Mapping Tectonic Deformation in the Crust and Upper Mantle Beneath Europe and the North Atlantic Ocean

摘要: We constructed a three-dimensional azimuthally anisotropic model of Europe and the North Atlantic Ocean based on adjoint seismic tomography. Several features are well correlated with historical tectonic events in this region, such as extension along Ridge, trench retreat Mediterranean, counterclockwise rotation Anatolian Plate. Beneath northeastern Europe, direction fast axis follows trends ancient rift systems older than 350 million years, suggesting “frozen-in” anisotropy related to formation craton. Local strength profiles identify brittle-ductile transitions lithospheric strength. In continental regions, these also lower crust, characterized by ductile flow. The observed fabric is generally consistent current surface strain rate measured geodetic surveys.