Sedimentary Geology 138 (2000) 143±159

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Anatomy of regressive tracts in a regressive sequence set:

Vilomara unit, Sant LlorencË del Munt,
Ebro Basin, NE Spain
M. LoÂpez-Blanco*, J. PinÄa, M. Marzo
Departament d'Estratigra®a i Paleontologia, Facultat de Geologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Zona UniversitaÁria, 08071 Barcelona, Spain

Abstract
The Sant LlorencË del Munt fan-delta succession forms a clastic wedge (ca. 3 My duration) that built out into the NE Ebro
Basin in response to transpression and uplift along the Paleogene Catalan Coastal Range. This fan-delta succession is arranged
in a series of transgressive±regressive sequences of different scales. A large-scale composite megasequence (the Milany
megasequence) includes the whole fan-delta succession. This megasequence is subdivided in seven composite sequences
that, in turn, can be subdivided into fundamental sequences. The Vilomara composite sequence (the Vilomara Unit) is located
in the regressive part of the Milany megasequence. The regressive part of the Vilomara composite sequence, consisting of a
seaward-stepping set of fundamental sequences (the Vilomara unit), has been studied to understand the facies relations,
geometries, and the characteristics of key surfaces in progradational settings.
The Vilomara regressive sequence set is formed by stacked alluvial fan, fan-delta plain, proximal and distal fan-delta front,
fan-delta slope (within the regressive part of fundamental sequences) and carbonate platform (usually within the transgressive
part of fundamental sequences) deposits.
The Vilomara regressive unit shows a sigmoidal geometry in contrast to the underlying El Marcet transgressive unit, which
thickens landwards. This sigmoidal geometry for the regressive unit and landward thickening for the transgressive unit is
common for all scales of sequence (composite megasequences, composite sequences and fundamental sequences).
There are evident facies arrangement differences between transgressive and regressive deposits within a fundamental
sequence. Key surfaces have been recognised from vertical-trend changes (from transgressive to regressive and vice versa).
The facies successions immediately above and below the surfaces bounding fundamental sequences may indicate, at different
stratigraphic levels, a basinward or a landward shift of facies belts. q 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Keywords: Eocene; Fan delta; Coastal deposits; Sequence stratigraphy; Shoreline trajectory

1. Introduction key surfaces needs a bi- or tri-dimensional study that

The study of the architecture, anatomy and lateral
and vertical sequential evolution of sedimentary
successions must be supported by detailed ®eld data.
The lateral variability or extent of facies, sequences or
* Corresponding author.
E-mail address: miguel@geo.ub.es (M. LoÂpez-Blanco).
0037-0738/00/$ - see front matter q 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
PII: S 0037-073 8(00)00147-0
is only available from exceptional ®eld outcrops or
areas.
Fan-delta clastic systems such as the Sant LlorencË
del Munt are really signi®cant for sequence stratigra-
phy and basin analysis because they include relatively
narrow subaerial, coastal and submarine slope facies
belts. Coastal deposits (fan-delta front) are very
sensitive to relative sea-level and sediment supply
144 M. LoÂpez-Blanco et al. / Sedimentary Geology 138 (2000) 143±159
variations; these are the determining factors for the
sequential arrangement and evolution.
A reasonably good bi-dimensional study is possible
in the Sant LlorencË del Munt ®eld area due to the avail-
ability of an excellent exposure in a ªforeshortened,º
depositional dip-oriented transect from nonmarine to
deep marine (Fig. 1b). This ªforeshorteningº allows
con®dent physical stratigraphic correlation from prox-
imal alluvial fan conglomerates to fan-delta slope
deposits (with fan-delta front deposits in between).
The studied cross-section in Fig. 1b has been
constructed based on detailed (1:5000) geological
mapping and the correlation of six vertical strati-
graphic logs including the whole succession. More
detailed graphs are based on the detailed correlation
of 11 vertical stratigraphic logs measured on the
regressive part of the Vilomara composite sequence.
All of these sections have been measured along the
NE-side of a SE±NW-oriented valley (Santa Creu
valley) located in the northwestern part of the Sant
LlorencË del Munt system.
1.1. Tectonic and stratigraphic setting
The study succession occurs within a fan-delta
system that built out into the northeastern Ebro fore-
land basin (Fig. 1a) in response to Paleogene uplift
associated with transpression along the Catalan
Coastal Range. This transpression was related to the
convergence between the Iberian and European plates
(GuimeraÁ, 1984; AnadoÂn et al., 1985; LoÂpez-Blanco
et al., 2000a).
The Sant LlorencË del Munt fan-delta system devel-
oped during the late Eocene (Bartonian) (AnadoÂn and
Marzo, 1986). Its evolution generated a transgres-
sive±regressive megasequence (Milany sequence of
PuigdefaÁbregas et al., 1986) of ,3 My duration (see
LoÂpez-Blanco et al., 2000b). Within this mega-
sequence seven composite sequences have been
de®ned, each with transgressive±regressive charac-
teristics (LoÂpez-Blanco, 1996). The Vilomara compo-
site sequence developed during the regressive stage of
the Milany megasequence consists of a lower trans-
gressive tract (El Marcet unit) and an upper regressive
tract (Vilomara unit) separated by a maximum ¯ood-
ing surface (Fig. 1b). Based on the combined biostra-
tigraphy and magnetostratigraphy, LoÂpez-Blanco et
al. (2000b) have argued for a ,0.09 My duration for
the whole Vilomara composite sequence. The Vilo-
mara composite sequence was constructed from the
transgressive±regressive arrangement of seven small-
scale transgressive±regressive sequences named
fundamental sequences (LoÂpez-Blanco, 1991, 1993,
1996; LoÂpez-Blanco et al., 2000b).
This Vilomara composite sequence has been the
subject of several detailed studies and this paper
deals with the nature of its regressive tract (see also
Siggerud and Steel, 1999; Siggerud et al., 2000; Steel
et al., 2000).
1.2. Aims of the work
The aims of the present work are to focus on
features shown by regressive tracts in a succession
of fundamental sequences that have been stacked in
a prominently progradational seaward-stepping
manner within the regressive part of the Vilomara
composite sequence. A companion paper by Steel et
al. (2000) deals with the underlying, transgressive set
of fundamental sequences, the lower part of the Vilo-
mara composite sequence. The main aspects being
examined and evaluated are:
1. The thickness of the regressive tracts compared to
the related transgressive tracts of the fundamental
sequences, as well as the overall thickness varia-
tion of the ªregressiveº strata in this seaward-
stepping sequence set.
2. The volume of transgressive deposits relative to
regressive deposits within fundamental sequences.
3. The nature and geometric arrangement of the
fundamental sequence boundaries.
4. The geometry of individual regressive and trans-
gressive tracts of fundamental sequences.
5. The overall trends within the regressive part of the
composite sequence.
2. Facies associations
Rasmussen (1993, 2000) has described the main
facies associations, both in the transgressive and
regressive limbs of the fundamental sequences, except
for the association of the fan-delta slope environment,
which will be discussed here. Fig. 1b is a schematic
 M. LoÂpez-Blanco et al. / Sedimentary Geology 138 (2000) 143±159
Fig. 1. (a) Geological sketch map of the northeastern Iberian Peninsula showing the location of the Sant LlorencË del Munt system; (b) Correlation panel using six lithological logs
located approximately updip±downdip along the Santa Creu valley. This shows the continental-to-marine transitions on the Vilomara composite sequence.

