Miocene–Recent evolution of Anaximander Mountains and Finike Basin at the junction of Hellenic and Cyprus Arcs, eastern Mediterranean

• Published in: Marine geology Vol. 258; no. 1; pp. 24 - 47
• Main Authors: Aksu, A.E., Hall, J., Yaltırak, C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 15.03.2009
• Subjects: Anaxagoras Mountains; Anaximander; Anaximenes; basin evolution; eastern Mediterranean; Finike Basin; Florence Rise; Marine; tectonics; Italy; MED, Cyprus; MED, Eastern Mediterranean; basin evolution; Anaxagoras Mountains; Florence Rise; Anaximander; Anaximenes; eastern Mediterranean; tectonics; Finike Basin
• ISSN: 0025-3227; 1872-6151
• DOI: 10.1016/j.margeo.2008.04.008

Interpretation of ~ 1750 km of multi-channel seismic reflection profiles shows that the region of Anaximander Mountains ( sensu lato) experienced a protracted Miocene contractional tectonic phase characterised by a nearly E–W trending and S-verging fold–thrust belt. This tectonic phase culminated during the latest Miocene and was replaced in the early-mid Pliocene by a tectonic regime dominated by transpression and rotation. We postulate that during the Pliocene–Quaternary the Anaximander Mountain ( sensu stricto) and the Anaximenes Mountain developed as the result of reactivation and uplift and rotation of a linked, thick-skinned pre-Messinian imbricate thrust fan. In both regions, the development of back thrusts accentuated the morphology of these submarine mountains. At this time, the Anaximenes Mountain experienced a progressive counterclockwise rotation, while the Anaxagoras Mountain and the Florence Rise experienced a clockwise rotation creating the present present-day arrowhead-shaped morphology of the Anaximander Mountains ( sensu lato). The Sırrı Erinç Plateau represents a former Miocene fold–thrust belt that is transected during the Pliocene–Quaternary by a major transpressional fault system, which created a series of closely-spaced high-angle faults that cut the seafloor, creating a corrugated topography. A major transfer fault is developed between the Anaximander Mountain ( sensu stricto) and the Sırrı Erinç Plateau which displays ~ 2 km of contractional stratigraphic separation and as much as 40 km of sinistral strike-slip. The Finike Basin evolved during the Pliocene–Quaternary as the result of accelerated subsidence, caused by the lithospheric loading of the western Tauride Mountains.