Evidences of Cenozoic strike-slip dislocations of the red river fault system in Paleozoic carbonate strata of Cat Ba Island (Northern Vietnam)

The structural researches of carbonate strata in the northeastern segment of the framework of the Red River Fault System (Cat Ba Island, Northern Vietnam) has been carried out. It was found that weakly deformed carbonate strata are cut by NW-trending (300–310°) strike-slip faults. Development of plicative and disjunctive dislocations occurred along predominantly sinistral strike-slip fault zones formed as a result of ENE regional compression (80°) during the Oligocene-Miocene phase of deformation. Late dislocations confined to the Pliocene-Quaternary phase of deformation (NNW regional compression 330–350°), are relatively less developed. Seismic monitoring data show that both plicative and disjunctive dislocations have continued to the present.     

Lineaments,planetary jointing,and the regmatic system: Main points of the phenomena and terminology

The meaning of the term lineament, the modes of their recognition, and the lineament patterns dramatically varying in interpretations by different authors, are considered. It has been shown that obligatory identification of lineaments with faults and fracture zones is mostly implied rather than corroborated by evidence. The mapping of faults in platform regions based on lineaments requires distinct geological substantiation, otherwise lineament patterns remain devoid of sense. The regmatic system of supposedly tectonic dislocations cannot form on the surface of the rotating Earth, because the operating forces are too weak. Taking into account drift of continents and their rotation in the geological past, one hardly can speak of an ancient and inherited fault network.     

Cenozoic wrench tectonics and oroclinal bending in SE Korea

Based on fault geometry, petrography, and geochronology of granitic rocks as well as palaeomagnetic data from the Gyeongsang Basin, two conjugate fault sets are explained as a reflection of NNE-trending right-lateral wrench tectonics. According to this interpretation, the Gaum and Yangsan fault sets correspond to antithetic faulting by R′-shear and synthetic faulting by R-shear, respectively; they have rotated clockwise and counterclockwise, respectively, due to NE–SW compression (shortening), as a result of a NNE-trending wrenching force (simple shear). During progressive deformation, NS- or NNW-trending strike–slip faulting by P-shear occurred in the Yeongyang sub-basin, and finally the Yangsan fault formed as a wrench fault bisecting the P-shear and R-shear directions. Extension of the faults (R-shear, striking ～N22°E) generated by block rotation on the east side of the Yangsan fault (wrench fault, striking ～N13°E) resulted in convex eastward deflections. We suggest that this was caused by oroclinal bending of the existing faults generated by block rotations in opposite directions and is inferred to have been closely related to the East Sea (i.e. Sea of Japan) opening.     

Deep structures in the Maritime Territory-Sea of Japan continental margin from seismic data

This paper discusses the results of interpreting seismic profiles on the Earth’s crust of the Maritime Territory and Sea of Japan performed during the 20th century by the Sakhalin Integrated Research Institute and by the Schmidt Joint Institute of Physics of the Earth, Russian Academy of Sciences. The seismic profiles confirmed the presence of structural features under the Maritime Territory and the Sea of Japan that were revealed previously from geological data, such as spreading zones, rifts, deep-seated faults, overthrusts, and subduction zones, suggesting an active type of continental margin in the Far East region. We assumed that a high occurrence of the asthenospheric layer enclosing magmatic chambers explains the high activity of tectonic processes in the Far Eastern continental margin. The identified system of rifts and spreading centers supports this assumption.     

Stress analysis and tectonic trends of southern Sinai Peninsula, using potential field data analysis and anisotropy technique

