Iberian Peninsula rotating clockwise due to tectonic plate movement

A scientific study led by researchers from the University of the Basque Country has confirmed that the Iberian Peninsula is slowly rotating in a clockwise direction. This movement is driven by the ongoing interaction between the African and Eurasian tectonic plates, which converge at a rate of approximately four to six millimeters per year.

Published in the journal Gondwana Research, the study utilized a combination of satellite-based GNSS measurements and historical earthquake data to map how the Earth's crust deforms in the western Mediterranean. The research highlights that while the plate boundary is clearly defined in the Atlantic, it becomes significantly more complex south of the peninsula.

A key factor in this rotation is the Gibraltar Arc, a geological structure connecting the Betic ranges in southern Spain with the Rif mountains in Morocco. This complex structure influences how tectonic forces are distributed, providing critical insights into the region's seismic activity and long-term crustal deformation.