Plate re-organization in the western Mediterranean: lithospheric causes and topographic consequences (TopoMed)

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This Collaborative Research Project (CRP) addresses an intriguing process of plate (boundary) re-organization, considered to be active in the western Mediterranean region. The opening of the Algero-Provencal Basin (between Spain, Corsica-Sardinia and NW Africa) by roll-back of the African lithosphere, led to collision of the migrating arc-trench system with the NW African (Maghrebian) margin, in the M. Miocene. We investigate the hypothesis that this event prompted the subsequent and probably still ongoing evolution of the Calabrian Arc in the east, and possibly that of the Gibraltar Arc in the west. Furthermore, recent activity along the margin indicates the possibility that a new subduction zone is being formed, accommodating the continuing ~ N-S motion between Africa and Eurasia (Europe). This process is a key element in Earth dynamics (Wilson Cycle!). The Mediterranean setting offers unique opportunities to study the arcs’ evolution and the subduction initiation process in a natural setting. Acknowledging the lithosphere scale of the process and combining the expertise of an experienced team of scientists with strong track records, TopoMed integrates geophysical, geological and geodetical data acquisition and analysis, imaging, and advanced modelling to investigate the past and future evolution of this plate boundary reorganization. Special focus is on the relationships between the deep lithospheric and mantle scale processes and their (near-) surface expressions, in particular topographic evolution and natural hazards.