Evolution of the Pyrenees during the Variscan and Alpine Cycles, Volume 2
Synorogenic and Postorogenic Evolution
1st Edition
Published on 24. March 2026
Book
Hardback
464 pages
978-1-78945-206-8 (ISBN)
Description
This book explores the geological history of the Pyrenees over the past 90 million years, with a particular focus on their compressive and post-compressive evolution. It first presents the overall structure of the mountain range, then examines the development of the northern and southern Pyrenean foreland basins through their sedimentary records, allowing the successive phases of orogenic construction to be identified. Special attention is given to the dismantling of the eastern crustal root in relation to the Oligocene-Miocene opening of the Gulf of Lion.
Evolution of the Pyrenees during the Variscan and Alpine Cycles 2 then highlights the contributions of several innovative approaches used to better constrain the transition from compressive to post-compressive tectonics. These include studies of relief flattening and incision processes; U-Pb geochronology applied to fault-related carbonates; cosmogenic nuclide dating combined with geomorphological analyses; and investigations into the thermal evolution of the Pyrenean rift basins. The book also documents Quaternary glacial fluctuations that affected the Pyrenees.
In conclusion, it presents a geological map of the northern slope of the mountain range at a scale of 1:250,000 and draws attention to the uniqueness of Pyrenean blue corundum.
Evolution of the Pyrenees during the Variscan and Alpine Cycles 2 then highlights the contributions of several innovative approaches used to better constrain the transition from compressive to post-compressive tectonics. These include studies of relief flattening and incision processes; U-Pb geochronology applied to fault-related carbonates; cosmogenic nuclide dating combined with geomorphological analyses; and investigations into the thermal evolution of the Pyrenean rift basins. The book also documents Quaternary glacial fluctuations that affected the Pyrenees.
In conclusion, it presents a geological map of the northern slope of the mountain range at a scale of 1:250,000 and draws attention to the uniqueness of Pyrenean blue corundum.
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Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
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sewn/stitched
Cloth over boards
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Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
Thickness: 25 mm
Weight
826 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-78945-206-8 (9781789452068)
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Nicolas Saspiturry | Jessica Uzel | Alexandre Ortiz
Evolution of the Pyrenees during the Variscan and Alpine Cycles, Volume 2
Synorogenic and Postorogenic Evolution
E-Book
03/2026
1st Edition
Wiley
€146.99
Available for download
Nicolas Saspiturry | Jessica Uzel | Alexandre Ortiz
Evolution of the Pyrenees during the Variscan and Alpine Cycles, Volume 2
Synorogenic and Postorogenic Evolution
E-Book
03/2026
1st Edition
Wiley
€146.99
Available for download
Persons
Nicolas Saspiturry is a teacher-researcher specializing in the tectonic- sedimentary and thermal evolution of sedimentary basins. He has devoted much of his work to the Pyrenees.
Jessica Uzel has a doctorate in geology and a degree in life, earth and universe sciences. She specializes in the post-compressive evolution of the Pyrenean domain.
Alexandre Ortiz has a doctorate in geology. He specializes in the syn- to post-compressive evolution of the North Pyrenean foreland basin.
Jessica Uzel has a doctorate in geology and a degree in life, earth and universe sciences. She specializes in the post-compressive evolution of the Pyrenean domain.
Alexandre Ortiz has a doctorate in geology. He specializes in the syn- to post-compressive evolution of the North Pyrenean foreland basin.
