The Tethyan Belt is the most prominent collisional zone on Earth, covering the vast area between far eastern Asia and Europe. The Tethyan Belt is the result of the subduction of the Tethyan Oceans, including significant terrane amalgamation, and collisional tectonics along the whole belt. The belt is today strongly affected by the ongoing convergence and collision between the Eurasian, African, Arabian and Indian plates. The long formation history and the variability of tectonic characteristics and deep structures of the belt make it a natural laboratory for understanding the accretion processes that have shaped the Earth through its history and have led to the formation of vast resources in the crust.
We invite contributions based on geological, tectonic, geophysical and geodynamic studies of the lithosphere. We particularly invite interdisciplinary studies, which integrate observational data and interpretations based on a variety of methods. Papers with focus on the structure of the crust and the nature of the Moho are also welcome.
Northeastern Eurasia is one of the least studied regions in the world, with limited geophysical data available due to its inaccessibility. The exact location of the plate boundary between Eurasia and North America is still under debate. The effective elastic thickness (EET) of the lithosphere serves as an indicator of lithospheric strength and provides valuable information on thermal conditions and tectonic activity. We have produced a high-resolution EET map for northeastern Eurasia using the fan wavelet coherence method applied to Bouguer gravity anomalies and topography/bathymetry data, with appropriate adjustments for density variations within sediments. The resulting EET variations provide valuable insights into the different tectonic regimes of this largely unexplored region. In particular, we identify the boundary between the Eurasian and North American plates in Siberia as a rheologically weak, diffusive zone extending from the Verkhoyansk and Sette-Daban Ranges to the eastern edge of the Chersky Range. In contrast to the Sette-Daban and Verkhoyansk Ranges, which were formed by plate collisions and have an EET of 30-50 km, other mountainous regions have much lower EET values, often less than 15 km, indicating recent tectonic activity that has weakened the lithosphere. This is fully consistent with the distribution of earthquakes and focal mechanisms. The majority of earthquakes are concentrated on the western and eastern boundaries of this zone (the eastern slope of the Verkhoyansk Range on one side and the eastern slope of the Chersky Range on the other). In the center of the diffuse zone only weak earthquakes of small depth occur.
How to cite: Kaban, M., Chen, B., Gvishiani, A., Soloviev, A., and Sidorov, R.: Variations of the effective elastic thickness of the lithosphere suggest a broad diffusive boundary between the North American and Eurasian plates in Siberia, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-18877, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-18877, 2025.
Tectonic syntaxes in continent-continent collision belts are often featured by sharply curving orogenic syntaxis zones. Within and around the plate corners, tectonic mountain building processes and surface processes interact extensively. The formation and evolution of these tectonic syntaxes, namely plate corners, remain debatable. The Eastern Himalayan Syntaxis (EHS), located at the junction of the Himalayan mountain belt, the Tibetan Plateau, and the Indo-Burmese ranges, is a classic region to investigate the significant tectonic feature. In this contribution, based on field-based structure analysis and geochronology within the EHS, eastern Tibet and western Yunnan regions, we suggest a new model for the EHS formation and evolution that is predominantly driven by slab tear of subducted Indian lithosphere. Our investigations reveal that region-scale dextral strike-slip shear zone system, shearing between 30-15 Ma around the EHS region from eastern Tibet to western Yunnan regions, was directly corresponding to slab tear of subducted Indian lithosphere. Within the EHS, conjugated strike-slip shear zones acted ranging from 10-2 Ma or continuous to current day. Our models indicate continuous Cenozoic intracontinental strike-slip shearing indicates a tectonic shift from Tibetan extension to block rotation around the EHS. From 30 to 2 Ma, slab tear, accompanied by clockwise rotation and strike-slip shearing around and within the EHS, suggests a warmer geodynamic setting influenced by hot mantle flow associated with ongoing subduction of the Indian lithosphere. Oligocene-current strike-slip shearing around and within the EHS, linking southwards with the Sagaing Fault, may correspond to the rotation necessary for slab to bend, stretch, and eventually tear beneath the region. Our models also suggest that both giant strike-slip shear system around the EHS, continuous block rotation and syntaxis structure formation are controlled by slab tear of the Indian slab, which is a key tectonic process controlling recent structural and topography development of the Tibetan-Himalayan orogen. The discovered links between syntaxis formation, giant strike-slip shearing, plate rotation and slab tearing suggest that plate corners in collisional orogens may dominate the evolution of the entire orogenic system.
How to cite: Zhang, B., Li, Z., Guo, W., Grasemann, B., Hou, Z., and Zhang, J.: Eastern Himalayan Syntaxis formation and evolution dominated by slab tear of Indian slab, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-2489, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-2489, 2025.
Magmatism in continental margin arc is generally episodic, and alternatively appearance with magmatic flare-up and lull. Accompanying the magmatic flare-up and lull, the arc could move toward the oceanic trench or continental. Although numerous researches are related to arc tempos, there is little understanding for the genetic mechanism of magmatism during lull. According to the distribution characteristics of magmatic rocks in the Neo-Tethyan continental margin arc, this study selected the Late Cretaceous granitic rocks in Tengchong block to further constrain their petrogenesis and dynamics process during lulls. The monzogranite ages in Husa area of Tengchong Block are 73Ma, formed within the Late Cretaceous magmatic lull (85-65Ma) at the continental margin arc related to Neo-Tethyan subduction. They are metaluminous to weakly peraluminous and calc-alkaline, with enriched Nd-Hf isotopic characteristics. These signatures reveal their sources are orthometamorphic gneisses in the Gaoligongshan Formation. In addition, the continental margin arc related to the flat subduction of Neo-Tethyan slab should be compressional state during Late Cretaceous (ca. 85-65Ma). Comparing Late Cretaceous magmatic rock assemblages, geochemical signatures, Zr saturated temperature and zoning in plagioclase with these in Early Eocene rocks during magmatic flare-up (ca. 55-50Ma), the granitic rocks during magmatic lull formed at a thicken crust and partial melting of gneisses induced by a long-time thermal accumulation. Therefore, the continental margin arc could form granitic magma by a long-time thermal accumulation within a thicken crust during magmatic lull with the low mantle-derived magma flux at a local region.
Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China [Grant Nos. 42272052 and 41902046].
How to cite: Zhao, S.: Origin of Granitic Magma within continental margin arc magmatic lull: constraints by the Late Cretaceous granites in Tengchong Block, SE Tibet, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-225, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-225, 2025.
The Himachal Pradesh Seismological NETwork (HiPSNET) was installed in 2019 across the northwestern Himachal Himalaya, comprising seven broadband seismograph systems. Teleseismic data with magnitude greater than 5.5 and in the distance range of 30-90° have been used to compute P-wave receiver functions (P-RFs). These P-RFs have been depth migrated to form a 2D common conversion point (CCP) stack profile across the strike of the Himalaya. The main features on the CCP profile are the positive impedance boundaries of the Moho and the mid-crust, and the negative impedance contrast boundary of the Main Himalayan Thrust (MHT). The Indian crust underthrust the Himachal Himalaya with a gentle dip of ~5-7° in the NE direction. The Moho depth increases from the foreland (SW) to the hinterland (NE). Beneath the Sub-Himalaya, the Moho is at a depth of ~45 km, and gradually deepens to ~60 km beneath the Lesser-Himalaya, and further to ~70 km beneath the Higher-to-Tethyan Himalaya. The MHT, associated with a low-velocity layer, has a flat-ramp geometry, and ranges in depth from ~10 km beneath the Sub-Himalaya to ~20 km beneath the Higher-Tethyan Himalaya. Precisely located small-to-moderate earthquakes, from previous studies, concentrate on or above the MHT frontal ramp structure. This possibly marks the locked-to-creep transition on the MHT, lying below the Higher-Himalaya.
How to cite: Shamim, S., Sharma, S., Chaudhuri, D., Mitra, S., Priestley, K., and Wanchoo, S. K.: Himachal Pradesh Seismological NETwork (HiPSNET): Structure of the Crust and the geometry of the Main Himalayan Thrust, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-14787, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-14787, 2025.
The Maguan area in Yunnan Province is situated at the southeastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau and the southwestern margin of the South China Block, representing a significant junction between these tectonic units. The structural characteristics of the deep lithosphere, particularly the lower crust, remain unclear. Deep-Seated xenoliths, which are rapidly transported to the surface by igneous rocks, reflect in-situ information about the deep lithosphere and serve as direct samples for studying lower crustal growth and evolution.This report focuses on the discovery of mafic granulite xenoliths within Cenozoic basalt in the Maguan area, located at the southwestern margin of the South China Block. We conducted a comprehensive analysis including mineralogical and geochemical characterization, zircon U-Pb geochronology, and in-situ Hf isotopic analysis.
Eequilibrium temperature and pressure estimates of the xenoliths suggest that they have a balance temperature exceeding 950 °C and a pressure of approximately 1.2 GPa, showing that these xenoliths originate from the lower crust. The SiO2 content of the xenoliths ranges from 50.3 to 51.7 wt.%, with Mg# values of 67 to 68. The whole rock exhibits slight enrichment of light rare earth elements (LREE) and shows weak negative europium anomalies (δEu = 0.82 to 0.86). Additionally, the Sr-Nd isotopic composition is enriched and resembles EM II (87Sr/86Sr = 0.7081 to 0.7088, εNd = -3.8 to -4.7), while the Hf isotopic ratios of the magmatic zircon vary between -4.5 and +4.8.The concordia and near-concordia zircon U-Pb ages display several significant events, including 62 Ma, 41 Ma, 34 Ma, 26 Ma, 20 Ma, and 15 Ma, likely corresponding to collision and post-collision magmatic events related to the Tibetan Plateau and its southeastern margin, as well as the extensive left-lateral strike-slip movements in the Ailao Shan Belt. Inherited zircon concordia U-Pb ages include 874 Ma, 461 Ma, 338 Ma, 271 Ma, 131 Ma, and 102 Ma. Together with the zircon Hf isotopic data, the mafic xenoliths from Maguan record the lower crustal growth associated with the early Paleozoic orogeny in the Jiangnan Orogen, linked to the South China Sea (εHf = +1.4 to +4.5, TDM1 = 1.0 to 0.9 Ga), late Paleozoic events (εHf = -5.7 to +6.0, TDM2 = 1.9 to 1.0 Ga), and early to mid-Mesozoic growth and reworking related to the closure of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean (εHf = +0.4, TDM1 = 0.8 Ga). Additionally, the late Mesozoic tectonic activities post-Indochina collision (εHf = -7.1 to +2.3, TDM2 = 1.5 to 1.0 Ga) and Cenozoic reworking events (εHf = -4.5 to +4.8, TDM1 = 0.9 to 0.5 Ga) are also recorded.
Considering the tectonic position of the Maguan area, this study suggests that the mafic granulite xenoliths represent ancient material from the Paleoproterozoic, reflecting the complex evolutionary history of the South China Block. Furthermore, they have been influenced by multiple magmatic and metamorphic events related to the Cenozoic collision of the Tibetan Plateau and the Indo-Asian region.
Keywords: Mafic granulite xenoliths; magmatic underplating; continental lower crust growth and reworking; southeastern Tibetan Plateau.
How to cite: Ma, X. and Zheng, J.: Underplating along the SE Margin of the Tibetan Plateau and Its Implications for the Reworking of the Lower Crust in SW South China: Evidence from Mafic Granulite Xenoliths in Maguan, Yunnan Province, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-5511, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-5511, 2025.
The Xiazhuang uranium deposit is the largest granite-type uranium orefield in China, located in east of the Triassic to Jurassic-Cretaceous Guidong complex granite. Uranium orebodies mainly outcroped insides NNE-, NWW-, and NEE-trending quartz-breccia zones, especially intersection areas. These three groups of fault zones have approximate equidistant distribution characteristics and cut with each other, forming a kind of checker-board lattice pattern. The formation genesis of the granite, ore-forming metallogenesis and ore-controlling factors have been well documented, however the tectonic stress field evolution of Xiazhaung uranium orefield and the structural controlling effect to the mineralization have been controversial for long time.
