Mountain Ranges and Relief of Spain
The Edges of the Meseta Central
The massive Galician-Leonese Massif, Cantabrian Mountains, Sierra Morena, and Iberian System form the edges of the Meseta Central (with protruding reliefs from folding). A massif is a relief or flat plateau formed during the Primary or Paleozoic era. Rocks are formed by very rigid materials; when there are Earth’s movements, they fracture into blocks rather than folding. In contrast, in reliefs of folding, younger materials tend to fold due to pressures caused by orogenic movements (mountain-building).
Galician-Leonese Massif
Covers Galicia, the west of Asturias, the Sierras, the Mountains of León, and the Mountains of Cabrera. The average altitude does not reach 500 meters, but some peaks exceed 2000m. This corresponds to a fragment of the oldest relief on the mainland, affected by movements of the Earth’s crust, resulting in a set of uplifted blocks and sunken areas where the river network flows. Over time, erosion has softened the slopes.
The Cantabrian Mountains
Form a linear chain with large drops on the Cantabrian slope and less pronounced ones on the inner slope. It is characterized by two distinct parts:
The Asturian Massif
Gives rise to a series of Paleozoic units with a variety of metals such as iron and mercury.
Cantabrian Mountain Range
Peaks lose altitude. Sedimentary materials dominate the relief; because of their size, hardness, and strong inclination, they form relief ridges and peaks. Some of the highest peaks in Europe are found here.
The Iberian System
Limits the Meseta and can be distinguished into two sectors:
The Northern Sector
A system composed of massifs over 2000m.
The Southern Sector
Crossed by rivers, mountains, and depressions. Two sets are distinguished: an interior one and an exterior one that isolates the Meseta from the coast.
Sierra Morena
Forms a step that separates the Meseta from the Guadalquivir depression. Viewed from the Meseta, it offers a low altitude (700 m), but viewed from the depression (which sinks about 100-200m), it appears as a 1200m high relief. The only passage which connects the southern sub-plateau through the Sierra Morena to Andalusia is Despeñaperros.
The Mountains Outside the Meseta
The mountains outside the Meseta were formed during the Alpine movement when the collision and fracturing of crustal plates compressed and folded sedimentary deposits accumulated in deep ocean trenches. These tectonic movements formed the Pyrenees, the Catalan Coastal Ranges, and the Betic Systems.
The Pyrenees
They form a line of about 440km, with a width of over 100 km. They form a parallel series of downward alignments like colossal steps. This range has two units: the High Pyrenees, where we find the highest peaks such as Pica d’Estats and Montsent de Pallars. Due to its altitude, precipitation is rare. Here, the last remnants of glaciers are maintained. The lower elevation foothills of the Pyrenees have milder forms, while the mountains over 2500m are interior and exterior with more modest elevations. Between the two, there is the Central Pyrenees depression.
The Catalan Coastal Ranges
Separated from the Pyrenees by a series of faults and volcanic terrains. They form two rows of mountains parallel to the coast, separated by a depression or rift: the Pre-Coastal Mountain Range has some considerable elevations such as Montseny, while the Coastal Mountain Range has a smaller development. These alignments affect the coastal climate of inland Catalonia.
The Betic Systems
Formed during the Alpine movement. The system is composed of the Subbetic System and the Penibetic System, separated by a discontinuous series of depressions, resulting in a landscape of Badlands due to the arid climate.
Penibetic System
Located near the coast, this mountain range includes the Sierra Nevada with peaks of Veleta and Mulhacén (3482m).
Subbetic System
Forms a large arc. Materials extend from the Strait of Gibraltar, where the range dips into the sea and resurfaces later to define part of the relief of the Balearic Islands.