板块构造与地幔对流是固体地球物质循环体系的关键组成部分，对板块构造与深部过程耦合研究已成为地球科学研究的前沿方向。西地中海是全球物质流、能量流交换与汇聚中心之一，是研究板块-地幔物质迁移的天然实验室。近年来，关于西地中海板块构造演化的研究成果丰硕，对渐新世以来Ligurian海沟迁移与盆地生长取得了基本一致认识。然而，与地表板块构造耦合的深部过程的研究程度仍较薄弱。本项目拟以Ligurian俯冲带活动的几何学、运动学与动力学为切入点，采用纯动力学模拟与数据同化模拟相结合的手段，研究控制海沟后撤模式与弧后盆地伸展模式的主要因素，分析俯冲板片形态的演化特征，初步构建渐新世以来西地中海板-幔系统演化的四维时空框架。本项研究将有助于揭示西地中海的深部过程，提升地表与深部观测数据的融合水平,对探索特提斯乃至全球物质能量循环机制具有重要意义。

Plate tectonics and mantle convection are dominating components of the solid earth system, and the interaction between tectonics and deep mantle processes has become a frontier in geoscience. Western Mediterranean is one of the exchange centers in global material and energy circulation context. Therefore, it is an excellent experimental field to explore the plate-mantle interaction. In recent decade, great achievements have been made in the tectonic researches of west Mediterranean. These studies show general agreement on the migration of Ligurian Tethys trench and the growth of the back-arc basins since Oligocene. However, the coupling between deep mantle processes and surface tectonic system is still poorly known. This project aims to understand the first-order charateristics of the geometry, kinematics and dynamics of Ligurian Tethys subduction. Major concerns may include the factors contributing to the trench retreat pattern and back-arc basin extension pattern, the slab morphology and geographical space-time configuration of the plate-mantle system since Oligocene. To overcome the uncertainty and the complexity of the system, we innovatively resort to the cooperation of both pure dynamics modeling and slab assimilation modeling. This study will help to expand our understanding of the subduction processes in west Mediterranean, promote the comprehensive integration of surface and deep observation in this region, and will be of great significance to understanding the evolution of Tethys and even global material circulation system.