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Rayleigh wave group velocity data from paths crossing the Levantine Sea are presented. We have derived a suite of models for the crustal structure of the Levantine Sea for extreme values of data errors and of the data corrections which were applied in order to account for lateral heterogeneity.We conclude that models with a crustal thickness less than 30 km are not consistent with the data. Our preferred models are characterized by a crustal thickness of 35-40 km. These results and the presence of an extremely thick sedimentary sequence point to a passive continental margin type of structure underlying the Levantine Sea. Additional data from the path Sicily-Jerusalem suggest that this type of structure is representative of the whole of the eastern Mediterranean (Levantine Sea and Ionian Sea).

Cloetingh, S., Nolet, G. and Wortel, R., 1979. On the use of Rayleigh wave group velocities for the analysis of continental margins. In: C.E. Keen (Editor), Crustal Properties across Passive Margins. Tectonophysics, 59: 335-346.Rayleigh wave group velocities provide a low-cost means for a quick assessment of averaged local properties of the Earth's crust in continental margin regions of the Atlantic type. Sufficiently accurate' measurements (with a standard error of 0.3 km/s or less) of group velocities in continental shelf areas at periods between 5 and 30 seconds provide important information about structural parameters. They may resolve the Moho depth to within 4 or 5 km, depending on crustal thickness, and give useful estimates of the average velocities in the upper part of the crust. The group velocities of Rayleigh waves in this period range are influenced most by the shear velocity at all depths and the compressional velocity and the density near the surface. For continental rise regions, the dominating influence of the water layer limits the effectiveness of the method.

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