Descr: One of the major unresolved issues in the theory of Plate Tectonics is how major continental mountain belts (e.g., the Himalayas and the Tibetan plateau) are formed. Although the mechanism is known in general, the processes involved remain unclear. In order to better understand these processes, we propose to study a region of the earth where this process in its infancy: the Eastern Mediterranean, where the African plate is in the last stages of subduction just prior to its collision with a portion of the Eurasian plate called that Anatolian plate. Specifically, we are proposing to study the African plate subduction along the southern margin of Turkey. This research is not only relevant to the understanding of earth history and physics, but is also critical to improving our understanding of the major earthquake (seismogenic) zones that we find on our planet today. The Eastern Mediterranean in particular offers a unique and excellent opportunity to understand the very earl! y stages of this process of the formation of a mountain belt due to the collision of the African and Anatolian plates. Furthermore, the Eastern Mediterranean is one of the most seismically active regions on our planet and has been the site of devastating earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis (Galanopoulos, 1960). Unfortunately, much of Eastern Mediterranean tectonics are still poorly understood due to, at least in part, a lack of a large dense seismic array. In order to address fundamental questions regarding the earthquake belts and the formation of the young mountain belts along the coast of southern Turkey we have submitted a proposal to the National Science Foundation to conduct a major seismic experiment. If funded, it will be the largest experiment ever conducted in this region.
