Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Robert Hall for constructive review of this manuscript. We also thank Mara Pavlidis for grammatical assistance and Megan Hough for technical support.

References

Aifa, T., Feinberg, H. & Pozzi, J. P. 1988. Pliocene-Pleistocene evolution of the Tyrrhenian arc: paleomagnetic determination of uplift and rotational deformation. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 87, 438-452.

Allerton, S. 1994. Vertical-axis rotation associated with folding and thrusting: An example from the eastern Subbetic zone of southern Spain. Geology 22, 1039-1042.

Allerton, S., Lonergan, L., Platt, J. P., Platzman, E. S. & McClelland, E. 1993. Palaeomagnetic rotations in the eastern Betic Cordillera, southern Spain. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 119, 225-241.

Alvarez, W., Cocozza, T. & Wezel, F. C. 1974. Fragmentation of the Alpine orogenic belt by microplate dispersal. Nature 248, 309-314.

Amodio-Morelli, L., Bonardi, G., Colonna, V., Dietrich, D., Giunta, G., Ippolito, F., Liguori, V., Lorenzoni, F., Paglionico, A., Perrone, V., Piccarreta, G., Russo, M., Scandone, P., Zanettin-Lorenzoni, E. & Zuppetta, A. 1976. L'arco calabro-peloritano nell'orogene appenninico-maghrebide. Memorie della Societa Geologica Italiana 17, 1-60.

Anderson, H. & Jackson, J. 1987. The deep seismicity of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Geophysical Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society 91, 613-637.

Argand, E. 1924. La Tectonique de l'Asie. Compte-rendu du 13e congrès Géologique International, 171-372.

Argnani, A. & Savelli, C. 1999. Cenozoic volcanism and tectonics in the southern Tyrrhenian: space-time distribution and geodynamic significance. Journal of Geodynamics 27, 409-432.

Azañón, J. M., Crespo-Blanc, A. & Garcia-Dueñas, V. 1997. Continental collision, crustal thinning and nappe forming during the pre-Miocene evolution of the Alpujarride Complex (Alboran Domain, Betic). Journal of Structural Geology 19(8), 1055-1071.

Balanya, J. C., Garcia-Dueñas, V., Azañon, J. M. & Sanchez-Gomez, M. 1997. Alternating contractional and extensional events in the Alpujarride nappes of the Alboran Domain (Betic, Gibraltar Arc). Tectonics 16(2), 226-238.

Bartrina, M. T., Cabrera, L., Jurado, M. J., Guimerà, J. & Roca, E. 1992. Evolution of the central Catalan margin of the Valencia trough (western Mediterranean). Tectonophysics 203, 219-247.

Bellon, H. 1981. Chronologie radiometrique (K-Ar) des manifestations magmatiques autour de la Mediterranee occidentale entre 33 et 1 MA. In: Sedimentary basins of Mediterranean margins (edited by Wezel, F. C.). Tecnoprint, Bologna, 341-360.

Ben-Avraham, Z., Ginzburg, A., Makris, J. & Eppelbaum, L. 2002. Crustal structure of the Levant Basin, eastern Mediterranean. Tectonophysics, 346, 23-43.

Besse, J., Pozzi, J.-P., Mascle, G. & Feinberg, H. 1984. Paleomagnetic study of Sicily: consequences for the deformation of Italian and African margins over the last 100 million years. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 67(3), 377-390.

Biju-Duval, B., Dercourt, J. & Le Pichon, X. 1977. From the Tethys ocean to the Mediterranean Seas: a plate tectonic model of the evolution of the Western Alpine system. In: International Symposium on the Structural History of the Mediterranean Basins (Split, 1976) (edited by Biju-Duval, B. & Montadert, L.). Editions Technip, Paris, 143-164.

Boccaletti, M., Ciaranfi, N., Cosentino, D., Deiana, G., Gelati, R., Lentini, F., Massari, F., Moratti, G., Pescatore, T., Ricci Lucchi, F. & Tortorici, L. 1990. Palinspatic restoration and paleogeographic reconstruction of the peri-Tyrrhenian area during the Neogene. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 77, 41-50.

Boccaletti, M. & Guazzone, G. 1974. Remnant arcs and marginal basins in the Cainozoic development of the Mediterranean. Nature 252, 18-21.

