Large-scale boudinage of late Miocene platform series triggered by margin collapse during the messinian salinity crisis (Ibiza island, Spain)

Research on Ibiza Island reveals large-scale boudinage structures in late Miocene platform deposits, providing evidence for extensional margin collapse during the Messinian Salinity Crisis. These structures, characterized by rectangular to barrel-shaped blocks and soft-sediment syncline folds, indicate multidirectional extension with increased stretching seaward. Fluid circulation, evidenced by calcite crystal wedges and high-temperature fluid inclusions (190–260 °C), suggests that hot fluids facilitated the destabilization of a still-soft carbonate platform. The slow deformation process is further supported by the progressive infill of paleosols and the presence of subaerial Messinian channels in boudinage-induced depressions, confirming emersion during the crisis. This study offers onland evidence for extensional collapse linked to sea-level drawdown.

Odonne, F., Maillard, A., Lézin, C., Chanier, F., Gaullier, V., & Guillaume, D. (2019). Large-scale boudinage of late Miocene platform series triggered by margin collapse during the messinian salinity crisis (Ibiza island, Spain). Marine and Petroleum Geology, 109, 852–867. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2019.06.058