The lithospheric structure of cratons and orogenic belts across the world are actually well defined from different seismological techniques (receiver functions, surface wave- body wave tomography, seismic ambient noise, seismic refractions) and other geophysical data (magnetotellurics, gravity). Geophysical-petrological modelling allows to validate the models compatible with the geology. Nevertheless the models are non-unique and nature and quality data play an important role in the final model.

In general the session will focus on the edge of Precambrian craton/shield (Baltic Shield, Sao Francisco craton, Slave craton, Yangtze craton, Kaapvaal craton, Yilgarn craton, etc.) and the transition between these craton/shield and orogenic belts at the edge of these terranes. Indeed several studies suggest that the lithospheric properties (velocity profile, crustal/lithospheric thickness, Poisson’s ratio, Moho sharpness) are different and a non- simple model linking the geology observation and geophysical observations.

A special focus will be shed on the Trans-European Suture Zone (TESZ) as one of the first-order geotectonic boundaries in Europe spanning from the British Isles to the Black Sea and separating the old Precambrian platform to the north-east from Phanerozoic accreted terranes to the south-west. The last years have brought a lot of new high-resolution data about the structure of the TESZ thanks to big international active and passive seismic experiments, e.g. EUGENO-S, BABEL, POLONAISE'97, TOR, CELEBRATION 2000, PASSEQ 2006-2008, PANCAKE. The results of these investigations are significantly enhancing our ability to study crustal and upper mantle structure and open the door for new reinterpretations and discoveries.

We invite oral and poster contributions looking at Precambrian shield, the orogenic belt at the edge of these terranes using seismological (RFs, ambient field, FWI, controlled sources, seismic tomography), electromagnetism or gravity imaging from crustal scale to lithospheric scale. But also contributions from petrological modelling and seismic anisotropy which bring extra information about the deformation associated to this transition. Furthermore, contribution from geodesy, geodynamics, tectonics, petrology, structural geology, etc. related to the Trans-European Suture Zone are welcomed.

Solicited people: Taras Gerya (ETH Zurich, Switzerland), Christian Sippl (Australian National University, Australia), Thomas Meier (University of Kiel, Germany), Stanislaw Mazur (Getech Group plc, UK).