fisii’’i¡¡I,i/Ibeiis¡,í (hs’Ií-i,-t tSSN: 0378—l02X

2052 29. 1128

Wave-dominated siliciclastie and carbonate

sedimentation in a Lower Cretaceous lake
(Cameros basin, northern Spain)

Sedimenuu.ión siliciclóstica dominada por la acción

del oleaje>’ carbonatada en un lago del Cretácico Inferior
(cuenca de Cameros, norte de España)

S. DotmLtst, Ji’. GARCÍA. M. OLtIRAUD, A. MÉNARD

ABSTRACT
Aceording to struetural, sedimentary and biostratigraphic data, the north-
eastern Cameros rift basin (northern Spain) has recorded almost 8 000 meters
of nonmarine Late Jurassie to Early Cretaeeous deposits with minor marine
íncursions. Our purpose is: (1) to document within this basin both carbonate
and silicielastie facies of the Enciso Group; (2) to illustrate a depositional
model and (3) to diseuss palacoenvironmental reconstruction of a large lacus-
trine system. Our depositional model is based on an integrated approaeh involv-
mg both rnapping and stratigraphic section analysis. Three sedimentary envi-
ronínents are recognized on six stratigraphie sections and are outlined by
vaílous outcrop observations in tbe Enciso Group. They are: 1) open lacustrine
environment; 2) siliciclastie marginal lacustrine environment (distributary
channel, mouth-bar delta, shoreface lake-fringing marsb facies assoeiations and
3) carbonate lake-margin facies environment (storm-dominated, desiecated
opeP lacustrine. palustrine facies assocíations). Two types of lake margin set-
tings alternate through time: a wave-dorninated siliciclastie vs a low-gradient
carbonate ramp setting. A elimatie controJ on the onset of the two types of
lacustrine depositional settings is suggested.
Keywords: Cameros basin, Lower Cretaceous, lakes, palaeoenvironments,
palaeoe íi mate.

LJMR/CNR5 5561 Biogésusciences. Ceíítrc des Scieííces de la Terre, Université de Bs,urgognc. 6 beulevard
5correspoíiding aushor): StefaíiDoublct@u—bourgogíiebr
Gabriel. 1<21 (1(1(1 [)ijsu¡í, FRANCE. e—mail (

II
S. IJoabl,I, .1V Geueio. 44. (h¡i,aodA. Mé,¡anl

RESUMEN
De acueído etin los datos estructurales. sedimentológicos y bioestratigráftcos
disponibles, la cuenca de rift del noreste de Cameros (norte de España) presenta el
registro de unos 800<.) metros (le depósitos (le sedimentos cotítinentales de edad
Jurásico Superior a Cretácico Inferior, con inetirsiones menores de origen marino. El
pí-opósito dcl pí-esente. trabaío es: (1) documentar la presencia en esta cuenca de las
facies caí-bonatadas y sil icicláslicas del Grupo Enciso: (2) proponer cín modelo
deposíciotíal : y (3) realizar la í-econsti-uecion palcoambiental (le un gran sistema
lacustre. Ntíestí-o modelo cleposicional está basado en la integración de datos car-
tografícos con los procedentes del análisis de secciones eslratiorálicas. A pwír1 .“‘1
4c
csttidio cíe seis secciones estratigí-álicas. se han 1)odido iclentificaiz- tres asociaciones
cíe facies di lerentes. reconocidas a sví vez en olios afloramientos del Grupo Enciso.
Estas asociaciones (le fúcies soil: 1) asociación cíe facies (le ambiente lacustre abier-
(o: 2) asoe ación (le facies tic ambiente 1 acustie marcí nal siliciclastico (canal clistii—
btítaiit,. baila cíe cleseiil1x)c-~t(ltIra y fací es patítanosas de shorefiu -e Iake—/Pingi¡ígí ) y 3>
ambie ile 1 actístre íríaiei nal de facies cai-bonatada ( asOo Ltc 10flC5 cíe facies pa Itístres
dom nadas por tormeíítas y lactí st re abieí4a coíi desooatu in> A lo largo del tiempo se
alteuíian dois t pos de íííaigen 1 actístre: uno sil e chist it o dom inado por la accion del
oleaje. y otro carbonatado secun un modelo tic rampa suax omente- inclinada. Se sug—
íeíe que el establecíni íeu lo cíe estos dos li pos de dc posítos latusties estuvo contiola—
dii por factores cli ni-atict)s.
Palabras clave: Cuenca cíe Cameíos. Cí-etácico Inlérior. lagos. palcoambientes.
paleoc Iinía.

INTROL)UCTIUN — GEOLOGICAL SE4TING

Dtiíí ng Mesoíoic ti mes. intíaplaíe ri 1) ing stages related to the open ing of the
Biscay Gímíl arO íc sponsible for the emplaceiríení of a set of extensional basins with—
iii the lbu II It] Doinjí íi( AIx—aro el al. 1979; Salas and Casas, 1993; Casas—Sainz ancí
-

