Active Tectonics of the Mediterranean Region

• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-246x.1972.tb02351.x
• Publication Date: 2007-04-03T01:54:44Z
• Authors: D. McKenzie
• Keywords: 01 natural sciences; 0105 earth and related environmental sciences

Examination of more than 100 fault plane solutions for earthquakes within the Alpide belt between Mid-Atlantic ridge and Eastern Iran shows that deformation at present occurring is result small continental plates moving away from Turkey Western Iran. This pattern movement avoids thickening crust over much by consuming Mediterranean sea floor instead. The rates relative motion two involved, Aegean Turkish plates, are estimated, but only perhaps 50 per cent true values. These estimates then used to reconstruct geometry 10 million years ago. principal difference smooth curved coast which formed southern Yugoslavia, Greece Turkey. has since been distorted plates. Similar complications have probably common in older mountain belts, therefore local geological features may not major