The aim of the present work is to evaluate the stress direction and the tectonic trends of the study area using magnetic anisotropy and potential field data interpretations (Bouguer and aeromagnetic). The specific objective of the gravity and aeromagnetic interpretation is to establish the trend and depth of the structural configuration of the basement rocks. Horizontal gradient techniques could to delineate directions of deep sources and enabled tracing several faults, lineaments and tectonic boundaries of basement rocks. The trend analysis shows N40°?C50°W, N10°?C20°W and N10°?C20°E which may be related to the Gulf of Suez, Red Sea and Gulf of Aqaba stresses. However, Euler Deconvolution technique was applied using the aeromagnetic data to provide reliable information about penetrated source depth (100 m and ??10.0 km) and trends of the subsurface sources (principally in NW and NE directions). Moreover, representative 72 oriented rock samples have been collected from seven sites in the study area. The rock magnetic properties and magnetic anisotropy analysis have been determined for all the studied samples. The interpretation clearly defined magnetic lineation at all sites and anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) parameters. The stress direction of the studied area has been evaluated using magnetic anisotropy and geophysical analysis. Generally the estimated geophysical data analysis (Bouguer and aeromagnetic) are well consistent with the AMS interpretations of this study. The results indicated that the directions of predominant faults and foliations are NW-SE (related to the Gulf of Suez and Red Sea rifting) which indicate that the main stress and tectonic trend is NE-SW, which is more predominant in southern Sinai region. Moreover, it is clear that, the studied area was affected also by less predominant sources trended in NE-SW direction, which related to the tectonic activity of Gulf of Aqaba. The least predominant is north 40°?C50° east that is probably due to the Syrian Arc system. Finally, our results are extremely coincided with the previous stress directions derived from geological, seismological and tectonic analysis in northern Red Sea rift, Gulf of Suez and Sinai regions.     

Correlation of lineaments and groundwater quality in Dasht-e-Arjan Fars,SW of Iran

The NE-oriented Dasht-e-Arjan graben is located 65 km west of Shiraz and has resulted from the active Kare-e-Bas fault segmentations. This extensional graben bounded by two fault system east-Arjan and west-Arjan to the Shahneshin and Salamati anticline. In these study using Landsat 7 ETM images with resolution 2.5 m and directional filtering in the four azimuths and semi-automatic technique for linear structure in the study area. Using the obtained data from extracted lineaments, the rose diagrams of the main strike lineaments are well confirm with field measurements of faults with N56° ± 4°E direction. The structural lineaments of the study area show that the Dasht-e-Arjan area is underlain by the limestone, sandstone, and marl. LANDSAT imagery of the area has been analyzed and interpreted in order to determine the lineament and groundwater quality across the area. The fracture is structurally controlled and mostly influences both the groundwater and surface water pollution and flow directions in the Dasht-e-Arjan. Using visual interpretation, determining the lineaments on the satellite image is very difficult and subjective, and it requires an experienced interpreter. In this study, the lineament analysis is undertaken to examine the orientation of the lineament, the relationship between lineaments and tectonic features and groundwater quality. Lineament density maps show that the lineament density is high around areas. Areas having high lineament density represent areas with relatively high groundwater pollution. Field observations agreed with the results from the analysis of the imagery.     

Structural Mapping of the Bentong‐Raub Suture Zone Using PALSAR Remote Sensing Data,Peninsular Malaysia: Implications for Sediment‐hosted/Orogenic Gold Mineral Systems Exploration

The Bentong‐Raub Suture Zone (BRSZ) of Peninsular Malaysia is one of the major structural zones in Sundaland, Southeast Asia. It forms the boundary between the Gondwana‐derived Sibumasu terrane in the west and Sukhothai Arc in the east. The BRSZ is genetically related to the sediment‐hosted/orogenic gold deposits associated with the major lineaments in the Central Gold Belt of Peninsular Malaysia. In this investigation, the Phased Array type L‐band Synthetic Aperture Radar (PALSAR) satellite remote sensing data were used to map major geological structures in Peninsular Malaysia and provide detailed characterization of lineaments and curvilinear structures in the BRSZ, as well as their implication for sediment‐hosted/orogenic gold exploration in tropical environments. Major structural lineaments such as the Bentong‐Raub Suture Zone (BRSZ) and Lebir Fault Zone, ductile deformation related to crustal shortening, brittle disjunctive structures (faults and fractures) and collisional mountain range (Main Range granites) were detected and mapped at regional scale using PALSAR ScanSAR data. The major geological structure directions of the BRSZ were N–S, NNE–SSW, NE–SW and NW–SE, which derived from directional filtering analysis to PALSAR fine and polarimetric data. The pervasive array of N–S faults in the Central Gold Belt and surrounding terrain is mainly linked to the N–S trending of the Suture Zone. N–S striking lineaments are often cut by younger NE–SW and NW–SE‐trending lineaments. Gold mineralized trend lineaments are associated with the intersection of N–S, NE–SW, NNW–SSE and ESE–WNW faults and curvilinear features in shearing and alteration zones. Compressional tectonic structures such as the NW–SE trending thrust, ENE–WSW oriented faults in mylonite and phyllite, recumbent folds and asymmetric anticlines in argillite are high potential zones for gold prospecting in the Central Gold Belt. Three generations of folding events in Peninsular Malaysia have been recognized from remote sensing structural interpretation. Consequently, PALSAR satellite remote sensing data is a useful tool for mapping major geological structural features and detailed structural analysis of fault systems and deformation areas with high potential for sediment‐hosted/orogenic gold deposits and polymetallic vein‐type mineralization along margins of Precambrian blocks, especially for inaccessible regions in tropical environments.     

