The Cenozoic Malaguide Basin from Sierra Espuña (Murcia, S Spain): An Example of Geological Heritage

The Cenozoic Malaguide Basin from Sierra Espuña (Internal Betic Zone, S Spain) due to the quality of outcropping, areal representation, and continuity in sedimentation can be considered a key-basin. In last 30 years, large number studies with very different methodological approaches have been done area. Models indicate an evolution passive margin wedge-top basin Late Cretaceous Early Miocene. Sedimentation changes limestone platforms scarce terrigenous inputs, during Paleocene Oligocene, deep huge supplies turbidite sandstones conglomerates Oligocene area now appears structured as antiformal stack evidence synsedimentary tectonics. tectono-sedimentary is related three phases: (1) flexural tectonics most Paleogene times create basin; (2) fault fold compartmentation creation structural highs subsiding areas blind-fault-propagation folds, deforming south north Aquitanian times; (3) thin-skin thrusting when began eroded Aquitanian-Burdigalian. recent some works on geological heritage performed trying diffuse aspects sector general public. A review revisiting allow proposing key-outcrops follow this Eight sites interest selected (Cretaceous-Cenozoic boundary, Mula Fm, Lower Eocene Espuña-Valdelaparra Fms, Middle Malvariche-Cánovas Lowermost As Upper Oligocene-Lower Bosque Oligocene-Aquitanian Río Pliego Burdigalian El Niño Fm) evaluation has obtain four parameters: scientific value, educational touristic potential, degradation risk. firsts parameters obtained values above 50 being “high” or “very high” (“very cases). parameter shows always below indicating “moderate” “low” risk degradation. us considering worthy proposed heritage.