Geologicl Rewiev and decorative limestones of the Alicante province (Valencia, SE Spain)
| V. Ohar National Taras Shevchenko University of Kyiv ORCID: 0000-0002-7566-3648 |
| Language: Ukrainian |
| Precious and Decorative Stones. No. 1 (123), 2026: 18–23 |
| Abstract Geology of the province of Alicante located within the Betic Cordillera is briefly considered. Most of the province is composed of carbonate rocks of Mesozoic and Cenozoic age which are dislocated with the formation of folded and thrust structures. The tectonics of the area is significantly complicated by the movement of Late Triassic evaporites and the formation of salt diapirs (Altea, etc.). Salt diarism caused the formation of limestone allochthonous blocks. The limestone olistolith of the Peñón de Ifach is an example of significant horizontal movement of a giant carbonate block. Mesozoic and Cenozoic carbonate rocks are the most common in the province of Alicante. They have long been used as building and decorative materials. The purpose of the study was to study the geological features of the province, as well as with the experience of mining, processing and application in construction and architecture of local carbonate rocks. The geology of the province based on the results of our own field observations and the study of published materials is characterized. Similarly, based on personal observations and using published data the most important places for mining and processing of decorative stones in the province of Alicante are described, and examples of their use in construction and architecture are also given. The modern development of the rock industry in the provinces of southeastern Spain is shown. Spanish carbonate rock brands are world-famous. The most valuable are marbled and marble-like limestones, which are favourable for polishing. It is the suitability for polishing that distinguishes Spanish carbonate rocks from Ukrainian ones of similar age, which are used mainly as wall stones. Spain's experience in mining and restoring disturbed landscapes could be useful for Ukraine, which has huge reserves of decorative stones. |
| Keywords: carbonate rocks, limestone quarries, rock industry, Betic Cordillera, Spain. |
| References |
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