Content
Preface xv
Nicolas SASPITURRY, Jessica UZEL and Alexandre ORTIZ
Chapter 1 Structure of the Pyrenees at the Crustal Scale 1
Antonio TEIXELL and Pierre LABAUME
1.1 Introduction 1
1.2 Tectonic framework of the Pyrenean belt 2
1.3 Crustal investigations by deep seismic reflection surveys 2
1.3.1 Results of the ECORS profiles across the Pyrenees 3
1.3.2 Contributions by recent geophysical surveys 7
1.4 Significance of high-density bodies at crustal depths 10
1.5 Serial crustal sections for the Pyrenees 11
1.5.1 The ECORS-Pyrenees section 12
1.5.2 The Nestes-Cinca section 14
1.5.3 The Chainons Bearnais-Jaca section 15
1.5.4 The Basque-Cantabrian Pyrenees section 16
1.5.5 The Eastern Pyrenees section 18
1.6 Models for the crustal structure previous to the Pyrenean orogeny 20
1.7 The nature of the rifted continental margins 22
1.8 Rift inheritance and orogeny 22
1.9 References 26
Chapter 2 Syncompressive Alluvial Conglomerates: Markers of Exhumation in the Eastern Pyrenees 35
Thierry NALPAS
2.1 Introduction 35
2.2 Geological context 36
2.3 Study methodology 37
2.4 Conglomerates of the eastern Pyrenees 38
2.4.1 The North Pyrenean area of Puivert 38
2.4.2 The South Pyrenean sector of Sant Llorenc de Morunys 42
2.4.3 Interpretation 45
2.5 Discussion - clasts as markers of the exhumation of the Pyrenees 47
2.6 Conclusion 49
2.7 References 50
Chapter 3 Tectono-Sedimentary Evolution of the Aquitaine Basin from the Priabonian to the Pliocene 53
Alexandre ORTIZ, Francois GUILLOCHEAU, Cecile ROBIN, Eric LASSEUR, Justine BRIAIS, Jessica UZEL and Nicolas SASPITURRY
3.1 Introduction 53
3.2 Definitions and keywords related to foreland basins 56
3.3 Synthesis of structural, sedimentary, paleogeographic and biostratigraphic data from the Aquitaine Basin 58
3.3.1 Main tectonic structures of the Aquitaine Basin 58
3.3.2 Deformation timelines 59
3.3.3 Paleogene sedimentary infill of the Aquitaine Basin 60
3.3.4 Biostratigraphic calibrations 62
3.4 Evolution of sedimentary infill from the Priabonian to the Pliocene 64
3.4.1 Paleogeography of the Late Priabonian (35.1-33.8 Ma) 64
3.4.2 The Oligocene period (33.9-23.03 Ma) 70
3.4.3 The period from the Aquitanian to the Burdigalian (23.03-15.97 Ma) 78
3.4.4 Paleogeography of the Langhian and Serravallian 91
3.4.5 Paleogeography of the Tortonian and Messinian 102
3.4.6 Paleogeography of the Pliocene 107
3.5 Summary of the post-Priabonian tectonic evolution of the Aquitaine Basin 110
3.5.1 The Oligocene, final phase of syn-orogenic structuring 111
3.5.2 The Aquitanian, the transition to a post-orogenic regime 112
3.5.3 From the Burdigalian to the Tortonian, the final major deformation phase in the Aquitaine Basin 114
3.6 Conclusion 117
3.7 References 117
Chapter 4 The Source-to-Sink Evolution of the Jaca Basin (Southern Pyrenees) 131
Marta ROIGE, David GOMEZ-GRAS, Antonio TEIXELL, Xavi COLL and Salvador BOYA
4.1 Introduction and geological background 131
4.2 Chronostratigraphic framework of the Jaca basin 134
4.3 Source area domains during the evolution of the basin 138
4.3.1 Source rock bulk petrology 139
4.3.2 U-Pb zircon geochronology 139
4.3.3 Heavy mineral content 140
4.4 Provenance evolution of the Jaca basin 141
4.4.1 The Early to Middle Eocene basin: Hecho Group turbidites 141
4.4.2 The Middle Eocene to Early Miocene basin: from transitional to terrestrial environments 144
4.5 References 152
Chapter 5 The Western Mediterranean Extension and the Dismantling of the Eastern Pyrenees 161
