Opposite Symmetry in the Lithospheric Structure of the Alboran and Algerian Basins and Their Margins (Western Mediterranean): Geodynamic Implications. Issue 7 (16th July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kumar, Ajay; Fernàndez, Manel; Vergés, Jaume; Torne, Montserrat; Jiménez‐Munt, Ivone
• Is Part Of: Journal of geophysical research. Volume 126:Issue 7(2021)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2021-07-16
• Subjects: dynamic topography -- integrated geophysical‐petrological modeling -- Ligurian‐tethys slabs -- lithospheric structure -- western mediterranean; Geomagnetism -- Periodicals; Geochemistry -- Periodicals; Geophysics -- Periodicals; Earth sciences -- Periodicals; 551.1
• DOI: 10.1029/2020JB021388
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2169-9313

Abstract

Abstract: The geodynamic evolution of the Western Mediterranean for the past 35 My is a matter of debate. Present‐day structure and composition of the lithosphere and sublithospheric mantle may help in constraining the geodynamic evolution of the region. We use an integrated geophysical‐petrological modeling to derive and compare the present‐day thermal, density and compositional structure of the lithosphere and sublithospheric mantle along two NNW‐SSE oriented transects crossing the back‐arc Alboran and Algerian basins, from onshore Iberia to the northern Africa margin. The crust is constrained using available seismic data and geological cross‐sections, whereas seismic tomography and mantle xenoliths constrain the upper mantle structure and composition. Results show a thick crust (37 and 30 km) and a relative deep LAB (130 and 150 km) underneath the HP/LT metamorphic units of the Internal Betics and Greater Kabylies, respectively, which contrast with the 16 km thick magmatic crust of the Alboran Basin and the 10 km thick oceanic crust of the Algerian Basin. The sharp change in lithosphere thickness, from the orogenic wedge to the back‐arc basins, contrasts with the gentler lithosphere thickening toward the respective opposed margins. Our results confirm the presence of detached slabs ∼400 °C colder than upper mantle and a fertile composition than the continental lithospheric mantle beneath the External Betics and Saharan Atlas. Presence of detached quasi‐vertical sublithospheric slabs dipping toward the SSE in the Betics and toward the NNW in the Kabylies and the opposed symmetric lithospheric structure support an opposite dipping subduction and retreat of two adjacent segments of the Jurassic Ligurian‐Tethys realm. Plain Language Summary: Understanding the time evolution of geological processes is fundamental to understand the surface evolution of our planet. Subduction (tectonic plate sinking into the interior of Earth) is one such process known to produce the Alboran and Algerian basins in the Western Mediterranean in‐between Africa and Spain. However, the time and space evolution of this process is not well understood in this area. Here, we integrate a wide range of observations (e.g., elevation, gravity, seismic tomography) to produce 400 km deep images of density and temperature along these basins and onshore margins of Africa and Spain. These images show two cold and dense part of the subducted plates sitting beneath north Algeria and southern Spain. These images suggest that the Alboran and Algerian Basins are produced by two separate subducting plates which were moving opposite to each other during last 35 million years. At present these plates are not attached to the outer solid layer of Earth (lithosphere) and are floating in the interior of Earth. When these plates broke‐off from the lithosphere, Earth's surface uplifted by a few hundred meters. In southern Spain, this uplift could have disconnected the Mediterranean Sea from the Atlantic Ocean making it much saltier. Key Points: Oppositely symmetric lithosphere structure is observed in Alboran & Algerian basins, and their margins with subduction related HP/LT rocks Subducted Ligurian‐Tethys slabs beneath the Betics & Kabylies are ∼400 °C colder and at least ∼30 kg/m 3 denser than upper mantle Eastern Betics & Greater Kabylies show mantle delamination triggered by slab retreat in Mid‐Late Miocene, and uplift from slab tear/break‐off