A recent study led by the University of Göttingen has revealed a significant tectonic tear in the Neotethys oceanic slab beneath Iraq, Turkey, and Iran. The researchers found that this detachment resulted in a range of geological and tectonic changes that influenced the region’s landscape and subsurface structure.
According to the study, the Neotethys oceanic plate is breaking away from the Arabian and Eurasian continental plates, causing significant subsidence anomalies. The detached slab in the northwest allowed for an upward movement of hot asthenospheric material, resulting in uplifted crustal segments and modifying the topographic profile.
On the other hand, the still-attached slab in the southeast experienced increased slab pull, leading to a deeper and more concentrated subsidence zone. This further intensified tectonic activity and influenced sediment accumulation patterns.
The researchers argue that this process had significant implications for the region’s magmatic profile and geological history. Geochemical evidence confirmed the impact of slab breakoff, with changes in calc-alkaline to alkaline magmatism recorded in the region.
The study provides valuable insights into how deep-Earth processes shape surface geological features, particularly in foreland basins. The findings have implications for resource exploration beyond regional geology, including understanding hydrocarbon potential and groundwater reservoirs.
Overall, this research highlights the complex interactions between tectonic movements and subsurface processes that can significantly impact geological formations and natural resources.
Source: https://watchers.news/2025/02/03/major-tectonic-tear-found-beneath-iraq-turkey-and-iran