Hauterivian shallow marine calcareous biogenic mounds: S.E. Spain

Abstract

Hauterivian biogenic deposits from the Prebetic northern margin near Caudete (Albacete Province, southeastern
Spain) are represented by low domed bodies, less than 10 m thick, surrounded by bioclastic sediments and capped by
siliciclastics. They consist of a coral, stromatoporoid and microbial framework with cavities filled by mud, rapidly
lithified. Intermound bioclastics, derived from the mound organic community, reflect high energy conditions and
shallow water settings. Mound growth and architecture were controlled by nutrient fluxes and internal light gradients.
Comparisons with closely related structures from the Palaeozoic and the Recent show some similarities but also
significant differences; the example documented here also departs from other Cretaceous occurrences.