Reconstructions of the Western Mediterranean area for the Mesozoic and Tertiary timespan

Abstract

Based on seafloor data and palaeomagnetic results, reconstructions are given for the Western Mediterranean area, for the period of 165 Myr. to 10 Myr. ago. Reconstructions for 13 episodes provide a framework that can be used to unravel the history of Alpine orogeny. Of crucial importance in these reconstructions is the Adriatic continental block, the movements of which determined to a large extent the location of Alpine foldbelts in the Western Mediterranean.