Scientists have revealed new findings about Two European Countries that appear stable on the surface. Spain and Portugal are slowly rotating due to deep geological forces. The movement is extremely slow and cannot be felt by people.
Geologists explained that the Iberian Peninsula sits between major tectonic plates. These include the African and Eurasian plates. The plates move toward each other by four to six millimetres each year. This movement creates pressure beneath the Earth’s surface.
Unlike regions with clear fault lines, southern Iberia behaves differently. Stress is not released along one visible fault. Instead, pressure spreads across a wide area. This area includes Two European Countries, Spain and Portugal.
A recent study published in Gondwana Research examined this unusual pattern. Researchers found the plate boundary in the western Mediterranean is diffuse. It is not sharply defined. This allows stress to build across a broader region.
Because of this pressure, the Iberian block is not moving straight north. It is rotating slowly in a clockwise direction. Scientists say this rotation happens in response to forces from both surrounding plates.
A key role is played by the Alboran domain. This region lies between southern Spain and northern Morocco. It is being pushed westward while facing pressure from the south. This sideways movement helps drive the slow rotation.
These forces also shaped major geological features. They helped form the Gibraltar Arc. This arc connects Spain’s Betic mountain ranges with Morocco’s Rif mountains. It also explains the complex geology of the Strait of Gibraltar.
Pressure varies across the region. In some places, Africa pushes directly into Eurasia. This compresses the Earth’s crust. In other areas, energy moves sideways instead of forward. Southwest of the Strait of Gibraltar, Africa applies stronger direct pressure.
Scientists compare this force to a piston. It pushes the crust and supports rotation. Using satellite GPS data, researchers measured tiny movements. Seismic records also confirmed shifts of only millimetres per year.
This slow motion helps explain regional earthquakes. Tremors often occur away from obvious fault lines. The research does not allow earthquake prediction. However, it improves understanding of how stress builds underground.
Experts say these findings change how geologists view the area. Two European Countries once thought stable are part of a dynamic system. The study highlights how slow movements can shape landscapes over time.
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Researchers stress there is no immediate danger. The rotation happens over millions of years. Still, the discovery offers new insight into Earth’s hidden processes.
