Neotethyan closure history of western Anatolia: a geodynamic discussion

摘要: This paper addresses the lithosphere-scale subduction–collision history of eastern termination Aegean retreating subduction system, i.e. western Anatolia. Although there is some general consensus on protracted evolution since early Cenozoic at least, correlation with Anatolia has been widely debated for more than several decades. In Anatolia, three main tectonic configurations have envisaged in past years to reconstruct slab dynamics during closure Neotethyan oceanic realm Late Cretaceous. Some authors suggested an Aegean-type scenario, continuous a single lithospheric slab, punctuated by episodic roll-back and trench retreat, whereas others assumed discontinuous marked intermittent break-off either Campanian (ca. 75 Ma) or Early Eocene 55–50 Ma). The third view implies partly contemporaneous zones. Our review these models points key aspects that can be re-evaluated light multidisciplinary constraints from literature. discussion leads us address timing initiation, existence hypothetical ocean basins, number intervening zones between Taurides Pontides, palaeogeographic origin units possibility Eocene. Thence, we put forward favoured scenario featuring two successive phases accretion continental domains separated trough, representing end Cycladic Ocean Aegean. lack univocal evidence southward-younging HP/LT metamorphism (from ~85, 70 50 Ma) Cretaceous–Palaeogene period suggests ~110 Ma, episodes Palaeocene Oligo-Miocene, tearing below Miocene.