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The Gondwana–Laurussia convergence process: evidence from the Middle Mississippian (Viséan) palynostratigraphic record

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 September 2010

FELIPE GONZÁLEZ ,
CARMEN MORENO  and
GEOFFREY PLAYFORD
FELIPE GONZÁLEZ*
Affiliation:
Departamento de Geología, Campus de ‘El Carmen’, Universidad de Huelva, Spain 21071
CARMEN MORENO
Affiliation:
Departamento de Geología, Campus de ‘El Carmen’, Universidad de Huelva, Spain 21071
GEOFFREY PLAYFORD
Affiliation:
School of Earth Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia 4072
*
†Author for correspondence: fbarrio@uhu.es
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Abstract

The Gondwana–Laurussia convergence process can be explored by studying the Middle Mississippian (Viséan) palynoflora of northwest Africa. Statistical analysis of the Viséan miospore assemblages reported from Morocco defines two populations, one with clear Laurussian affinity from the northern margin of the Western Meseta, and the other, more Gondwanan in composition, from the southern part of the Western Meseta and Anti-Atlas. Moreover, no transitional assemblages have been described from the region. These palynofloral variations are a consequence of the complex palaeogeography of the northwest African margin, which was controlled by the Variscan Orogeny during Viséan times. Taking into consideration the palynofloral affinity of the miospore assemblages reported throughout the entire North African margin and the Middle East, it is possible to envisage a Late Carboniferous Pangaea amalgamation process initially evolving from the west, while in the east the ocean separating Gondwana and Laurussia persisted as an effective barrier to floral migration.

Keywords

Viséan palaeogeographypalynomorphsMoroccoGondwanaLaurussia
Type
Original Article
Information
Geological Magazine , Volume 148 , Issue 2 , March 2011 , pp. 317 - 328
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2010

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