Uplift history of a Betic fold nappe inferred from Neogene- Quaternary sedimentation and tectonics (in the Sierra Alhamilla and Almeria, Sorbas and Tabernas basins of the Betic Cordilleras, SE Spain.

Structural, stratigraphical and sedimentological studies of the Alhamilla region show that the Sierra Alhamilla was elevated relative to the surrounding basins by open folding towards the end of the Tortonian period (about 7 Ma ago) and before the onset of Messinian sedimentation. Neogene uplift of the Alhamilla region is interpreted here to be due to isostatic recovery after the emplacement of the Alboran Diapir between 20 and 25 Ma ago. Estimates of the average uplift rates vary between 0.7 to 0.5 mm a^-1 for the Miocene and 0.15 to 0.1 mm a^-1 for the Pliocene and Quaternary. Pliocene and Quaternary uplift rates are almost identical to the sedimentation rates of 0.23 to 0.2 mm a^-1 estimated previously for the Alboran Basin. -from Authors