CONCLUSION

Petrographic facies analysis and supporting statistical analysis of the SMP (Sites 1196 and 1199) revealed the following:

  1. The correlation pattern of Sites 1196 and 1199 was refined. The proposed lithostratigraphic subdivisions best match the logging subdivisions of the Shipboard Scientific Party (2002b).
  2. The age of Subunits IC and ID was determined. A middle Miocene age is proposed, based on the occurrence of the genera Miogypsina in Subunit IC.
  3. Two reconstructions of the depositional environments at a fine scale (1 km) were proposed in order to visualize the biosedimentary and environmental evolution of the inner part of the SMP. The inferred depositional environments range from inner platform and coral reef to outer platform.
  4. SMP sedimentation registered three shallowing sequences followed by three deepening events during the middle Miocene to Pliocene time interval. The major late middle Miocene sea level fall (N12–N14) may correspond to the Subunit IC/IB boundary rather than to that of the Subunit ID/IC boundary.

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