A recent study reveals that Spain and Portugal are undergoing a gradual clockwise rotation and shifting northward. Geologists previously viewed the Iberian Peninsula as stationary, but new findings show movement towards the Eurasian tectonic plate. Although the shift of about four to six millimeters per year is not immediately impactful, it has reshaped geologists’ understanding of European tectonics.
Scientists predict the eventual closure of the plates on either side of the Gibraltar Strait, reconnecting Africa and Europe. Researcher Asier Madarieta notes a yearly convergence of 4-6 mm between the Eurasian and African plates, highlighting the distinct boundary clarity around the Atlantic Ocean compared to the blurred boundary in southern Iberian Peninsula.
The study confirms the clockwise rotation of the Iberian Peninsula, with the Gibraltar Arc playing a significant role in the Eurasia-Africa boundary. Unequal forces interaction triggered by the Alboran Domain between the African and Eurasian plates has caused subtle shifts in southern Spain and Portugal.
The research emphasizes the importance of the Gibraltar Arc area, home to the Betic Cordillera mountain range and Moroccan Rif, in dispersing stresses across smaller formations. Permanent GPS stations installed across the Iberian Peninsula have enabled precise monitoring of ground movements, aiding in understanding tectonic evolution.
While Spain and Portugal are not known for frequent earthquakes, historical events like the 1755 Great Lisbon Earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7 have left lasting impacts. Researchers believe that their new model sheds light on why earthquakes can occur in regions without visible surface faults.
