The Alps have been intensely studied by geologists for more than a century, and provide a unique natural laboratory to deepen our understanding of orogenic processes and their relationship to mantle dynamics. While most concepts that underlie current studies of mountain belts and convergence dynamics were born in the Alps, the belt has not yet been given satisfactory attention by geophysical studies using the most recent techniques. Moreover, the 3D structure of the Alps is not known to a sufficient level, which leaves numerous geodynamic, geological and (de)formation questions open.

This assessment led a large number of European institutions to initiate and join the AlpArray project. The AlpArray Seismic Network is providing homogeneous seismological coverage of the greater Alpine area at an unprecedented aperture and station density, both on land and sea. AlpArray has strengthened the interest for complementary geophysical investigations of the Alpine belt: new data is being recorded as the basis for multidisciplinary research projects, and other projects are being planned in the immediate and mid-term future.

Within this context, we invite contributions that provide new results and that identify and solve key open questions of the present and past structure and dynamics of the Alps and neighbouring orogens. Both mono- and multi-disciplinary contributions are welcome from geophysical imaging, seismotectonics, geodesy, geodynamics, gravimetry, tectonics, structural geology, petrology, geochronology and closely related field. Scales of interest range from crustal to upper mantle depths, on the Alps and neighbouring mountain belts such as the Apennines, the Carpathians and the Dinarides.