145
146 M. LoÂpez-Blanco et al. / Sedimentary Geology 138 (2000) 143±159
spatial arrangement of the different facies belts on the
studied cross-section of the Vilomara sequence.
2.1. Fan-delta slope
The fan-delta slope facies belt crops out in the
northern part (basinward) of the studied section (Fig.
1b), and comprises marls, sandstones and conglomer-
ates. The facies belt can likely be divided into three
main facies associations. They are all resedimented
deposits, but differences among them relate to the
resedimenting processes.
1. The prodelta-offshore facies association comprises
mainly blue-grey marls with intercalated thin sand-
stones beds; this facies is interpreted to have been
deposited either from the suspension of clay and
sand or from low-density turbidity currents. This
material may have been: (a) transported to the
marine basin from subaerial environments (alluvial
and ¯uvial); or (b) transported from the nearshore
and shallower slope through turbidity currents
(with associated sandstone thin beds).
2. The sediment gravity ¯ow facies association (Fig.
2) comprises: (a) sandy and conglomeratic channel
deposits ®lling erosive surfaces cut into the fan-
delta slope; (b) tabular and large-scale lenticular
sandstone beds interpreted to be overbank or levee
deposits laterally related to the sandy and conglom-
eratic channels; and (c) marls and tabular to convex-
up sandstones and conglomerates, which likely
were deposited in small, turbiditic lobes (apron)
fed by the sandy and conglomeratic channels.
3. The slumps and slides facies association formed as
synsedimentary fault blocks and rotated slumps
involving fan-delta front facies and other fan-delta
slope deposits. Extensional structures occur as
normal faults, rollover anticlines, listric faults
(Fig. 3) and schistosity (developed in an extensional
zone on the head of slump or slide zones). Compres-
sional structures such as horses, duplexes, down-
slope verging folds and thrusts occur in the toe
zone of slumps, where downdip movement ceased.
3. Vilomara sequence set
The Vilomara composite sequence consists of the
transgressive El Marcet unit and the overlying
regressive Vilomara unit (LoÂpez-Blanco, 1991,
1993, 1996; LoÂpez-Blanco et al., 2000; Steel et al.,
2000). The thickness of the Vilomara composite
sequence is 132 m along the studied 3.5 km cross-
section. The whole composite sequence can be
subdivided in seven fundamental sequences. The
composite sequence geometry illustrated in Fig. 1b
shows an initial thickening trend towards the slope
zone in the regressive unit and then a thinning distally.
The transgressive unit thins from proximal to distal
environments.
The regressive part of the Vilomara composite
sequence (Vilomara unit or Vilomara sequence set)
varies from 82 m in the proximal part, where it is
dominated by coarse-grained ¯uvial and ®ne-grained
¯ood-plain/¯ood-basin deposits, to more than 113 m
in its basinal reaches, where fan-delta slope deposits
intercalate with minor carbonate, fan-delta front and
subaerial deposits. The regressive part of the compo-
site sequence comprises four and a half fundamental
sequences, which are arranged in an aggradational-to-
progradational stacking pattern (Fig. 1b).
During the regressive development of the Vilomara
unit, the shoreline is inferred to have made a seaward
advance of 5050 m, with some 132 m of aggradation.
This is a typical normal regression pattern (regression
during rising relative sea level, Posamentier et al.,
1992), but it is interrupted by transgressive episodes
with landward shoreline transits.
The regressive sequence set has a characteristic
broad (up to 2.5 km updip±downdip) delta front
facies belt within individual fundamental sequences,
a feature in marked contrast to the narrow delta front
facies belts of the underlying transgressive sequence
set (see Siggerud and Steel, 1999; Steel et al., 2000).
3.1. Sequence 3
Fundamental sequence 3 is shared between the El
Marcet transgressive unit and Vilomara regressive
unit. The lower part (transgressive) belongs to the El
Marcet transgressive unit, and the upper part to the
Vilomara regressive unit. This sequence has been
traced downdip for 3.5 km. It is 19 m thick at the
most proximal site (Fig. 4a), where it consists of red
siltstones and ®ne sandstone beds alternating with
grey, channeled conglomerates. Its thickness
 M. LoÂpez-Blanco et al. / Sedimentary Geology 138 (2000) 143±159 147

