The Montagne de Chalufy turbidite onlap, Eocene-Oligocene turbidite sheet system, Hautes Provence, SE France

Abstract

The SW Alpine foreland basin is located in the Alpes Maritimes and Hautes Provence areas of SE France (Fig. 33.1). The stratigraphy of the basin is only weakly deformed and comprises a succession of Palaeogene sedimentary rocks representing the infill and subsequent deepening of the basin. Remnants of the Tertiary Grès d’Annot Basin sediments are preserved in isolated outcrop areas and tend to form the tops of mountains. The entire Tertiary succession is relatively thin, reaching a maximum thickness of less than 1500 m. The sediments are fully marine except for a locally developed, basal, alluvial formation. Palaeogeographic reconstructions, including palaeocurrent analysis, indicate a southern provenance for the sediments with one of the southern outcrops preserving fan-delta deposits (see Chapter 32).