Brunet, C., Monié, P., Jolivet, L. & Cadet, J. P. 2000. Migration of compression and extension in the Tyrrhenian Sea, insight from ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages on micas along a transect from Corsica and Tuscany. Tectonophysics 321, 127-155.

Buforn, E., Udias, A., Mezcua, J. & Madariaga, R. 1991. A deep earthquake under South Spain, 8 March 1990. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America 81(4), 1403-1407.

Burrus, J. 1989. Review of geodynamic models for extensional basins; the paradox of stretching in the Gulf of Lions (Northwest Mediterranean). Bulletin de la Societe Geologique de France 5(2), 377-393.

Caby, R. & Hammor, D. 1992. Le massif cristallin de l'Edough (Algérie): un "metamorphic core complex" d'age miocène dans les Maghrébides. Comptes-Rendus des Seances de l'Academie des Sciences, Paris 314, 829-835.

Calvert, A., Sandvol, E., Seber, D., Barazangi, M., Roecker, S., Mourabit, T., Vidal, F., Alguacil, G. & Jabour, N. 2000. Geodynamic evolution of the lithosphere and upper mantle beneath the Alboran region of the western Mediterranean: constraints from travel time tomography. Journal of Geophysical Research 105(5), 10871-10898.

Calvo, M., Cuevas, J. & Tubia, J. M. 2001. Preliminary palaeomagnetic results on Oligocene-early Miocene mafic dykes from southern Spain. Tectonophysics 332(3), 333-345.

Carey, S. W. 1958. A tectonic approach to continental drift. In: Continental Drift: A Symposium (edited by Carey, S. W.). Geology Department, University of Tasmania, Hobart, 177-355.

Carmignani, L., Decandia, F. A., Fantozzi, L., Lazzarotto, A., Liotta, D. & Meccheri, M. 1994. Tertiary extensional tectonics in Tuscany (Northern Apennines, Italy). Tectonophysics 238, 295-315.

Carmignani, L. & Kligfield, R. 1990. Crustal extension in the Northern Apennines: the transition from compression to extension in the Alpi Apuane core complex. Tectonics 9(6), 1275-1303.

Carminati, E., Wortel, M. J. R., Spakman, W. & Sabadini, R. 1998. The role of slab detachment processes in the opening of the western-central Mediterranean basins; some geological and geophysical evidence. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 160(3-4), 651-665.

Cello, G., Ivernizzi, C. & Mazzoli, S. 1996. Structural signature of tectonic processes in the Calabrian Arc, southern Italy; evidence from the oceanic-derived Diamante-Terranova Unit. Tectonics 15(1), 187-200.

Channell, J. E. T. 1992. Paleomagnetic data from Umbria (Italy); implications for the rotation of Adria and Mesozoic apparent polar wander paths. Tectonophysics 216(3-4), 365-378.

Channell, J. E. T., D'Argenio, B. & Horvath, F. 1979. Adria, the African promontory, in Mesozoic Mediterranean palaeogeography. Earth Science Reviews 15(3), 213-292.

Channell, J. E. T., Oldow, J. S., Catalano, R. & D'Argenio, B. 1990. Paleomagnetically determined rotations in the western Sicilian fold and thrust belt. Tectonics 9(4), 641-660.

Cheilletz, A., Ruffet, G., Marignac, C., Kolli, O., Gasquet, D., Féraud, G. & Bouillin, J. P. 1999. ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating of shear zones in the Variscan basement of Greater Kabylia (Algeria). Evidence of Eo-Alpine event at 128 Ma (Hautervian-Barremian boundary): geodynamic consequences. Tectonophysics 306, 97-116.

Cherchi, A. & Montadert, L. 1982. Oligo-Miocene rift of Sardinia and the early history of the Western Mediterranean Basin. Nature 298, 736-739.

Cohen, C. R. 1980. Plate-tectonic model for the Oligo-Miocene evolution of the western Mediterranean. Tectonophysics 68, 283-311.

Comas, M. C., Garcia-Dueñas, V. & Jurado, M. J. 1992. Neogene tectonic evolution of the Alboran Sea from MCS data. Geo-Marine Letters 12, 157-164.

Compagnoni, R., Morlotti, E. & Torelli, L. 1989. Crystalline and sedimentary rocks from the scarps of the Sicily-Sardinia Trough and Cornaglia Terrace (southwestern Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy): paleogeographic and geodynamic implications. Chemical Geology 77(3-4), 375-398.

