Evidence for an active sinistral shear zone in the western Alboran region

• Published in: Terra nova (Oxford, England) Vol. 13; no. 1; pp. 44 - 50
• Main Authors: Andeweg, B., Cloetingh, S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford UK Blackwell Science Ltd 01.02.2001
• ISSN: 0954-4879; 1365-3121
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-3121.2001.00314.x

A compilation of gravity, seismicity, neotectonics, geology, tomography and topography data from the Alboran region reveals distinctive differences between the eastern and western part of the Alboran region and Betic Cordillera. Calculated profiles of integrated crustal strength reveal that lateral differences in mechanical behaviour are caused by marked inherited differences in crustal make‐up. The two domains with different tectonic behaviour are separated by a N025°‐trending lineament in the western Alboran and central Betic Cordillera. This lineament can be interpreted as an upper mantle – lower crustal sinistral shear zone accommodating a large part of the convergence between Africa and Iberia.