The boundary between the Ossa-Morena and Southportuguese Zones (Southern Iberian Massif): Major suture in the European Hercynian Chain

Abstract

The Ossa-Morena Zone (OMZ) and the Southportuguese Zone (SPZ) represent the southernmost domains of the Iberian Massif (European Hercynian Belt). Lithostratigraphic, petrographic and structural differences exist between both zones. The boundary between the OMZ and the SPZ is marked by a narrow belt of amphibolites of tholeiitic oceanic affinity (Bard MMunha et al., 1986), and associated serpentinites, flaser gabbros, pillowed metabasalts (Castro et al., 1987) which are highly sheared along their southern border. These Beja-Acebuches ophiolites (op. cit.) are exposed for over 200 km. In the southernmost part of the OMZ and the northernmost area of the SPZ, several zones have been distinguished on the basis of structural and lithological criteria. The southernmost area of the OMZ which bounds the Acebuches amphibolites, is composed of high grade metamorphic rocks and an another important shear zone mark the OMZ northern boundary. The boundary between the OMZ and the SPZ is considered to be a suture zone between two continental areas represented by the northern OMZ and the southern SPZ. Sinistral transpression associated with large scale recumbent folds are characteristic of the suture, which can be tentatively correlated through the Ibero-Armorican arc with the Lizard complex (SW England).