Abstract
Models of convergence between the major African and European plates involve a stretching Aegean plate, whose present motion relative to Africa is south-west1–3. This motion has resulted in subduction of eastern Mediterranean sea floor as shown by seismicity, volcanism and morphology. The southern boundary of the Aegean plate is formed by the Hellenic Trench. Intensive study, culminating in the use of submersibles and multibeam echo-sounding as part of the Hellenic Arc and Trench Program4, has outlined the complexity of this boundary. Detailed reflection profiling which we carried out in autumn 1980 of the eastern portion of the Hellenic Trench system shows arcward verging thrusting south-west of the Rhodes Basin. We conclude that collision of the African continental margin with the Hellenic Arc is now in progress, causing overriding by the Mediterranean Ridge along the southeastern branch of the Hellenic Trench system.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
McKenzie, D. P. Geophys. J.R. astr. Soc. 30, 109–185 (1972).
McKenzie, D. P. Geophys. J.R. astr. Soc. 58, 217–254 (1978).
Le Piphon, X. & Angelier, J. Tectonophysics 60, 1–42 (1979).
Le Pichon, X. & Hsü, K. J. Episodes 1, 3–6 (1979).
Le Quellec, P. et al. Bull. Am. Ass. petrol. Geol. 64, 242–263 (1980).
Jongsma, D. Bull. geol. Soc. Am. 88, 797–805 (1977).
Leite, O. et al. C.r. somm. Séanc. Soc. géol. Fr. 5, 171–174 (1980).
Makris, J. Tectonophysics 46, 251–289 (1978).
Cloething, S. et al. Earth planet. Sci. Lett. 51, 336–342 (1980).
Woodside, J. M. Mar. geophys. Res. 3, 317–354 (1977).
Biju-Duval, B. et al. Init. Rep. DSDP Leg 42, 951–984 (1978).
Woodside, J. M. Geophys. J. R. astr. Soc. 47, 493–514 (1976).
Wong, H. K. Bull. geol. Soc. Am. 82, 91–100 (1971).
Hsü, K. S. et al. Nature 242, 240–244 (1973).
Dickinson, W. R. & Seely, D. R. Bull. Am. Ass. petrol. Geol. 63, 2–31 (1979).
Le Pichon, X. et al. C.r. hebd. Séanc. Acad. Sci., Paris 289 (D), 1225–1228 (1979).
Silver, E. A. & Moore, J. C. J. geophys. Res. 83, 1681–1691 (1978).
Sancho, J. et al. Earth planet. Sci. Lett. 18, 189–204 (1973).
Le Pichon, X. et al. C.r. hebd. Séanc. Acad. Sci., Paris 290 (D), 5–8 (1980).
Finetti, I. Bull. Geol. teor. appl. 13, 31–65 (1976).
Wright, D. W. et al. Boll. Geofis. teor. appl. 18/66, 168 (1975).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Jongsma, D., Mascle, J. Evidence for northward thrusting south-west of the Rhodes Basin. Nature 293, 49–51 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1038/293049a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/293049a0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.
