Formation of Hercynian subplates, possible causes and consequences

Abstract

WITH the exception of the microplate models of Badham and Halls¹ and Riding² models of Hercynian plate tectonics^3–7 have assumed the existence of only one plate, that is, South Europe, between Africa and the Tethys in the south and North America–Europe and the Mid-European Ocean in the north. The South European plate has generally been considered as a stable unit. Studies of the Alpine system⁸, however, suggest that such an assumption may not be valid. I assume here that during the Carboniferous, South Europe was originally an elongated plate with nearly straight margins and internal structures. Collision with the irregular continental margins of the bounding plates North America–Europe and Africa induced subdivision of South Europe into semi-independent subunits, that is, into sub-plates, and formation of major arc-like structures and wrench faults.