Fig. 2. Sandy sediment gravity ¯ow deposits within the ªslopeº association of the regressive tract of fundamental sequence 4 of the Vilomara
composite sequence. Note the convex-up geometry (lobe) of the lower bed and the presence of rip-up clay chips. The hammer is 34 cm long.

increases seawards up to 35 m in the middle part of
the section. There, it consists of nearshore conglom-
erates, sandstones and prodelta marls arranged in a
shallowing-upwards sequence, which rests above a
carbonate horizon belonging to the transgressive El
Marcet unit. In more distal zones, the unit thickens
to 55 m of turbiditic channeled conglomerates and
sandstone beds intercalated in fan-delta slope marls.
Because this study focuses on the regressive Vilo-
mara unit, the lower boundary for the study is the
maximum ¯ooding surface of fundamental sequence
3. This surface is the top of a carbonate bed that has a
relatively high content of nummulites and oyster frag-
ments and which, in more proximal areas, comprises
coarse-grained conglomerate with bored clasts at the
base. The basal surface of the conglomerate lag cuts
 148
M. LoÂpez-Blanco et al. / Sedimentary Geology 138 (2000) 143±159
Fig. 3. Slided sandy deposits in the regressive tract of fundamental sequence 4 of the Vilomara composite sequence. Note the convex-up roll-over geometry of the beds related to a
concave normal listric fault related to gravitational processes. The outcrop is 4 m high.
 M. LoÂpez-Blanco et al. / Sedimentary Geology 138 (2000) 143±159 149

Fig. 4. Individual cross-sections of the component fundamental sequences of the Vilomara regressive unit: (a) sequence 3; (b) sequence 4;
(c) sequence 5; (d) sequence 6; and (e) sequence 7.
150 M. LoÂpez-Blanco et al. / Sedimentary Geology 138 (2000) 143±159

Fig. 5. Details of vertical trends within fan-delta front deposits in fundamental sequence 3, which corresponds to the Casa Nova, Meandro and
Cal Pedrer logs in Fig. 1b. Note the coarsening-upwards cycles, which correspond to a shallowing related to the progradation of the fan-delta
front. Minor coarsening-upwards cycles correspond to minor prograding events. Sh ˆ shale, Sd ˆ sand, Cg ˆ conglomerate. White beds
represent marine grey shales. Black beds represent subaerial red shales. Vertical scale expressed in metres. No horizontal scale.