Gil—ln~sí¡ IsiOMa ¡ [su 1 ¡mor-nc h=íeh,~í-sí-uísuíi-.íí~vl ,iiiI~n¡, tVe. m-in rWir,,,

t•fl.it•tLi¡IttI¡tft¿4

(I.Áítc [dr íssí 1 ti lx ( itt it cotís) and corresponcis to the t.hickest westcrn depoceíítre.
Accoi clín~’ lo stí tiultíl ttl scdi.mcnurv antí biostratigraphio- data (Tisher, 1966;
Salonion l98~ Gtií r itíd 1983: Martín—Closas V Alonso—MIlán. 1998) the north—
castuní ( imo í os b tsi n i utorcíecí almosí 8 (RiO níeteis cd noninarine Late J urassic to
[-LadyCi et9ccous tluposíts wit.h íníííor inaííne incursions (Alonso y Mas, 199.3;
Cómo ¡ í un inclez and Msluríck z 994: Alonso—Azcárate et aL. 1995). Tisher
1966) u.st ibí ished ihe iíuilial stí ítí~~r íphie li-amework stíbdivicling íhe synrift deposi—
tion tito fíve liihosír;íiigr~iph it •‘i ocíps ( naincly, Tira. (jincala, Urbión Enciso.
(1)1 iy lo) liii-, inc<¡leí was ¡ti 1 huí di sí. ussed 1w aii thors leadí nc to several svnri it sed—
mcml tí \ oid setítíemíce strali~’i aphíu íííteipretaticíns (Salomon, 1982; Gcíiraud. 1983:
Gui í ~íuclíí íd Su gtíret. 985 Nl is al 1993>. ( )ur purpose ¡ s: (1) to docuiuent both
.

caí-bonatu tnd sil ie iclastie t~íoícs of the Enciso Group (late Baíi-emian (o Aptian): (2)

u. 1 1 12
 5. Doubleí, .í-P Can-ja. M. Cuire,ud. A. Ménard

Enciso Group

e
‘hAy e
o
-n

o o
e
-o —

Legend
E urioxposed
‘5’
¡.1
.20
-O
a) ‘4, ¡u-o
U) e t
a -— ¡u
2o
So>dimeuitary <pactos uJ ¡u -D
5w
a, r e

1 figure 4
a r
o
t
-o
ct Ce
o o
-D
tithoioqy

figure 5

—--1 -*

unexposed

-O

-O)
CI,
a- a -D
-D

Lu a a

—-e

[loo
o

ti
o-
o
-D

Fis.; - 2.— Ve rs ical sedi nacnií,logical 1 ng Vadi líos sed ion) throsigh Itie Eneiesa Ciroap - See Fi g. 1 kw locali(cii -
Fice. 2.— Coisinína essratigiáfíc,¡ dci Crsipsí Enciso (sección de Vadílisís). ver Fig. 1 para su sseaiizaciuiia.

Jo¡iuno 1 of mesías,
21<1<3. 3u) II 28 14

)
 SI I)oubiez.. 1. -P (a,uia. 44. Gs,irssaeL A. M¿,issrrl

t.ions were cairied c)uf usíne facies analvsis entena (grain ¡¡~¡uwu~y, sossíis, sedi-
....~,

mentaí-y and biological sti-uctures). Thin seetions and hand samples are also examí—
necí for i nterpretafion of carbonate facies. The. geometry of sedimentary bodies was
characteí-ízed físííii ficíd observalions and c)titcrop photogíaphís. As biostratigraphic
data mm (he Enciso (liíoup reinain veíy searce (Martín—Glosas y Alonso—Millán.
1998; for a í-cview ) ccí-rclat ions are basal on 1:10.0(X) vnapping of maí-ker beds, i. e.
latcíal extent ¿md fhcies vaí-iations as well as geometiy of sedimentaíy intervals
betwecíí each marker (Hg. 3).

SEDIMENTARY ENVIRONMENTS AND FACIES ASSOCIATIONS

[-hesecli ¡ncnts of the Enciso Group are alTangecí i uto carbonate and sil iciclastie
tío i ts
aocI diV cíes] inIc open—lacustrine. sil iciclastie marci ial Iaeustri nc. and carbon-
ate 1aL—mare i n cmvi míí mcml s.

Oí I;N 1 ACtJSi R iNI-. 1 A( itúS 1 (NY íí« 3NN-1E~Ni

II liS LuX iionment is dominatecí by bovh si liciclasties aud carbonates arranged into
íbice dist¡nct t icies associations.
Sílícicí tstíc facies is clominated by blue-gíeenish bioturbated micaceous silt—
stcncs (Fi” 4). These honíoceneous silistones are massive and frequently exhibit
soil scclímcnt m icrotaulti ng relates] lo compaction (Guiraud and Ségcííet, 1987).
Sedíincníu} stttictures as well as fossils are virtually absent. The low-cliversity tíace
lossil íssctnbl ige is domínated by abundant simple horizontal to vertical btírrows
that can lic scxcral tetis of centilvietí-es deep.
C u lion tc uníts display mid— to dark-grey miente interbeáded with grey níarís
¿md calr acolAs claystones (Fig. 5). They often contain laminated ostracod—shell
skelutal dcbí is Vetiebrate bomie fragmencs including ve.rtebrae, crocodile teeth atd
inotí. fícqucntly fish seales and tecth have been noticed. Bioturbation when observecí
is dilitisí..
Hí.tcí olahic secliínentaí-y units consist of alternating marís. liniestone beds and
castraí.”d r’ch ínclstonús-~-lÁmestones--appear -as-single-o~racodal c’aicarenite bcds
laterallx pelsistcnt over kilometcrs. They are sharp-bascd ¿¡os] dispí íy a upper undu-
latina stiíj¿íce Intemal slntictuies ale featuied bs- erosive suri ice prodticinc hurn—
i1]OckS ncl SXX tIsis íííantlcd by ostracoclal laminae. ~l’hese structurcs así. distinct.ive of
hu nim it kv ci 5 sss—strati ficzíí ions 1 Fie 6—1). Sandstones Occur as ~raclcdcení i mcteí—
-

cii ic-k bí. ch ¡u Xx í s cusís o cx tetis] ()cculic:oc-í.’ of ineipiení síaivucí xx ixe í í pples attcst
-

