Pressure solution-assisted diagenesis and thrusting-related deformation of Mesozoic platform carbonates

Depositional and diagenetic processes profoundly control the structural evolution of shallow-water carbonates through time. We focus on the Lower Jurassic platform carbonates pertaining to the southern Apennines fold -and-thrusts belt, Italy, by performing 3D digital outcrop modeling, field structural analysis, and microstruc-tural investigation. Results show that pressure solution of the platform carbonates was affected by the grain size of single beds. Since early diagenesis, pressure solution localized within the coarser-grained carbonate beds, forming wave-like solution surfaces. Crosscutting relations among blocky cements, bed-parallel solution surfaces and high-angle veins show that pressure solution occurred during burial diagenesis with formation of wave-like solution surfaces, and during Late Miocene tectonic burial with formation of seismogram-like solution surfaces. The tectonic burial postdated the thrusting-related flexural slip folding and small-scale thrusting of the platform carbonates. Small scale thrusting took place by means of shearing of the bed-parallel heterogeneities, and for-mation of bed-oblique slickolites resulting in the development of back thrusts characterized by flat-ramp-flat geometries. The main results of this work are synthesized in a six-stage synoptic scheme reporting the struc-tural evolution of the platform carbonates. Outcomes are helpful for the better assessment of geofluid produc-tion/storage from/in fractured platform carbonates pertaining to fold-and-thrust belts.