The origin of forces driving the deformation of the continental crust near subduction zones and especially in backarc regions is debated. Thiswork is based on a compilation of SKS fast splitting directions that give an image of flowlines in themantle around theMediterranean subduction zones and a comparisonwith stretching and shear directions in metamorphic core complexes that show the pattern of deformation at the scale of the middle and lower crusts.We find that : (1) the two sets of directions are parallel in the three main backarc regions, namely the Alboran Sea, the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Aegean Sea showing that the lithosphere deformswith the samedirection of stretching in the crust and themantle, suggesting that (2) crustal deformation ismainly driven frombelowby slab retreat, and (3) the lithospheric fabric is reset within a few millions of years in backarc environments.
Jolivet, L., Faccenna, C., Piromallo, C. (2009). From mantle to crust: Stretching the Mediterranean. EARTH AND PLANETARY SCIENCE LETTERS [10.1016/j. epsl.2009.06.017].
From mantle to crust: Stretching the Mediterranean
FACCENNA, CLAUDIO;
2009-01-01
Abstract
The origin of forces driving the deformation of the continental crust near subduction zones and especially in backarc regions is debated. Thiswork is based on a compilation of SKS fast splitting directions that give an image of flowlines in themantle around theMediterranean subduction zones and a comparisonwith stretching and shear directions in metamorphic core complexes that show the pattern of deformation at the scale of the middle and lower crusts.We find that : (1) the two sets of directions are parallel in the three main backarc regions, namely the Alboran Sea, the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Aegean Sea showing that the lithosphere deformswith the samedirection of stretching in the crust and themantle, suggesting that (2) crustal deformation ismainly driven frombelowby slab retreat, and (3) the lithospheric fabric is reset within a few millions of years in backarc environments.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