of ac f Ivc xx ix c rc-woí-ki hg. S¿ínclstone becís ¿ii-e intei-preted as tcmpcstilc líke deposits
(Mii -uí A í o ncí 1985. lis x-ertical sccti on, (bey u c scackccl i rito ti Iii ng—u pwarcl
scc~tíc tic c s A híc 1] a tu-mate xviii carbí mate beds arid mas Is ([1 c~. 5).
1 ac u’ s s lcsc ri bes] stigaest ti nc—graí t]ed seclí íricnLitíon lo an cixygenates] open
la.cií sú inc scttiííg. Abscní.-c s )f scdi mentaí-y- fc¿ttures diagnostíí. of subaeí-i al exposure
nduc c s a pci ííuincnt w-aler c:oI cii nn l3oth sil iciclastic md c¿trbon:tte sc’chimentary
-

uíí i ts 1 & í. tu cl ¾
sxv —md ay secli iíícíítation lhev comirasí xxi th heteroli th e tín its where
-

It. t—t/ ~-¡II —5;

2t)t 5 ‘‘5 ¡1 ‘7 nr,

’
 Wave-dominated sedimentation in a Lower Cretaceous lake

(m>

lo -
Opon lacusirino
onvironmoní

a Shoreiaco facies asanciation

tinco, ahorsisce> Siiiciciaatc marginal
ottvironussont

Biolartatod sOisuone Opon lacusirine

—-fi)
onvironmení
7
Della froni

by mase acuicus)
6
Sisoreface lacios asaeciation
tOPPer shoreiacei
5

Siiiciciasiic marginal
environmont

Moulh-bar dalia
lacios asacciafion
a— tdisuribuiarv nsouih-bar>

Opon ¡acusurino
environmonu

O 5 Sari>

rowouls9~ iow-angio pianar cross-bodd¡ng

— marly limasiano IMa)
lrossghu cross-suraiificadon

Li ajilsíano <si>
Inc-anglo plane boda
1 sardainno
~—c~----- hsmmoclw oroas-slraulficaulon IHCS)

~k cave ripole crosa-laniinauion

<N. incipianí wave rippie cross-iaminauiori

Fis u 4.- ve-tical scctis¡í¡ líos Llaisos sectislís) shsswing siliciclastic marginal laciustrine succession. See figures 1 aísd
2 for locatisnís.
Fis;. ‘k— Sección cstratigu<ilica (Lsss Llanos) que muiesira ¡una sucesión lacustre si liciclástica nsarginal. Ver figuras 1
y2
15a1a su locaiiniuious.

Jr¡s¡rns,I of 1t,erio,¡ Chis /0gw

17 2003. 29, 11-28
A. Doal,!ej J-P (Sarcia. 44. Cuirai¡d, A. Mé,íard

occurrence of tempestites aud HCS suggest storrn-dominated open lake eonditions.

SiLICIcLÁsTIC MARGINAl.. LACUSrRtNls ENVIRONMENT

The sijiciclastie marginal lacustrine environínení is composed of silístones

ané very fine fo medium sandstones. This environment is represented by distrib-
ulary channel, tnouth-bar delta, shoreface and maíginal lacustrine níarsh facies
associatíons.

TI-lE 13151RIBLFIARY CIJANNI-Il. FACIES ASSOCIATiON

Ris facies association is present within single fining-upward channel sand-

stones, 2.5 to 4 ni thick. Grain size decreases upward from medium- to very fines]-
gíained sandstories. In cíoss section, sandbodies show fIat top and lJ-shaped en-
siotiaJ base soíiíetimes with thin lag conglotnerate containing logs (Fig. 6-2). They
are simple although several display internal bounding suífaces. Commonly wedge-
shapes] massive silty sandstones known as wings extend lateíally and thin over
meters into silty deposits. Sandbody intUí is dominated by latera! aceretion (epsilon)
cross-bes]ding associates] with plan¿u- cíoss-beds.
On the basis of the W/T í-atio. channel sandstones are reported as ribbon san&
stones or lateíallv isistífleted channel sandstotes (Friend et al, 1986). Epsilon cross-
sti-atifications suggest lateral migration. Ribbon sandstones are inteíyí-eied ¿ts isol¿tt—
ecl epheuiíer¿íl channels cutting down intc) lacustrine deposits.

½>1>111—BAR iii-II [11½1 -ACIES A55OCIAF ION

Mouth—bars form single sir stackecl individual lobate sandstones, 0.1 (o 4 ¡u thick.
lii strike section. single bedset extension considerably vary frora 25 ni to more than
100(1 ni, but facies arrangcmcnl ané lobate geometí-v remain constant. Ir cross see—
tion, lobes consisí in cc)nvex típ leus shaped sandbodies. They frequently overlie fine
s]eposits (open lactístrine sudíínents) xvith sharp scouring Iower boundino5, stíí-faces -

(l--ig. 6-3>, but ití soíue cascs transítion frorn fine s]eposits is gíadual ané corrcspond
u I:i,~. .1
tc pal a¡ cl ¡¿ti ¡u’ ¡ ¡aseo sí ¡ LSIS<i cx ~ ci íu al sallusloilí. lJ5>í.11C5 lii spiÉtY irocígh cross—stí-at—
—

itications which laterally p tss nito Ltngentiaí ¿md planar cross—stratifications. Sinalí—
sealed huínsnocky cross—strat¡fícs] sands may occur inteíbedded with single lenticu-
lar bes]sets. Reworking of cross becís is loeallv piesent ¿xx tíndtílatiííg ciosive suitaces
(Hg. 4).
Geoíretry and facies í-ecogíiízes] in sans]stones suggest lobate delta systems.
Parallel—lairtinated siltstones recors] prodelta cleposits, while sans]stone bes]s chaí-ac—
teíize clic proxiníal p¿trt of delta. The alTatigement of sedimentary struclures within
single bbc alloxv us to define several doínains. ‘[-he proxirnal delta which records
i]]lgration of dcínes (tíough cross becís) 1] a chanííelized flow is reportes] here as dic
clistribut¿try movíth-ban l~ateraIly, as the fiow speed decreases, sandwaVes (tabular
cross beds) can tbrm on the delta front <l2igs. 4 and 6-4). Towards bbc margins, cro-
s¡ons as weIl as lICS sandsiones tetW tu í-ecord a more cffective w¿tve activity.

