Weathering events recorded in uppermost Hauterivian–lower Barremian clay-dominated continental successions from the NW Iberian Range: climatic vs. tectonic controls

Abstract The facies and clay mineral study of clay/marl-rich levels from the Torrelapaja Formation (latest Hauterivian–early Barremian, NW Iberian Range, NE Spain) allowed to establish palaeoclimatic palaeoenvironmental conditions under they were generated. muddy pisoids contained therein two logs sampled studied by X-ray diffraction optical electron microscopy. A similar mineralogical upwards trend is recorded in both logs, with a decrease calcite coupled an increase quartz orthoclase content constant proportions goethite, hematite, diaspore, anatase, rutile, ilmenite, content. lower have higher kaolinite than upper levels, where illitic phases are dominant minerals. Smectite intergrowths also detected upwards. smectite textures indicate authigenic origin, whereas former acting as substrate for crystallization. Pisoids mineralogy texture show in-situ but some fractured, indicating reworking processes. association found characteristic oxisols formed warm humid conditions. upward coeval content, related siliciclastic input, presence smectite. This indicates chemical weathering, not fully registered due contribution, which was possibly associated change colder, drier during latest Barremian area.