Calcretas, espeleotemas y depósitos aluviales: tres registros de una misma historia geológica (Nerja, Málaga)

Abstract

In this work we study the genetic link between calcretes, speleothems and alluvial deposits developed on the epikarst and endokarst of the Nerja Cave (Nerja, Málaga, Spain) and the adjacent Quaternary (Pleistocene) alluvial fan. Field and petrographic observations, and 􀁇18O and 􀁇13C isotopic data analysis of the host rock, distinct calcrete types and epikarst speleothems indicate that these deposits are the result of arid and more humid climatic episodes. Epikarstic and endokarstic speleothem U/Th absolute dating indicate that both endokarstic and epikarstic development of the Nerja Cave was coetaneous and genetically linked to the sedimentation of the adjacent Pleistocene alluvial fan, as a response to climatic changes.