Linking Deep Earth and Surface Processes

Cloetingh, S.A.P.L.; Willett, Sean D.

doi:10.1002/2013eo050002

Cited by 13 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…Investigating the relationships between deep geodynamics and subsurface geological processes is one of the prime challenges in sciences of the solid earth [22,23]. In this paper, we present a combined analysis of the North Africa-West Asia region, where giant tectonic plates (the Nubian, Arabian, and Eurasian), as well as a number of comparatively small tectonic units, interact [42].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Giant Quasi-Ring Mantle Structure in the African–Arabian Junction: Results Derived from the Geological–Geophysical Data Integration

et al. 2021

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The tectonic-geodynamic characteristics of the North African-Arabian region are complicated by the interaction of numerous factors. To study this interaction, we primarily used satellite gravimetric data (retracked to the Earth's surface), which has been acknowledged as a powerful tool for tectonic-geodynamic zoning. The applied polynomial averaging of gravity data indicated the presence of a giant, deep quasi-ring structure in the Eastern Mediterranean, the center of which is located under the island of Cyprus. Simultaneously, the geometrical center of the revealed structure coincides with the Earth's critical latitude of 35°. A quantitative analysis of the obtained gravitational anomaly made it possible to estimate the depth of the upper edge of the anomalous body as 1650-1700 km. The GPS vector map coinciding with the gravitational trend indicates counterclockwise rotation of this structure. A review of paleomagnetic data on the projection of the discovered structure into the Earth's surface also confirms its counterclockwise rotation. Analysis of the geoid anomalies map and seismic tomography data commonly prove the presence of this deep anomaly. The structural and geodynamic characteristics of the region and paleobiogeographic data are consistent with the proposed physical-geological model. Comprehensive analysis of petrological, mineralogical, and tectonic data suggests a relationship between the discovered deep structure and near-surface processes. The deep structure also sheds light on specific anomalous effects in the upper layer of the crust, including the highintensity Cyprus gravitational anomaly, counterclockwise rotation of the Mesozoic terrane belt, configuration of the Sinai Plate, and asymmetry of sedimentary basins along continental faults.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Giant Quasi-Ring Mantle Structure in the African–Arabian Junction: Results Derived from the Geological–Geophysical Data Integration

et al. 2021

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“…With the TOPO-EUROPE programme, developed with the support of the International Lithosphere Project, we received ca. €15 million funding for a large-scale European Collaborative Research Effort (EUROCORES) coordinated by the European Research Foundation (ESF) (Cloetingh and Willett 2013). In addition, a TOPO-EUROPE inspired programme on the topography of Iberia (Topo Iberia) obtained an additional €8 million from the Spanish National Research Council, CSIC.…”

Section: Topo-europe: Coupled Deep Earth and Surface Processes With E...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Gold Medal Lecture Given at the Academia Europaea Building Bridges Conference 2022

Cloetingh

2023

European Review

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The quantitative understanding of processes operating in the earth system has advanced significantly over the last few decades. This has led to the realization that a close interaction between deep earth and surface processes is a key element in earth dynamics and its impact on geo-environment, geo-energy, geo-resources and geo-hazards in general. The European continent and its ocean-continent margins provide an excellent natural laboratory to examine the impact of geodynamics and climate on topography at the earth’s surface. The overview presented here demonstrates the need for a further understanding of the earth system across space and timescales. Cross-border scientific cooperation on a full pan-European scale, benefiting from funding opportunities offered by the European Commission and a pro-active role in bottom-up self-organization involving members of the Earth and Cosmic Sciences section of Academia Europaea, is needed more than ever.

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“…Studying the interactions between deep geodynamics and surface (subsurface; the last term here can mean many tens of km) geological processes is one of the critical problems in solid earth sciences [1][2][3][4][5][6]. A series of catastrophic seismic events in southeastern Turkey in February 2023 [7] makes it necessary to consider the diverse tectonic-geodynamic and deep geophysical data to explain this natural phenomenon.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The reasons for enormous accumulation of the geodynamic tension in Eastern Turkey: a multidisciplinary study

2024

GGES

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The catastrophic earthquakes in Eastern Turkey (Eastern Mediterranean) require their geodynamic understanding. The two most decisive events with magnitudes of 7.95 and 7.86 on 06.02.2023, followed by a series of more than 10,000 significant aftershocks. These tragic events led to the death of more than 60 thousand people. The above values indicate the colossal tension created in the Earth's crust. The region where these strongest earthquakes occurred is a complex junction zone of four tectonic plates: Eurasian, Arabian, African, and Anatolian. The joint movement of these plates (consisting, in turn, of tectonic elements of different ages) occurs at an average rate of 6-18 mm per year. After two marked powerful shocks and a series of aftershocks, some sectors of the Anatolian plate shifted to the southwest by more than 11 meters. Our recent publications indicated the presence of a giant, rotating quasi-ring structure below the Easternmost Mediterranean. This research contains significant newly obtained data. The quantitative analysis of the satellite-derived gravity data indicates the lower mantle occurrence of the anomalous target. Examination of the geoid anomalies map also testifies to the deep origin of this structure. The regional seismic tomography data confirm the presence of anomalous zones at a depth of 1500-1700 km. The GPS vector map and the comprehensive review of paleomagnetic data display the counterclockwise rotation of this structure. Analysis of the recently constructed magnetic field ΔZ pattern commonly proves the presence of this quasi-ring structure. The newly developed paleobiogeographic map is consistent with the proposed physical-geological model. A widespread analysis of tectonic, petrological, and mineralogical data implies a connection between the discovered deep structure and near-surface processes. A crucial for understanding the nature of the considered seismic stress is its location near the expressed bend of the Mesozoic terrane belt, where the Arabian Plate is deeply intruded into the Alpine-Himalayan belt. Thus, the rotation of this giant deep structure may accumulate the stress effect retrieved from the satellite, airborne, and surface geophysical observations. We propose that this stress, along with the known Earth's crust seismological activity in this region, is the causative reason for the catastrophic geodynamic events in Eastern Turkey.

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Linking Deep Earth and Surface Processes

Cited by 13 publications

References 8 publications

Giant Quasi-Ring Mantle Structure in the African–Arabian Junction: Results Derived from the Geological–Geophysical Data Integration

Giant Quasi-Ring Mantle Structure in the African–Arabian Junction: Results Derived from the Geological–Geophysical Data Integration

Gold Medal Lecture Given at the Academia Europaea Building Bridges Conference 2022

The reasons for enormous accumulation of the geodynamic tension in Eastern Turkey: a multidisciplinary study

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