Sequences of quaternary marine levels in Elche Basin (Eastern Betic Cordillera, Spain)

Abstract Detailed mapping of the coastal areas of the Basin of Elche revealed complex successions of marine Quaternary terraces attached to the tectonically generated, positive reliefs of Santa Pola, Los Arenales del Sol and La Marina. Structural data and lateral facies relationships suggest active tectonics in this area since early Pleistocene times, with E-W trending anticlinal folding and N-S normal faulting. These events strongly influenced both the occurrence of positive levels and the distribution of paleocliffs dug by waves. In this way, staircased marine terraces were generated following the gentle, progressive, uplifting of these reliefs. The most complete sequence of terraces (La Marina) includes three Strombus bubonius -bearing Tyrrhenian marine units that can be compared to similar units in Santa Pola, where the oldest one contains Patella ferruginea only.