New palaeomagnetic data from the Iberian Peninsula

Abstract

The results of a palaeomagnetic investigation of Mesozoic sediments from the Betic Cordillera, the Iberic Chain and Cantabria in general confirm earlier conclusions about the rotation of the Iberian peninsula. The start of the rotational movement could be specified as post-Barremian/Aptian. Palaeomagnetic results from the Bilbao synclinorium show that the Iberia-Europe plate boundary has to be situated south of the synclinorium. Along the coast of Cantabria near Gijon Mesozoic European-like poles have been found probably indicating a complicated fault system along which the rotational movement of the Iberian peninsula was achieved. A model for the development of the Iberia-Europe plate boundary in its final stage is presented. A magneto-stratigraphic correlation of a Santonian-Campanian section from the Betic Cordillera with the Italian 'Gubbio'section is discussed.