In the past two decades, several publications have been presented concerning the recent and active fault geometry, kinematics and geodynamics of the Aegean Region and particularly of the northern sector. Data and results are often contradictory and because of the complexity of the area most hypotheses and models should be carefully considered. The right-lateral movement of the North Anatolia Fault continues into some branches of the North Aegean fault system. There, strike-slip motion along NE-SW trending faults coexists with dip-slip E-W trending faults in the frame of an extensional regime related to N-S crustal stretching. If we take into account the geodynamic environment of the region, several mechanical problems arise. To the east, the Aegea is compressed by the westward convergence of Anatolia, while to the south and west along the Hellenic Arc, a hemyradial compression occurs due to subduction. Moreover, the North Anatolia-North Aegean Trough fault system resembles a restraining bend. To the contrary, the whole area is affected by pure extension and local transtension, along the NE-SW trending structures, Accordingly, the major paradox of the area and especially in the western sector (fault termination?) is the occurrence of extension where compression should areally, or at least locally, predominate.
The North Aegean Region: a Tectonic Paradox?
CAPUTO, Riccardo
1994
Abstract
In the past two decades, several publications have been presented concerning the recent and active fault geometry, kinematics and geodynamics of the Aegean Region and particularly of the northern sector. Data and results are often contradictory and because of the complexity of the area most hypotheses and models should be carefully considered. The right-lateral movement of the North Anatolia Fault continues into some branches of the North Aegean fault system. There, strike-slip motion along NE-SW trending faults coexists with dip-slip E-W trending faults in the frame of an extensional regime related to N-S crustal stretching. If we take into account the geodynamic environment of the region, several mechanical problems arise. To the east, the Aegea is compressed by the westward convergence of Anatolia, while to the south and west along the Hellenic Arc, a hemyradial compression occurs due to subduction. Moreover, the North Anatolia-North Aegean Trough fault system resembles a restraining bend. To the contrary, the whole area is affected by pure extension and local transtension, along the NE-SW trending structures, Accordingly, the major paradox of the area and especially in the western sector (fault termination?) is the occurrence of extension where compression should areally, or at least locally, predominate.I documenti in SFERA sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
