The geology of Iberia: A geodynamic approach. Volume 2: The variscan cycle / Геология Иберии (Испании): геодинамический подход. Том 2: Варисциды (герциниды)

The geology of the Iberian Peninsula and its continental shelves is complex and varied despite its relatively small size. With some 590,000 km2 inland (Iberian Peninsula, the Balearic and other small Atlantic and Mediterranean islands) and some additional 200,000 km2 making up the continental shelves, the record exposed spans for nearly the last 600 Ma of Earth’s history. The geological record is not only long but also deep: from surficial to upper mantle, segments are exposed both inland and under the sea. At the surface, three main divisions are evident after a quick glance at any large-scale geological map: (1) several, rather large Cenozoic to Quaternary basins; which overlie, (2) a vast area in the western part of the Iberian Peninsula where Paleozoic and Precambrian rocks crop out (Iberian Massif, making the southwestern end of the European Variscan orogen); and (3) the eastern half of the peninsula and the Balearic islands (westernmost extent of the Alpine–Carpathian–Himalayan orogenic system) where mostly Mesozoic rocks are exposed although some Precambrian and Paleozoic basement inliers also exist. <...>