VI- Conclusions

As a working hypothesis, a COB can be proposed as illustrated below. A lengthening of the lithosphere and its breakup, under a significant water depth, therefore without SDRs, is assumed northward of the major fracture zone. This fracture zone marks the south limit of a speculative subduction zone. Southward of this major fracture zone, the rifting and breakup took place in a non-marine environment, eventually with formation of the SDRs that partially disappear in an hypothetical B-subduction zone. In Alienate basin, due to the amplitude of the compression the B-subduction zone is considered as possible.

The advanced conjectures, particularly, on offshore Portugal must, or can be tested, i.e. criticized by (i) new regional seismic data, (ii) tomographic studies, (iii) gravimetry studies (is there a positive gravity anomaly associated with the flexural bending?), (iv) evaporites composition (was the brine hydrothermally enriched?), (v) earthquake focal-mechanism, and so on.

Please, send me your critics, since only with your criticism new hypotheses can be advanced. Thank you very much.

Send E-mail to carloscramez@gmail.com or to carlos.cramez@bluewin.ch with questions or comments about this conference.
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Last modification: August, 2014