Jr-on/t1b-,-Ñ, &t-y-I
2<553. 29. II 25 18
 Wave-dominaced sedimentation in a Lower Cretaceous lake..

<rn)<

17~- -- - wave reworked della-ironí

Siiiciciasuic margincí
environmerui
le prodelta

I
15 -j
sloruss-influoncad carbonalo Carbonate marginal

14
A lacios asacciauidn lacusírine envirorrimerul Pig 7-4

la

12

si

Opera lacusirine
so remorsed neta sanda 7

7.

6
<desicated) opon lacusurino
lacios asacciation Carbonate marginal
¡acuatrine environmeusí
5
paluairirue c¡ubonaie Fig6-l
4 besos asaecíslion

ostramdsi tempeslile
Opon ¡acusurino
environmeul,

Ct Si Sai,?
— .5.¡
Ma Mi
2~~I~W rocía
mart’ limesione lMa<
-a>~ ostracodal ¡aminiles

ji micrilie ¡imeslono tMi>

~3
—C\ currení rippio
lurrows
ciayaiono les>

reworlsod lrough croas-suratiltcauion

sandalone

Fío. 5.- Veilical section wiilsin <líe Vadillos ng showing veutical alternances between open acusnine, siliciclastic
and castasnate lacustri¡ie s¡¡¡ils. See figures 1 asid 2 [sirlocathsn.
Fis;. 5.- Sección estraiigrsii)ca dc detalle (Vadillos) en la que se muestra la alternancia vertical entre las tres unida-
des lacustres tabierta. silicicláslica y carbonatada)- ver figuras 1 y 2 para su lucatizución.

Joutns¡J of¡tersan Gselogy

19 2003. 29. 11-28
.S. Ii)ouh/ei. .1. -P (Sarcia. 44. (S¡,irai¡d A. Ménará

Sl.¡ORvzI2ÁCE FÁCIl 5 ASS~X IATION

Dcposits íecognizccl ín this Iheisis ¿tssociation ¿u-e ari-aííged units 1.5 to 3.5 ni thick
and few kilomctcí s in 1 atcral extencí.
The lower p trt is s]onímnated by silty u> verx- fine grained rnicaeeous sandslones.
They eonsist in 1 ítcí ally ¡íoníogeneous bedfonns which nonnally gíade froin open
l¿ícustíinc deposíts Scdíineníaíy structurcs s]isplayed coniprise fiat to low ¿ingle ci-oss
lannnations intí. í cli~ít <lcd with synímctrical ripples or symínctrical ripple—foí-ííí sets
lcss thaíí 1 cm thíck Xciv sniall—scalcd huníníocky cross—stratiticatic)n liave been als()
observes]. Thesc. sans]~ dcposits show- diagííostic feavt~tres of vv-ave action (Harrus et
iii., 1982). Occuí ícnce of even lamination associ¿tied xvitlí wave ripples ¿aid sníall—
scaled lICS sug”ests í lower shorefiíce settinc.
Ití verlical scctíon lowcr shorefacc deposits ate overlain by stacked letítícul¿tr
sandstoíic beds Tliickncss as welf as lateral extend of these well sorted fine gi-ained
sans]stones are similar te ihose cff sníal 1 single delta Ictes. Amalgamatecí small—sc¿íles]
HCS aíid xx-avc-liflplc bedseís ¿nc ¡líe ilotí.— coíníííon fealtíres buí laiger HCS sand—
siones ancí ci ndsí fatíng Iow—aííglc fiat beds also occur 1. Fig. 7—1>. Numerous vertebrate
tí-acks pí-escí-ved over large íippled svírfaces ¿íttest of occasional s2niergence.
]Vlost sif i íítcí-naf strtlctíli-es of leraicular sans]stoííes show teafures cluíracteri stic c)f
vaxe aocI sierro ¿íctic¡n in the upper shorcface. Fíat becís indicate oscillatory upper
tiow-í-eciíne ccínclítioíís and suggesí high tlow velocity ¿md sh¿tlloxx- w-ater depfh
(Harmos ct cii., l98~) 1 u ce— as wel 1 as stnall—scalecf HCS beds icecíré storni eVcnts
the cippcr síícaí. lace 5 íoí ní—influetices] tnaígi ial l¿tcctstí-ine setíiíígs ¿ire both exten—
si vely decumeuifccl u í tic ídeííí ¿tos] anciení. lakcs (e. y Eylcs ¿iris] Clark. 1986;
Gt-eeiíxx-ood ancí Slícrínaí 1986: D¿íní ancí Surlyk, 1991; Martel and Gibling. 1991).
Modein ex¿tmplc of htuíííííecky cross—slratiticat ions frc>íii Otítario lake similar tc
those ebseixed Ls píc íll~ forní i u the surf zoííe ¿it ver>- shallow clepth (Greenwoed ¿mcl
Sheí-man. 198<)>
lii Vcrtic¿tl scctíon loxx-er aticí cípper shoreface are ¿ín-an”ed 5, iii coarscning—upw¿trd
successíons sí iii 1 ¿tr lo those observes] o rnocíth—b:tr cmvi ronííicíit (Fi g. 7—2). Both
cmvirc>íi nícnts clisplay a gencía 1 shal low ing—típxv-¿ti-d tendency íuiaí-kecl by sedimenta—
rv.slí-clclttícs.and.tp.inií. ~“-5i2-¡O sandcentent-andgrasn-sízc. Upper slíoreface- are often
asseei¿ítccl xvi <li di stri butary í íiovith h¿trs or delta frení deposus ( Fig. 4>. Loc¿íl píes—
erice el i-c>xvc>rkc-d Ireuglí cross bedding atid lenticu lar geometíy of shoref¿tce sancí—
siones aíícl Ihe ir close assec ation lo s]clt¿t lobes implv that shorclaí.-e formes] at wave—
iii ti cieíiccd river sic auths -

