Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Modeling the contemporary stress field and deformation pattern of eastern Mediterranean

  • Published:
Journal of Earth Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The contemporary stress field in the earth’s crust is important and provides insights into mechanisms that drive plate motions. In this study, elastic plane stress finite element modeling incorporating realistic rock parameters was used to calculate the stress field, displacement field, and deformation of the plate interactions in the eastern Mediterranean. Modeled stress data for the African-Arabian-Anatolian plate interactions with fixed European platform correlate well with observed contemporary stress indicator from the world stress map (WSM) and focal mechanism of earthquakes; while displacement field agrees qualitatively well with GPS vectors and sense of motion indicated by focal mechanisms for large crustal earthquakes (M s>6) and plate motion models. Modeling result shows the direction of maximum horizontal compressive stress (σ Hmax) toward the direction of absolute motion of these plates. Large perturbations in σ Hmax orientations are shown to occur in and around tectonic boundaries between those plates. It is observed that, although the African plate acts mostly as indenter, which transmits the collisional motion from the Arabian plate to the Anatolian plate, in the current situation, the far-field stress, probably from the subduction in Aegean Arc, is needed to satisfy the contemporary stress field in Anatolia.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References Cited

  • Ambraseys, N. N., Jackson, J. A., 1998. Faulting Associated with Historical and Recent Earthquakes in the Eastern Mediterranean. Geophysical Journal International, 133(2): 390–406

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Angelier, J., 1979. Néotectonique de l’arc Egéen. Soc. Geol. du Nord, 3

  • Armijo, R., Meyer, B., Hubert, A., et al., 1999. Westward Propagation of the North Anatolian Fault into the Northern Aegean: Timing and Kinematics. Geology, 27: 267–270

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arpat, E., Saroglu, F., 1972. The East Anatolian Fault System: Thoughts on Its Development. Bulletin of the Mineral Research and Exploration Institute of Turkey, 78: 33–39

    Google Scholar 

  • Barka, A., 1992. The North Anatolian Fault Zone. Annales Tectonicae, 6(Suppl.): 164–195

    Google Scholar 

  • Barka, A. A., Kadinsky-Cade, K., 1988. Strike-Slip Fault Geometry in Turkey and Its Influence on Earthquake Activity. Tectonics, 7(3): 663–684

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bozkurt, E., 2001. Neotectonics of Turkey: A Synthesis. Geodinamica Acta, 14(1–3): 3–30

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bozkurt, E., Kocyigit, A., 1996. The Kazova Basin: An Active Negative Flower Structure on the Almus Fault Zone, a Splay Fault System of the North Anatolian Fault Zone, Turkey. Tectonophysics, 265(3–4): 239–254

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chu, D. Z., Gordon, R. G., 1998. Current Plate Motions across the Red Sea. Geophysical Journal International, 135(2): 313–328

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cianetti, S., Gasperini, P., Boccaletti, M., et al., 1997. Reproducing the Velocity and Stress Fields in the Aegean Region. Geophysical Research Letters, 24(16): 2087–2090

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cianetti, S., Gasperini, P., Giunchi, C., et al., 2001. Numerical Modelling of the Aegean-Anatolian Region: Geodynamical Constraints from Observed Rheological Heterogeneities. Geophysical Journal International, 146(3): 760–780

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clark, S. P. Jr., 1966. Handbook of Physical Constants. Geological Society of America Memoir 97, New York. 587

  • Davies, R., England, P., Parsons, B., et al., 1997. Geodetic Strain of Greece in the Interval 1892–1992. Journal of Geophysical Research, 102(B11): 24571–24588

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DeMets, C., Gordon, R. G., Argus, D. F., et al., 1990. Current Plate Motions. Geophysical Journal International, 101(2): 425–478

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DeMets, C., Gordon, R. G., Argus, D. F., et al., 1994. Effect of Recent Revisions to the Geomagnetic Reversal Time Scale on Estimates of Current Plate Motions. Geophysical Research Letters, 21(20): 2191–2194