Crespo-Blanc, A. & Campos, J. 2001. Structures and kinematics of the South Iberian paleomargin and its relationships with the Flysch Trough units: extensional tectonics within the Gibraltar Arc fold-and-thrust belt (western Betics). Journal of Structural Geology 23, 1615-1630.

Crespo-Blanc, A., Orozco, M. & Garcia-Dueñas, V. 1994. Extension versus compression during the Miocene tectonic evolution of the Betic chain. Late folding of normal fault systems. Tectonics 13(1), 78-88.

Daniel, J. M., Jolivet, L., Goffe, B. & Poinssot, C. 1996. Crustal-scale strain partitioning: footwall deformation below the Alpine Oligo-Miocene detachment of Corsica. Journal of Structural Geology 18(1), 41-59.

de Jong, K. 1990. Alpine tectonics and rotation pole evolution of Iberia. Tectonophysics 184, 279-296.

De Jong, K. A., Manzoni, M., Stavenga, T., Dijk, F. v., Voo, R. v. d. & Zijderveld, J. D. A. 1973. Palaeomagnetic Evidence for Rotation of Sardinia during the Early Miocene. Nature 243(5405), 281-283.

de Voogd, B., Truffert, C., Chamot-Rooke, N., Huchon, P., Lallemant, S. & Le Pichon, X. 1992. Two-ship deep seismic soundings in the basins of the eastern Mediterranean Sea (Pasiphae cruise). Geophysical Journal International 109(3), 536-552.

Dela Pierre, F., Ghisetti, F., Lanza, R. & Vezzani, L. 1992. Palaeomagnetic and structural evidence of Neogene tectonic rotation of the Gran Sasso Range; central Apennines, Italy. Tectonophysics 215(3-4), 335-348.

Dercourt, J., Zonenshain, L. P., Ricou, L. E., Kazmin, V. G., Le Pichon, X., Knipper, A. L., Grandjacquet, C., Sbortshikov, I. M., Geyssant, J., Lepvrier, C., Pechersky, D. H., Boulin, J., Sibuet, J.-C., Savostin, L. A., Sorokhtin, O., Westphal, M., Bazhenov, M. L.,Lauer, J. P. & Biju-Duval, B. 1986. Geological evolution of the Tethys belt from the Atlantic to the Pamirs since the Lias. Tectonophysics 123(1-4), 241-315.

Dewey, J. F. 1980. Episodicity, sequence, and style at convergent plate boundaries. Geological Association of Canada Special Paper 20, 553-573.

Dewey, J. F., Helman, M. L., Turco, E., Hutton, D. H. W. & Knott, S. D. 1989. Kinematics of the western Mediterranean. In: Alpine tectonics (edited by Coward, M. P., Dietrich, D. & Park, R. G.) 45, Geol. Soc. Lon. Spec. Pub., 265-283.

Dewey, J. F., Pitman, W. C., Ryan, W. B. F. & Bonnin, J. 1973. Plate tectonics and the evolution of the Alpine system. Geological Society of America Bulletin 84, 3137-3180.

Durand, B., Jolivet, L., Horvath, F. & Séranne, M (editors). 1999. The Mediterranean Basins: Tertiary Extension within the Alpine Orogen. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 156, 570pp.

El Bakkali, S., Gourgaud, A., Bourdier, J.-L., Bellon, H. & Gundogdu, N. 1998. Post-collision Neogene volcanism of the Eastern Rif (Morocco): magmatic evolution through time. Lithos 45(1-4), 523-543.

Elsasser, W. M. 1971. Sea-floor spreading as thermal convection. Journal of Geophysical Research 76(5), 1101-1112.

Faccenna, C., Becker, T. W., Lucente, F. P., Jolivet, L. & Rosseti, F. 2001. History of subduction and back-arc extension in the Central Mediterranean. Geophysical Journal International 145, 809-820.

Ferranti, L., Oldow, J. S. & Sacchi, M. 1996. Pre-Quaternary orogen-parallel extension in the Southern Apennine belt, Italy. Tectonophysics 260, 325-347.

Fourcade, S., Capdevila, R., Ouabadi, A. & Martineau, F. 2001. The origin and geodynamic significance of the Alpine cordierite-bearing granitoids of northern Algeria; a combined petrological, mineralogical, geochemical and isotopic (O, H, Sr, Nd) study. Lithos 57(2-3), 187-216.