Antonio TEIXELL and Pierre LABAUME
5.1 Introduction 161
5.2 Origin and timing of extensional deformation 162
5.3 The tectonic dismantling of the eastern Pyrenees mountain chain 165
5.4 References 168
Chapter 6 A "Late Pyrenean" Phase at the Burdigalian/ Langhian Transition (Corbieres, France)? 171
Oriane PARIZOT
6.1 Introduction 171
6.2 The eastern north Pyrenean domain: the Corbieres region 175
6.2.1 Geological context 175
6.2.2 Geodynamic timeline 177
6.3 Discovery of a new tectonic event at the Burdigalian/Langhian transition in the Corbieres 179
6.3.1 U-Pb data 179
6.3.2 Structural data 181
6.4 A "Late Pyrenean" phase at the scale of the orogen? 183
6.5 Origins of the event 186
6.5.1 The Kabylies? 186
6.5.2 The Gulf of Lion? 187
6.5.3 A tectonic event on the scale of the European platform? 188
6.6 Conclusion 188
6.7 References 189
Chapter 7 Planation Surfaces and Post-Compressive Evolution of the Pyrenean Chain 197
Jessica UZEL, Nicolas SASPITURRY and Alexandre ORTIZ
7.1 Geological context 197
7.1.1 Structural domains of the Pyrenees 197
7.1.2 Deep structure of the Pyrenees 201
7.1.3 Formation of the Pyrenean relief 202
7.1.4 Cenozoic climate history of the Pyrenees 207
7.2 Relict planation surfaces and weathering effects in the Pyrenees 208
7.2.1 High-elevation relict planation surfaces 208
7.2.2 Weathering and relict planation surfaces 212
7.3 Origin of the relics of Pyrenean planation surface(s) 215
7.3.1 Age of the relics of the highest planation surface 216
7.3.2 Models for the formation of the Pyrenean planation surfaces 218
7.4 Summary and discussion 225
7.5 References 228
Chapter 8 Dating and Erosion Rates of the Pyrenees: In Situ-Produced Cosmogenic Isotopes 241
Vincent REGARD, Sebastien CARRETIER and Sandrine CHOY
8.1 In situ-produced cosmogenic isotopes 241
8.1.1 History 241
8.1.2 The main in situ-produced cosmogenic isotopes used in Earth sciences 242
8.1.3 Differential equation governing the concentration of a cosmogenic isotope at the surface 243
8.2 Dating the exposure of a rock to cosmic rays 250
8.2.1 Dating glacial polished bedrock surfaces and moraines to establish the chronology of deglaciation 250
8.2.2 Dating of exposure of alluvial deposits 254
8.2.3 Uncertainty in exposure dating 257
8.3 Quantification of the denudation rate in the Pyrenees 257
8.3.1 Calculation of denudation rates from cosmogenic isotopes 257
8.3.2 Application in the Pyrenees 258
8.3.3 Uncertainty in denudation rates 260
8.4 Burial dating of a rock 260
8.4.1 Calculation of a burial age from a pair of cosmogenic isotopes 260
8.4.2 Application in the Pyrenees 262
8.4.3 Uncertainty on burial datings 262
8.5 Summary: cosmogenic isotopes in the Pyrenees 263
8.6 References 263
Chapter 9 Post-Compressive Incision of the Pyrenean Valleys: Insights from Karst Records 267
Amandine SARTEGOU and Didier L. BOURLES
9.1 How can we trace the post-compressive evolution of the Pyrenean chain? 267
9.2 Karst in the Pyrenees 269
9.2.1 Pyrenean karsts, witnesses of paleoenvironments since the Paleozoic 270
9.2.2 The eastern Tet valley and its relation with the Mediterranean domain 270
9.2.3 The upper Aude valley and its relation with the Sault plateau 273
9.2.4 The valleys of the Ariege and their large networks 275
9.2.5 The karsts of the central Pyrenees and the Basque country 276
9.3 How to record valley incision with karsts 277
9.3.1 Epiphreatic model and chronology of valley excavation 277
