Rotational evolution of the western external Betics from palaeomagnetic studies

A paleomagnetic study in Upper Jurassic limestones from the Western Subbetics indicates that these rocks have undergone a widespread and pervasive remagnetization during the Neogene. The original primary Jurassic magnetization can also be recognized. These two paiaeodeclinations can be used to separate the rotational movements occurred between the Jurassic and the Neogene and since the Neogene to the present. It is concluded that: (!) The only rotational movement that has undergone this region between the Jurassic a n d the Neogene is d u e to the m ovem ent o f the Iberian plate. (2) S in c e the Neogene this area was affected by clockwise rotations (between 30 and 80°). (3) The Neogene remagnetization preserves the amount of rotations related to recent deformational events. (4) These results do question the age and the amount of rotations determined in previous, palaeomagnetic studie