The tectonic history of the Western Mediterranean region during the Oligocene and early Miocene is illustrated through a series of plate reconstructions, from chron C13n to chron C6n. The reconstructions are based on a new interpretation of published magnetic anomaly data and two-ships seismic data, and their integration with known geologic constraints, in order to determine style and timing of the back-arc extension processes in the Liguro-Provençal, Valencia, and Algerian basins. In particular, a new technique for the interpretation of the regional magnetic anomaly field allowed a determination of the instantaneous Euler poles associated to the motion of 11 microplates relative to Eurasia and Iberia. Furthermore, a quantitative analysis of the acoustic basement morphology and the balancing of deep crustal profiles were used to estimate the closure and pre-rift rotation angles associated to the Euler poles of opening of the Ligurian, Provençal, Valencia, and Algerian basins. This rigorous reconstruction of the geometry of the pre-rift continental margins could furnish important insights to the study of Mediterranean tectonics for older times.

Plate kinematics of the Western Mediterranean region during the Oligocene and early Miocene

SCHETTINO, Antonio;TURCO, Eugenio
2006-01-01

Abstract

The tectonic history of the Western Mediterranean region during the Oligocene and early Miocene is illustrated through a series of plate reconstructions, from chron C13n to chron C6n. The reconstructions are based on a new interpretation of published magnetic anomaly data and two-ships seismic data, and their integration with known geologic constraints, in order to determine style and timing of the back-arc extension processes in the Liguro-Provençal, Valencia, and Algerian basins. In particular, a new technique for the interpretation of the regional magnetic anomaly field allowed a determination of the instantaneous Euler poles associated to the motion of 11 microplates relative to Eurasia and Iberia. Furthermore, a quantitative analysis of the acoustic basement morphology and the balancing of deep crustal profiles were used to estimate the closure and pre-rift rotation angles associated to the Euler poles of opening of the Ligurian, Provençal, Valencia, and Algerian basins. This rigorous reconstruction of the geometry of the pre-rift continental margins could furnish important insights to the study of Mediterranean tectonics for older times.
2006
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11581/114741
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