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dewey, J. F., Hempton, M. R., Kidd, W. S. F., et al., 1986. Shortening of Continental Lithosphere: The Neotectonics of Eastern Anatolia, a Young Collision Zone. Geological Society Special Publications, 19: 3–36

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dewey, J. F., Pitman, W. C., Ryan, W. B. F., et al., 1973. Plate Tectonics and the Evolution of the Alpine System. Geological Society of America Bulletin, 84(12): 3137–3180

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Doutsos, T., Kokkalas, S., 2001. Stress and Deformation Patterns in the Aegean Region. Journal of Structural Geollogy, 23(2–3): 455–472

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dwivedi, S. K., Hayashi, D., 2009. Numerical Modeling of the Development of Southeastern Red Sea Continental Margin. Earthquake Science, 22(3): 239–249. doi: 10.1007/s11589-009-0239-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dwivedi, S. K., Hayashi, D., 2008. FE Modeling of Contem porary Stress Field in Northeast Africa: Implications for the Kinematics of Suez Rift. Boll. Geofís. Teor. Appl., 49(Suppl. 2): 318–323

    Google Scholar 

  • Fischer, K. D., 2006. The Influence of Different Rheological Parameters on the Surface Deformation and Stress Field of the Aegean-Anatolian Region. International Journal of Earth Sciences, 95(2): 239–249

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Garfunkel, Z., Ben-Avraham, Z., 1996. The Structure of the Dead Sea Basin. Tectonophysics, 266(1–4): 155–176

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gephart, J. W., Forsyth, D. W., 1984. An Improved Method for Determining the Regional Stress Tensor Using Earthquake, Focal Mechanism Data: Application to the San Fernando Earthquake Sequence. Journal of Geophysical Research, 89(B11): 9305–9320

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hayashi, D., 2008. Theoretical Basis of FE Simulation Software Package. Bull. Fac. Sci. Univ. Ryukyus, 85: 81–95 (http://ir.lib.u-ryukyu.ac.jp)

    Google Scholar 

  • Heidbach, O., Tingay, M., Barth, A., et al., 2008. The 2008 Release of the World Stress Map (Available Online at www.world-stress-map.org)

  • Hempton, M. R., 1987. Constraints on Arabian Plate Motion and Extensional History of the Red Sea. Tectonics, 6(6): 687–705

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jackson, J., 1994. Active Tectonics of the Aegean Region. Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences, 22: 239–271

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jackson, J., Haines, J., Holt, W., 1995. The Accommodation of Arabia-Eurasia Plate Convergence in Iran. Journal of Geophysical Research, 100(B8): 15205–15219

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jackson, J., McKenzie, D., 1984. Active Tectonics of the Alpine-Himalayan Belt between Western Turkey and Pakistan. Geophysical Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society, 77(1): 185–264

    Google Scholar 

  • Joffe, S., Garfunkel, Z., 1987. Plate Kinematics of the Circum Red Sea: A Reevaluation. Tectonophysics, 141(1–3): 5–22

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kahle, H. G., Cocard, M., Peter, Y., et al., 2000. GPS-Derived Strain Rate Field within the Boundary Zones of the Eurasian, African, and Arabian Plates. Journal of Geophysical Research, 105(B10): 23353–23370

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kahle, H. G., Muller, M. V., Geiger, A., et al., 1995. The Strain Field in NW Greece and the Ionian Islands: Results Inferred from GPS Measurements. Tectonophysics, 249: 41–52

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kempler, D., Garfunkel, Z., 1994. Structures and Kinematics in the Northeastern Mediterranean: A Study of an Irregular Plate Boundary. Tectonophysics, 234(1–2): 19–32

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kiratzi, A. A., 1993. A Study on the Active Crustal Deformation of the North and East Anatolian Fault Zones. Tectonophysics, 225(3): 191–203

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kiratzi, A. A., Papazachos, C. B., 1995. Active Crustal Deformation from the Azores Triple Junction to the Middle East. Tectonophysics, 243(1–2): 1–24

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kocyigit, A., 1989. Susehri Basin: An Active Fault-Wedge Basin on the North Anatolian Fault Zone, Turkey. Tectonophysics, 167(1): 13–29