In this study, the scratch-lineation method was mainly adopted to inversion of evolution of tectonic stress field, mostly depending on the detailed field measurements to collect the scratch-lineation data, using the Wulff's net to determine the principal stress direction and the properties of each point, and combining the scratch intersection relations and other geological evidence to reveal the scratch activity periods, and further dividing the tectonic stress evolution stage to discuss the features of the tectonic stress field and its constraints to the uranium mineralization, and finally guiding the ore-prospecting prediction.
45 group data of scratch-lineation with total 250 pieces of data have been collected in the field. Combining with the field observations of kinematics, tectonic and metallogenic relationship signs, it is suggested that the Meso-Cenozoic tectonic stress field process of the Xiazhuang uranium orefield can be divided into three periods of eight stages, including two stages before-, four stages during- and two stages after the metallogenic period, respectively.
The first stage was happened during the late Indosinian, about 230Ma to 200Ma, when the maximum principal stress in the ore-field was probably S-N direction during the late stage collision between the southern China with the northern China blocks, leading the intrusion of the Guidong complex granite. During the second stage (~200-165Ma) with nearly EW-trending (about 80°±) compressional and NNE-SSW-trending extensional stress, the NWW-trending diabasic dikes intruded along the NWW-trending transtensional fault zone, and nearly NS-trending ductile zone inside the Xiazhaung orefiled and NW-trending（320-330°）sinistral strike-slipping mylonite zones in Late Silunan Donggualing granite in the eastern side of the Guidong complex granite and insides the Late Trassic Damofeng granite. Two groups of conjugate fracture system formed, including the NE-SW and NW-SE trending fault zones, as main tectonic structures of the ore-field
During the first stage of the metallogenic period about 160Ma to 135Ma with main compressional stress trend to NW-SE (290-300°±), led to the emplacement of parts of NWW-trending diabasic dykes and development of NNE-trending density cleavage belt as the compressional property, while the the first stage of regional large-scale mineralization happened for the NWW-trending fault zone behaving as extensional fracture.
The maximum principal stress might be approximate vertical during the fifth stage (the second stage of the metallogenic period, about 135Ma to 115Ma) with intermediate principal stress trending to NE60° and the minimum principal stress to NW330° in the horizontal plane.
How to cite: Chen, Z., Huo, H., Zhu, W., Li, H., Yan, J., Pan, J., Zhong, F., and Sun, Y.: Evolution of the tectonic stress field in the Xiazhuang uranium ore-field,southern China, and its coupling with the ore-formation, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-14350, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-14350, 2025.
For hundreds of millions of years, Gondwana and Laurasia were separated by the Paleo- and Neotethyan oceans. Their eventual collision led to the amalgamation of various continental fragments, initiating multiple subduction cycles in the broader Anatolian region. This study presents, for the first time, five finger-like high-velocity anomalies beneath northern Anatolia (Türkiye), identified through high-resolution P-wave tomography at depths ranging from 80 to 250 km. These anomalies may represent shallow remnants of the Neotethyan slab, which may have remained buoyant due to underplating since the early Cenozoic. Their unique geometry and location suggest active mantle flow, possibly linked to either continental-continental subduction or recent lithospheric foundering.
How to cite: Confal, J., Taymaz, T., Eken, T., Bezeda, M. J., and Faccenda, M.: Remnant Tethyan Slab Fragments Beneath Northern Türkiye, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-21713, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-21713, 2025.
The Pontides (Laurasian affinity) in the north and the Anatolides-Taurides (Gondwana affinity) in the south constitute two of the main tectonic units of Turkey. They were once separated by a Mesozoic Neo-tethyan ocean. The İzmir-Ankara-Erzincan Suture Zone (IAESZ) represents the boundary between them along which the Neo-tethyan Ocean was subducted. The Ankara Mélange is located approximately in the centre of the of the IAESZ, and is one of the first mélanges described. A part of the Ankara Mélange, the Eldivan region was studied to reveal its structure, origin and age. There are three main units: an ophiolite slice, an ophiolitc mélange and flyschoidal sedimentary sequence. These N-S striking units were imbricated along with thrust faults verging towards the west. Peridotites, pyroxenites, rare layered gabbros, isotropic gabbros, diabases and plagiogranites (trondhjemites) are found within the ophiolite slice. Although a pseudo-stratigraphic contact between mantle and crustal rocks cannot be observed, the ophiolite slice has a partial internal structure observed from bottom to top with peridotites, gabbros and diabases. Three plagiogranite samples yielded Early Jurassic U- Pb zircon ages of 177.4 ± 1.0 Ma, 176.2 ± 3.1 Ma and 177.1 ± 2.1 Ma. The ophiolitic mélange is composed of basalts, radiolarian cherts, pelagic limestones, mudstones and shallow marine (neritic) limestone blocks. The age of shallow marine limestones is determined as Late Jurassic – Early Cretaceous based on Crescentiella sp. and Verneuilinoides sp. Previous geochemical studies revealed that basalts within the ophiolitic mélange show OIB characteristics, while gabbros, diabases and plagiogranites in the ophiolite slice show SSZ characteristics. The presence of ocean island basalts and shallow marine limestones within the ophiolitic mélange indicates an oceanic seamount environment during the Early Jurassic-Early Cretaceous. The flyschoidal sedimentary rocks probably represents accreted Late Jurassic-Late Cretaceous (mostly Cenomanian) fore-arc deposits. Preliminary results show that the Ankara Mélange located in IAESZ in the Eldivan region is composed of tectonic units, which were formed during Early Jurassic to Early Cretaceous and accreted during different periods to the southern margin of Laurasia.
How to cite: Sağlam, E., Okay, A., and Sunal, G.: Geological Evolution of the Ankara Mélange (Central Anatolia, Turkey) in İzmir-Ankara-Erzincan Suture Zone (IAESZ), EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-14956, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-14956, 2025.