into red beds with some paleosol development.
Seaward, this conglomerate passes ®rst to a biotur-
bated horizon of sandstone, and then to a packstone
of nummulites, oysters and other bivalves. Above this
surface is the regressive part of fundamental sequence
3. Its thickness ranges from 9 m in the proximal area
to 54 m in the distal area. It comprises distal alluvial-
fan deposits, passing seawards to proximal fan-delta
facies and fan-delta slope deposits (Fig. 4a).
Stratigraphic logs through the regressive part of
sequence 3 show a gradual shallowing and coarsening
upward trend in fan-delta front environment (Fig. 5).
Landwards, the deposits grade to distal alluvial-fan
deposits (¯ood plain red mudstones and sandstones
and alluvial conglomerates). Seawards, they pass to
fan-delta slope deposits, with a high percentage of
sediment gravity ¯ow deposits and slumped and tilted
blocks. The sequence 3 shoreline shows a seaward
advance of 2.8 km and some 9 m of aggradation
(without decompacting the sequence).
The regressive part of fundamental sequence 3
shows a typical normal regression pattern (regression
during rising relative sea level) and has a sigmoidal
geometry forced by the geometry of the previous
depositional unit. The dip steepens from the subaerial
and coastal facies to the slope facies and then ¯attens
to the basin ¯oor. As seen in Fig. 6, the sigmoidal
geometry of the regressive parts of fundamental
sequences is controlled by the geometry of previously
deposited transgressive parts. The narrow and stubby
nature of transgressive tracts forms a natural slope
break for the overlying regressive tract, resulting in
a sigmoidal geometry between successive clinoforms
(Fig. 6). The low-angle shoreline trajectory implies a
sediment supply larger than the increase of accommo-
dation space.
3.2. Sequence 4
Fundamental sequence 4 in the Vilomara composite
sequence has been followed laterally for 4 km (Fig.
4b) and ranges from 18 m thick in the distal alluvial
fan to more than 60 m thick in fan-delta slope envir-
onments (Figs. 1b and 4b). Volumetrically, transgres-
sive deposits appear to represent roughly one-sixth of
the whole sequence.
 M. LoÂpez-Blanco et al. / Sedimentary Geology 138 (2000) 143±159
Fig. 6. Schematic geometry of the regressive and transgressive
tracts of a fundamental sequence.
The basal boundary corresponds to the base of a
coarse conglomerate level with bored clasts, nummu-
lites, oysters and other fragmented bivalves. Land-
wards, this surface is interpreted to be at the base of
an alluvial conglomeratic channeled level, laterally
related with paleosol horizons. Seawards, the
sequence boundary corresponds to the base of a very
bioturbated sandstone (distal fan-delta front environ-
ment), before it is ªlostº within slope marls. This
sequence boundary is not associated with any major
erosion surface or major facies belt shift, but simply
represents a regressive-to-transgressive turnaround.
Above the boundary, there is only a very slight basin-
ward shift of the overlying facies belts.
The deposits overlying the lower boundary of
fundamental sequence 4 show a deepening and
®ning-upward sequential trend, interpreted in terms
of retrogradation and aggradation. In the proximal
fan-delta zone, transgressive deposits are charac-
terised by a number of bored-clast pavements, alter-
nating with bioturbated sandstones, this fact
suggesting a complex, landward stepping transgres-
sion. Distal alluvial fan deposits laterally related to
the transgressive fan-delta facies are red mudstones
and sandstone beds with small channeled conglom-
eratic bodies with ®ning upwards trends. Seawards,
proximal fan-delta facies become highly bioturbated
sandstones and then pass downdip to blue-grey marls
with abundant shallow marine fossils. The thickness
of the transgressive tract ranges from 1 m (or less) in
distal zones to 11 m proximally. The shoreline of the
transgressive tract shows an overall landward retreat
of 1.8 km; during the same period the shoreline is
aggraded by 11 m.
151
The surface of maximum transgression (maximum
¯ooding surface) has been deduced from the maximum
landwards position of the marine facies belt. In distal
areas it is represented by the top of bioturbated sand-
stones, whereas landwards it is coincident with the top of
a conglomeratic shoreface level with bored clasts, inter-
calated between red mudstone and sandstone beds.
Overlying the maximum ¯ooding surface, the
regressive portion of fundamental sequence 4, shows
a clear thickening and coarsening upwards trend in
fan-delta front deposits. Landwards, these fan-delta
deposits grade into distal alluvial-fan facies (¯ood
plain red mudstones and sandstones and alluvial
conglomerates). Seawards, marine conglomerate
units pass to fan-delta slope deposits, with a high
percentage of sediment gravity ¯ow deposits and
slumped and tilted blocks. The proximal fan-delta
environment is characterised by metrical scale cross-
strati®cation in the conglomeratic bodies showing a
toplap disposition in the transitional marine-continen-
tal zone. Distal fan-delta front deposits show a more
complex disposition (Fig. 4). The thickness of the
regressive tract of sequence 4 ranges from 9 m in
the proximal area to more than 60 m, where fan-
delta slope deposits are developed. The shoreline
shows a seaward advance of 1.4 km and during the
same period the shoreline aggraded by 9 m.
Sequence 4 has three well-de®ned parts: an
erosional (non-accretionary) transgressive section
occurring as bored clasts at the base of bioclastic
nummulitic bars; an accretionary transgressive
section occurring as bioclastic bars that had landward
movement; and a normal regressive section occurring
as a thickening and coarsening upwards package of
fan-delta deposits.
The geometry of fundamental sequence 4 is very
similar to the geometry of the previously described
sequence.
3.3. Sequence 5
Fundamental sequence 5 in the Vilomara composite
sequence can be traced laterally (approx. downdip) for
4.5 km (Fig. 4c). Its thickness ranges from 8 m at the
landward end (distal alluvial fan and proximal fan-
delta facies) to around 30 m at the seaward end (distal
fan-delta and fan-delta slope facies). Volumetrically,
152 M. LoÂpez-Blanco et al. / Sedimentary Geology 138 (2000) 143±159
transgressive deposits appear to represent one-®fth of
the fundamental sequence.
The lower boundary of this sequence, in basinward
areas, is coincident with a surface of maximum
regression and a transgressive surface situated at the