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Le Pichon, X., Angelier, J., 1979. The Hellenic Arc and Trench System: A Key to the Neotectonic Evolution of the Eastern Mediterranean Area. Tectonophysics, 60(1–2): 1–42

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Le Pichon, X., Chamot-Rooke, N., Lallemant, S., 1995. Geodetic Determination of the Kinematics of Central Greece with Respect to Europe: Implications for Eastern Mediterranean Tectonics. Journal of Geophysical Research, 100(B7): 12675–12690

    Google Scholar 

  • Le Pichon, X., Gaulier, J. M., 1988. The Rotation of Arabia and the Levant Fault System. Tectonophysics, 153(1–4): 271–294

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lundgren, P., Giardini, D., Russo, R. M., 1998. A Geodynamic Framework for Eastern Mediterranean Kinematics. Geophysical Research Letters, 25(21): 4007–4010

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lyberis, N., 1988. Tectonic Evolution of the Gulf of Suez and the Gulf of Aqaba. Tectonophysics, 153(1–4): 209–220

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McClusky, S., Balassanian, S., Barka, A., et al., 2000. Global Positioning System Constraints on Plate Kinematics and Dynamics in the Eastern Mediterranean and Caucasus. Journal of Geophysical Research, 105(B3): 5695–5719

    Google Scholar 

  • McClusky, S., Reilinger, R., Mahmoud, S., et al., 2003. GPS Constraints on Africa (Nubia) and Arabia Plate Motions. Geophysical Journal International, 155(1): 126–138

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McKenzie, D. P., 1970. Plate Tectonics of the Mediterranean Region. Nature, 226(5242): 239–243

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McKenzie, D. P., 1972. Active Tectonics of the Mediterranean Region. Geophysical Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society, 30(2): 109–185

    Google Scholar 

  • McKenzie, D. P., 1976. The East Anatolian Fault: A Major Structure in the Eastern Turkey. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 29(1): 189–193

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meijer, P. T., Wortel, M. J. R., 1996. Temporal Variation in the Stress Field of the Aegean Region. Geophysical Research Letters, 23(5): 439–442

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meijer, P. T., Wortel, M. J. R., 1997. Present-Day Dynamics of the Aegean Region: A Model Analysis of the Horizontal Pattern of Stress and Deformation. Tectonics, 16(6): 879–895

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Neves, S. P., Silva, J. M. R., Mariano, G., 2005. Oblique Lineations in Orthogneisses and Supracrustal Rocks: Vertical Partitioning of Strain in a Hot Crust, Eastern Borborema Province, NE Brazil. Journal of Structural Geology, 27(8): 1513–1527

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nyst, M., Thatcher, W., 2004. New Constraints on the Active Tectonic Deformation of the Aegean. Journal of Geophysical Research, 109(B11406), doi:10.1029/2003JB002830

  • Otsubo, M., Hayashi, D., 2003. Neotectonics in Southern Ryukyu Arc by Means of Paleostress Analysis. Bull. Fac. Sci. Univ. Ryukyus, 76: 1–73

    Google Scholar 

  • Papazachos, C. B., 1999. Seismological GPS Evidence for the Aegean-Anatolia Interaction. Geophysical Research Letters, 26(17): 2653–2656

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Papazachos, C. B., Kiratzi, A. A., 1992. A Formulation for Reliable Estimation of Active Crustal Deformation and Its Application to Central Greece. Geophysical Journal International, 111(3): 424–432

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Papazachos, C. B., Kiratzi, A. A., 1996. A Detailed Study of the Active Crustal Deformation in the Aegean and Surrounding Area. Tectonophysics, 253(1–2): 129–153

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rebai, S., Philip, H., Taboada, A., 1992. Modern Tectonic Stress Field in the Mediterranean Region: Evidence for Variation in Stress Directions at Different Scales. Geophysical Journal International, 110(1): 106–140

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reilinger, R., McClusky S., Oral, M., et al., 1997. Global Positioning System Measurements of Present-Day Crustal Movements in the Arabia-Africa-Eurasia Plate Collision Zone. Journal of Geophysical Research, 102(B5): 9983–9999

