Platform margin collapses and sequence stratigraphic organization of carbonate slopes: Cretaceous–Eocene, Gargano Promontory, southern Italy

Abstract

We describe the sequence stratigraphic organization and the associated sedimentological characteristics of Cretaceous to Eocene slope and base‐of‐slope carbonate successions. The study area is located in the Gargano Promontory which belongs to the stable foreland of southern Italy. The succession consists of three superimposed depositional sequences separated by major unconformities. The upper two sequences are clear examples of sequence stratigraphic organization; in fact, they both start with huge megabreccia wedges (LST) followed upward by thin pelagic units (TST) and a thick package of calciturbidites and debrites that alternate with pelagic mudstone (HST). The Cretaceous highstand systems tract is clearly arranged in a number of coarsening‐upward cycles while the Eocene one which also comprises a toplap shallow water unit, is not.The Gargano stratigraphic palimpsest and the entire margin of the Apulia Platform show remarkable similarities with present‐day carbonate platform margins and slopes where irregular, convex‐bankward embayments suggest large‐scale failures. It is clear that classic sequence stratigraphic organization can result from simple platform dismantling, having no or little time relation with global sea‐level fluctuations. In fact, as the margin failure (LST) interrupts the carbonate production, a period of starvation (TST) along the entire slope and base‐of‐slope follows necessarily. Finally, when the margin once again becomes active and productive, sediment exportation starts again and the system begins to prograde (HST).