Emplacement and associated sedimentary record of the Jurassic submarine salt allochthon of the Wurzeralm (Eastern Alps, Austria)

Author(s)
Maditha Kurz, Oscar Fernandez, Lino Eggerth, Bernhard Grasemann, Philipp Strauss
Abstract

A fossil salt sheet emplaced in the Jurassic in submarine conditions is described in the Eastern Alps of Austria, providing unique insights into the emplacement of similar submarine structures and their potential control on depositional systems. The salt sheet is a plug-fed extrusion emplaced due to squeezing of a salt diapir under compression. The preserved mylonitic shear fabric in the evaporites indicates radial, south-directed emplacement of the salt sheet. Tectono-sedimentary relationships record the evolution of the salt structure, from initial diapiric growth, to salt sheet extrusion and posterior collapse. Syn-extrusion sediments record the variable bathymetry of the extruding salt sheet, with reefal carbonates building up on the crestal bulge while their deeper water equivalents accumulated on the extruding salt lobe. This is the first description of a salt allochthon still linked to its source diapir in the Eastern Alps.

Organisation(s)
Department of Geology, Department of Lithospheric Research
External organisation(s)
OMV
Journal
Terra Nova
Volume
35
Pages
524-532
No. of pages
9
ISSN
0954-4879
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1111/ter.12675
Publication date
12-2023
Peer reviewed
Yes
Austrian Fields of Science 2012
105124 Tectonics
Keywords
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Geology
Portal url
https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/aa382612-5e5b-430f-99ce-3d08fa4db285