base of a limestone bed. There are no obvious erosive
surfaces (marine or subaerial). This boundary is indi-
cated by a conglomeratic lag of bored clasts located
below the limestone bed and, in other sections, by
very bioturbated sandstone and conglomerate beds.
Landwards, the sequence boundary can be traced to
the base of the conglomeratic channeled bodies later-
ally equivalent to the beach deposits. This sequence
boundary represents a turnaround from regression to
transgression without marked erosion, and is asso-
ciated with only a slight landward shift of the facies
belts, with carbonate platform facies deposited above
fan-delta front sandstones. In more proximal areas,
the landward shift is more evident because there are
proximal fan-delta front conglomerates deposited
above subaerial deposits of the previous sequence.
The transgressive part of this sequence varies from
2.5 m thick in the distal zones to 7 m thick proximally.
This transgressive tract consists of a nummulitic lime-
stone bed and its lateral equivalent bioturbated sand-
stones, beach conglomerates, red mudstones and
sandstones and alluvial conglomeratic channels.
Because it is laterally equivalent to the limestones,
the conglomeratic in®ll of the channels can also be
considered as part of the transgressive tract. The
marine conglomerates above the channels are also
transgressive, at least up to a level just above a pave-
ment of bored clasts situated in the middle of this
marine conglomeratic succession. The shoreline of
this transgressive tract shows a landward retreat of
18 km and an aggradation of 7 m.
The surface of maximum transgression is inter-
preted to be the top of the limestone bed in distal
zones, the top of bioturbated sandstones, the top of
the conglomeratic beaches over continental facies and
the top of the laterally continuous channeled
conglomerate. This surface is coincident with the
maximum landward position of the marine facies
and, thus, is the maximum ¯ooding surface.
The overlying regressive tract of the sequence
ranges in thickness from 15 m in the proximal part
of the system to 27.5 m in more distal areas. This
regressive tract is characterised by shallowing, and
coarsening and thickening upward trends in the fan-
delta front deposits. In these regressive deposits,
marine conglomerate beds can be cross-strati®ed
and truncated by a toplap surface at the top of the
sequence. In the fan-delta slope environment, gravity
¯ow and slumped deposits are not present. The regres-
sive shoreline shows a seaward advance of 3.1 km and
it aggrades some 15 m during this advance.
Fundamental sequence 5, as the underlying
sequence, shows three steps of development: (1)
erosional (non-accretionary) transgression; (2) accre-
tionary transgression; and (3) normal regression.
The sigmoidal geometry shown by the fundamental
sequence is controlled by the geometry of previously
deposited ªunitsº or sequences.
3.4. Sequence 6
Fundamental sequence 6 in the Vilomara composite
sequence can be traced laterally (downdip) for at least
4.5 km (Fig. 4d). The sequence thickness is nearly
constant, ranging from 17 m landwards to 19 m
distally (Fig. 1b). Volumetrically, the ratio between
transgressive and regressive parts of the sequence is
about 1:4 at the studied section.
The lower sequence boundary is a surface of maxi-
mum regression located just below the base of a
nummulitic packstone. Landwards, it is coincident
with the base of a bioturbated sandstone bed. In the
proximal fan-delta environment, it is located in the
upper part of a coarsening upwards sequence, at the
base of a bed with a high content of bored boulders.
Further landwards, the surface of maximum regres-
sion is considered to be the base of a channeled, later-
ally continuous, conglomeratic bed. It cannot be
followed further landwards because of cover. This
sequence boundary is associated with an abrupt facies
shift. Facies belts suffered a notable (ca. 1 km) land-
wards displacement above the boundary (Fig. 7),
which produced an abrupt deepening of the overlying
facies.
The transgressive tract of fundamental sequence 6
shows a ®ning-upwards trend and its thickness ranges
from 4 m in the proximal areas to 1 m distally. It is
formed by a packstone of nummulites and its lateral
shoreface equivalents, bioturbated sandstones and
beach conglomerates (with a high content of bored
clasts), and distal alluvial fan red mudstones and
 M. LoÂpez-Blanco et al. / Sedimentary Geology 138 (2000) 143±159
Fig. 7. Plot of aggradation versus progradation or retrogradation for
each tract (transgressive or regressive) fundamental sequence of the
regressive unit of the Vilomara composite sequence. The arrows
indicate the angle of shoreline climb for individual tracts and the
numbers correspond to the fundamental sequence number.
sandstones and some minor conglomeratic levels. The
shoreline had a landward retreat of 2.5 km and an
aggradation of 4 m during this period.
The surface of maximum transgression is located at
the top of the limestone bed, and further landwards, it
occurs at the top of a bioturbated sandstone. In prox-
imal areas this maximum ¯ooding surface occurs just
above the top of a conglomerate with bored clasts.
The regressive portion of the sequence shows a
thickness ranging from 6 m in the proximal areas to
13 m distally. It shows a thickening- and coarsening-
upwards trend in the fan-delta deposits. Landwards,
those deposits grade to distal alluvial fan deposits
(¯ood plain red mudstones and sandstones and allu-
vial conglomerates). The uppermost level of the
regressive tract is a laterally continuous body of
channelised alluvial conglomerates. The shoreline
of the regressive tract shows a seaward advance of
at least 5.2 km; during the same period it aggraded
13 m.
Sequence 6 shows three stages of development, as
observed in the underlying sequences, and also has a
sigmoidal geometry, which was forced by the slope
surface of the previous sequence.
3.5. Sequence 7
Fundamental sequence 7 (Fig. 4e) is the uppermost
fundamental sequence of the Vilomara composite
sequence. Its thickness ranges from 16 m in landward
153
reaches to 17 m distally. It is essentially formed by
distal alluvial fan facies, but it also contains a thin
(60 cm) layer of coastal sandstones. Volumetrically,
the ratio between transgressive and regressive parts of
the sequence is four to one at the studied section.
The lower sequence boundary is interpreted to be the
