2025/05/26 by Judith M. Confal, Tuncay Taymaz, Tuna Eken +3 · 4 citations
Earth and Planetary Sciences · #Geological and Geochemical Analysis #Geology #High-pressure geophysics and materials #Paleontology #Seismology #Slab #earthquake and tectonic studies
paper · doi:10.1016/j.epsl.2025.119458
published in Earth and Planetary Science Letters 664, 119458 (Elsevier BV)
openalex publication_date 2025/05/26 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
For hundreds of millions of years, Gondwana and Laurasia were separated by the Paleo- and Neotethyan oceans. Their eventual collision led to the amalgamation of various continental fragments, initiating multiple subduction cycles in the broader Anatolian region. This study presents, for the first time, five finger-like high velocity perturbation anomalies beneath northern Anatolia (Türkiye), identified through high-resolution P-wave tomography at depths ranging from 80 to 250 km. These anomalies may represent shallow remnants of the Neotethyan slab, which may have remained buoyant due to underplating since the early Cenozoic. Their unique geometry and location suggest active mantle flow, possibly linked to either continental-continental subduction or recent lithospheric foundering. • Five finger-like seismic high velocity perturbation anomalies beneath Northern 9 Anatolia. • Evidence for possible remnant Tethyan slab fragments. • Due to continental-continental convergence or recent lithospheric foundering.