9.3.2 Karst: sediment trap and witness of landscape evolution 280
9.4 How to date sediments trapped in karst 282
9.4.1 Use of cosmogenic burial durations 26 Al/ 10 Be: a validated method for Plio-Quaternary evolution 282
9.4.2 Use of the 10 Be- 21 Ne pair: a major analytical development for reconstructing the Miocene evolution of valleys 283
9.4.3 Relationship between cosmogenic burial durations and the position of the base level at a given instant 284
9.5 Main results from the study of karsts 285
9.5.1 Incision rates of the upper Tet valley since the Burdigalian 285
9.5.2 Aude valley: between tectonic influence and Mediterranean influence 287
9.5.3 Ariege valley: impact of tectonics and glaciations 288
9.5.4 The valleys of the central and western Pyrenees: a promising outline 289
9.6 Drivers of incision of the Pyrenean valleys from the Miocene to the present 290
9.6.1 The valleys of the eastern Pyrenees connected to the Mediterranean 290
9.6.2 The valleys of the western Pyrenees connected to the Atlantic and subject to glaciations 292
9.6.3 Lessons from the karsts 293
9.7 Conclusion and prospects 294
9.8 References 295
Chapter 10 Evolution of the Geothermal Gradient from Cretaceous Rifting to Pyrenean Compression (Western Pyrenees) 301
Nicolas SASPITURRY, Thierry BAUDIN, Abdeltif LAHFID, Laurent GUILLOU-FROTTIER, Benoit ISSAUTIER, Philippe RAZIN, Alexandre ORTIZ and Jessica UZEL
10.1 Introduction 301
10.2 Tectono-sedimentary evolution of the Mauleon Basin from the Mesozoic to the Cenozoic 304
10.2.1 The Cretaceous rifting phase: formation of the hyper-extended Mauleon Basin 304
10.2.2 The Pyrenean compression phase: inversion of the Cretaceous rift basin and building of the orogenic prism 307
10.3 RSCM thermometry, an overview of the method and its use in the Pyrenees 309
10.3.1 Methodology and analysis tool 311
10.3.2 History of the application of the RSCM method in Pyrenees 312
10.4 The geothermal gradient: definition 314
10.4.1 The rifting context 315
10.4.2 The orogenic context 317
10.4.3 The erosional context 318
10.5 Mesozoic to Cenozoic evolution of the geothermal gradient of the Mauleon Basin: application of RSCM thermometry 320
10.5.1 Thermal peak age in the Mauleon Basin 322
10.5.2 Cretaceous paleogeothermal gradients estimated from RSCM thermometry 322
10.5.3 Distribution of the geothermal gradient from the proximal to distal domain of the Mauleon Basin during the Cretaceous 326
10.5.4 Evolution of the geothermal gradient during Pyrenean compression 328
10.6 Numerical thermal modeling of the Mauleon Basin 330
10.6.1 Opening of the Mauleon Basin 331
10.6.2 Stage of synorogenic sedimentation 332
10.6.3 Stage of continental collision and erosion 333
10.6.4 Postcollisional quiescence 334
10.7 References 335
Chapter 11 Pleistocene and Holocene Glacial Fluctuations in the Pyrenees 343
Magali DELMAS
11.1 Introduction 343
11.2 From the first cartographies to a relative chronostratigraphy of Pyrenean glacial margin deposits 345
11.2.1 A long sequence of moraine deposits into three sedimentary units 345
11.2.2 Confrontation between polyglacialists and monoglacialists (1950s-1960s) 347
11.2.3 Rehabilitation of polyglacialism and repositioning of the fronts contemporary with the maximum ice extent of the last glaciation 350
11.3 Radiocarbon dating contribution 353
11.3.1 Chronological model established on the north-facing slope 354
11.3.2 A chronological model confirmed on the southern slope? 361
