Basal complex of Fuerteventura (Canary Islands) is an oceanic intrusive complex with rift-system affinities

THE exposed portions of the Canary Islands largely comprise Cainozoic volcanic rocks erupted sub-aerially in successions essentially specific to each island, though with somewhat complex interrelationships 1 . On three islands, Fuerteventura, La Palma, and Gomera these rocks rest unconformably on older formations which are similar enough to suggest that a common basement may exist. The largest area of the basement complex rocks is the Betancuria Massif 2–4 , Fuerteventura. Gastesi 4 has suggested that similarities exist between the Betancuria Massif and other ophiolite complexes (such as the Troodos Massif of Cyprus 5,6 ) generally held to be representative of oceanic crust formed at certain constructive plate margins.