Analysis of Ezinepazarı–Sungurlu Fault Zone (Turkey) using Landsat TM data and its kinematic implications

The study area is located between Çorum and Amasya along the Ezinepazar?–Sungurlu Fault Zone (ESFZ) which is regarded as the splay of the North Anatolian Fault Zone (NAFZ). By this study, the 1/25,000 scaled geological map of the study area was prepared, and its stratigraphic and tectonic characteristics were unraveled as a result of palaeontological and petrographical analyses of the samples collected from different rock units. Particularly, geologic ages of the Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous Ferhatkaya and Carcurum and Middle Eocene Çekerek formations were provided from palaeontological determinations. Using Landsat TM and Shuttle Radar Topography Mission 3 (SRTM 3) data of the region, the borders between the rock units and the tectonic characteristics in the study area were clarified by spectral and spatial enhancement methods. Kinematic characteristics of ESFZ obtained from the young sedimentary rocks along both sides of the fault zone were also inferred in this study. Understanding the kinematic and geometrical characteristics of the faults is important in terms of the seismotectonics of the region. In the statistical study conducted on the basis of the directions of the lineaments indicates the highest concentrations in general between N 50° - 60° E and N 60° - 70° E. Band 7 of the study area was enlightened in SE direction taking into consideration the relation of the geologic structures in the region with NAFZ and ESFZ and their general strike directions. Along with the formation of NAFZ, the region has undergone a counterclockwise rotation of approximately 20°–30°, which has developed between the “splay” faults in the south block of that fault. These faults are strike-slip faults formed under the compressional regime roughly in a NW–SE direction. It is noted that this tectonic regime has developed under compression in NW–SE direction, which was dominant in similar kinematic analysis studies conducted on NAFZ.     

Struktur des Alpenrandes zwischen Inn und Bodensee im Satellitenbild

1. Multispectral scanning imageries, revealed from ERTS-1 satellite, show a young lineament pattern in the region of the Northern Calcareous Alps. The statistical distribution of the lineament directions accords well with that of mapped faults. On the other hand, many of these lineaments are not mapped as faults. A more complex type of fracture is supposed for them, composed of many joints and minor faults. With increasing length of the fracture, the acute angle of the shear system increases from about 40° at joints to 70° at faults and 80° at lineaments.
2. The satellite imagery shows a relationship between the structures of the folded molasse and the alpine nappes. The mimer and depth of folds, the width of the folded zone, and the lateral limitation of the synclines are related to the amount of thrusting of parts of the nappe system. A model for the genesis of the folded molasse is given.

     

Tectonic indentation in the central Alboran Sea (westernmost Mediterranean)

The Alboran Sea constitutes a Neogene–Quaternary basin of the Betic–Rif Cordillera, which has been deformed since the Late Miocene during the collision between the Eurasian and African plates in the westernmost Mediterranean. NNE–SSW sinistral and WNW–ESE dextral conjugate fault sets forming a 75° angle surround a rigid basement spur of the African plate, and are the origin of most of the shallow seismicity of the central Alboran Sea. Northward, the faults decrease their transcurrent slip, becoming normal close to the tip point, while NNW–SSE normal and sparse ENE–WSW reverse to transcurrent faults are developed. The uplifting of the Alboran Ridge ENE–WSW antiform above a detachment level was favoured by the crustal layering. Despite the recent anticlockwise rotation of the Eurasian–African convergence trend in the westernmost Mediterranean, these recent deformations—consistent with indenter tectonics characterised by a N164°E trend of maximum compression—entail the highest seismic hazard of the Alboran Sea.     