11.4 Recent diversification of dating methods 368
11.4.1 The contribution of OSL ages 368
11.4.2 The contribution of in situ-produced cosmogenic isotopes 370
11.5 Conclusion 392
11.6 References 394
Chapter 12 Digital Geological Map of the Northern Slope of the Pyrenees at 1:250,000 Scale 407
Bernard MONOD
12.1 Construction of the digital geological map of the northern slope of the Pyrenees 407
12.1.1 Work of the RGF 408
12.1.2 Map legend, structures and contour smoothing 408
12.2 Presentation, organization and dissemination of the map data 409
12.2.1 Presentation of the main cartographic features of the Pyrenees 409
12.2.2 Organization of the data composing the digital map 410
12.3 Dissemination and availability of the digital geological map data at the 1:250,000 scale 415
12.4 References 415
Chapter 13 The Corundums of the Albitites Related to the Urdach Lherzolites: Lapidary Enhancement 417
Jean-Eric ROSE, Pierre MONCHOUX, Philippe DE PARSEVAL, Christian PIN, Thierry AIGOUY, Didier BEZIAT and Guillaume ESTRADE
13.1 The magmatic albitites related to the lherzolites 417
13.1.1 Structural characteristics 419
13.1.2 Mineralogical characteristics 419
13.1.3 Geochemical characteristics 422
13.1.4 Genetic hypothesis for the Urdach albitites 423
13.1.5 Possible origin of corundum xenocrysts and polycrystalline inclusions in alkaline basaltic provinces 424
13.1.6 A unique example of emplacement related to the Pyrenean orogeny 424
13.2 Corundum 425
13.2.1 "Primary" corundum crystals 425
13.2.2 "Secondary" corundum crystals 426
13.3 The value of the "amateur" perspective in science 427
13.3.1 Field research and sample selection 428
13.3.2 Value of lapidary work prior to scientific analysis 428
13.4 References 430
List of Authors 433
Index 437
Nicolas SASPITURRY, Jessica UZEL and Alexandre ORTIZ
Chapter 1 Structure of the Pyrenees at the Crustal Scale 1
Antonio TEIXELL and Pierre LABAUME
1.1 Introduction 1
1.2 Tectonic framework of the Pyrenean belt 2
1.3 Crustal investigations by deep seismic reflection surveys 2
1.3.1 Results of the ECORS profiles across the Pyrenees 3
1.3.2 Contributions by recent geophysical surveys 7
1.4 Significance of high-density bodies at crustal depths 10
1.5 Serial crustal sections for the Pyrenees 11
1.5.1 The ECORS-Pyrenees section 12
1.5.2 The Nestes-Cinca section 14
1.5.3 The Chainons Bearnais-Jaca section 15
1.5.4 The Basque-Cantabrian Pyrenees section 16
1.5.5 The Eastern Pyrenees section 18
1.6 Models for the crustal structure previous to the Pyrenean orogeny 20
1.7 The nature of the rifted continental margins 22
1.8 Rift inheritance and orogeny 22
1.9 References 26
Chapter 2 Syncompressive Alluvial Conglomerates: Markers of Exhumation in the Eastern Pyrenees 35
Thierry NALPAS
2.1 Introduction 35
2.2 Geological context 36
2.3 Study methodology 37
2.4 Conglomerates of the eastern Pyrenees 38
2.4.1 The North Pyrenean area of Puivert 38
2.4.2 The South Pyrenean sector of Sant Llorenc de Morunys 42
2.4.3 Interpretation 45
2.5 Discussion - clasts as markers of the exhumation of the Pyrenees 47
2.6 Conclusion 49
2.7 References 50
Chapter 3 Tectono-Sedimentary Evolution of the Aquitaine Basin from the Priabonian to the Pliocene 53
Alexandre ORTIZ, Francois GUILLOCHEAU, Cecile ROBIN, Eric LASSEUR, Justine BRIAIS, Jessica UZEL and Nicolas SASPITURRY
3.1 Introduction 53
3.2 Definitions and keywords related to foreland basins 56
3.3 Synthesis of structural, sedimentary, paleogeographic and biostratigraphic data from the Aquitaine Basin 58
