Active Landscapes of Iberia

  1. Galve, Jorge Pedro
  2. Pérez Peña, J. V.
  3. Azañón, José Miguel
  4. Insua Pereira, Diamantino M.
  5. Cunha, Pedro P.
  6. Pereira, Paulo
  7. Ortuño, María
  8. Viaplana-Muzas, M.
  9. Gracia Prieto, Francisco Javier
  10. Remondo, Juan
  11. Jabaloy, Antonio
  12. Bardají, Teresa
  13. Silva Barroso, Pablo Gabriel
  14. Lario, Javier
  15. Zazo, Caridad
  16. Goy, José Luis
  17. Dabrio, Cristino J.
  18. Cabero, Ana
Book:
The Geology of Iberia: A Geodynamic Approach Volume 5: Active Processes: Seismicity, Active Faulting and Relief

Publisher: Springer

ISBN: 978-3-030-10931-8

Year of publication: 2020

Pages: 77-124

Type: Book chapter

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-10931-8_5 WoS: WOS:000487852700006 GOOGLE SCHOLAR lock_openDigital CSIC editor

Sustainable development goals

Abstract

The recent geodynamic evolution of Iberia is recorded in its topography. Geomorphic markers and their dating; morphometric indices estimated through cutting-edge DEM analysis techniques; and the link of all this data with results of geophysical studies allow discussing why Iberia displays the highest average elevation in Europe and shows a particular topography with such diversity of landscapes. For example, the region of the Iberian (or Hesperian) Massif, the western sector of Iberia, shows an anomalous average elevation without a satisfactory explanation. On the other hand, different explanations about the recent evolution of the Alpine mountain ranges of the eastern sector of Iberia have come to light after macroscale landscape analyses. This is strengthening the debate on the driving force behind the actual topography of the Pyrenees, Cantabrian Mountains, Iberian Chain and Betics.