Sí 1 .1(It i.A5tIC 1 A kl-SIR INC INC MARSI lIS 1 KACI 125 .AS5OCIATION

it i s fhc ¡es i s coíuíposed of slark rsurv si It s ancí s¿tnclstoiíe becís. Their níost striky
feattií-c is cccurreuice of root níouls]s up to 5 cm in diarocter (Fig. 7—3). Single rooted
hoí-i¡ons can be stacl-¿ed lo ioí-m sancístone tínits up to 4 ní thick. Sandsrones pre—
serVecí fícm rooting display l¿unt wave íipples ¿md parallel lamlnatlc)ns.
Althectgh root ¡ypifies pes]cgenic modifícation. pedoturbated units lack of other

.1-so-,-—;> u5I5
2<5553. 23 /5-22; 2t)
 Ware-dominated sedimentation in a Lower Cretaceous lake

characteristie features sueb as nodules or mottling. mese pedoturbated units are

interpreted as immature paleosol formed in lake-fringing forested-marsh setting
(Moore, 1987). Laterally, paleosois are associated wiÚi distributary ehannels. Weak
pedogenetic features documentes] in paleosols eould mflect poor drainage related to
tbe lake water level.

CARBONATE LAKE-MARGIN ENVIRONMENT

This environment comprises mudstone and waekestone carbonates and

marís. Carbonate fhcies typieally outerop as tabular, sbeet-like beds extending
both in dip and strike sections over tens of kilometers. Limestone beds are fre-
quently stacked te form stratigraphie successíons several meters in thickness
intercalated with open lacustrine facies. Wc distinguish storm-dominated car-
bonate, palustrine carbonate and desiecated open lacustrine limestone facies
associations.

SrORM-tNFLUENCEU CARBONATE FACIES ASSOCiATION

These carbonales consist in tabular silty to sandy mientes as thiek as 1 to 3 m

with very searce desiceation eracks. Fossil content is low and mostly representes] by
ostracod shells although occurrence gyrogonites has been documented in one case.
Liínestones develop individual near symmetric furrows, 5 cm deep and 30 to 45 cm
long. Furrows can amalgamate to forni ondulating bed surfaces visible along sever-
al kilorneters (Fig. 7-4). They are intilled with miente containing low to nioderate
amounts of intraclatie pebbles and quartz sand grains. The clastie particles are fre-
quently disperses] in the matrix to form homogenous sandy miente. But where the
pourcentage of s¿tnd is greater, particles are arranged into draping laminae alternat-
ing with featureless micnitie laminae to form small-sealed hummoeky cross-stratifi-
c¿ttion 5-
These facies are interpreted as stoníí-influenced carbonates whose sedimentary
structures reeord stoms events in perínanent water column aboye storm-weather
wave base.

DiISIcCArED OPEN [ACUSTRINE LIMESTONE FACIES ASSOCIATION

Rese limestoiíes occur as massive monotonous units composed of stacked tab-

ular uniform beds (Eig. 8-1). Miente are homogeneous and display faint millimetre
sc¿tle silty laminae. In thin-section miente display rhythmieally laminae laterally dis-
rupted by bioturbation (Fig. 8-2). Sand content is low and eonsist in millimeter- to
eentimeter-thiek hoí-izontal laminae. Thin te very thin breecia occur within lime-
stone beds over large arcas (bUs of meters). Breeciated limestones contain well-
reunded intraelasís associates] with elastie particles and ostracodal shell fragments.
Bes] tops are planar ¿md frequently exhibit preserves] dinosaur foot prints with des-
iccation craeks (Hg. 8-3).

Jos¿íísiu( of I/srruríís (kolog}’

23 2003. 29. /1-28
 Wave-dominated sedimentation in a Lower Cretaceous lake

Facies ¿md fossil eontent suggest low-energy open lacustrine sedimentation over
long periods without subaerial exposure. Breccia are interpreted as wave-reworked
desiecated miente (Freytet, 1984). Together with vertebrate tracks ¿md desiceation
eracks, brecciated limestones are indicative of oceasional emergenee events.

