Tertiary of Central System basins

Abstract

The rise of the Central System due to reactivation of late Hercynian fault systems during the Alpine Orogeny directly affected the strcture and stratigraphic framework of the basins nearby that were being filled al the same time. The sedimentary record is the essential key to understanding the tectonic and palaeo-morphological history, of the Central Range, and vice-versa. Relating the filling of the basins with the definition of the mountain range, pre-arkosic, arkosic and post-arkosic stages have been proposed. However, it is difficult to support the previous idea that the arkosic stage continued throughout the Late Tertiary to finish in Middle Pliocene.: times withe the deposition of the Paramos(limestone). The arkoscs of the Central System arc of Eocene-Oligocce age and the highest alluvial fan deposits may be of Aragonian age. There is only a poor record of the remaining Tertiary and Quaternary sediments. boeause of active river incision during this lime in the hasins, the ranges and elsewhere in the Spanish Meseta.