Pyroclastic deposits and fault contact, Spain

3D Model

Location: Morrón de Mateo quarry, Níjar, Almería, Spain

Longitude: -2.074517

Latitude: 36.806579

A highly weathered pumice-rich ignimbrite layer (pumice lapillistone fall deposit) forms the base of the quarry. This is overlain by a thick sequence of pyroclastic surge deposits, which show both horizontal and cross-bedding. Cross-bedding at the base is representative of a high energy environment while the horizontal layers at the top are representative of a lower energy environment. A steeply-dipping fault seperates a dacitic dome from the pyroclastic sequence on the east side. The quarry is an active one, for the extraction of bentonite formed by weathering of the ignimbrite.

The model extends approx. 120m from east to west