PALI ISTRINE CARBONATE FACtES ASS(X?IATION

They occur as rooted marís and yellow dolostones extensive over tens of kilome-
tres among the Enciso Group. They consist in nodular limestones showing little
development. Subvertieal nodules are weakly develop around roots (Figs. 8-1 ¿md 8-
4). In te matrix, abundanee of ostraeods attest of the lacustrine origin of lime. This
facies is quite rare ir the group ¿md intewreted as palustrine carbonate indicative of
marginal carbonates] swamps.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

Lithological ¿md sedimentological data suggest that sedimentation took place in

a lacustrine setting. Emersive tabular limestone beds ¿md sheet-like sandstones can
be traced over the entire basin. They allow both dip ¿md strike stratigraphic architee-
ture of te Enciso lacustrine system tobe documented ata high time resolution (10
to 50 kyr).
Siliciclastie units inelude Iittoral deposits ¿md open lacustnine siltstones. The
proximal part of te littoral zone is dominated by distributaiy ehanneis ¿md lake-
fringing marshes. Isolated ehannel sandbodies documentes] in the Enciso group are
different as compares] to thicker ¿md wider níultistorey channel belts located in non-
lacustrine alluvial settings (Ryder eta!., 1976). They are frequently interealated in
both open lacustrine ¿md shorefaee deposits reeording major terrigeneous sediment
inputs into the lake basin. Laterally to channeis, occasional oceurrence of weakly
developed paleosol sequenees is eonsistent with lake-shoreline fluetuations.
Lakeward sedinient supplied by distributaries fon lobate deltaie s¿mdbodies.
Intemal organization as well as geometry of delta lobes resemble lobate delta mod-
els reported in modem and aneient lakes (e.1g. Ayers, 1986; Dani and Surkyk, 1991;
(Slover ¿md O’Breine, 1994; Seholz, 1995; Lemons and Chan, 1999). In strike see-
tion, active mouth-b¿trs are bordered by inactive delta lobes which display abundant
wave-generated structures typieal of shoreface conditions. Both shorefaee ¿md delta
deposits are arranged in sheet s¿mdstone which grade into open lacustnine deposits in
dip section.
Limestones form laterally persistent sheet-like stacked beds mostly indicative of
open lacustrine conditions. In dip seetion, tabular desiecated limestones pass gradu-
alIy into storm-dominated carbonates. In tabular limestone poonly preserved rhyth-
mícal lamination and intense bioturbation activity record sedimentation from paúl-
cíe settling in a well-oxygenated low-energy environment. Although frequent,
features indicative of emergenee oiíly eonsist in desiccation surfaces (desiceation
eracks, dinosaur traeks, breeciated limestones) typical of a Iow to very low pedoge-

Jouírría< of llar/sun Gíologv

25 2tX33, 29. 11-28
S. f)oublel .ar-ia, 44. Cr,j,-aud, A. Méí-uíí,il

netie moditícation. Intensity of pedogenetie everprint is known to mercase with time

exposure (Góníez-Fernández and Meléndez, 1991; Alonso-Zarza eta!., 1992). Thus
the weakness of pedogenesis documentes] in tabular limestones suggests open lake
conditions with only occasional subaerial exposín-es during sI-iort-lived Iow-Iake peri-
ods. Very extensive subaerial exposures at top of beds suggest low-gradient lake mar-
gin similar to the ramp-type lake margin as discussed by Platt (1 989a), Platt and
Wright( 1991). Owingto dic low-gradients, lake-lcvel fluctuations cause likely expo-
stíre of l¿trge arcas of open lake. even in distal parts.
Almost lacking of palustrine facies and continuous lacustrine flejes deciphered in
the Enciso group iníply the existence of one single lake, variable iii time ¿md reached
at least 50() kní. Presence of a permanent fltactuating lake s]uring the Enciso group
in tlíe castení Cameros basin is likely te result of te regional extensive tectonies in
a cc)ntext cif continental rifting.
Laterally persistent sheet-like geometry of deposits document absence of lateral
transition between carbonate and siliciclastie nnits. According te the sedimentary
coltínín maximurn thickness (f 500 m) and the duration of the Enciso group (late
B¿trremian toAptian; N4artín-Closas yAlonso-MiII-án, 1998) we can stíspectthatcar-
bonate and siliciclastie units (lO te 20 m thick) alteinated at a high time resolution
(roughly lO toSO kyr).
Tlíis implies tlíat dursng some periods,carbonate sedirnentation extended over the
wbele area reflecting reduces] clastic supply fi-em te alluvial dotnain. Variable lacus-
trine clastie input may reflcct fluett¡ating drainage cons]itions. It suggests a climatie
contlc)l (roughtly wet/dry- coííditions) en the onset of the two types of lacustrine
depositioiíal settíngs.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Authors wish te thank i.M. Molina ¿md tui anonymous reviewer fér their sugges-
tions and helpfttll criticisrn en the papen Wc are also gratefíjí te F. Pérez Lorente
director of the Fundación Pairirnonio Paleontologic-o de la Rioja for his help on the
ficíd. This work is supported by l4rench ‘Instilul des Seicuces de 1 ‘Univers’ ¿md
‘Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique’ as part of the ‘Projet ECLiPSE’. It is
a contnbution ti-el]] (¡MR CNRS 5561 Biogéosc-ienú-es, ‘Partear déterminanís et con-
traintes da sigua! .vtratigraphi¿
1ue’ of UniY--ersity of Burgundy, France.

REFERENCES

Aic;Nfi<. 41<1985): Storusí ulepu¡silionsíl systeísss: clyna¡nics stratigraplay in modern ¿¡ud ancicisí shal low-—
ssíiurinesc’quenees.. tus4p.,
-CM.- -Friedrusín. WIvNeugebauier-aost
Spniísgcu—Vcnl¿¡g, Berlius. A--Seitacher-(edsw Lecture Notes iii
Earth
Asa 5N55 MAs. .13:
Seicuces.
¡. A., l?<1993): Cisutrol lecló¡sicts e i¡st] ¡ucíscia del en¡statissnuí en la sedirsíenlsíeión
- R.

del Crctsscico i nferiusr de st cuienea de Los Caínercss - Coade,-nos u/e Ceologia Ibé,-ic-a, 17:
285-31<).

