Deep structure of the Mediterranean Basin

From an analysis of the seismicity of the Mediterranean basin we obtain a model of the deep structure of this region that is a further improvement to the plate tectonic theory. Taking into account the data of seismology, the gravity anomalies, volcanism and the few available data on the heat flow in this region, we conclude that the African plate is wedged under the Euro-Asiatic plate with a slope of approximately 58° in the Lipari region and 35° in the Aegean region. This model can explain the high seismicity of middle south Italy, the sinking of middle north Italy, and the uplift of south Italy. The last movement is confirmed also by geologic and archeologic data. The archeologic data give an uplift rate of 0.034 cm/yr.