Ugijar and Canjayar Neogene basins (SE Spain): an example of strike-slip basin evolution in transpressive regime

The present study has been carried out in the eastern part of the Alpujarran corridor (Betic Chain), an E-W trending basin, 80 km long, of Neogene-Quaternary age. In particular, the Ugijar and Canjayar basins controlled by an E-W trending left stepping right lateral strike-slip system, associated with NE-SW trending thrust faults, have been investigated. The stratigraphic sequence of the forementioned two basins, which can be up to 2000 m thick, is mainly due to tectonic subsidence and is here interpreted in terms of sequence stratigraphy. The age of the whole sequence, dated by means of planktonic foraminifera, is Late Serravallian-Pliocene. The strong influence of a tectonic control over the sedimentation pattern is evidenced. The evolution in time and space of the sedimentary facies, from W to E, follows the migration of the tectonic deformation, which occurred in the same direction.