.Isssíí-suíí I ¡‘/ Iboiuss Os-ss

2131<3. 2<3. II 28 26
 Waue-doníi,íaued sedimeníation in a Losver Cretaccaus lake

5t RODAS, M., MÁs, R. (1995): Comparative study of the

AIssNso-AzcÁRxrc, J -, BARRENECHISA, Jl-
transition bctween vcíy iow grade metaínorphism and low grade metamorphism in siliciclastie
and carbonate seuli¡ssents: Eanly Cretaeeous, Carneros basin (North Spain). Clay Minerals, 30:
407-419.
AIoNse-ZÁRZÁ, AM.. C-sí.vo. iP., GARcÍA DEL CURA. MA. (1992): Paltustnine sedimentation and asto-
ciated features tgrsuilsificatiol] and pseudo-snicrokarst) in the Middle Miocene (tntermediate Unit)
of Use Madrid basin. Spain. Sedimentan Gealagy, 76: 43-61 -
AlvARo, M., CÁsulE, R.. VEGAs. R. (1979): Un modelo de evolución geotectónica para la cadena
Cetlibérica. Acta Gcíilágica Hispanica, 14: 172—181 -
AylsRs, W.BJR. (1986): Lacustri,]e and fluvistl-dcftaic depositional systems, Fort Union Formation
tPalctx-ene), Powclcr River basin, Wyoming and Montana. American Assou-iatio,u of Petroleum
(iealagis-Is Bulle/ñu, it): 1651-1673.
CASAS-SAINZ. AM., (in-IMAZ. A. (¡998): Extensional subsidence, contractional foldiísg ami thrust
uuwersion of íh casteos Cameros basin. nortl]ern Spain. Ceologisclie Rundschau, 86: 802-818.
IJAM. G., SURLYK. E (1991): Cyclic sedinxentation in a large wave- and storns-dorninated anoxie take;
Kap Stewart Form¿ilion (Rhaetian-Sincís]unials), Jarneson Land, East Greenland. In: 1-1W.
Pc,saínenuier, CI> Su¡issmerhayes. BU. l-Iaq and G.P Alíen (eds): Sequence srraíigra¡hy and facies
íuss-ac-ialimis. Spccistl Publication of thc tíscemational Association of Scdimentologists, 18: 419-448.
Blackwcil Seientific l>ublieations.
EYiLs, N., Cí.ARK. BM. (1986): Significance of humrnocky and swaley cross-stratification in tate
Picistocene lacuistuine sedimenís of íhe Ontario basin. Canada. Gealagy, 14:679-682.
FuisvlE1, E (1984): Les séd¡ments lacustres carbonatés el Ictus transformations par émeÑon et p¿do-
genése. lnsports¡íscc dc leur icteotification pour les rrconstitulions paléogéographiques.. Buí/edn des
Centres de Reclícn/íc-s Ev¡,/aratian—Pmduufian Uf Aquitaine. 8: 223—247.
FRIENO, PR, Hiwsr, lEE, NlcnoLs, GJ. (1986): Sandsíone-body structure and niver process in (he Ebro
basi¡i of Aragon. Spsuiss. Cuade roas de Geología 1/sérica. lO: 9—30.
GÓMEZ FERNÁNDIz J.C.. MtítÉNnEz, N. (1991): Rhyuhníieally larninated lacustrine carbonates in the
Lower Cretacceus of La Seranía de Cucusca basin (Ibeuian Ranges, Spain). In: E Anadón, LI.
Cabrer<t and K. Kclts teds): Lzu-us-írine Facies A,íalxss-is-. Special Publicauion of che International
Association of Sediuncnlologists. 13k 245-256. Blaekwelt Scientific Publieations.
GÓMEZ-FERNÁNDEZ, J.C., MSSLÉNDEZ, N. (1994): EstruitigristTa de la “Cuenca de los Cameros”
<Cordillera lbéíicsi Norusceidental, N de España) durante cl irájusito iurássico-Crel~cico. Revista de
la Sociedad de Geofagia de España. 7:121—139.
GLOVER. B.W., OBviusi¿, AM. (1994): Anatc¡niy, hydrodynamics ami depositional setting of a wes-
tphali-an C lacuslri¡se della cornplex, west Midlands, England. Sedimentology. 41:115-132
GRuis:Nwoou, B., SIItSUMÁN, 0. (¡986): Fturnmoeky eross-stratification in the surf zone: flow parame-
tas and bedding genesis. Sedimentatagv, 33: 33-46.
Gcs¡utxUo. M. <1983): Ls’s,lution rer-tana-sédimentaire da baswin <vealdien (Crétacé inféricar) en reíais
de dee-rr,u-/ie,ne,ít.x cii- Logroño - Saric, (NW Espagne). t84 p., Thése 3éme cyete. Université de
Montpeliier.
GtIIRÁcsD, M, SÉu;tsRvi. M. <1985): A releasing solitary overstep model for the late iurassic-Early
Cretaceous (Wealclian) Soria strike-siip basin (northeni Spain). SEPM Special Publication, 37:
159-176.
GtJiRAUI).. M., SÉ(itJRtúi, M. (1987): Sotí-sediunení níicrofauíting retated lo compaction within (he tlu-
vio-deltaic intuí ssf the Susria strike-slip basin (northern Spain). fa: ME. Jones and R.MF. Preston