Reflections on the rigidity of the Lut Block and recent crustal deformation in eastern Iran

Imagery from the first Earth Resources Technology Satellite passes over east-central Iran are interpreted with special emphasis on geomorphology of the structural trends in the area. Several units of arcuate structure are named and discussed. Newly found dislocations and other lineaments within the Lut Block, in addition to its internal seismicity and Quaternary volcanic activity, support the argument against the rigidity of the block.Neotectonic and seismotectonic maps of the area are prepared and discussed. These maps reveal a complicated and mostly radial pattern of the pre-Neogene compressive directions. The post-Neogene directions of compression are, however, consistent with a NE—NNE trend throughout the area. These axes of maximum horizontal shortening are deduced from the trend of normal and en-echelon Neogene folds, the pattern and sense of movement of faults active in Quaternary, geodetic measurements, and the source mechanism of earthquakes.It is concluded that the plate-tectonic concept cannot readily be used to explain the recent deformation taking place in continental area structurally as complicated as eastcentral Iran.     

GPS-measurements of recent crustal deformation in the junction zone of the rift segments in the central Baikal rift system

Based on multiyear measurements of present-day motions in the central area of the Baikal rift system, new data on the kinematics of horizontal motions, relative horizontal deformation rates, and rotation velocities in the area of junction of the South Baikal, North Baikal, and Barguzin rift basins have been obtained. This area is an intricate structure with two transfer zones: Ol’khon–Svyatoi Nos and Ust’-Barguzin.It is shown that crustal blocks are moving southeastward, normally to the structures of transfer zones and at an acute angle to the Baikal Rift strike, which corresponds to the right-lateral strike-slip extensional faulting along the major structure. The average horizontal velocities increase from 3.0 mm yr–1 in the northern South Baikal basin to 6.5 mm yr–1 in the Barguzin basin. The elongation axes prevailing in the study region are mainly of NW–SE direction. The areas of intense deformations are confined to structures with high seismic activity in the South Baikal and, partly, Barguzin basins. This confirms the existence of a present-day zone of the Earth’s crust destruction in the Baikal rift system, which is the most likely source of strong earthquakes in the future. Two zones with rotations in opposite directions are recognized in the rotation velocity field. Clockwise rotation is typical of structures of N–NE strike (Maloe More basin, southern North Baikal basin, Barguzin Ridge rise). Counterclockwise rotation is determined for NE-striking structures (northern South Baikal basin, southern Barguzin basin). In general, the obtained data show an intricate pattern of present-day horizontal dislocations and deformations in the area of junction of NE- and N–NE-striking rift structures. This suggests left- and right-lateral strike-slip faults, respectively, within them.     

Tectonic significance of mesofracture systems associated with the Lebanese segment of the Dead Sea transform fault

A 3000 m Jurassic-Cretaceous-Palaeogene succession dominated by carbonates is deformed by NNE trending open folds of Palaeogene age. Conjugate wrench faults and a system of normal faults extend the fold belt axially and probably evolved during anticlockwise rotation in a transpressive regime related to the oblique convergence of the African and Arabian plates across the Lebanese segment of the Dead Sea transform fault. Three sets and four systems of conjugate mesoscopic fractures, symmetrically orientated with reference to bedding and the plunge of the fold in which they are contained, resulted in minor axial elongation. Pressure solution on surfaces striking parallel to the fold belt locally achieved up to 50% shortening.The N30°E vertical Yammouné Fault Zone, which connects with the principal rift faults to the north and south, is accompanied by mesostructures which indicate that displacements were dominantly left-lateral and that the 1–2 km Zone is younger than the folds, possibly of Neogene age.     

Fractures and faults in volcanic rocks (Campi Flegrei,southern Italy): insight into volcano-tectonic processes

The present study was focused to analyze fractures and faults in the Campi Flegrei calderas presently hosting several volcanic edifices, such as lava domes, scoria, and tuff cones. A complex network of fractures and faults affects the volcanic rocks, mostly as planar with highly variable density. Frequently faults appearing as conjugate structures showing normal kinematics often associated with ductile deformation such as drag folds and deflexed layers, suggesting a syn-eruption deformation. However, the most of faults, mainly hosted along the caldera/crater rims, are very steep with dominant normal and secondary reverse movements. The fracture pattern indicates a slight prevalence of NE–SW and NW–SE directions, but N–S and E–W trends also occur. Fractures and faults found in rocks older than 15 ka (Neapolitan Yellow Tuff included), measured in western and eastern sectors of the study area, indicate a rotation of ca. 30° of the main directions among these two sectors. For the faults occurring along the caldera/crater rims, we suggest a kinematic evolution characterized by the reactivation of tensile fractures previously formed in response to both regional extension and locale resurgent dome. Finally, normal faults located in the central sector of caldera, between La Starza and Accademia localities, cutting the youngest volcanic deposits, indicate a constant NNE–SSW extension probably related to the caldera resurgence.     

