dynamics and the sedimentary infilling of basins. The geological and oceanographic
framework of this region therefore reflects the dynamics of the Africa-Eurasia plate
boundary, the role of the Iberian microplate, and the development of diverse
kinematic styles throughout its evolution (Srivastava et al. 1990a; Vergés and
Fernàndez 2012).
5.2 Plate Tectonic Settings: Evolution
of the African-Eurasian Plate Boundary
To gain a full view of the geodynamic evolution of this region it is necessary to
envisage the stages prior to the formation of the basin and understand the influence
of African-Eurasian plate interaction. The evolution of these plates during the
Mesozoic and Cenozoic—their kinematics and boundary relations—conditioned
the formation and evolution of the ocean basins, first the Atlantic and Tethys oceanic
basins, and later the Western Mediterranean basin.
The regional background to establish the post-Triassic evolution of the African
and Eurasian plates was derived from kinematic reconstructions, adjusting oceanic
fracture zones, bathymetric data, and conjugate magnetic alignments (Le Pichon
et al. 1977; Srivastava et al. 1990a, b; Roest and Srivastava 1991; Olivet 1996;
Schettino and Turco 2009, 2011; Macchiavelli et al. 2017). The geodynamic evolution of the African and Eurasian plates began with the rupture of the supercontinent
Pangea at the Permian-Triassic boundary and through middle Jurassic times. Plate
Fig. 5.1 (a) Present plate tectonic setting of Africa-Eurasia interaction (taken from Vegas et al.
2008). (b) Geodynamic framework between the Western Mediterranean Basin and Gloria Fault in
the Atlantic Domain. FTG: Gloria Transfer Fault; MAR: Mid-Atlantic Ridge; RT: Terceira RidgeTransform plate boundary. BC: Betic Cordillera; RC: Rif Cordillera; 1: Al-Idrissi Seismic Zone; 2:
Algerian Margin Subduction Zone; 3: Alboran Ridge Indenter; 4: Ampere Seamount; 5:
Allochthonous Unit of the Gulf of Cadiz; 6: Coral Patch Seamount; 7: Eastern Betic Seismic
Zone; 8: Gibraltar Arc; 9: Gorringe Bank; 10: Horseshoe Abyssal Plain; 11: Josephine Bank; 12:
South West Iberian Margin Fault Zone; 13: Western Alboran Intermediate Seismic Zone; 14:
Yusuf-Habibas Fault Zone; Yellow box: Alboran Basin location
5 A Geological History for the Alboran Sea Region
113
framework of this region therefore reflects the dynamics of the Africa-Eurasia plate
boundary, the role of the Iberian microplate, and the development of diverse
kinematic styles throughout its evolution (Srivastava et al. 1990a; Vergés and
Fernàndez 2012).
5.2 Plate Tectonic Settings: Evolution
of the African-Eurasian Plate Boundary
To gain a full view of the geodynamic evolution of this region it is necessary to
envisage the stages prior to the formation of the basin and understand the influence
of African-Eurasian plate interaction. The evolution of these plates during the
Mesozoic and Cenozoic—their kinematics and boundary relations—conditioned
the formation and evolution of the ocean basins, first the Atlantic and Tethys oceanic
basins, and later the Western Mediterranean basin.
The regional background to establish the post-Triassic evolution of the African
and Eurasian plates was derived from kinematic reconstructions, adjusting oceanic
fracture zones, bathymetric data, and conjugate magnetic alignments (Le Pichon
et al. 1977; Srivastava et al. 1990a, b; Roest and Srivastava 1991; Olivet 1996;
Schettino and Turco 2009, 2011; Macchiavelli et al. 2017). The geodynamic evolution of the African and Eurasian plates began with the rupture of the supercontinent
Pangea at the Permian-Triassic boundary and through middle Jurassic times. Plate
Fig. 5.1 (a) Present plate tectonic setting of Africa-Eurasia interaction (taken from Vegas et al.
2008). (b) Geodynamic framework between the Western Mediterranean Basin and Gloria Fault in
the Atlantic Domain. FTG: Gloria Transfer Fault; MAR: Mid-Atlantic Ridge; RT: Terceira RidgeTransform plate boundary. BC: Betic Cordillera; RC: Rif Cordillera; 1: Al-Idrissi Seismic Zone; 2:
Algerian Margin Subduction Zone; 3: Alboran Ridge Indenter; 4: Ampere Seamount; 5:
Allochthonous Unit of the Gulf of Cadiz; 6: Coral Patch Seamount; 7: Eastern Betic Seismic
Zone; 8: Gibraltar Arc; 9: Gorringe Bank; 10: Horseshoe Abyssal Plain; 11: Josephine Bank; 12:
South West Iberian Margin Fault Zone; 13: Western Alboran Intermediate Seismic Zone; 14:
Yusuf-Habibas Fault Zone; Yellow box: Alboran Basin location
5 A Geological History for the Alboran Sea Region
113