SOLUTION-COLLAPSE DEPRESSIONS AND SUSPENSATES IN THE LIMNOCRENIC LAKE OF BANYOLES (NE SPAIN)

A high resolution seismic reflection survey in the Banyoles limnocrenic solution lake allowed penetration of dense suspensates occupying cone‐like bottom depressions of different size. The depressions result from the dissolution and collapse of underlying Eocene calcareous and gypsiferous materials over which lacustrine sediments of varying thicknesses have accumulated. The suspensates occupying the depressions present three main types of seismic signatures: stratified, semistratified, and transparent. The densities of the suspensates and the water depths of their tops, which fluctuate continuously, vary from one depression to another. The maximum seismically recorded suspensate thickness is 44 m. Morphological and structural features, seismic characters, and variable degrees of hydraulic activity, point to the existence of different stages of maturity in the lake bottom depressions. This work brings new insight on the dynamics and evolution of limnocrenic solution lakes. Copyright © 1990 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd