Field Seminars

Field Trip Leader: Jaume Vergés This 2 day fieldtrip to the South Pyrenean Fold Belt is to have an overview of a fold belt and adjacent foreland basin through four well-exposed and well-known localities. Each example permits the discussion of different geological processes related to the interplay between tectonics and sedimentation and the role of salt-tectonics during both pre-compression rifting and during tectonic inversion. Day 1 Stop 1: Overview of the southern margin of the Ebro foreland basin: Montserrat fan-delta The main objective In the Montserrat fan-delta locality is to characterize the evolution of the southern margin of the Ebro foreland basin during the Pyrenean shortening with especial emphasis on its tectono-sedimentary evolution through the Eocene. The size and quality of this outcrop is directly comparable to good seismic examples. Stop 2: Role of detachment levels and salt-tectonics in building the fold belt: Cardona diapir The main objective in the Cardona diapir locality is to provide an overview of salt tectonics in compressional settings at different scales using the South Pyrenean examples. The role of pre- and syn-orogenic evaporitic levels during shortening in fold belts is discussed as well the interplay between tectonics and sedimentation. Overnight in Solsona Day 2 Stop 1: 3-D Growth strata to define folding mechanisms and growing topography: Sant Llorenç de Morunys In the Sant Llorenç de Morunys locality. along the footwall of the Pyrenean thrust sheets, we can observe the 3-D views of the large-scale and best preserved growth strata worldwide; several square kilometres and more than 500 m of tectonic relief. The size and quality of this outcrop is directly comparable to good seismic examples. Stop 2: Evolution and inversion of a salt-related rift basin: Roca Narieda In the Roca Narieda locality we discuss the role of pre-orogenic salt tectonics in development of salt-related rift basins and their control on Lower Cretaceous platform growth. Outcrop is also superb and is directly comparable to good seismic examples. Drive to Barcelona (2:30 hours) Notice: In mid-November the weather can be cold rainy and you should bring warm and waterproof clothes and suitable hiking boots. If weather conditions are good we can walk on steep terrain for short distances.