Seismic Atlas of the Messinian Salinity Crisis markers in the Mediterranean and Black Seas-Vol.1

Seismic Atlas of the Messinian Salinity Crisis markers in the Mediterranean and Black Seas-Vol.1

The Messinian Salinity Crisis (MSC) is a succession of extraordinary events that have profoundly altered the Mediterranean area in a very short period of time on a geological scale.

L’ouvrage “Seismic Atlas of the Messinian Salinity Crisis markers in the Mediterranean and Black Seas-Vol.1” est le résultat d’un travail collectif qui réunit en une seule publication les caractéristiques sismiques les plus marquantes en rapport avec cet événement exceptionnel.  Les données sismiques ont été acquises lors des nombreuses campagnes en mer au long des dernières années. A travers les 13 cas d’étude choisis, le faciès sismique, la géométrie et l’extension des marqueurs messiniens (unités de surface et dépôts) y sont décrits.

The succession in absolute ages of Messinian events, or the processes at the origin of their occurrence in space and time, are not part of the topics discussed, the objective of this Atlas being to :

1. to draw up a portrait of the Messinian markers from the most important margins and basins;
2. propose a new global and consistent terminology for these markers for the entire Mediterranean marine area, and
3. make these data accessible to the non-geophysical community.

Interpreted seismic data have been carefully selected according to their quality, location and significance to achieve these objectives and are presented in this Atlas.

COMPOSITION OF THE ATLAS

• 1 Explanatory note
• 1 summary of the organisation of the markers allowing for inter-site comparison.
• 43 pages presenting the 13 areas studied according to the following themes: regional context, MSC surfaces, MSC basin units, and for some specific areas, detritus and/or salt tectonics
• 1 CD containing raw and interpreted seismic data

Seismic Atlas of the Messinian Salinity Crisis markers in the Mediterranean and Black Seas-Vol.1

13 SITES
L’Atlas illustre l’étude des segments marginaux et des bassins des 13 aires ayant des histoires structurales, géodynamiques et géologiques différentes (eg. bassin intermédiaire/profond; avec/sans seuil; marge active/passive; couverture sédimentaire fine/épaisse, etc…).

L’Atlas permet une étude intégrée at l’échelle du bassin méditerannéen.  Cette nouvelle approche, basée sur des études comparatives multi-sites, ouvre la voie à des futures discussions sur l’impact de la MSC et l’amélioration de la documentation sur la manière dont la MSC a laissé son empreinte dans le domaine marin.

NOMENCLATURE AND COLOUR CODES
A new global terminology is proposed for the MSC markers (erosion surfaces and deposits). The terminology for deposits is based on their seismic facies and the geometric relationship of these units to the Mobile Unit (transparent facies and its associated plastic deformation). Surfaces were defined on the basis of their relationship to the Pre-MSC and MSC units, and the Plio-Quaternary cover.

Contributors :
J. Benkhelil, S. Berné, C. Bertoni, L. Camera, J.A. Cartwright, A. Capron, S. Dümmong, C. Hübscher, G. Lericolais, S. Leroy, J. Mascle, A. Mauffret, B. Mercier de Lépinay, E. M. Obone Zue Obame, J. P. Rehault, B. Savoye, N. Sellier, E. Tahchi, G. VOn Gronefeld, A. K. Yelles
Design and layout by Johanna Lofi

Seismic Atlas of the Messinian Salinity Crisis markers in the Mediterranean and Black Seas-Vol.1