Jurassic extension and Cenozoic inversion tectonics in the Asturian Basin, NW Iberian Peninsula: 3D structural model and kinematic evolution. (September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Uzkeda, Hodei; Bulnes, Mayte; Poblet, Josep; García-Ramos, José Carlos; Piñuela, Laura
• Is Part Of: Journal of structural geology. Volume 90(2016:Sep.)
• Page Start: 157
• Page End: 176
• Publication Date: 2016-09
• Subjects: Normal fault -- Reverse fault -- Reactivated fault -- Inversion tectonics -- Basin inversion -- Jurassic -- Asturian Basin; Geology, Structural -- Periodicals; Géomorphologie structurale -- Périodiques; Geology, Structural; Periodicals; 551.805
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jsg.2016.08.003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0191-8141

Abstract

Abstract: We constructed a geological map, a 3D model and cross-sections, carried out a structural analysis, determined the stress fields and tectonic transport vectors, restored a cross section and performed a subsidence analysis to unravel the kinematic evolution of the NE emerged portion of the Asturian Basin (NW Iberian Peninsula), where Jurassic rocks crop out. The major folds run NW-SE, normal faults exhibit three dominant orientations: NW-SE, NE-SW and E-W, and thrusts display E-W strikes. After Upper Triassic-Lower Jurassic thermal subsidence, Middle Jurassic doming occurred, accompanied by normal faulting, high heat flow and basin uplift, followed by Upper Jurassic high-rate basin subsidence. Another extensional event, possibly during Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous, caused an increment in the normal faults displacement. A contractional event, probably of Cenozoic age, led to selective and irregularly distributed buttressing and fault reactivation as reverse or strike-slip faults, and folding and/or offset of some previous faults by new generation folds and thrusts. The Middle Jurassic event could be a precursor of the Bay of Biscay and North Atlantic opening that occurred from Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous, whereas the Cenozoic event would be responsible for the Pyrenean and Cantabrian ranges and the partial closure of the Bay of Biscay. Highlights: Middle Jurassic normal faulting, high heat flow and basin uplift caused doming. Increment in the normal faults displacement during Jurassic-Cretaceous. Cenozoic contraction led to buttressing, fault reactivation and new folds and thrusts. The Middle Jurassic event could be a precursor of the Bay of Biscay opening. The Cenozoic event caused Cantabrian ranges uplift and Bay of Biscay partial closure.