The territory of Azerbaijan lies within the Mediterranean fold belt that is characterized by intensive geodynamic activity. The tectonic processes correlate with extensive multidirectional fracture-fault complications along the borders of mobile blocks. Our research aimed to identify the block structures in Azerbaijan that have been most significantly affected by neogeodynamics (23 Ma to the present). The methodology incorporated the analysis of recent regional and local deep sections combining seismic and GPS data that document the horizontal movement rates of lithospheric plates inside the central segment of the Alpine-Himalayan fold belt. A particular focus was placed on evaluating the effects of the Arabian Plate's displacement (15.2–22.2 mm/year). The greatest intensity of geodynamic processes is noted in two primary directions: northward and northwestward. Geodynamic movements are observed in three orientations: north-south, anti-Caucasian, and general Caucasian. GPS data revealed that the horizontal displacement rate in the north-south direction has the greatest magnitude in eastern Iran and northern Oman (9.2–11.2 mm/year), in contrast to the Caucasus (4.2 mm/year). In the Caucasus region, in addition to geodynamic forces, rotational processes have been identified, attributed to the interaction between anti-Caucasian and general Caucasian tectonic forces. We believe that the multidirectional movements of the Arabian Plate generate a complicated geodynamic environment. Additional observations indicate a difference between the tectonic structure of the offshore and onshore sections of the belt. Apart from that, we reviewed the hydrocarbon potential of Miocene formations, reconstructing the evolutionary history of reservoir structures in relation to neotectonic movements and their orientations.
How to cite: Aslanzade, F., Aslanov, B., Aliyarov, R., and Safarli, I.: Neotectonic dynamics and fluid re-migration in Azerbaijan: insights from GPS and seismic profiles, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-2465, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-2465, 2025.
The Iranian lithospheric plate (ILP), positioned at the boundary of Euro-Asia and Gondwana, is vital from a tectonic-geodynamic perspective. Its role in the evolution of the South Caspian Basin (SCB) and the Mesozoic Terrane Belt (MTB) (confined to the northern rim of the Arabian Plate) is undeniable. The boundary between Eurasia and Gondwana separates the western – Aegean-Anatolian Plate and the relatively young Neoproterozoic belt associated with the MTB and the eastern – ILP, which contains fragments of Arabian craton and terranes of Archean-Early Proterozoic age. The northwestern regional block of the ILP is influenced by the deep rotating mantle structure (DRMS) (Eppelbaum et al., 2021) and rotates counterclockwise. The central block of the ILP is in the marginal periclinal zone of the DRMS, and its movement is oriented mainly to the north. The ILP's eastern part is outside the DRMS's guidance and rotates NNE clockwise.
Immediately to the north of the MTB, already to the west of the discordant junction of the Mesozoic ophiolites and the Zagros terrane, an extensive collision-subduction belt is formed in the former development of the Neotethys Ocean. It occupies approximately half of the ILP in the meridional direction. The belt is composed of a complex of volcanic, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks and hypsometrically forms a vast zone of the Iranian plateau (in the southern part of the ILP). This sublatitudinal zone of uplifts is closely adjacent to the SCB and the south boundary of the Eurasian Plate and is located near the Earth’s critical latitude of 35o.
Combined tectonic-structural and geophysical analyses suggesting the Zagros suture imply that it might have been a piece of the MTB in the southern zone of the Neotethys Ocean. Since the post-Carboniferous, its uplift has been attested as an isolated tectonic feature of the Neotethys Ocean. The sharp divisions of the ILP on the western, central, and eastern fragments have a rational explanation – deep-seated geodynamics inspired by the impact of the DRMS, critical Earth’s latitude, and the Ural-African geoid anomaly. These factors overwhelmingly impact the mantle-lithospheric structure in the region.
This study generalized tectonic-structural, GPS, paleomagnetic, gravity, magnetic, and thermal data. The ILP is known to have high heat flow values along with a thickened Earth’s crust. Combined geophysical data analysis indicates that the ILP’s blocks press on the southwestern edge of the SCB, causing it to rotate clockwise.
Thus, we can conclude that the SCB is affected by three main geodynamic components: (1) the counterclockwise rotation of the DRMS, causing the complex movement of the ILP’s western and central lithospheric blocks; (2) the multipart direct pressure of the ILP on the SCB; and (3) the impact of the giant Ural-African step and critical Earth’s latitude. The current rapid reduction of the Caspian Sea level is associated, along with other factors, with the unevenness of the modern collision processes.
Eppelbaum, L.V., Ben-Avraham, Z., Katz, Y., Cloetingh, S. and Kaban, M., 2021. Giant quasi-ring mantle structure in the African-Arabian junction: Results derived from the geological-geophysical data integration. Geotectonics, 55, No.1, 67-93.
How to cite: Eppelbaum, L., Katz, Y., Gadirov (Kadirov), F., Guliyev, I., and Ben-Avraham, Z.: Why is the South Caspian Basin clockwise rotating?, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-1841, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-1841, 2025.
The South Caspian Basin contains one of the thickest accumulated sedimentary sequences on earth with accumulated sedimentary sequences over 20 km overlying thin oceanic crust. The basin represents an enigmatic aseismic “block” within the Arabia-Eurasia collision, which moves relative to both Iran and Eurasia. To understand the nature and evolution of the South Caspian basin, a model of the tectonic motion of the basin has been built. The model integrates subsurface interpretation in the Caspian Basin with active tectonics studies from outcrops. The study is based on significant database including the results of geologic and geodetic studies, field-based and remote-sensing study of active faults, and the interpretation of offshore seismic reflection data in the central and southern parts of Caspian to examine the timings and styles of deformation in its interior and periphery.
The relative plate movements and faulting in the eastern Caspian lowlands on the eastern shores of the Caspian have been studied. The study has revealed several domains of folding and faulting within the South Caspian that are likely related to “thick skinned” faulting, based on their wavelength and asymmetry, as opposed to the thin-skinned deformation observed in the deeper basin, which is more likely related to movement within the mobile Maykop deposits. The thick-skinned structures of the Absheron Ridge in the central Caspian started to grow at 1.8 Ma and is related to onset of the present-day tectonic regime. The structures in the proximal offshore Kura domain are interpreted as the result of strike-slip deformation that can be traced onshore to structures that display prominent right-lateral displacement in Holocene age deposits. The anticlines started to form at 1.8 Ma with the folding and then replaced by faulting that continues to the present-day.
