Tertiary-Quaternary magmatism within the Mediterranean and surrounding regions

This paper is part of the special publication No.156, The Mediterranean basins: Tertiary extension within the Alpine Orogen. (eds B.Durand, L. Jolivet, F.Horvath and M.Seranne). Tertiary-Quaternary magmatism within the Mediterranean and surrounding regions, including the European foreland of the Alps, the North African margin and the Eastern Mediterranean, occurs in three distinct associations: anorogenic, extension-related intra-plate magmas, typically Na-rich alkali basalts, basanites and their differentiates, but locally including subalkaline basalts and potassic partial melts (e.g. leucitites) of the mantle lithosphere; orogenic, subduction-related/post- collisional magma series related to plate convergence; typically with potassium-rich geochemical characteristics which may be related to subduction of continental crustal materials; subalkaline basalts, similar to mid-ocean ridge basalts, formed at localized oceanic spreading centres. The magmatism is spatially and temporally associated with the Late Cretaceous-Cenozoic convergence of Africa-Arabia with Eurasia which resulted in the progressive closure (by subduction) of oceanic basins in the Mediterranean domain and ultimately the collision of the Alpine orogen with the southern passive continental margin of Europe. Break-off of subducted lithospheric slabs may have provided an important trigger for magmatism in several localities. The timing and geographical distribution of magmatism of orogenic and anorogenic affinity is summarized. Detailed discussion of the major and trace element and Sr-Nd-Pb isotope characteristics of the magmatism in the Central Mediterranean region provides important insights into the petrogenesis of the magmas and the nature of the main mantle source components.