The tectonic framework in this region is controlled by its location on the Eurasian and African plate boundary and its interaction with the orogenic Gibraltar Arc. The oblique collision between these two plates was mainly active during the Alpine orogeny, large scale tectonic process that spanned from the late Mesozoic to the late Cenozoic and caused the uplift of the Betic and Rif mountain ranges. Nowadays, this plate collision is still active in WNW-ESE direction in this region with a displacement rate close to 5 mm/yr. Consequently, the dominant stress field in the area is compressive with strike-slip component, therefore, the Gulf of Cadiz and its continuation up to the Gorringe Ridge accommodate the oblique convergence between the two continental tectonic plates.

Westward of this region, the African and Eurasian plate boundary is well defined by the Azores fracture (transform fault) that reaches the western portion of the Gorringe Ridge. However, eastwards to this submarine ridge, this boundary gets diffused with no single fracture zone defined. As a result, the complex stress field in the area is accommodated through some reverse and strike-slip fault systems distributed in a large area corresponding the plate boundary in the region.

The most important active faults in the area are the NE-SW strike and SE dipping inverse or thrust faults of Marqués de Pombal (FMP), San Vicente (FSVC), Gorringe (FGB, under debate), Horseshoe (FH), North and South Coral Patch (FCPN, FCPS) and Seine (FS). Near the coast and in arch shape, there are two reverse faults with opposite dip under debate called the Portimao (FPB) and Guadalquivir (FGUB) Bank faults. In the central part of the Gulf of Cadiz, affecting the accretionary prism, there are two remarkable WNW-ESE right-lateral strike slip parallel faults known as North and South Alignment (FLN, FLS). Another remarkable active fault complex extends along the southern coastline of Portugal and consist of different orientation faults like the left-lateral strike slip and reverse Aljezur-S. Teotónio (FAST) and Carvacai (FC) faults.

Despite they are more difficult to map, there are many listric and normal faults in the accretionary prism, some of them active.