The results of the study refine our understanding of the present-day kinematics of the South Caspian Basin, and of the factors that may have helped cause an evolution in the tectonic configuration through time.
How to cite: Huseynova, S., Abdullayev, N., Kadirov (Gadirov), F., Bertoni, C., Javadova, A., Kazimova, S., and Walker, R.: Active tectonics of the South Caspian basin evidenced by seismic and field data, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-572, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-572, 2025.
The Earth CT initiative has been discussed during the International Symposium, DEEP-2018, DEEP-2021 and DEEP 2024. With the kicking off of SinoProbe II, it would be pushed forward in real soon or later.
Deep Earth processes control the geological evolution, including the formation of natural resources, natural disasters, and large-scale environmental changes at the surface of the Earth. The Earth CT programme aims to globally construct long range profiles in wide corridors to image the lithosphere by integrative interpretation of geoscientific data. The programme will integrate data from structural geology and tectonic interpretation at global and continental scales, geochemical surveys in geotransect corridors to define their crustal and lithospheric composition, deep seismic reflection and refraction/wide-angle reflection profiling to identify crustal and upper mantle structure and composition, magnetotelluric(MT) sounding for the electrical structure, broadband passive seismic tomography techniques for global and regional velocity structure and receiver functions for crustal/upper mantle structure, as well as gravity and magnetic regional and global interpretation. Scientific drilling for deep earth sampling and detection of anomalous features in key tectonic belts will be based on the interpretation of the above data and will add substantially to the uniqueness of the global and regional interpretation. The aims of the project are to reveal the deep structure of the lithosphere, recognize the deep processes of plate movement and their control and influence on the surface system, explore energy and mineral resources at depth, and provide insight into geoscience frontier issues, such as the mechanisms controlling natural disasters and their intrinsic dynamics.
The following approach has been supported by several societies, academic institutions and research facilities specializing in contourites, as well as proposed by Shuwen Dong, Larry Brown, Hans Thybo and many worldwide leading scientists.
(1) To construct global “Big Cross” of the lithosphere by integration of intercontinental and regional geoscience transects based on reflection profiles.
(2) Lithosphere geotransect and geosciences corridor in Critical Zones.
(3) Global Array of BBS.
How to cite: Zhou, Q., Dong, S., Thybo, H., Brown, L., and Chen, X.: Push foward Earth CT-Integrating Deep Earth Profiles to Make Global Transections via Wide Open Collaboration, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-1971, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-1971, 2025.
The Middle Jurassic ophiolites in the Dinaride-Albanide-Hellenide mountain belt in the Balkan Peninsula comprise upper mantle peridotites and crustal units with lateral and vertical variations. Large parts of these ophiolites have supra-subduction zone (SSZ) affinities, whereas other parts show mid ocean ridge basalt (MORB) characteristics. During the last two decades many studies have shown that SSZ forearc settings, beside intraoceanic subduction zones, are tectonically the most predestinated sites for ophiolite emplacement.
One feature of SSZ forearc settings is the local occurrence of serpentinite mud volcanism. Active serpentinite mud volcanoes located in the forearc region of, for example, the Izu-Bonin-Mariana system consist of serpentinite mud containing lithic clasts from the underlying forearc crust and mantle as well as from the subducting Pacific plate. These serpentinite seamounts are covered by pelagic sediments. Recycled materials from the subducted slab consist of metavolcanic rocks, metamorphosed pelagic sediments including cherty limestone as well as fault rocks. Recovered ultramafic clasts reveal various degrees of alteration and serpentinization. Ancient occurrences of such serpentinite mud seamounts are rare as the serpentinite muds have very little capability of being preserved due to their susceptibility to strong deformational overprint and tectonic obliteration.
Ophiolitic mélanges of Tithonian to Lower Cretaceous age are widespread in the Eastern Albanides. They lie transgressively or normally on top of an ophiolitic sequence formed by radiolarian cherts of Kimmeridgian-Tithonian age, or on top of the carbonate sequences along the periphery of the ophiolites formed by Middle Liassic to Malmian pelagic limestones with manganese nodules and radiolarian cherts. They are overlain by conglomerates or neritic limestones of Lower Cretaceous age.
The ophiolitic mélanges consists of ophiolitic conglomerates or breccias, often of homogenous composition with clasts of (serpentinized) ultrabasites, gabbros and basalts embedded within a serpentinite matrix. Less commonly they have a heterogeneous composition with a fine-grained serpentinite matrix and partly exotic clasts and blocks of marl with calpionellids, sandstone, radiolarite, limestone and amphibolite, together with serpentinite, ophicalcite, gabbro, plagiogranite, diabase, basalt, and dacite. These mélanges are overlain by flysch-like deposits.
The homogeneously composed mélanges widely form thrust- or strike-slip-fault related tectonic breccias, whereas the heterogeneously composed mélanges, and in particular the incorporated exotic blocks, indicate a different origin. These polymictic mélanges containing clasts of peridotites, basalts, dacites, amphibolite, etc., being covered by pelagic sediments, might be a good candidate to represent one of the rather rare fossil remnants of serpentinite seamounts bearing potential additional evidence for a SSZ forearc setting during their formation.
How to cite: Kurz, W., Hauzenberger, C., Onuzi, K., and Ntaflos, T.: Tectonic evolution of ophiolite mélanges in southern Albania, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-4142, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-4142, 2025.
The lithospheric structure corresponding to different tectonic regimes exhibits significant variability. In regions with complex tectonic settings and limited geological data, it is challenging to delineate the specific tectonic domain to which the local lithosphere belongs. Various crustal/lithospheric typizations have been proposed and tested in the past, based on geological and geophysical data. However, these approaches provided only a first-order approximation, utilizing a limited subset of available data. This study aims to test the feasibility of crustal/lithospheric classification using machine learning and AI techniques, leveraging all available global and regional geophysical datasets. The testing area is confined to Eurasia and the Northern Atlantic Ocean, where tectonic settings are well-studied and understood, and there is excellent coverage in various geophysical and geological datasets. Subsequently, the proposed technique can be applied to regions with more enigmatic tectonic settings, potentially providing better insights into likely tectonic domains.
