The Iberian Massif

Abstract

The most outstanding feature of the Iberian Peninsula is the vast remnant of the Hercynian continent, variously called the Hesperic massif by Hernández-Pacheco (1932a), the Iberian massif by Lautensach and Mayer (1961) or the Meseta block by Solé-Sabarís (1952): This last term is not to be confused with the physiographic term used for the Castilian plateau. This core of the Peninsula approximately covers its western half and contains two distinct elements. In the west, there is a series of massifs built mostly of Palaeozoic materials, which have suffered repeated folding, granitization and metamorphism, with Hercynian folds that have a general north-west-southeast alignment but have been greatly worn down by subsequent erosion. In the east, there are two wide basins with a Tertiary sedimentary cover consisting of sands, clays, gypsum beds and limestones in a horizontal or subhorizontal position. The Alpine orogeny was responsible for intense faulting and tilting of the whole peneplained block, giving rise to the two great eastern depressions and to the several uplifted mountainous blocks.