine And Petroleum Geology, 57, 25-50. Publisher's official version : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2014.05.001 , Open Access version : https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00189/30027/