GeodynAlps

Some informations about the geodynamics of the Alps

Topographic map
Moho
Paleogeography

  • We provide some introductory maps (topography, Moho, paleogeography) of the Alps to present the frame of the data shown on the site. Some general points can be outlined:
  • The major tectonic contacts do not fit with the divide line between important european rivers (Danube, Po, Rhine, Rhone)
  • The Alps are surrounded by important extensive basins (Pannonian basin, Po plain, Valensole basin Rhine graben, Bresse graben) and marine basins (Ligurian-Provencal and Tyrrhenian seas) that split up the belt and isolated Corsica and the Nothern Appenines from the rest of the belt.
  • The depth of the Moho map, indicating the subduction direction, shows clearly that the Alps are today at the crossroad between several subductions (Alps, Appennines, Dinarides).



    • click on the picture for more details or to zoom



    click on the picture for more details or to zoom


    Some paleogeographical reconstructions of the Western Mediterranean at 131, 94, 35, 20 Ma
    131 Ma
    94 Ma
    35 Ma
    20 Ma
  • The presented paleogeography here assumes two oceans in the Western and Central Alps to take into account the most recent works. But there is still a strong debate about this interpretation.


    • To cite documents from this page
  • Tectonics, Moho or paleogeography: Bousquet R., Schmid S.M., Zeilinger G, Oberhänsli R., Rosenberg C., Molli G.,
    Robert C., Wiederkehr M., Rossi Ph., 2012, Tectonic framework of the Alps, CCGM/CGMW. http://www.geodynalps.org