Submarine volcanic and associated sedimentary rocks of the Fuerteventura Basal Complex, Canary Islands

Abstract

Summary: On Fuerteventura, inner Canary Islands, a phase of early Cretaceous deposition on a passive continental margin was terminated in Albian time by strong localized uplift associated with onset of calcareous pelagic sedimentation. Later, during early Tertiary times, spasmodic episodes of submarine alkali volcanism led to the construction of a thick lava pile. After folding of the lower submarine volcanic rocks, and the underlying pre-volcanic sedimentary rocks, parts of the Basal Complex were emergent by Oligocene to Miocene times, fringed by coral and algal reefs. With renewed early Miocene uplift, the reefs disintegrated, followed by block faulting, intrusion of plutons, and a final phase of submarine dyke intrusion. There was then strong uplift coupled with deep erosion, extrusion of sub-horizontal Neogene plateau lavas and further intrusion of plutons. Regional comparisons suggest that tectonic events on Fuerteventura may have a bearing on sedimentary hiatuses and gravity sliding events which affected the adjacent West African continental margin.