Understanding the lithospheric structure is crucial for comprehending the Earth's tectonic behavior. By employing machine learning and AI, this study seeks to develop a more comprehensive classification system that can adapt to the complexities of different tectonic settings. The integration of diverse geophysical datasets will enable a more nuanced analysis, potentially uncovering patterns and correlations that were previously overlooked. This approach not only enhances our understanding of well-studied regions like Eurasia and the Northern Atlantic Ocean but also sets the stage for applying these techniques to less understood areas. The ultimate objective is to establish a robust framework for identifying tectonic domains, which can significantly advance our knowledge of geological and tectonic processes.
How to cite: Shulgin, A.: Identification of crustal tectonic domains from AI and ML enhanced analysis of multidisciplinary geophysical data., EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-8412, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-8412, 2025.
The ongoing collision between Indian and Asian continents has created the Tibetan plateau. The northeastern Tibetan plateau (NE Tibet) has long been a key region for studying its expansion mechanism. However, detailed lithospheric structures across the tectonic boundaries between the Tibetan plateau and bordering blocks have not been fully imaged, which obscured the understanding of how the Tibetan plateau interacts with other blocks, like the Ordos block. Therefore, about 227 stations with less than 1-km intervals were deployed from 1st October 2024 for one month, crossing from the NE Tibet, through the Haiyuan arcuate tectonic belt, into the Ordos block. A NE-trending CCP stacked profile perpendicular to major faults was then formed, based on receiver functions calculated using teleseismic waveforms. Our profile shows clear P-to-S conversion phases at the Moho discontinuity, both in NE Tibet and the Ordos Block. In NE Tibet, the Moho appears at 50 km at the southernmost point of our profile. It deepens to 55 km beneath the Haiyuan Fault and then rises back to 50 km beneath the Xiangshan-Tianjingshan Fault. To the northeast, the NE Tibetan crust interacts with the Ordos Block between the Yantongshan and Luoshan Faults, where a significant offset of the Moho is observed. The Moho depth of the Ordos Block is approximately 40-43 km, indicating an offset of about 7-10 km.
How to cite: Shi, Z., Gao, R., Peng, J., Bi, H., Lu, Z., Wang, G., Li, X., Hu, J., and Yang, Z.: Crustal structure across the northeastern Tibetan plateau and Ordos block revealed by the receiver function method, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-8551, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-8551, 2025.
The theory of plate tectonics has developed over the past 60 years, and geologists have long regarded it as the dominant model for global tectonic processes. However, it still fails to fully explain continental tectonics and deformation. What, then, constitutes global tectonics? The relationship between plate tectonics and intracontinental tectonics, intracontinental orogeny classified according to different tectonic settings and evolutionary characteristics across the globe, are fundamentally absent. Furthermore, the far-field and near-field tectonic stresses, examining their modes of transmission and their roles in tectonic processes, are still unknown.
Moreover, with regard to tectonic evolution, the role of the advection mantle in continental tectonics, alongside its influence on the global tectonic framework should be considered, but not merely mantle convection. By mantle advection, along with horizontal and vertical flow patterns, such as mantle upwelling and downwelling responding to the rifting and orogeny, plays a significant role. This includes shear zones and mantle extrusion beneath continents, rotated mantle flow and energy transmission around the continental lithospheric root, could provide new perspectives on tectonic processes. We suggest that various mantle flow patterns, leading to the clear proposition that global tectonics can be defined as the combination of transcontinental tectonics, plate tectonics, and intracontinental tectonics.
How to cite: Wang, Y. and Zhou, L.: Intracontinental tectonics and orogeny—An introduction of a new tectonic subject , EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-9796, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-9796, 2025.
The mantle transition zone (MTZ) bounded by the 410-km discontinuity (d410) and 660-km discontinuity (d660), controls material and heat exchange between the upper and lower mantle. The phase transformations in MTZ are affected by subducting slabs that reach the transition zone by the exothermic phase transitions from olivine to wadsleyite around d410 and from wadsleyite to ringwoodite around 520 km depth (d520), as well as the endothermic phase transition from ringwoodite to post-spinel phases around 660 km depth which has long been considered as a likely cause of a viscosity increase below d660. However, how subducting slabs impact the mantle transition zone (MTZ) is debated. The Pacific-Asia subduction system is ideal for studying slab impact on the MTZ. It includes multi-stage subduction of the modern Pacific plate and the earlier Izanagi plate, and seismic tomographic models image flattening of the Izu-Bonin and Japan-southern Kurile slabs at the base of the MTZ. We calculate receiver function images of the MTZ based on data recorded by 322 broadband seismic stations in Northeastern China. We image the area of the flattened slab inside the MTZ but not the effects where the slab interacts with d410. Our results show that the d410 is flat and 5-10 km deeper than the global average within the area covered by our data and the average depth of d660 is about 670 km, which is consistent with previous results and may be explained by temperature-chemical effects. A complex d520 is clearly observed which we interpret as the top boundary of the flattened slab although it may also be caused by unstable temperature conditions.
How to cite: Zhang, X., Thybo, H., Artemieva, I. M., Xu, T., and Ai, Y.: A buckling stagnant slab imaged in the mantle transition zone, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-9947, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-9947, 2025.
