Title: Some Problems regarding the Paleozoic Paleogeography in Mediterranean Western Europe
Abstract:The present paper suggests that if the paleomagnetically-derived maps of Scotese et al. (1979) are right, the implication is that in the Mediterranean region Hercynian folded chains may be the result ...The present paper suggests that if the paleomagnetically-derived maps of Scotese et al. (1979) are right, the implication is that in the Mediterranean region Hercynian folded chains may be the result of a continental collision between Africa and north Europe. South Europe is considered as a part of the Gondwanaland. Nevertheless, the affinities of the Devonian faunas suggest that the Carnian block must be considered a fragment of the northern continents (Laurussia). Consequently, in the Devonian paleogeographic picture, the Italian peninsula should have been separated from the Iberian-Provence region and placed eastwards along the northern margin of Gondwana, so as to join the Carnian block during the Hercynian orogeny and thus form the Apulian microplate. The collision model adopted excludes an early (Devonian-Carboniferous) opening of the Tethys between southern Europe and Gondwana, that being in conflict with the evidence for large-scale Hercynian deformations in Mediterranean western Europe. As regards to the Upper Paleozoic and the Permo-Triassic evolution, Irving's (1977, 1979) and Westphal's (1977) models are assumed to be more useful.Read More
Publication Year: 1981
Publication Date: 1981-11-01
Language: en
Type: article
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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Cited By Count: 24
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