Testing Iberian kinematics at Jurassic-Cretaceous times

Paleogeographic reconstructions of Iberia at the Mesozoic are still a matter of debate. The incompatibility between kinematic models and paleomagnetic data older than 120Ma is a major problem for which no cause has yet been determined. Here we use a new method to investigate the origin of this misfit. We solve the inverse problem of finding the Euler poles that fit paleomagnetic poles with the Global Apparent Polar Wander Path (GAPWP) and then test their implications on Iberian reconstructions. We show that Iberian poles from the Early Cretaceous (mean poles for 123 and 130Ma) are incompatible with the GAPWP, bringing into question their validity. Contrarily, Late Jurassic data (mean pole at 151Ma) are compatible with the GAPWP and, thus, can be considered reliable. Based on these results, we propose a new magnetic reconstruction of Iberia and surrounding plates at similar to 150Ma (M22 anomaly). This work provides new constraints for the kinematic evolution of Iberia during Jurassic-Cretaceous. However, the development of a detailed and consensual model for the kinematic evolution of Iberia is dependent on the acquisition of new, high-quality paleomagnetic data and a reevaluation of seafloor magnetic anomalies.