Transtension at the Northern Termination of the Alfeo-Etna Fault System (Western Ionian Sea, Italy): Seismotectonic Implications and Relation with Mt. Etna Volcanism

Offshore data in the western Ionian Sea indicate that NW–SE-trending dextral shear zone of Alfeo-Etna Fault System turns to N–S direction near coastline, where extensional Timpe is located. Morpho-structural show right-lateral strike-slip faults connect with upper slope volcano, eruptive activity mainly occurs along NE–SW-trending fissures. systems are related ~E–W-trending extension and they seismically active having given rise shallow low-moderate magnitude earthquakes last 150 years. As a whole, morpho-structural, geodetic seismological data, seismic profiles bathymetric maps suggest similar geometric kinematic features characterize both on eastern flank volcano offshore. The probably represents major boundary associated Africa–Europe plate convergence since it accommodates, by kinematics, differential motion adjacent compartments. Along this tectonic alignment, crustal structures such as releasing bends, pull-apart basins horsetails occur offshore on-land, represent pathway for magma uprising from depth.