Deep Slab folding and the deformation of the Persian domain

• To unravel the Neotethys subduction history and the evolution of the slab morphology at depth since the mid-Cretaceous, we produced a synthesis of the main events affecting the Persian domain. This synthesis is focused on the upper and lower plates (i.e. the Persian and the Neotethys ocean, respectively) of the subduction system and is based on the compilation of available structural, geochemical and geochronological data. Overall, this compilation allows exploring the structural evolution of the Persian domain and the Neotethys oceanic lithosphere on map view and along selected cross-sections.
• Furthermore, we performed a 2D single-sided numerical model where we explored the slab behavior at depth and its influence on upper plate deformation. The model suggests that episodic deformation is driven by the folding slab behavior at the mantle transition zone. We combine our data and numerical model into a conceptual scenario to overcome the complexity of the kinematics of the Neotethys slab since the Early Cretaceous. Our modeling approach shows that back-arcs opening and associated extensional deformation are driven by the roll-back of the folded slab into the mantle transition zone. In contrast, back-arc closure and upper plate shortening are triggered by the roll-over of the folding slab. Finally, we associate the widespread, upper plate, Early Miocene marine flooding event to the Neotethys slab avalanche into the lower mantle.