Geodynamics of the South Balkan and Northern Aegean Regions Driven by the Westward Escape of Anatolia

The Plio-Quaternary deformation pattern of the northern Aegean and south Balkan regions is interpreted as an effect interaction between Anatolian-Aegean-Pelagonian system (Tethyan belt), undergoing westward extrusion strong deformation, surrounding plates (Nubia, Europe Adriatic). Since middle-late Miocene, collision Tethyan belt with continental Adriatic domain has caused E-W shortening in outer Hellenides Albanides, also involving southward Peloponnesus wedge, at expense Ionian oceanic domain. roughly extension recognized western South zones (Macedonia eastern Albania) related to divergence Pelagonian (Albanides Hellenides) Rhodope-Moesia Stressed by displacement central Anatolian plateau bowing Cycladic Arc, zone contemporaneously undergone compression N-S extension, which generated a series dextral shear faults, delimiting number slats. such slats can explain morphological features zone. During this phase, push separation Rhodope massif from Moesian European domain, consequent formation upper Thrace basin. This hypothesis compressional deformations sector North fault system, Ganos-Gelibolu proposed geodynamic/tectonic interpretation may help some time-space distribution major earthquakes study area.