The role of inherited weaknesses in metamorphic basements with respect to the geometry and tectonic evolution of subsequent orogens formation forms a cornerstone of structural reconstructions, especially in non-inverted orogens with old Variscan basements. In this study, we analyse the geometry, kinematics, and tectonic evolution of the complex western termination of the Alpine Pyrenean–Cantabrian orogen using an integrated approach based on analogue modelling, constrained by structural mapping and geochronology, to provide new insights into the role of pre-existing structures and the shift in the orientation of the stress field. Our results demonstrate that pre-existing structures are necessary to explain the complex western termination, which does not follow the same tectonic architecture as the rest of the orogen. The reason for this is the different orientation of the pre-existing Variscan structures in this area, which do not follow the general E–W trend. These western structures (including NNE–SSW and NW–SE strike-slip fault systems and a greater number of E–W thrusts) accommodate the shortening, but have a less favourable orientation. The reactivation of the NNE–SSW strike-slip faults and the southern E–W thrusts in the recent stages indicates a late intraplate tectonic regime, mainly following the shift of the Shmax (from N–S to NNW–SSE) which occurred when the convergence between the Iberian, Eurasian, and African plates changed.

相对于随后造山带形成的几何学和构造演化，在变质基底中继承的弱点的作用形成了结构重建的基石，尤其是在具有旧瓦里斯坎基底的非倒置造山带中。在这项研究中，我们使用基于模拟建模的综合方法，在结构映射和年代学的约束下，分析了阿尔卑斯山比利牛斯山脉-坎塔布连山造山带复杂西端的几何学，运动学和构造演化，以提供新的见解。既有的结构以及应力场方向的变化。我们的结果表明，预先存在的结构对于解释复杂的西部终端是必要的，该终端不遵循与造山带其余部分相同的构造构造。原因是该区域中先前存在的Variscan结构的方向不同，不遵循总体E-W趋势。这些西部构造（包括NNE–SSW和NW–SE走滑断裂系统以及更多的E–W推力）可以缩短，但方向却不太理想。NNE-SSW走滑断层和南部E-W逆冲在最近阶段的复活表明板内构造晚期，主要是由于Shmax（从N-S到NNW-SSE）的转变，这发生在伊比利亚，欧亚和非洲板块之间的融合发生了变化。这些西部构造（包括NNE–SSW和NW–SE走滑断裂系统以及更多的E–W推力）可以缩短，但方向却不太理想。NNE-SSW走滑断层和南部E-W逆冲在最近阶段的复活表明板内构造晚期，主要是由于Shmax（从N-S到NNW-SSE）的转变，这发生在伊比利亚，欧亚和非洲板块之间的融合发生了变化。这些西部结构（包括NNE–SSW和NW–SE走滑断裂系统以及更多的E–W推力）可以缩短，但方向却不太理想。NNE-SSW走滑断层和南部E-W逆冲在最近阶段的复活表明板内构造晚期，主要是由于Shmax（从N-S到NNW-SSE）的转变，这发生在伊比利亚，欧亚和非洲板块之间的融合发生了变化。