Palaeomagnetism and deformation of the Mesozoic continental margin in Sicily

The pre-orogenic morphology of the west Sicilian Mesozoic continental margin was characterised by platforms and basins elongated more or less parallel to the ancient junction between ocean and continent. The deformation of this continental margin during the Miocene gave rise to a number of thrust sheets which were transported southwards where they rest against the stable Iblean plateau. Eight thrust sheets have been sampled for palaeomagnetism in order to establish the amount of rotation, relative to Iblei, which occurred during emplacement. Clockwise rotations of large magnitude appear to have taken place, and these rotations are considered to be related to the emplacement of the Calabrian—Peloritani structure onto this continental margin.