3.3.1 Main tectonic structures of the Aquitaine Basin 58
3.3.2 Deformation timelines 59
3.3.3 Paleogene sedimentary infill of the Aquitaine Basin 60
3.3.4 Biostratigraphic calibrations 62
3.4 Evolution of sedimentary infill from the Priabonian to the Pliocene 64
3.4.1 Paleogeography of the Late Priabonian (35.1-33.8 Ma) 64
3.4.2 The Oligocene period (33.9-23.03 Ma) 70
3.4.3 The period from the Aquitanian to the Burdigalian (23.03-15.97 Ma) 78
3.4.4 Paleogeography of the Langhian and Serravallian 91
3.4.5 Paleogeography of the Tortonian and Messinian 102
3.4.6 Paleogeography of the Pliocene 107
3.5 Summary of the post-Priabonian tectonic evolution of the Aquitaine Basin 110
3.5.1 The Oligocene, final phase of syn-orogenic structuring 111
3.5.2 The Aquitanian, the transition to a post-orogenic regime 112
3.5.3 From the Burdigalian to the Tortonian, the final major deformation phase in the Aquitaine Basin 114
3.6 Conclusion 117
3.7 References 117
Chapter 4 The Source-to-Sink Evolution of the Jaca Basin (Southern Pyrenees) 131
Marta ROIGE, David GOMEZ-GRAS, Antonio TEIXELL, Xavi COLL and Salvador BOYA
4.1 Introduction and geological background 131
4.2 Chronostratigraphic framework of the Jaca basin 134
4.3 Source area domains during the evolution of the basin 138
4.3.1 Source rock bulk petrology 139
4.3.2 U-Pb zircon geochronology 139
4.3.3 Heavy mineral content 140
4.4 Provenance evolution of the Jaca basin 141
4.4.1 The Early to Middle Eocene basin: Hecho Group turbidites 141
4.4.2 The Middle Eocene to Early Miocene basin: from transitional to terrestrial environments 144
4.5 References 152
Chapter 5 The Western Mediterranean Extension and the Dismantling of the Eastern Pyrenees 161
Antonio TEIXELL and Pierre LABAUME
5.1 Introduction 161
5.2 Origin and timing of extensional deformation 162
5.3 The tectonic dismantling of the eastern Pyrenees mountain chain 165
5.4 References 168
Chapter 6 A "Late Pyrenean" Phase at the Burdigalian/ Langhian Transition (Corbieres, France)? 171
Oriane PARIZOT
6.1 Introduction 171
6.2 The eastern north Pyrenean domain: the Corbieres region 175
6.2.1 Geological context 175
6.2.2 Geodynamic timeline 177
6.3 Discovery of a new tectonic event at the Burdigalian/Langhian transition in the Corbieres 179
6.3.1 U-Pb data 179
6.3.2 Structural data 181
6.4 A "Late Pyrenean" phase at the scale of the orogen? 183
6.5 Origins of the event 186
6.5.1 The Kabylies? 186
6.5.2 The Gulf of Lion? 187
6.5.3 A tectonic event on the scale of the European platform? 188
6.6 Conclusion 188
6.7 References 189
Chapter 7 Planation Surfaces and Post-Compressive Evolution of the Pyrenean Chain 197
Jessica UZEL, Nicolas SASPITURRY and Alexandre ORTIZ
7.1 Geological context 197
7.1.1 Structural domains of the Pyrenees 197
7.1.2 Deep structure of the Pyrenees 201
7.1.3 Formation of the Pyrenean relief 202
7.1.4 Cenozoic climate history of the Pyrenees 207
7.2 Relict planation surfaces and weathering effects in the Pyrenees 208
7.2.1 High-elevation relict planation surfaces 208
7.2.2 Weathering and relict planation surfaces 212
7.3 Origin of the relics of Pyrenean planation surface(s) 215
7.3.1 Age of the relics of the highest planation surface 216
7.3.2 Models for the formation of the Pyrenean planation surfaces 218
7.4 Summary and discussion 225
7.5 References 228
Chapter 8 Dating and Erosion Rates of the Pyrenees: In Situ-Produced Cosmogenic Isotopes 241
