ИСТИНА

The Eastern Mediterranean is a tectonically complex region composed of a set of structures of the Tethys Ocean remnant. The initial discovery and mapping of the Kiama zone of inverse polarity have been performed on the basis of 3D combined modeling of magnetic and gravity fields with the attraction of paleomagnetic and seismic data. Actually, it is the first evidence of discovering such an ancient oceanic crust; therefore additionally integrated analysis of thermal, tectonic, structural and paleogeographical data has been carried out. The recognized Kiama paleomagnetic hyperzone suggests transport along transform faults from the eastern part of the Tethys Ocean (region of the modern Persian Gulf). This hyperzone is discordant to the strike of the Mesozoic terrane belt and the Aegean-Anatolian plate. Study of geophysical, radiometric and petrological characteristics indicates that the Kiama paleomagnetic zone is bounded by younger ocean floor rocks. Analysis of Moho discontinuity map developed for the Eastern Mediterranean by use of the seismo-gravity analysis testifies that the Kiama zone's crustal thickness is thicker than the adjacent areas. The easternmost Mediterranean is characterized by significant lithospheric thickness (up to 125 km) whereas in the surrounding regions this value is about 100 km. This fact states the significant geodynamic activity during the closing of the Neotethys Ocean. The thermal flow data observed over the Kiama hyperzone show extremely low values – until 15 mW/m2, which testifies to the ancient lithosphere. The discrepancy between the Nubian-Arabian foreland, oceanic crust, and terrane belt indicates the allochthonous nature of the Eastern Mediterranean.