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Scordilis, E. M., Karakaisis, G. F., Karakostas, B. G., et al., 1985. Evidence for Transform Faulting in the Ionian Sea: The Cephalonia Island Earthquake Sequence of 1983. Pure and Applied Geophysics, 123(3): 388–397

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sengör, A. M. C., 1979. The North Anatolian Transform Fault: Its Age, Offset and Tectonic Significance. Journal of the Geological Society, 136: 269–282

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sengör, A. M. C., 1987. Cross-Faults and Differential Stretching of Hanging Walls in Regions of Low-Angle Normal Faulting: Examples from Western Turkey. Geological Society Special Publications, 28: 575–589

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Steckler, M. S., Berthelot, F., Lyberis, N., et al., 1988. Subsidence in the Gulf of Suez: Implications for Rifting and Plate Kinematics. Tectonophysics, 153(1–4): 249–270

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tatar, O., Piper, J. D. A., Gursoy, H., et al., 1996. Regional Significance of Neotectonic Counterclockwise Rotation in Central Turkey. International Geology Review, 38(8): 692–700

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taymaz, T., Eyidogan, H., Jackson, J., 1991. Source Parameters of Large Earthquakes in the East Anatolian Fault Zone (Turkey). Geophysical Journal International, 106(3): 537–550

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Toksoz, M. N., Shakal, A. F., Michael, A. I., 1979. Space-Time Migration of Earthquakes along the North Anatolian Fault Zone and Seismic Gaps. Pure and Applied Geophysics, 117(6): 1258–1270

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vidal, N., Alvarez-Marron, J., Klaeschen, D., 2000. The Structure of the Africa-Anatolia Plate Boundary in the Eastern Mediterranean. Tectonics, 19(4): 723–739

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Westaway, R., 1994. Present-Day Kinematics of the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean. Journal Geophysical Research, 99(B6): 12071–12090

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wortel, M. J. R., Spakman, W., 2000. Subduction and Slab Detachment in the Mediterranean-Carpathian Region. Science, 290(5498): 1910–1917

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yin, Z. M., Ranalli, G., 1992. Critical Stress Differences, Fault Orientation and Slip Direction in Anisotropic Rocks under Non-Andersonian Stress Systems. Journal of Structural Geology, 14(2): 237–244

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zheng, Y., D., Wang, T., Ma, M. B., et al., 2004. Maximum Effective Moment Criterion and the Origin of Low-Angle Normal Faults. Journal of Structural Geology, 26(2): 271–285

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zheng, Y. D., Wang, T., Zhang, J. J., 2009. Structural Analysis of Mylonitic Rocks in the Cougar Creek Complex, Oregon-Idaho Using the Porphyroclast Hyperbolic Distribution Method, and Potential Use of SC-Type Extensional Shear Bands as Quantitative Vorticity Indicators: Discussion. Journal of Structural Geology, 31(5): 541–543

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zitter, T. A. C., Woodside, J. M., Mascle, J., 2000. Ongoing Deformation along the Western Branch of the Cyprus Arc. European Geophysical Society XXV General Assembly, Nice, France, 25–29 April 2000, Geophysical Research Abstracts, 2, 16

  • Zoback, M. L., 1992. First- and Second-Order Patterns of Stress in the Lithosphere: The World Stress Map Project. Journal of Geophysical Research, 97(B8): 11703–11728

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zoback, M. L., Zoback, M. D., 1980. State of Stress in the Conterminous United States. Journal of Geophysical Research, 85(B11): 6113–6156

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Simulation Tectonics Laboratory, Faculty of Science, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, 903-0213, Japan

    S. K. Dwivedi & D. Hayashi

Authors
  1. S. K. Dwivedi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. D. Hayashi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to S. K. Dwivedi.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Dwivedi, S.K., Hayashi, D. Modeling the contemporary stress field and deformation pattern of eastern Mediterranean. J. Earth Sci. 21, 365–381 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12583-010-0100-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12583-010-0100-6

Key Words

Search

Navigation