A solution to the Albian fit challenge between the South American and African plates based on key magmatic and sedimentary events late in the rifting phase in the Pernambuco and Paraíba basins

An Integrated Structural and Magnetic Fabric Study to Constrain the Progressive Extensional Tectonics of the Rio do Peixe Basin, Brazil

“…Considering the actual geographic position of the South American continent, the N‐S extension during the pre‐breakup of Pangea was documented by several studies focused on plate reconstruction (Eagles & König, 2008; Heine et al., 2013; Moulin et al., 2010; Torsvik et al., 2009). This stretching direction was likely caused by the clockwise rotation of the South American continent concerning Africa during the Cretaceous (Françolin et al., 1994; Matos, 1992; Matos et al., 2021), with the regional pole of rotation located at the junction of the Transbrasiliano and the Trans‐Saharan lineaments (Matos et al., 2021). Thus, when the RPB started developing (145 Ma) (Nóbrega et al., 2004), the Patos and Portalegre shear zones were oriented NE and N‐S, respectively (Figure 12).…”

“…(2021) subdivided the South Atlantic Cretaceous Rift System into six distinct structural segments, including the Rio do Peixe Basin in the Cariri Rift Valley, affected by the NNW‐SSE extension of the orthogonal branch. This zone was affected by dextral oblique‐slip kinematics that lasted until the Barremian (Nóbrega et al., 2004; Matos et al., 2021) accommodated along the Transbrasiliano shear zone (Almeida et al., 2000) (Figure 12a). The NNW‐SSE extension in the Rio do Peixe Basin area would be the result of the right‐lateral strike‐slip motion of the NNE‐trending continental ductile shear zones.…”

“…The ENE‐oriented extension started the breakup in the south of the South American continent, with stretching intensity gradually migrating northwards. In the Borborema Province, the rotation of the stress field generated a right‐lateral transtension along the Transbrasiliano‐Trans‐Saharan shear zones with the pole of rotation at their intersection (Matos et al., 2021). It resulted in the NNW‐oriented distension in Transbrasiliano Shear Zone branches such as the NE‐trending Patos Shear Zone (E‐W‐striking today and NE‐striking on the Cretaceous north position in the South American continent, considering the ±50° clockwise rotation after continent spreading), and the opening of the Rio do Peixe Basin (b).…”

“…Thus, when the RPB started developing (145 Ma) (Nóbrega et al, 2004), the Patos and Portalegre shear zones were oriented NE and N-S, respectively (Figure 12). Matos et al, 2021) accommodated along the Transbrasiliano shear zone (Almeida et al, 2000) (Figure 12a). The NNW-SSE extension in the Rio do Peixe Basin area would be the result of the right-lateral strike-slip motion of the NNE-trending continental ductile shear zones.…”

“…The exact age when the E-W-oriented extension became stronger than the NNW extension at Rio do Peixe Basin is unclear, as geochronological data is scarce in the Rio do Peixe basin. However, Matos et al (2021) used the Mesozoic Equatorial Atlantic Magmatic Province (EQUAMP) (Hollanda et al, 2019), which they called Borborema Giant Dyke, to control the rifting age in the whole Borborema Province. In the RPB area, this event Moulin et al, 2010).…”