Present-day Block Movement and Fault Activity on the Eastern Margin of the Tibetan Plateau

The geology and tectonics in the eastern margin of Tibetan Plateau are complex. The main tectonic framework is composed of blocks and faults. Using discontinuous global positioning system survey data for 2008–2014, the velocity field for the Eurasia reference framework was obtained. Based on the velocity field, the present-day velocities of the blocks and boundary faults were estimated. The results reveal that the movement rates of the Chuan-Qing, South China, Chuan-Dian and Indo-China blocks are(17.02±0.60) mm/a,(8.77±1.51) mm/a,(13.85±1.31) mm/a and(6.84 ± 0.74) mm/a, respectively, and their movement directions are 99.5°, 120.3°, 142.9° and 153.3°, respectively. All blocks exhibit clockwise rotation. The displacement rates of the Xianshuihe, Longmenshan, Anninghe, Zemuhe, Xiaojiang and Red River faults are(7.30±1.25–8.30±1.26) mm/a,(10.07±0.97–11.79±0.89) mm/a,(0.96±0.74–2.98±1.73) mm/a,(2.03±0.49–3.20±0.73) mm/a,(3.45±0.40–6.02±0.50) mm/a and(6.23±0.56) mm/a, respectively. The Xianshuihe, Anninghe, Zemuhe and Xiaojiang faults show leftlateral strike-slip movement, while the Longmenshan and Red River faults show right-lateral strikeslip. These characteristics of the blocks and faults are related to the particular tectonic location and dynamic mechanism.     

Extension and rifting: the Zeit region,Gulf of Suez

A field analysis of faults and fractures in the Ras Gharib-Ras Gemsa region of the Gulf of Suez shows that the main Late Cenozoic extension occurred perpendicular to the rift axis. Three main types of dip-slip normal faults successively developed as the tilt of blocks bounded by antithetic normal faults increased. Determinations of the amount of extension from structural data are compatible with estimates made using subsidence data through a simplified model of lithospheric stretching. The uplift of rift shoulders is related in chronology and volume to the subsidence of the rift. The geometry of fault patterns and directions of extension suggests that the Late Cenozoic total movement corresponds to a counterclockwise rotation of 4–5° of Sinai relative to Africa, with a pole close to Cairo.     

Quaternary deformation around the Palo Negro area,Pampa Norte,Argentina

The Pampa Norte region is a great plain characterized by low slopes and accumulation of hundreds of meters of thick loose sediments. A high morphostructure denominated San Guillermo block stands out in the central plain, the Tostado–Selva scarp forming its western boundary. It is located in an intraplate setting characterized by low tectonic activity. However recent uplift can be inferred by means of terrain analysis and the sedimentology of the Palo Negro Fm. Pond deposits (Palo Negro Fm.) observed in the scarp suggest topographic inversion during the Late Quaternary in the Palo Negro area. The morphology indicates that the deformation was widely distributed, forming a gentle (ca. 5 m amplitude and 13 km wavelength) asymmetric fold. Low sinuosity lineaments located in the base of the scarp, coincident with knick points in the topographic profile, can be interpreted as the projection of tip-lines by high-angle fault-propagation. This geometry is compatible with reverse kinematics on blind faults.A deformation style with reactivation of pre-existing faults is consistent with structural observations. Seismic reflectors suggest the presence of Cretaceous high-angle normal faults, and the orientation of lineaments is similar to the orientation of the graben systems and transverse accommodation zones originated during the opening of the South Atlantic Ocean.One OSL dating of 67.4 ± 5.1 kyr B.P (from Palo Negro Fm. supposed as deposited on a flat plain floor) and a height difference of 9.5 m measured in the Tostado–Selva scarp account for an averaged uplift rate of 0.14 mm/year.     

