LiDAR mapping of the sedimentary rocks surrounding a salt diapir: a powerful tool to assist landslide identification and structural/depositional sequence analysis (Maestu diapir, N Spain)

A new 1:25.000 geological map is presented for a 26 × 22 km quadrangle containing the Maestu salt diapir and its sedimentary country rocks. A new mapping approach was followed to depict the distribution of interpreted late Cretaceous-Paleogene depositional sequences that surround the diapir, instead of strict lithostratigraphic units or rock formations. They were drawn after outcrop traces visually interpreted on a high-resolution hillshade. It is posed that the representation of depositional sequences in a geological map can improve structural and stratigraphic interpretations in the same way as their recognition in seismic reflection profiles has revolutionized the comprehension of subsurface structure in sedimentary terrains. The new map constitutes a basic starting point for both theoretical and applied geology studies. Examples of geohazard detection (four shallow spreading landslides) and halokinematic stratigraphic/structural relationships are included.