The northeast Mediterranean triple junction from a plate kinematic point of view

A kinematic analysis based on available data from Africa-Eurasia, Arabia-Africa and Eurasia-Anatolia relative plate motions provides useful constraints on the possible motions along the Arabia-Anatolia and Africa-Anatolia junctions, and a framework in which to understand the striking change in the structural style across the northeast Mediterranean triple junction. The dominant structures east of the triple junction are E-NE striking left-lateral faults (eg the East Anatolian Fault), and E-W striking thrust structures and folds. These structures accommodate together the Arabia-Anatolia transpressional motion. The main structural elements immediately west of the triple junction are the Kyrenia-Misis-Andirin Range which is interpreted here as a big positive flower structure, and the Adana-Cilicia and Iskenderun-Latakia-Mesaoria Neogene sedimentary basins. These structures record a predominantly strike-slip motion between Africa and Anatolia, which is accompanied by either a small compressional component or even by some extension. -from Authors