PROXIMAL DEPOSITS AT A FAULT-CONTROLLED BASIN MARGIN, UPPER MIOCENE, SE SPAIN

Upper Miocene sediments of a proximal basin-margin facies association were deposited on the eastern edge of the Sierra Espuna mountains of t he Betic Cordillera. SE Spain. These are interpreted as having been de posited along an active, basin-bounding fault. The sequence is compose d of mixed marine carbonate and elastic sediments with conglomerates a nd calcarenites containing coralgal detritus passing distally into lin er-grained sediments. Laterally along the faulted margin there are mar ked variations in facies and clast composition over very short distanc es. Clastic conglomerates interfinger both laterally and upwards with algal and coral reefs. Sedimentary facies analysis and provenance data are used to infer that mass flows coming off the steep basin margin f ed talus cones. Laterally to the talus cones a fan delta coexisted wit h active algal and coral reefs.