Compressional tectonic inversion of the Algero‐Balearic basin: Latemost Miocene to present oblique convergence at the Palomares margin (Western Mediterranean). Issue 7 (30th July 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Giaconia, Flavio; Booth‐Rea, Guillermo; Ranero, César R.; Gràcia, Eulàlia; Bartolome, Rafael; Calahorrano, Alcinoe; Lo Iacono, Claudio; Vendrell, Montserrat G.; Cameselle, Alejandra L.; Costa, Sergio; Gómez de la Peña, Laura; Martínez‐Loriente, Sara; Perea, Hector; Viñas, Marina
• Is Part Of: Tectonics. Volume 34:Issue 7(2015)
• Page Start: 1516
• Page End: 1543
• Publication Date: 2015-07-30
• Subjects: active tectonics -- tectonic inversion -- Western Mediterranean -- multichannel seismics -- Abubacer anticline -- Palomares fault zone; Geology, Structural -- Periodicals; 551.8
• DOI: 10.1002/2015TC003861
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0278-7407

Abstract

Abstract: Interpretation of new multichannel seismic reflection profiles indicates that the Palomares margin was formed by crustal‐scale extension and coeval magmatic accretion during middle to late Miocene opening of the Algero‐Balearic basin. The margin formed at the transition between thinned continental crust intruded by arc volcanism and back‐arc oceanic crust. Deformation produced during the later positive inversion of the margin offshore and onshore is partitioned between ~N50°E striking reverse faults and associated folds like the Sierra Cabrera and Abubacer anticlines and N10–20°E sinistral strike‐slip faults like Palomares and Terreros faults. Parametric subbottom profiles and multibeam bathymetry offshore, structural analysis, available GPS geodetic displacement data, and earthquake focal mechanisms jointly indicate that tectonic inversion of the Palomares margin is currently active. The Palomares margin shows a structural pattern comparable to the north Maghrebian margins where Africa‐Eurasia plate convergence is accommodated by NE‐SW reverse faults, NNW‐SSE sinistral faults, and WNW‐ESE dextral ones. Contractive structures at this margin contribute to the general inversion of the Western Mediterranean since ~7 Ma, coeval to inversion at the Algerian margin. Shortening at the Alboran ridge and Al‐Idrisi faults occurred later, since 5 Ma, indicating a westward propagation of the compressional inversion of the Western Mediterranean. Key Points: We present new MCS and bathymetry of the NW Algero‐Balearic basin The NW Algero‐Balearic margin formed by middle‐late Miocene volcanic accretion Volcanic highs are NE‐SW anticlines produced by late Miocene NW‐SE shortening