The Kuche Depression, is an E-W trending foreland basin located at the South margin of the Tianshan Orogenic Belt. The Ridalike uranium deposit is located in the western Qiulitage fold-and-thrust belt of the Kuche Depression, and the uranium ore bodies are mainly preserved in the sandstones of the Pliocene Kuche Formation (N2k). The Kuqa Formation is a set of yellow oxidized sandstone layers formed in a semi-arid climate, but the grey layer is developed in Qiulitage fold-and-thrust belt, and uranium mineralization mainly deposit on the grey fluvial sandstone. According to the characteristics of the growth strata and the spatial cutting relationship between the strata in the Kuche Formation in the Qiulitage area, we conclude that the deformation age of the western Qiulitage anticline is between 5 ~ 2.5Ma and during the deposition of the upper part of Kuche Formation (N2k) and Early Pleistocene. Two stages of structure deformation can be identified in Ridalike area: type 1 is mainly composed of the fold-related faults, which developed between Paleogene and the early Pleistocene. The general strike of the axial plane of the type 1 fold and the related faults is near the E-W direction, and the local direction is slightly changed to NEE or SWW direction, which reflects the maximum principal compressive stress in approximately N-S direction. The type 2 structural deformation was mainly developing in the Early Pleistocene Xiyu conglomerate, and the outcrop appeared as a geomorphic escarpment. The surface outcrops of type 2 structure deformation can be observed in the Xiyu conglomerate on the North area of the Ridalik deposit, showing a series of fault escarpment, and normal faults with their associated reverse faults. According to the field structural deformation characteristics, it is inferred that the active age of the fault occurred after the early Pleistocene, which is a late tectonic event in the region. In the central and western Qiulitage fold-and-thrust belt, field investigation of the Kuche Formation (N2k) revealed "reversed" interlayer oxidation zones and "inverted roll" orebodies. The interlayer oxidation zone is widely developed from the Southern Tianshan Mountains along the Muzhaerte River basin to the southeast direction. The oxidized containing uranium fluid infiltrates into the target sandstone band of the Kuche Formation through the surface outcrops or the Windows under the loose quaternary sandstone, and the flow distance is approximately 50~60km, and the scale of the interlayer oxidation zone is large-scale. During this process, an oxidation zone containing uranium-containing fluid flowed through the Kuche depression and reached Qiulitage area. After surface denudation, the oxidation zone partially uplifted out of the surface, forming the present form of an "inverted" interlayer oxidation zone. The uranium ore body controlled by the interlayer oxidation zone has a normal rolled ore body, an inverted rolled ore body, and a double rolled ore body. In the NW direction of Ridalike uranium deposit, the Meso-Cenozoic fault system is scanty, which did not obstruct the flow of groundwater. Therefore, this study supported the genetic model of Ridalike uranium deposit as a "Trans-basin metallogenic model".
How to cite: Huo, H., Chen, Z., Zhang, Q., Han, F., Li, C., and Wang, S.: The sandstone-type Uranium mineralization mechanism in the Western Kuche Depression, Northwest China, A case study of Ridalike Uranium deposite, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-14040, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-14040, 2025.
The geochemistry of granite is largely controlled by physical and chemical parameters that are closely linked to tectonic processes in evolving orogenic belts. Therefore, temporal changes in the geochemical compositions of granites could be used to infer critical shifts in tectonic processes. The Himalayan leucogranites are crustal anatexis products, providing a case to formulate petrogenetic models for granites and test tectonic models. From west to east, in the High Himalaya and the Tethyan Himalaya, two groups of leucogranites are derived from fluid-absent melting (Group A) and fluid-fluxed melting of muscovite (Group B), respectively. In the Cona and Mount Everest areas, Group B granites crystallized at 26–10 Ma, and Group A granites formed at 19–13 Ma. Group B granites have higher CaO, Sr, Ba, Zr, Hf, Th, Sr/Y, Zr/Hf, Th/U, and 87Sr/86Sr and lower Rb, Nb, Ta, U and Rb/Sr than those in Group A granites. These geochemical differences highlight the role of deep-origin fluids and the dissolution control of the accessory phases on the geochemical compositions in silicic magma systems. Field and microstructural observations show that E–W extension occurred synchronously with the granite intrusion derived from fluid-fluxed melting. Elevated heat flow accompanying the E–W extension could dehydrate hydrous minerals and release fluids from deep-seated crust (e.g., Lesser Himalayan Sequence). Such fluids could flux and melt the metasedimentary rocks within the High Himalaya and produce Group B granites. Together with literature data, from the Lhasa terrane to the Himalayan belt, E–W extensions in Tibet may have initiated as early as 26 Ma.
How to cite: Gao, L.-E., Zeng, L., Zhao, L., and Yan, L.: Fluid-fluxed melting in the Himalayan orogenic belt: Implications for the initiation of E-W extension in southern Tibet, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-14082, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-14082, 2025.
The South Tianshan Orogenic Belt (STOB) mainly extends along the southern margin of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB), and the late Paleozoic ultramafic and mafic rocks records closure and collision processes of the South Tianshan Ocean. However, there are still controversies regarding the timing of the final closure of the South Tianshan Ocean. Here, we presents geochemistry, zircon U-Pb chronology data for the Halabulake basalts, and geochemistry for the cherts in the west of the STB to better constrained the South Tianshan Ocean closure and follwing collisional processess. In addition, We carried out zircon dating and geochemical analysis of the Wushibei basaltic andesites in the Wushi area of the STOB.The results shows that: (1) the age of the Halabulake basaltes is 283.7±1.7 Ma, mainly early Permain period. The geochemical characteristics indicated that they are formed in the intraplate tectonic background, and belongs to the alkaline asalt and basalt series. Zircons from the Wushi basaltic andesites yield crystallization ages of 286 to 288.4 Ma. The Wushibei basaltic andesites have continental arc magmatism-like geochemical affinities and are slightly enriched in light rare earth elements with high (La/Yb)N ratios. The Kangkelin Formation is dominated by shallow-marine carbonate rocks deposited in the Wushi sag, which are intercalated with clastic rocks. The cherts in wushi area belongs to the biogenetic siliceous rock series, which has the continental margin characteristics. Our study show that the STOB entered the post-collisional tectonic setting (281~283 Ma) in the early Permian, and the South Tianshan Ocean final closed before the early Permian..Our results provide new insights into the tectonic evolution of the South Tianshan.
How to cite: Zhang, Q., Chen, Z., and Huo, H.: Late Paleozoic tectonic evolution of the Southeast Tianshan Ocean: Implications for the Accretionary orogenesis of the Tianshan Orogenic Belt, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-14441, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-14441, 2025.
