Closure of the Tethys Ocean: Plate Reconstructions and Mantle Structure

The area affected by the closure of the Tethys Ocean, extending from the Mediterranean to the Indonesian archipelago, has a history dominated by large-scale subduction processes. The tectonic reconstructions for this complex region, usually based on extensive geological and other near-surface data, inevitably show significant differences. We use tomographic images of the present deep mantle structure underneath the Tethyan area to put further constraints on its geodynamic evolution. From tectonic reconstructions, we calculate the Cenozoic-Mesozoic plate velocities and convergence. Volumes of subducted lithosphere estimated from the reconstructions are compared to those inferred from seismic tomography. We also investigate whether the location and geometry of the subducted material within the mantle will allow us to assess the absolute motion of the plates involved.