erosive base of a series of laterally continuous conglom-
erates. It was chosen because it is analogous with
sequence boundaries 3, 4 and 5 in continental zones
and with the marine deposits above these conglomer-
ates. The marine equivalents of all these continental
deposits do not crop out at the study localities and lie
in the subsurface to the northwest. This sequence bound-
ary is associated with an abrupt basinward shift offacies,
as is evidenced by the presence of the subaerial
conglomerates of sequence 7 above the fan-delta front
(proximal and distal) facies of sequence 6.
The transgressive tract of sequence 7 is a 14 m thick
succession of continental red sandstones and
mudstones with some channeled conglomerates, and
the lower part of a laterally continuous nearshore
sandstone. The transgressive shoreline shows a land-
ward retreat of at least 4.1 km, and during the same
period it aggraded by 9 m.
The surface of maximum transgression, in the Sta.
Creu Valley, is interpreted to fall within the marine
sandstone level, though it is not possible to follow this
level either proximally or distally.
The regressive portion of sequence 7 is relatively
thin and is made by the upper part of the marine
sandstone and overlying red mudstones. The thickness
of the regressive tract is about 2 m in the proximal
area and 4 m distally. The shoreline shows a seaward
advance of at least 2.3 km and during the same period
it aggraded 2 m.
The upper boundary of this sequence is located under
a laterally continuous conglomeratic channeled body,
traceable across the studied zone. The conglomerate
belongs to the transgressive part of the next sequence,
the Manresa composite sequence (LoÂpez-Blanco,
1991, 1993, 1996; LoÂpez-Blanco et al., 2000b). This
sequence boundary shows an abrupt shallowing and
basinward shift of facies, as indicated by the subaerial
conglomerates of the base of Manresa composite
sequence 7 that occur above the distal fan-delta
front facies of sequence 7. This erosive surface cuts
down into the transgressive deposits of sequence 7.
Sequence 7 also crops out 5 km towards the west, and
154 M. LoÂpez-Blanco et al. / Sedimentary Geology 138 (2000) 143±159
is represented there by a 16 m thick, transgressive-
regressive sequence formed by marine deposits. In
this area, the sequence shows the same type of
three-fold development as seen in the underlying
sequences, as well as the same type of overall
sigmoidal geometry.
The overall stacking pattern of the series of funda-
mental sequences in the Vilomara regressive unit
shows a progressive evolution from aggradation to
progradation. Shoreline trajectories for individual
sequences were calculated by joining the point of
maximum seaward advance of the subaerial deposits
with the point of maximum landward position of the
coastal facies (Fig. 7). If the plotted dip of the
trajectory is low, the vertical component of shore-
line trajectory is less important than the horizontal
component, and vice versa. Comparing the dips
obtained separately for the regressive and the trans-
gressive parts of each fundamental sequence (Fig. 7),
it is evident that the dip decreases progressively
through time in both the transgressive and regressive
tracts.
This analysis strongly suggests a progressive lower-
ing of the accommodation-to-sediment supply ratios
through time and, thus, the tendency to generate
unconformities at the youngest of the series of
sequence boundaries (e.g. the base and top of funda-
mental sequence 7).
Fig. 7 also shows the different geometries of the
transgressive and regressive tracts of the fundamen-
tal sequences. While there are some exceptions (as
with the regressive tract of fundamental sequence 4
and the transgressive tract of sequence 7), in
general, the regressive tracts have larger horizontal
components than the transgressive tracts. The fact
that the regressive tracts of the fundamental sequences
have a larger horizontal component gives the
Vilomara composite sequence its ®nal regressive
character.
4. Log characteristics of regressive versus
transgressive tracts in fundamental sequences
The difference between the transgressive and
regressive parts of fundamental sequences, expressed
as vertical log signatures, is of some interest. Fig. 8
shows a proximal to distal array of lithology logs
along a 4 km stretch of the study traverse. The follow-
ing points can be made from Fig. 8.
1. In the proximal parts of the system, the vertical
pro®les of the regressive tracts show a coarsen-
ing-upwards trend from marine siltstones and sand-
stones near the maximum ¯ooding surface to
marine conglomerates, and then up to nonmarine
facies (Fig. 8). In the distal parts of the same tract,
the vertical pro®les show the same coarsening-
upward trend, with the marine siltstones punctu-
ated by slope association sandstones and conglom-
erates of sediment gravity ¯ow, slump, and slide
origin (Fig. 8).
2. Individual parasequences in the regressive tracts
are initiated by ¯ooding events. In proximal and
intermediate zones at the top of these parase-
quences, there are common conglomeratic lag
pavements. Although these conglomeratic lags
are never present in the distal regressive tract,
they are common in the distal areas of the trans-
gressive tracts (Fig. 9).
3. Transgressive tracts show a crude ®ning-upward
trend. The common succession is from nonmarine
to marine conglomerates, sandstones, and silt-
stones in the proximal and intermediate zones
and from conglomerate (lag) to bioturbated sand-
stones to bioclastic limestone and marls in the
distal zones (Fig. 10).
4. The most marked difference between the trans-
gressive and regressive tracts is the presence of
thick successions of fan-delta slope deposits in
the latter and their absence in the former. This
was caused by an increase in accommodation
beyond the slope-break during regression and
the tendency for sediment to bypass most of
the coastal plain during regression, and to be
preferentially stored in the coastal plain during
transgression.
5. Lithology logs from the landward reaches of the
system are dominated by nonmarine facies. While
it can be dif®cult to locate the precise level of
sequence boundaries and maximum ¯ooding
surfaces at the landward end, these surfaces can be
traced by ªwalking outº and following equivalent
layers or surfaces. Maximum ¯ooding surfaces are
traced landwards from the ®nal landward pinch-out
of the most landward-extended marine horizons.
 M. LoÂpez-Blanco et al. / Sedimentary Geology 138 (2000) 143±159 155