Vincent REGARD, Sebastien CARRETIER and Sandrine CHOY
8.1 In situ-produced cosmogenic isotopes 241
8.1.1 History 241
8.1.2 The main in situ-produced cosmogenic isotopes used in Earth sciences 242
8.1.3 Differential equation governing the concentration of a cosmogenic isotope at the surface 243
8.2 Dating the exposure of a rock to cosmic rays 250
8.2.1 Dating glacial polished bedrock surfaces and moraines to establish the chronology of deglaciation 250
8.2.2 Dating of exposure of alluvial deposits 254
8.2.3 Uncertainty in exposure dating 257
8.3 Quantification of the denudation rate in the Pyrenees 257
8.3.1 Calculation of denudation rates from cosmogenic isotopes 257
8.3.2 Application in the Pyrenees 258
8.3.3 Uncertainty in denudation rates 260
8.4 Burial dating of a rock 260
8.4.1 Calculation of a burial age from a pair of cosmogenic isotopes 260
8.4.2 Application in the Pyrenees 262
8.4.3 Uncertainty on burial datings 262
8.5 Summary: cosmogenic isotopes in the Pyrenees 263
8.6 References 263
Chapter 9 Post-Compressive Incision of the Pyrenean Valleys: Insights from Karst Records 267
Amandine SARTEGOU and Didier L. BOURLES
9.1 How can we trace the post-compressive evolution of the Pyrenean chain? 267
9.2 Karst in the Pyrenees 269
9.2.1 Pyrenean karsts, witnesses of paleoenvironments since the Paleozoic 270
9.2.2 The eastern Tet valley and its relation with the Mediterranean domain 270
9.2.3 The upper Aude valley and its relation with the Sault plateau 273
9.2.4 The valleys of the Ariege and their large networks 275
9.2.5 The karsts of the central Pyrenees and the Basque country 276
9.3 How to record valley incision with karsts 277
9.3.1 Epiphreatic model and chronology of valley excavation 277
9.3.2 Karst: sediment trap and witness of landscape evolution 280
9.4 How to date sediments trapped in karst 282
9.4.1 Use of cosmogenic burial durations 26 Al/ 10 Be: a validated method for Plio-Quaternary evolution 282
9.4.2 Use of the 10 Be- 21 Ne pair: a major analytical development for reconstructing the Miocene evolution of valleys 283
9.4.3 Relationship between cosmogenic burial durations and the position of the base level at a given instant 284
9.5 Main results from the study of karsts 285
9.5.1 Incision rates of the upper Tet valley since the Burdigalian 285
9.5.2 Aude valley: between tectonic influence and Mediterranean influence 287
9.5.3 Ariege valley: impact of tectonics and glaciations 288
9.5.4 The valleys of the central and western Pyrenees: a promising outline 289
9.6 Drivers of incision of the Pyrenean valleys from the Miocene to the present 290
9.6.1 The valleys of the eastern Pyrenees connected to the Mediterranean 290
9.6.2 The valleys of the western Pyrenees connected to the Atlantic and subject to glaciations 292
9.6.3 Lessons from the karsts 293
9.7 Conclusion and prospects 294
9.8 References 295
Chapter 10 Evolution of the Geothermal Gradient from Cretaceous Rifting to Pyrenean Compression (Western Pyrenees) 301
Nicolas SASPITURRY, Thierry BAUDIN, Abdeltif LAHFID, Laurent GUILLOU-FROTTIER, Benoit ISSAUTIER, Philippe RAZIN, Alexandre ORTIZ and Jessica UZEL
10.1 Introduction 301
10.2 Tectono-sedimentary evolution of the Mauleon Basin from the Mesozoic to the Cenozoic 304
10.2.1 The Cretaceous rifting phase: formation of the hyper-extended Mauleon Basin 304
10.2.2 The Pyrenean compression phase: inversion of the Cretaceous rift basin and building of the orogenic prism 307
