Implication of the geology of the Guadaiza and Verde valleys (Malaga Province, Betic Cordillera) on the position of the Ronda peridotites and the structure of the Alpujárride Complex

Abstract

In the valleys of Guadiaza and Verde (the latter in its area of Hoyo del Bote), the tectonic window of the Guadaiza unit has been previously defined based on the interpretation that a formation existing there was a dynamothermal aureole formed under thrusting Ronda peridotites, this being interpreted as having occurred during the early Miocene. Nevertheless, the analysis of the geometrical relationship between this formation and the peridotites indicates that the cited formation is not situated under the peridotites, but above them and, moreover, the rocks of this supposed aureole present a lithological transition to others of Permian age, which are also situated over the peridotites. As a result, the supposed tectonic window does not exist and the number of tectonic units existing in the western part of the Alpujarride Complex diminishes. It is also clear that the peridotites of this region reached the surface during the Paleozoic.

Lateral variations of pressure-temperature evolution in non-cylindrical orogens and 3-D subduction dynamics: the Betic-Rif Cordillera example

“…Several points shown by the white arrows on Figure 11 however suggest that the situation is more complex and that the contact around Guadaiza unit has to be severely folded. The situation of this contact is thus not as simple as a slab of peridotite on top of crustal units and the proposition of Sanz de Galdeano et al (Sanz de Galdeano and Andreo, 1995;Sanz de Galdeano, 2017) stating that the basement units are systematically resting above the peridotite should be further explored. At least, the position as a klippe of the Robledal gneiss makes no doubt on this image and it is thus in a position similar to Jubrique Unit, resting on top of the peridotite.…”

“…The Miocene basins were subjected to tectonic inversion and the metamorphic domes amplified, now forming the highest reliefs of the Betic Cordillera (Weijermars et al, 1985;Vissers et al, 1995;Augier et al, 2013). The previously formed basins were then folded and cut by large-scale transcurrent faults that cross the entire Alboran Sea and reverse faults (de Larouzière et al, 1988;Booth-Rea et al, 2004;Martínez-García et al, 2013, 2017Do Couto et al, 2014;Estrada et al, 2017;Janowski et al, 2017;d'Acremont et al, 2020;Lafosse et al, 2020). This compressional regime combined with the eustatic fluctuations are responsible for the closure of the narrow corridor between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, triggering the Messinian salinity crisis (Cita, 1973;Hsü et al, 1973Hsü et al, , 1978Gautier et al, 1994;Clauzon Fig.…”

“…Other basement units are instead without doubt lying on top of the peridotite near the contact with the Nieves Unit, similarly to Jubrique Unit. The Robledal klippe is one example (Bessière, 2019) and Sanz de Galdeano et al (Sanz de Galdeano and Andreo, 1995;Sanz de Galdeano, 2017) propose a completely different geometry of the region with the basement units lying systematically on top of the peridotite (Fig. 11).…”

Exhumation of the Ronda Peridotite During Hyper‐Extension: New Structural and Thermal Constraints From the Nieves Unit (Western Betic Cordillera, Spain)

“…The Alpujárride-Sebtide Complex is the largest complex outcropping in the Internal Zones of the Betic-Rif belt that mostly forms the basement of the Alboran domain (e.g., Platt et al, 1998) including the mantle peridotite bodies of Ronda, Alpujata and Carratraca in the Betics and Beni Bousera in the Rif (Balanyá et al, 1997;Cuevas et al, 1990;Esteban et al, 2004;Frasca et al, 2016;Garrido et al, 2011;Gueydan et al, 2015;Lenoir, 2001;Marchesi et al, 2012;Mazzoli & Martín-Algarra, 2011;Platt & Vissers, 1989;Sanz de Galdeano, 2017;Tubía et al, 1997Tubía et al, , 2004Tubía et al, , 2013. The division of this complex is based on stratigraphic, metamorphic and structural criteria (Aldaya et al, 1979(Aldaya et al, , 1991Azañón et al, 1998;Tubía et al, 1992).…”

Estructura del Complejo Alpujárride y observaciones hidrogeológicas al NO de Sierra Tejeda (provincias de Granada y Málaga, Zona Interna Bética)

“…In this sense, studies in related sciences such as hydrogeology may reach conclusions or interpretations that are not compatible with some of the preexisting geological premises in the study area. Also, an accurate control of the stratigraphic sequences is necessary to avoid, how it can be observed, the multiplication of tectonic units, something now signaled in several sectors of the Betic Cordillera (Martín-Martín et al, 2006;Sanz de Galdeano & López Garrido, 2003;Sanz de Galdeano, 2017).…”