Tectonic generation is an important concept in geomechanics and tectonic geology. It refers to the sequence in which structural planes with different mechanical properties and orientations are formed during the same crustal movement. This occurs under the continuous action of the same period and dynamic action mode, or due to local changes in boundary conditions, which control the formation of structural features. Structural generation emphasizes the genetic relationship between structural features and serves as the basis for determining structural types and establishing structural systems.The structural generation relationship is common and distinct from the structural level. Different generation structures possess characteristics of time difference, derivation, absoluteness, and invisibility. Low-order structures are often distributed within the influence range of higher-order structures and are controlled by local stress fields. The study of ore-controlling structures should proceed from low order to high order. Starting with the investigation of ore-bearing structures,their mechanical properties and combination laws should be analyzed. This allows for the determination of ore-controlling structure types and the summarization of ore-controlling laws. Ore-prospecting predictions should follow a high-order to low-order approach. Based on the ore-controlling structure type and the control law of structure generation, the possible position and direction of low-order ore-bearing structures are analyzed, enabling ore-prospecting prediction. Through the structure generation analysis of ore-controlling structures, the Zoujiashan uranium deposit is considered to be controlled not by the NE-trending Zoujiashan-Shidong fault but by the NEE-trending hidden structural belt with a medium-low dip angle, dipping to NNW. The prospecting direction is along the SWW direction of the existing ore belt, and the deep part has a medium dip.In the Changjiang uranium ore field, uranium mineralization is not controlled by the Mianhuakeng fault and Youdongfault but by the NNW-trending structural belt with a steep dip angle. The shallow secondary fault is an ore-bearing (or ore-storing) structure, and the main structural belt,which merged from them and extended to the deep, plays the role of guiding mineralization and transporting ore-forming hydrothermal solutions (deposit distribution). The ore-prospecting direction is the extension and deepening part along the NNW-trending ore-bearing structure and the deep part of the surface mineral-free zone.When analyzing structural generation, it is essential to pay special attention to the genetic relationship of structural features along with structural periods. It is crucial to distinguish between structures formed before, during, and after mineralization. Within a specific ore field deposit or mineralization zone, the relationship between oreguiding structures, ore-transporting (ore-matching) structures, and ore-storing (ore-bearing) structures (i.e., the relationship between ore-controlling structures and ore-bearing structures) should be objectively analyzed.This analysis allows for the determination of an ore-controlling structural type, the construction of a structural ore-controlling model, and ultimatelyguides the practice of ore-prospecting and prediction.
How to cite: Chen, B.: Structural generation and its application in ore-prospecting: Take hydrothermal uranium deposits in South China as an example, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-14591, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-14591, 2025.
The lithosphere structure and geological evolution of the Caucasus and adjacent areas is determined by its position in the continental collision zone between the Eurasian and Africa-Arabian lithosphere plates, where convergence is still on-going at average rate of movement 10-30 mm/per year.
The main essence of the presentation is to highlight the pecularities of geodynamic evolution of continental collision zones of the lithosphere plates on the example of Caucasus and adjacent areas, paleotectonic reconstractions and correlation of main tectonic units of the region.
The Region located in the central part of the collision zone represents the lithosphere fragments collage of the Tethys Ocean and its continental margins. Within this area the system of island arcs, intra-and back arc bsins existed during Neoproterozoic-Early Cenozoic. Supra-subduction, midocean ridges and withinplate magmatic activity took place during Paleozoic-Early Cenozoic. In Late Cenozoic closure of the oceanic and backarc basins took place followed by the continent-continent collision, topography inversion and formation of modern structures in the region (Adamia et al., 1981, 2017; Dercourt et al., 1986).
During the pre-colllision stage there were not two, but three Tethys branches. The third of them is Van-Khoi oceanic branch.
Number of paleo-subduction zones (two or three?) is still debatable within the academic community. One research group (e.g.: Barrier et al., 2018; Sosson et al., 2010) admits existence of two subduction zones: Peri-Arabian and Ankara-Erzincan-Sevan-Zangezur zones, whilst another group including the abstract authors refer to the presence of three subduction zones and aside from abovementioned zones consider the presence of the Khoy Ocean and third subduction zone related to one of the Neotethys branches (Adamia et al., 1981, 2017; Dercour et al., 1986; Stampfli Atlas, 2001).
According to Adamia et al., 1981, 2017; Dercourt et al., 1986, Daralogöz- South Armenian block and Nakhchevan (SAB) in the Late Paleozoic-Mesozoic-Early Cenozoic represent the part of the Iranian but not the Anatolian Microcontinent.
References:
Adamia, SH., et al. 1981. Tectonics of the Caucasus and adjoining regions: implications for the evolution of the Tethys ocean. Journal of Structural Geology 3, 437–447
Adamia, Sh., et al. 2017. Tethyan evolution and continental collision in Georgia. In: Sorkhabi, R. (Ed.), Tectonic Evolution, Collision, and Seismicity of Southwest Asia: In Honor of Manuel Berberian’s Forty-Five Years of Research Contributions. Geol. Soc. Amer. Spec. Papers 525. pp. 501–535.
Barrier E., et al. 2018.- Paleotectonic Reconstruction of the Central Tethyan Realm. Tectonono-Sedimentary-Palinspastic maps from Late Permian to Pliocene. CCGM/CGMW, Paris, http://www.ccgm.org. Atlas of 20 maps (scale: 1/15 000 000).
Dercourt, J., et al. 1986. Geological evolution of the Tethys belt from the Atlantic to the Pamir since the Lias. Tectonophysics 123, 241–315.
Sosson M., et al. 2010. Sedimentary basin tectonics from the Black Sea and Caucasus to the Arabian Platform: Introduction, in Sosson, M., Kaymakci, N., Stephenson, R.A., Bergerat, F., and Starostenko, V., eds., Sedimentary Basin Tectonics from the Black Sea and Caucasus to the Arabian Platform: Geological Society, London, Special Publication 340, p. 1–10, doi:10.1144/SP340.1
Srampfli G. 2001. Palaeotectonic and palaeogeographic evolution of the western Tethys and PeriTethyan domain (IGCP Project 369).
How to cite: Sadradze, N., Adamia, S., Chabukiani, A., Apkhazava, M., Sadradze, G., Shikhashvili, T., and Sandroshvili, N.: Geodynamics, Paleotectonic Recontractions and Tectonic Correlation of the Black Sea – Caspian Sea and Central Middle East Region , EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-18075, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-18075, 2025.
