Résumé
Recently completed sedimentological and palaeontological analyses of the Messinian deposits of western Sardinia yielded dating, palaeoenvironmental and new sequence stratigraphic interpretations.The Basal Marls and the Capo San Marco Formation are referred to the Messinian. Both formations were deposited in a ramp setting, whereas the overlaying Sinis Limestone Formation is interpreted as a carbonate platform of wide extent, probably equivalent to part of the Terminal Carbonate Complex. All these deposits are considered to have formed under normal marine conditions. The three formations developed during one and a half cycles of progradation-retrogradation.Compared with other Messinian Mediterranean carbonate platforms, the Sinis Peninsula exhibits several unusual features: The notable absence of scleractinian coral reefs is related to dominantly cool seawater in this area. The Capo San Marco Formation contains widespread microbial-bryozoan-serpulid carbonate buildups, partially associated with upwelling currents. The breccias at the top of the Sinis Limestone Formation are regarded as resulting from a major seismic shock over the whole peninsula. Abstract Copyright (2004) Elsevier, B.V.