RT journal article
T1 Pliocene-Quaternary deformational structures in the eastern Algarve continental shelf, Gulf of Cadiz
A1 Luján Martínez, María
A1 Lobo, Francisco José
A1 Mestdagh, Thomas
A1 Carrión Torrente, Alvaro
A1 Vázquez, Juan Tomás
A1 Van Rooij, David
A2 Ciencias de la Tierra
K1 Gulf of Cadiz
K1 Continental shelf
K1 Seismic stratigraphy
K1 Pliocene-Quaternary deformation
AB Evidences of tectonic deformation from the Pliocene to the Quaternary are evaluated on the northern Gulf Cadizcontinental margin along the eastern Algarve continental shelf between the Guadiana River and Faro city, in aregional compressive context close to the Eurasia-Africa plate boundary. We studied an extensive set of 2D highresolutionseismic reflection profiles framed within previously published seismic-stratigraphic models. Theseismic stratigraphic interpretation and regional correlation allow us to identify a major Middle Pleistocene(0.9–026 Ma) angular unconformity along the shelf, plus deformational structures affecting widespread depositionalhiatuses in the Pliocene-Quaternary sedimentary units of the study area. Several deformation featuresindicate neotectonic activity: ENE-WSW to NE-SW thrusts moving pre-Middle Pleistocene shelf deposits and N-Sto NW-SE folds and NNE-SSW to NNW-SSE high-angle normal faults affecting Middle to Upper Pleistocene shelfdeposits. These structures are interpreted under the light of two major deformation phases that took place in theAlgarve continental shelf. A first phase of Pre-Middle Pleistocene thrusting agrees with a dominant transpressiveregime along the southwestern Iberian margin since the Tortonian, which is also recorded in the deep-watercontouritic record of the southern Iberian margin, where compressional events caused intensification of theMediterranean Outflow Water. A Middle to Upper Pleistocene tectonic phase is characterized by less intensedeformation of the sedimentary cover involving individual structures (i.e., folds and faults), some of whichremained active at least up to the Last Glacial Maximum. This more recent tectonic deformation is compatiblewith slowly uplifting trend recognized in the Portuguese mainland, and coetaneous diapiric reactivation thatlocally deformed Late Quaternary sediments along the southwestern Iberian margin. The study lends additionalevidence of regional neotectonic activity producing Pliocene to Pleistocene deformation, and having ultimateimplications for seismic hazard assessment, in offshore settings close to coastal population centers along thesouthern Portuguese coast.
PB Elsevier
SN 0040-1951
YR 2025
FD 2025
LK http://hdl.handle.net/10498/39049
UL http://hdl.handle.net/10498/39049
LA eng
DS Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Cádiz
RD 07-nov-2026