Structural pattern and ascent model in the Central Extremadura batholith,Hercynian belt,Spain

The Central Extremadura batholith constitutes an important alignment of plutonic rocks occupying part of the internal zones of the Iberian Hercynian belt. It comprises 13 plutons and numerous minor intrusions, and covers a wide compositional range from quartz-diorites to alkali-feldspar granites. Structural study of the individual plutons reveals that their internal structural patterns may be correlated. Correlation between the different structural patterns in the plutons and interpretation of the superimposed deformation in the metasedimentary host rocks indicate that the plutons were emplaced and deformed in an E-W, dextral, intracontinental shear zone developed during the second deformation phase (302–320 Ma). A qualitative ascent model has been established as follows: (1) development of extensional fractures at 45° to the E-W, dextral, shear zone; (2) intrusion of granitic magmas along these fractures and (3) rotation of the earlier intrusions, in a dextral sense, inducing antithetic shear zones (N-S sinistral) and a transverse shortening, perpendicular to the major axis of the earlier, deformed plutons as well as the forced emplacement of the later plutons.