Subbaetic System

The Subbaetic or Sub-Baetic System (Spanish: Sistema Subbético or Cordillera Subbética[1]) is one of the three systems of mountain ranges of the Baetic System in the southern Iberian Peninsula. Highest point 2,027 m (6,650 ft) high Peña de la Cruz in Sierra Arana. Its northern limit includes the valley of the Guadalquivir in its western part.

Subbaetic System
Sistema Subbético
Peña de la Cruz, the highest peak in the Sierra Arana
Highest point
PeakPeña de la Cruz
Elevation2,027 m (6,650 ft)
Dimensions
Length510 km (320 mi) ENE/WSW
Width60 km (37 mi) NNW/SSE
Geography
Subbaetic System is located in Spain
Subbaetic System
Location in Spain
LocationAndalusia / Murcia
CountrySpain
Range coordinates37°33′0″N 3°22′0″W
Parent rangeBaetic System
Geology
OrogenyAlpine orogeny
Age of rockCenozoic
Type of rockLimestone
Schematic representation of the Baetic System of mountain ranges
Sierra de Huétor, Alfacar, Granada Province

Description

The Subbaetic System runs to the north of the Cordillera Penibética from Cape Trafalgar in Cádiz Province across Andalusia reaching into the Region of Murcia.[2] The highest peaks reach heights between 1,500m and well over 2,000 m.

Towards the east of the Sierra Sur de Jaén, east of Martos, another subsystem begins, the Prebaetic System, an offshoot of the Subbaetic System stretching further northeastwards.[3] The materials that compose this eastern sector were formed in a relatively shallow sea.[4]

Main mountain ranges

Some of the mountain ranges that make up the Subbaetic System are, from west to east:

  • Sierra del Aljibe, includes the Alcornocales Natural Park
  • Sierra de Grazalema
  • Sierra Sur de Sevilla, highest points Terril (1,132 m) and Peñón de Algámitas (1,128 m)
  • Subbaetic Ranges of Córdoba
    • Sierra de Rute, highest point 1,326 m
    • Sierra de la Horconera, highest point Pico Tiñosa (1,570 m), highest point in Córdoba Province, and Pico Bermejo (1,476 m)
    • Sierra de los Pollos, close to Carcabuey and Priego de Córdoba
    • Sierra de Gaena
    • Sierra de Jarcas
    • Sierra de los Lanchares, includes interesting formations, like the Lapiaz de los Lanchares
    • Sierra del Lobatejo, highest point 1,217 m
    • Sierra Alcaide
    • Picacho de la Sierra de Cabra, highest point 1,217 m, includes the Ermita de la Virgen de la Sierra
  • Sierra de Gibalbín
  • Sierra Elvira
  • Sierra de Parapanda
  • Sierra de Loja
  • Sierra Harana
  • Sierra de Cogollos
  • Sierra de Huétor
  • Sierra de la Alfaguara
  • Sierra Sur de Jaén, overlapping with the Sistema Prebético.

See also

References
  1. Embalse del Taibilla
  2. Edited by W Gibbons & T Moreno, Geology of Spain, 2002, ISBN 978-1-86239-110-9
  3. Las montañas que surgieron del mar: la Sierra Sur de Jaén
  4. Morfología kárstica del sector oriental del Prebético andaluz
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