Differences in tectonic evolution of superposed malaguide and Alpujarride tectonic units in the Espuña area (Betic Cordilleras, Spain)

Abstract

A description is given of the tectonic evolution of rock sequences of the Malaguide and Alpujarride complexes in the Espuña area. Two phases of folding and thrusting, the first accompanied by metamorphism, affected the Alpujarride sequences. Subsequently Malaguide rocks were folded and thrust over the Alpujarride rocks and Malaguide tectonic units were formed. Afterwards folding and thrusting to the south affected the pile of units. Subsequent Tortonian and younger faulting took place alongh E-W and N-S trending, subvertical faults. In the Espuña area there exists, besides marked differences in stratigraphy and degree of metamorphism, a clear distinction between the tectonic evolution of the Malaguide and Alpujarride sequences. Therefore it is concluded that intermediate tectonic units do not exist in the Espuña area where they were originally defined. As a consequence of these data, arguments in support of a close palaeogeographic relation between the Malaguide and Alpujarride complexes cannot be founded on the existence of intermediate units.