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L. E. Ricou

Bio: L. E. Ricou is an academic researcher from Centre national de la recherche scientifique. The author has contributed to research in topics: Trench & Particulates. The author has an hindex of 4, co-authored 5 publications receiving 1797 citations.
Topics: Trench, Particulates, Sediment, Subduction

Papers
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the evolution of the Tethys belt from the Pliensbachian (190 Ma) to the Tortonian (10 Ma) is depicted at 1 20,000,000 scale.

1,574 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors discuss the nature of the hard rock outcrops observed both on the inner wall and on two hills that they interpret as diapirs and conclude that at least part of these hard rocks are probably Messinian evaporites and concentrate on the tectonic role of this evaporitic layer in the Hellenic subduction.
Abstract: Summary A Seabeam survey of the Hellenic Trench in 1978 was followed by a submersible survey in 1980. Fifteen dives were completed between 1500 and 3000 m covering 58 km on the bottom and obtaining 48 samples. Thus, the Hellenic Trench is probably now the most intensively studied trench as previous work included seismic reflection, dredging, coring, bottom photography, side-scan sonar and drilling. Because of the high sedimentation rate and the relatively shallow depth, we did not expect outcrops except along faults and in canyons. Active tectonics with numerous faults and folds have been observed. But we have also discovered vertical cliffs with hard rock exposure over a depth range of 1000–1500 m. In this paper, we discuss the nature of the hard rock outcrops observed both on the inner wall and on two hills that we interpret as diapirs. We conclude that at least part of these hard rocks are probably Messinian evaporites and concentrate on the tectonic role of this evaporitic layer in the Hellenic subduction. It is likely that the evaporites do not subduct but tend to pile up in the trench, to form a floating evaporitic basin.

14 citations


Cited by
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Journal ArticleDOI
08 Dec 2000-Science
TL;DR: Seismic tomography models of the three-dimensional upper mantle velocity structure of the Mediterranean-Carpathian region provide a better understanding of the lithospheric processes governing its geodynamical evolution.
Abstract: Seismic tomography models of the three-dimensional upper mantle velocity structure of the Mediterranean-Carpathian region provide a better understanding of the lithospheric processes governing its geodynamical evolution. Slab detachment, in particular lateral migration of this process along the plate boundary, is a key element in the lithospheric dynamics of the region during the last 20 to 30 million years. It strongly affects arc and trench migration, and causes along-strike variations in vertical motions, stress fields, and magmatism. In a terminal-stage subduction zone, involving collision and suturing, slab detachment is the natural last stage in the gravitational settling of subducted lithosphere.

1,492 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The Zagros orogenic belt of Iran is the result of the opening and closure of the Neo-Tethys oceanic realm, and consists, from northeast to southwest, of three parallel tectonic subdivisions: 1) the Urumieh-Dokhtar Magmatic Assemblage; 2. (2) the Sanandaj-Sirjan Zone; and 3. (3) the zagros simply folded belt.

1,382 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a correlation of tectonic units of the Alpine-Carpathian-Dinaridic system of orogens, including the substrate of the Pannonian and Transylvanian basins, is presented in the form of a map.
Abstract: A correlation of tectonic units of the Alpine-Carpathian-Dinaridic system of orogens, including the substrate of the Pannonian and Transylvanian basins, is presented in the form of a map. Combined with a series of crustal-scale cross sections this correlation of tectonic units yields a clearer picture of the three-dimensional architecture of this system of orogens that owes its considerable complexity to multiple overprinting of earlier by younger deformations.

1,028 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A network of 27 GPS sites was implemented in Iran and northern Oman to measure displacements in this part of the Alpine-Himalayan mountain belt as mentioned in this paper, and the results of two surveys performed in 1999 September and 2001 October.
Abstract: SUMMARY A network of 27 GPS sites was implemented in Iran and northern Oman to measure displacements in this part of the Alpine‐Himalayan mountain belt. We present and interpret the results of two surveys performed in 1999 September and 2001 October. GPS sites in Oman show northward motion of the Arabian Plate relative to Eurasia slower than the NUVEL-1A estimates (e.g. 22 ± 2m m yr −1 at N8 ◦ ± 5 ◦ E instead of 30.5 mm yr −1 at N6 ◦ E at Bahrain longitude). We define a GPS Arabia‐Eurasia Euler vector of 27.9 ◦ ± 0.5 ◦ N, 19.5 ◦ ± 1.4 ◦ E, 0.41 ◦ ± 0.1 ◦ Myr −1 . The Arabia‐Eurasia convergence is accommodated differently in eastern and western Iran. East of 58 ◦ E, most of the shortening is accommodated by the Makran subduction zone (19.5 ± 2m m yr −1 ) and less by the Kopet-Dag (6.5 ± 2m m yr −1 ). West of 58 ◦ E, the deformation is distributed in separate fold and thrust belts. At the longitude of Tehran, the Zagros and the Alborz mountain ranges accommodate 6.5 ± 2m m yr −1 and 8 ± 2m m yr −1 respectively. The right-lateral displacement along the Main Recent Fault in the northern Zagros is about 3 ± 2m m yr −1 , smaller than what was generally expected. By contrast, large rightlateral displacement takes place in northwestern Iran (up to 8 ± mm yr −1 ). The Central Iranian Block is characterized by coherent plate motion (internal deformation < 2m m yr −1 ). Sites east of 61 ◦ E show very low displacements relative to Eurasia. The kinematic contrast between eastern and western Iran is accommodated by strike-slip motions along the Lut Block. To the south, the transition zone between Zagros and Makran is under transpression with right-lateral displacements of 11 ± 2m m yr −1 .

1,013 citations