Josirt¡o/ of t/scuion Gí-o/ogv

27 2003. 29. 11-28
 <eds): i)ís/hrnyííir,rí o/ s-c-diníu-n¡.s- uncí secíi,ní-,ííí,,-v rs-y-Ls. Geuslogic¿d Socicty Speeial Publicatiuso,
29: 123-136.
HAi<Ms. iii. Síwsimskp, iB.. WALKER NG. (1982): Stí-uu-tí,res onu] sequlelic-es- Ip cla,utic rs-su-Ls-. Lecture
ustsles. SEPM Shhsrt custsrse. 9. Csslgsu-y.
LtiN-10N5, 13k.. CHAN MA. <1999>: Facies arcísiteclure Ltnd sequence stratigraphy of fluse-grained lacus-
tune uleitas along ihe castero inargius uuí Lsste Pleistocene Lake Bonnevilte, norihein Utah ¿sud sou-
the¡¡í Idaho. Auoc-í-iu-usrs Assauisítiu¡n of Peo-alean-, Geoios4ists Bulletin, 83: 635—665.
Mx~it:i., AL. GissiiNG. MR. <1991>. Wave—dorni¡sated lacusrujuse facies: and teetonicaliy císnirolied
evcliciuv us tíse 1 -tsy--cr Carhonileí-ous ¡-lorton BlufV Fonui¿ttion, Nova Seotia. Canada. [rs:P. Anadón,
Li. Cabrersí and 1<. Kelis (cuis): Luuc-,,surine [lic-les Anal statu. Special Publicatiuso 01 the International
Associsitis¡ís of Sediincnioloeists 13 ‘23-243. Blackwetl Sejentifie Publicaticos.
MAirSiN-CI (¡SAS. C.. ASJSNSsI-Mus±AN, A. (1998): Esuratigratisí y bloes-tratigrafia <Charu¡pisyta) del
Cretuicicus intéí-ior en el sector ix-eidesstal de la cnienca de Carneros (Cordillera ibeulca). Reí-jata cíe
luí Sau-iculuuuI cii- Gualogio u/e ir ¡scíña, II: 253—269.
MAS. IR.. AloNso GIslssi/RA. 1. (5993): Evoluiciusus tcclonosedirnentsu-ia de unsí cuenca exíensional
inlrsipisica: Luí cuicísca finijn¡uxisica—eoerctacicsi dc Los Carneros (La Rioja—Soria). Reí-Ls-ra dc- la
Soc-ieuluud Geológica cii- Iflupaña. 6: 1 29— 1-4-4.
MAlA. MP, CxsAs. AM.. (?sxNAis. A.. Gis., A., Psx:oví. A. (2001): Thermal history duíing Mesozoic
extcísssuso ansi Ientiary- ul ¡xli fi ius the C¿sísseíxss basil]. usorthern Spain. Bcísi,í Reseco-el,, 1 3: 9 1 — 1 1 1 -
Muxmc Ff3. (1987): Ecolisgical and hydrological aspeets ssf peal fumrn]ation. ms A.C. Seuo <cd.): Cusal
uu,ud Cool-bear-iuíg So—aso: reu-cm Adsx,or-c.s-. Gets lcsgi cal Soeicly 5pecial Puhíicalion, 32: 7— 15.
1>sAii.1 N.H. (1989): 1 acusní-ine carbonates and pedogenesis: scdiuncustology and onigin ol’ palustrine
ctcps¡sius trisusí ihe )?sírty Crctaeeous Rtspclcs Fssn,ssation. W Csusoeíx,s basi í~, N Sps¡iís. Sc-dinsc-rítalogv.
36: 665-684.
Pi.xií. N.B.. Wpu;í iT. V.E <1991>: Lseusrrine carbonales: lacies modeis, facies disiribution stnd hydro-
earhssis aspecis. ms p. Anadón. 1.1. Cabrera sund Kelts 1<. teds): Lícustri,uc- Fuzcies Anal vais. Special
Pub1 icatioís csf the 1 ntcnsatioixsd Assusei alis un s4 Seulimentologisís, 1 3: 57—74. Blackwell Sc icotifie
Puibí icatissl] 5,-
Rvn15R, 14:11. 1-IR-cH. TU.. EIusoN. iR. (1976>: Eanly ‘Rusiary seuliments¡tion iís the western Uinta basin.
tilsuís. Geaic~gic-ai Sau-iu-ív ajAr-nerico BuileIín. 87: 496—s 12.
SAlAs, E.. (lASAS, A. <1993>: Mesuuzoie exteí]siísnat íectssusies. stratigraphy assd crustal ex-el utiol] duning
u1]e Alpine eycle of tic easíens lheriaui basin. ikc-raoapiuya-iu:u, 228: 33—55.
5-‘u .ssNsusN - J - <1 982) : btu- /6,-sssaíion.s í -ansiísu-,sralí-s da Juruíasique cupéricur el da Crétacé iuujérlear en
Expusg,ue u/u ¡<lord (Chahues (iiontahrique ci Ihérique). 221 p ., Ménsoire géologiqí¡e Université de
tiusu¡rgogne, Dijí sss.
Seí bu, CA. (1995): Deltas of tise lsskc Malawi í-ift, Essst Africus: seisnile exprcssissn and exploration
iísxplic¿síiusns. An¡erican Asu-ou-icíriasí a/I-’eíraleanx Gealagsvs I3alietiui, 79: 1679-1697.
Tisu:í-tt:i/. 6. < 96(s): 17.1 delia wealdico de las stsontañas ibericas oceidentudes y sus enlaces lectonícos.
Aoro.s st (?ossíío5icuícioní.s uiui lisa italo Gc.oiu3c.,uiu-rs y M,rucrru de iLxpoixa, 8 1: 53—78 -

Recibido ¡ Reccived : 8/11/01

Aceptuido ¡ Accepted: 13/<12/02

Jssua-,io/ csJ /bíuuíus u;í-usics,-í

25<03. 2’>. /1-2.5 28