Fig. 8. Typical vertical logs through the distal, intermediate, intermediate-proximal and proximal-intermediate parts of fundamental sequences
3, 4 and 5. Sh ˆ shale, Sd ˆ sand, Cg ˆ conglomerate. White beds represent marine grey shales. Black beds represent subaerial red shales.
Vertical scale expressed in metres. No horizontal scale. For location of logs see Fig. 1b.

Fundamental sequence boundaries are commonly tracts of fundamental sequences on cross-sections or

observed in the subaerial reaches as an erosive
surface or series of surfaces located at the base of a
channeled conglomerate. Channeled conglomerates,
however, are common in the subaerial environments,
so the fundamental sequence boundary can be
dif®cult to follow, especially as erosive channel
surfaces cross-cut each other.
An examination of the transgressive and regressive
correlation panels (Fig. 6) shows that there is a general
increase in thickness seawards of regressive tracts that is
consistent with the presence of a well-developed slope
facies belt. This increase in thickness is controlled by
an accommodation increase beyond the break created
by the shape of the transgressive tract (and the
previous fundamental sequence), and can be more
than 40 m. Fig. 6 also shows that there is an oppositely
directed (seawards) thinning of transgressive tracts.
156 M. LoÂpez-Blanco et al. / Sedimentary Geology 138 (2000) 143±159

Fig. 9. Photo of a carbonate bed within the fundamental sequence 5 transgressive tract with a pebble lag at the base. The hammer is 34 cm long.

