The tectonic evolution of the central Mediterranean region was constrained by the relative plate motions between the large surrounding stable cratons of Africa and Eurasia. The first plate tectonic reconstructions of the Mediterranean region, based upon marine magnetic anomaly data from the Atlantic Ocean, were proposed by Dewey et al. (1973). The magnetic anomalies were used, along with fracture zone trends, to reconstruct the relative positions of Africa and Eurasia with respect to N. America. These reconstructions allowed in turn to describe the positions of Africa with respect to Eurasia since the middle Jurassic. This method, which was highly innovative for that time, allowed to build quantitative palaeotectonic maps within a precise space/time framework. The reconstructions implicitly described the relative motions between any pair of plates and allowed to predict the associated tectonic structures, as well as to explain the stratigraphic record. After this pioneeristic work, many other models were proposed, which can be classified in two broad categories. Some of the published models try to quantitatively describe the relative plate motions using a rigorous plate tectonic approach, although they not always satisfy the geological evidence. Other models simply empathize the stratigraphic record, but do not adequately take into account of geodynamic and/or kinematic constraints. The major plate tectonic models of the central Mediterranean region published so far, along with the still unsolved problems, are presented, compared and discussed.

State-Of-Art In The Plate Tectonic Modelling Of The Western Mediterranean Region

TURCO, Eugenio;SCHETTINO, Antonio
2007-01-01

Abstract

The tectonic evolution of the central Mediterranean region was constrained by the relative plate motions between the large surrounding stable cratons of Africa and Eurasia. The first plate tectonic reconstructions of the Mediterranean region, based upon marine magnetic anomaly data from the Atlantic Ocean, were proposed by Dewey et al. (1973). The magnetic anomalies were used, along with fracture zone trends, to reconstruct the relative positions of Africa and Eurasia with respect to N. America. These reconstructions allowed in turn to describe the positions of Africa with respect to Eurasia since the middle Jurassic. This method, which was highly innovative for that time, allowed to build quantitative palaeotectonic maps within a precise space/time framework. The reconstructions implicitly described the relative motions between any pair of plates and allowed to predict the associated tectonic structures, as well as to explain the stratigraphic record. After this pioneeristic work, many other models were proposed, which can be classified in two broad categories. Some of the published models try to quantitatively describe the relative plate motions using a rigorous plate tectonic approach, although they not always satisfy the geological evidence. Other models simply empathize the stratigraphic record, but do not adequately take into account of geodynamic and/or kinematic constraints. The major plate tectonic models of the central Mediterranean region published so far, along with the still unsolved problems, are presented, compared and discussed.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11581/114750
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