Messinian astrochronology of the Melilla Basin: stepwise restriction of the Mediterranean – Atlantic connection through Morocco.

The Melilla Basin (NE Morocco) formed the easternmost part of the Rifian Corridor, which was an important Mediterranean-Atlantic gateway during the Late Miocene. The sedimentary infill of the basin consists of a shallow marine, precession-related cyclic marl-diatomite succession, laterally grading into a marginal carbonate complex. Three bio-sedimentary events have been recorded within the marl succession: 1) onset of diatomite deposition, 2) major change in foraminiferal assemblages, and 3) transition to Halimeda-rich carbonates and Porites coral reef build-ups. Recen