5. Log characteristics of fundamental sequence change of shallowing upwards to deepening

boundaries
Fundamental sequence boundaries are expressed in
the vertical logs as follows.
1. A fundamental sequence boundary is generally
associated with the turnaround for regressive to
transgressive depositional style deduced from the
upwards along the vertical log (LoÂpez-Blanco,
1996; LoÂpez-Blanco et al., 2000b).
2. A fundamental sequence boundary may or may not
be expressed as an abrupt vertical facies change.
This abrupt change, if present, also can be
expressed as a change to a shallower (e.g. the top
of sequences 3, 6 and 7) or deeper depositional
setting (e.g. the top of sequences 4 and 5).
 M. LoÂpez-Blanco et al. / Sedimentary Geology 138 (2000) 143±159
Fig. 10. Series of vertical logs showing the ®ning upwards trends in the transgressive part of fundamental sequence 6. Sh ˆ shale, Sd ˆ sand,
Cg ˆ conglomerate. White beds represent marine grey shales. No horizontal scale. For location see Fig. 1b.
3. An abrupt change up to shallower deposits indi-
cates a basinward shift of facies and suggests
that a relative fall in sea level has forced the
sequence boundary and the downward shift of
facies belts.
4. An abrupt change up to deeper deposits indicates a
landward shift of facies, and transgression.
Commonly, there is a wave-ravinement surface
that erodes into older, shallower deposits (even
the subaerial unconformity, if present) during
transgression. The generation of this surface can
be interpreted as the result of a nonaccretionary
erosional transgressive phase. This transgressive
phase may have been preceded by either a
relatively insigni®cant fall in sea level (generating
a slightly erosive surface) or could be related to a
slow rise in relative sea level if it occurred over a
long enough time period to erode previous
shallower sediments. However, if there were sedi-
ments accreting behind the shoreline area during
the ravinement time, an accretionary transgression
would be inferred.
6. Conclusions
The studied section across the Sant LlorencË del
Munt system has provided useful bi-dimensional
data of the anatomy and sequential arrangement (at
different scales) of the fan-delta system. That section
has the advantage of showing an outcrop some 4 km
in length and approximately 200 m high cut parallel to
the main transport direction of the fan delta. Addition-
ally, the section includes widespread fan-delta front
deposits, which are useful in the evaluation of shore-
line variations.
157
The regressive part of the Vilomara composite
sequence consists of four and a half fundamental
sequences, arranged in a marked seaward-stepping,
but aggradational stacking pattern.
The deposits of both the transgressive and
regressive tracts of the fundamental sequences within
the larger-scale Vilomara regressive unit originated
from distal alluvial fan, fan-delta plain and fan-delta
front environments.
In the regressive tracts of the fundamental
sequences, these sediments are arranged in a progra-
dational to aggradational manner, resulting in shal-
lowing-upwards successions. Sediment transport is
mainly NW-directed and fan-delta front deposits
grade basinwards to fan-delta slope marls, which
include an important volume of resedimented, slide,
and slump sandstones and conglomerates. These
regressive tracts thicken seawards and eventually
thin out to the basin ¯oor, resulting in a general
sigmoidal geometry.
In the transgressive tracts of the fundamental
sequences, sediments are arranged in a retrograda-
tional to aggradational manner, resulting in deepen-
ing-upwards successions. Fan-delta front deposits
grade basinwards to mixed shelf and carbonate plat-
form deposits. There are no slope deposits as
described in the regressive tracts. Delta-front deposits
show a higher degree of reworking (by bioturbation or
marine currents and waves) when compared to the
delta-front deposits of the regressive tracts. The trans-
gressive tracts of the fundamental sequences show a
clear basinward-thinning geometry. Sometimes
abrupt thinning creates a ªbreak of slopeº morphol-
ogy, across which the slope deposits of the subsequent
regressive tract develop.
Differences in the geometry of the regressive and
158 M. LoÂpez-Blanco et al. / Sedimentary Geology 138 (2000) 143±159
transgressive tracts can be due to changes in accom-
modation to sediment supply ratios (A/S ratio) or to
changes in how available sediment volumes are parti-
tioned differently within each of those tracts. Either of
these mechanisms may also account for the
differences between regressive tracts with sigmoidal
geometry and large amounts of slope sediments and
transgressive tracts with a simple, tapering geometry
and no slope deposits.
Maximum transgressive surfaces and maximum
regressive surfaces bound the transgressive and
regressive tracts of the fundamental sequences,
respectively. These are easily recognised along the
shoreline reaches of the system, but are more dif®cult
to pinpoint both in the proximal alluvium and in the
distal slope marls.
At this sequence scale, the boundaries of
fundamental sequences are surfaces marking a turn-
around from regressive to transgressive depositional
phase. These boundaries may be associated with a
slight basinward shift of facies or, more commonly,
with a landward shift in facies. Either case may be
operative depending on whether there was a slight fall
in relative sea level at this boundary or simply an
increase in the rate the sea level rose. The ability of
the ravinement surface to erode previous (transgres-
sive or regressive) sediments is an additional compli-
cating factor when trying to unravel boundary
conditions.
The regressive Vilomara unit shows a general
seaward advance of its shoreline and a normal regres-
sive pattern. Within this general aggrading±prograd-
ing trend, the horizontal displacements (the
magnitude of the transgressions and regressions in
individual fundamental sequences) become greater
relative to the vertical (aggradational) displacements
through time. This general decrease in the A/S ratio
Ð for successive fundamental sequences through
time Ð is consistent with the tendency for shoreline
trajectory angles to lower through time and with
increases in the number of important relative sea-
level falls through time.
Acknowledgements
Financial support for this study has been provided
by the European Commission DG XII (contract
JOU2-CT92-0110), the ªMinisterio de EducacioÂn y
Cienciaº (DGICYT project no. PB91-0801), the
ªComissionat per Universitats i Recerca de la Gener-
alitat de Catalunya (Grup de Qualitat GRQ94-1048)º.
The manuscript has been improved by the comments
of Ron Steel and the reviewers Jeff P. Crabaugh and
Jack Deibert.
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