The Triassic platform of the Gador-Turon unit (Alpujarride complex, Betic Cordillera, southeast Spain): climate versus tectonic factors controlling platform architecture

E litho-biostratigraphic analysis has been car- ried out in the Gador-Turon unit of the Sierra de Gador (Alpujarride complex, Betic Cordillera, SE Spain). The Triassic succession of this unit is composed of a lower meta-detrital formation overlain by an upper meta-car- bonate formation divided in six members. In the latter, a Ladinian–Carnian-rich fossil association has been found (foraminifers, algae, bivalves, microproblematica, trace fossils). Facies analysis has enabled the recognition of 22 facies of platform origin. This succession accumulated as a subsiding margin-type carbonate platform with homoclinal ramp geometry (Anisian?–Ladinian) evolving into a fault- block-type platform with a steeper-margined geometry (Ladinian–Carnian). Slope deposits of this latter platform show a prism-like geometry with progradational patterns and include syn-sedimentary structures associated with normal faults capped by younger beds. The results of the present research indicate that the architecture of the plat- form studied has been controlled mainly by climate and oceanic factors during the development of the ramp, and by syn-sedimentary extensional tectonics during the develop- ment of the steeper-margined platform. The Ladinian– Carnian tectonic activity was probably also responsible for the siliciclastic input and the shift to a mixed terrigenous- carbonate platform.