Stratigraphic architecture of the Pyreneo-Languedocian submarine fan, Gulf of Lions, western Mediterranean Sea

The Pyreneo-Languedocian submarine sediment body, located in the western sector of the Gulf of Lions, is an example of a fan-like depositional system essentially controlled by salt tectonics. The area was subjected to a combined effect of overburden subsidence into the evacuated salt layer and a significant distal salt thickening, due to preferential basinward salt migration. This mode of salt migration impacted the Quaternary sea-bottom morphology by creating a large midslope topographic low, providing space accommodation for the Pyreneo-Languedocian fan. At gulf scale, the fan is a unique feature because unchannelized sedimentary environment in the area occurs at slope level, thus in minor water depth in relation to all other deep-water sedimentary systems offshore Gulf of Lions.Original Abstract: Laedifice sedimentaire sous-marin Pyreneo-Languedocien correspond a un surepaississement sedimentaire dans la marge ouest du golfe du Lion. Le mode de croissance de cet edifice est celui daun eventail sedimentaire, dont la mise en place est largement dictee par la tectonique salifere qui affecte la marge du golfe du Lion. A laechelle du secteur, la structuration salifere se fait sous les effets combines de la fracturation et de la subsidence de blocs, consecutive au fluage du sel lateralement contraint. Ceci mene a laentassement du sel en aval du systeme, entrainant un soulevement des compartiments distaux par une deformation positive du relief. Ces effets conjugues de la tectonique salifere induisent la formation daun bassin, qui est a laorigine de laespace daaccommodation sedimentaire des apports non chenalises qui forment laedifice sous-marin Pyreneo-Languedocien.