10.3 RSCM thermometry, an overview of the method and its use in the Pyrenees 309
10.3.1 Methodology and analysis tool 311
10.3.2 History of the application of the RSCM method in Pyrenees 312
10.4 The geothermal gradient: definition 314
10.4.1 The rifting context 315
10.4.2 The orogenic context 317
10.4.3 The erosional context 318
10.5 Mesozoic to Cenozoic evolution of the geothermal gradient of the Mauleon Basin: application of RSCM thermometry 320
10.5.1 Thermal peak age in the Mauleon Basin 322
10.5.2 Cretaceous paleogeothermal gradients estimated from RSCM thermometry 322
10.5.3 Distribution of the geothermal gradient from the proximal to distal domain of the Mauleon Basin during the Cretaceous 326
10.5.4 Evolution of the geothermal gradient during Pyrenean compression 328
10.6 Numerical thermal modeling of the Mauleon Basin 330
10.6.1 Opening of the Mauleon Basin 331
10.6.2 Stage of synorogenic sedimentation 332
10.6.3 Stage of continental collision and erosion 333
10.6.4 Postcollisional quiescence 334
10.7 References 335
Chapter 11 Pleistocene and Holocene Glacial Fluctuations in the Pyrenees 343
Magali DELMAS
11.1 Introduction 343
11.2 From the first cartographies to a relative chronostratigraphy of Pyrenean glacial margin deposits 345
11.2.1 A long sequence of moraine deposits into three sedimentary units 345
11.2.2 Confrontation between polyglacialists and monoglacialists (1950s-1960s) 347
11.2.3 Rehabilitation of polyglacialism and repositioning of the fronts contemporary with the maximum ice extent of the last glaciation 350
11.3 Radiocarbon dating contribution 353
11.3.1 Chronological model established on the north-facing slope 354
11.3.2 A chronological model confirmed on the southern slope? 361
11.4 Recent diversification of dating methods 368
11.4.1 The contribution of OSL ages 368
11.4.2 The contribution of in situ-produced cosmogenic isotopes 370
11.5 Conclusion 392
11.6 References 394
Chapter 12 Digital Geological Map of the Northern Slope of the Pyrenees at 1:250,000 Scale 407
Bernard MONOD
12.1 Construction of the digital geological map of the northern slope of the Pyrenees 407
12.1.1 Work of the RGF 408
12.1.2 Map legend, structures and contour smoothing 408
12.2 Presentation, organization and dissemination of the map data 409
12.2.1 Presentation of the main cartographic features of the Pyrenees 409
12.2.2 Organization of the data composing the digital map 410
12.3 Dissemination and availability of the digital geological map data at the 1:250,000 scale 415
12.4 References 415
Chapter 13 The Corundums of the Albitites Related to the Urdach Lherzolites: Lapidary Enhancement 417
Jean-Eric ROSE, Pierre MONCHOUX, Philippe DE PARSEVAL, Christian PIN, Thierry AIGOUY, Didier BEZIAT and Guillaume ESTRADE
13.1 The magmatic albitites related to the lherzolites 417
13.1.1 Structural characteristics 419
13.1.2 Mineralogical characteristics 419
13.1.3 Geochemical characteristics 422
13.1.4 Genetic hypothesis for the Urdach albitites 423
13.1.5 Possible origin of corundum xenocrysts and polycrystalline inclusions in alkaline basaltic provinces 424
13.1.6 A unique example of emplacement related to the Pyrenean orogeny 424
13.2 Corundum 425
13.2.1 "Primary" corundum crystals 425
13.2.2 "Secondary" corundum crystals 426
13.3 The value of the "amateur" perspective in science 427
13.3.1 Field research and sample selection 428
13.3.2 Value of lapidary work prior to scientific analysis 428
13.4 References 430
List of Authors 433
Index 437