Activity stages and tectonic division in the Kuznetsk Basin,Southern Siberia

The fault system reflected in the topography and structure of Cenozoic cover sediments in the Kuznetsk Basin is mostly recent. The positions of recent faults match those of Paleozoic and Mesozoic disjunctive dislocations only at the Kuznetsk Alatau and the Salair Range boundaries. These marginal features are associated with the greatest amplitudes of vertical movements in recent time: 80–100 m; less frequently, up to 250 m in the north and within 600 m in the south. The recent disjunctive dislocations are generally fractured zones from 300 to 2000 m in width, which were occupied by watercourses during the formation of the erosion valley system. Except for marginal recent tectonic bodies, vertical movements along the majority of recent faults do not exceed 5–10 m, reaching 30–70 m at the boundaries of recent tectonic regions and subregions. There is no reliable evidence of notable horizontal movements. For particular bodies, it is conjectured to be within 300–700 m by analogy with other regions of the Altai–Sayan folded area.The recent fault pattern can be interpreted as a result of crushing by submeridional compression with a slight right slip. The types of recent tectonic activity are different in different areas of the depression. The smallest uplift is recorded in the north of the basin, where the elevations of the Late Cretaceous peneplain are within 300 m, being within 230–250 m in the near-Salair subregion. This points to an insignificant downwarping in this area. Vertical movements along recent faults within the region are small, and the most intense movements are at its boundary. The central region is slightly elevated with reference to the northern one, and the elevation of its planation surface is within 300–380 m. It is characterized by differentiated movements along block boundaries with amplitudes reaching 60–70 m. The maximum activity occurred in the southern region. The elevations of its Late Cretaceous peneplain vary from 400 to 600 m. This region is characterized by notable vertical movements along block boundaries in the form of straight tectonic scarps and valleys. The northern and central regions constitute the present-day Kuznetsk intermontane depression, whereas the southern region belongs to the periphery of the mountainous framing of the Kuznetsk Depression.     

Using airborne geophysical data in identifying tectonic lineaments in east of Iran

In this paper we tried to identify the main tectonic lineaments in Eastern Iran including Lut block and Sistan suture zone from the airborne geomagnetic data together with tilt filter. As the map of obtained lineaments from airborne geomagnetic data has been studied, four distinct set of lineaments has been identified: (i) north–south, (ii) east–west, (iii) northeast–southwest, and (iv) northwest–southwest that are concurrently with structural zones and area’s big faults. New faults which have been identified in this investigation are lineaments with trend northeast–southwest and east–west. The depth of these lineaments has been calculated through Euler modeling. Magnetic lineaments trending east–west have the most depth, so these lineaments are related to basement faults.     

New Cretaceous paleomagnetic results from the foreland of the Southern Alps and the refined apparent polar wander path for stable Adria

The central-western and the eastern Southern Alps are separated by the triangular shaped Adige embayment, which belongs to stable Adria and was the site of pelagic sedimentation from the Tithonian through Maastrichtian. The first part of this study presents paleomagnetic results from the Tithonian–Cenomanian Biancone and Turonian–Maastrichtian Scaglia Rossa formations sampled at 33 geographically distributed and biostratigraphically dated localities.The new and high quality paleomagnetic results from the Adige embayment are then combined with coeval paleomagnetic directions from autochthonous Istria (Márton et al., 2008), which also belongs to stable Adria. The combined data set (which for the Late Albian–Maastrichtian time period is constructed similarly to the synthetic African curve by Besse and Courtillot, 2002, 2003) reveals an important tectonic event (Late Aptian–Early Albian) characterized by 20° CCW rotation and sedimentary hiatus.Comparison between paleomagnetic declinations/inclinations expected in an African framework (i.e. with the assumption that Adria is still an African promontory) leads to the following conclusions. The time-distributed Tithonian and Berriasian (150–135 Ma) paleomagnetic directions exhibit the “African hairpin” with an inclination minimum and a sudden change from CW to CCW rotation at 145 Ma. Concerning the younger ages, the declinations for Adria continue to follow the African trend of CCW rotation till the end of Cretaceous. However, the Tithonian–Maastrichtian declination curve for stable Adria is displaced by 10° from the “African” curve as a result of two rotations. The first, an about 20° CW rotation of Adria with respect to Africa took place between the Maastrichtian and the mid-Eocene. During this time the orientation of Adria remained the same, while Africa continued its CCW rotation. The younger rotation (30°CCW) changed the orientation of Adria relative to Africa as well as to the present North.