Fournier, M., Jolivet, L., Goffe, B. & Dubois, R. 1991. Alpine Corsica metamorphic core complex. Tectonics 10(6), 1173-1186.

Freeman, R., Sabat, F., Lowrie, W. & Fontbote, J. M. 1989. Paleomagnetic results from Mallorca (Balearic Islands, Spain). Tectonics 8(3), 591-608.

Frizon de Lamotte, D., Saint Bezar, B., Bracéne, R. & Mercier, E. 2000. The two main steps of the Atlas building and geodynamics of the western Mediterranean. Tectonics 19(4), 740-761.

Gebauer, D. 1996. A P-T-t path for an (ultra?-) high-pressure ultramafic/mafic rock-association and its felsic country-rocks based on SHRIMP-dating of magmatic and metamorphic zircon domains. Example: Alpe Arami (Cetral Swiss Alps). In: Earth Processes: Reading the Isotopic Code (edited by Basu, A. & Hart, S.) 95. Geophysical Monograph, 307-329.

Gebauer, D., Schertl, H. P., Brix, M. & Schreyer, W. 1997. 35 Ma old ultrahigh-pressure metamorphism and evidence for very rapid exhumation in the Dora Maira Massif, Western Alps. Lithos 41(1-3), 5-24.

Housman, G. 1996. From mountains to basin. Nature 379, 771-772.

Iorio, M., Nardi, G., Pierattini, D. & Tarling, D. H. 1996. Palaeomagnetic evidence of block rotations in the Matese Mountains, Southern Apennines, Italy. In: Palaeomagnetism and tectonics of the Mediterranean region (edited by Morris, A. & Tarling, D. H.) 105. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 133-139.

Jolivet, L., Dobois, R., Fournier, M., Goffé, B., Michard, A. & Jourdan, C. 1990. Ductile extension in Corsica. Geology 18, 1007-1010.

Jolivet, L. & Faccenna, C. 2000. Mediterranean extension and the Africa-Eurasia collision. Tectonics 19(6), 1095-1106.

Jolivet, L., Faccenna, C., Goffé, B., Mattei, M., Rosseti, F., Brunet, C., Storti, F., Funiciello, R., Cadet, J. P., d'Agostino, N. & Parra, T. 1998. Midcrustal shear zones in postorogenic extension: example from the Tyrrhenian Sea. Journal of Geophysical Research 103, 12123-12160.

Knott, S. D. 1987. The Liguride Complex of Southern Italy - a Cretaceous to Paleogene accretionary wedge. Tectonophysics 142, 217-226.

Laubscher, H. P. 1983. The late Alpine (Periadriatic) intrusions and the insubric line. Memorie Societa Geologica Italiana 26, 21-30.

Letouzey, J., Wannesson, J. & Cherchi, A. 1982. Apport de la microtectonique au probleme de la rotation du bloc corso-sarde. Comptes-Rendus des Seances de l'Academie des Sciences, 294(10), 595-602.

Lonergan, L. & White, N. 1997. Origin of the Betic-Rif mountain belt. Tectonics 16(3), 504-522.

Lowrie, W. & Alvarez, W. 1974. Rotation of the Italian peninsula. Nature 251, 285-288.

Lowrie, W. & Alvarez, W. 1975. Paleomagnetic evidence for the rotation of Italy. Journal of Geophysical Research 80, 1579-1592.

Lucente, F. P., Chiarabba, C., Cimini, G. B. & Giardini, D. 1999. Tomographic constraints on the geodynamic evolution of the Italian region. Journal of Geophysical Research 104(9), 20,307-20,327.

Malinverno, A. & Ryan, W. B. F. 1986. Extension on the Tyrrhenian Sea and shortening in the Apennines as result of arc migration driven by sinking of the lithosphere. Tectonics 5(2), 227-245.

Mantovani, E., Albarello, D., Tamburelli, C. & Babbucci, D. 1996. Evolution of the Tyrrhenian basin and surrounding regions as a result of the Africa-Eurasia convergence. Journal of Geodynamics 21(1), 35-72.

Marti, J., Mitjavila, J., Roca, E. & Aparicio, A. 1992. Cenozoic magmatism of the Valencia Trough (western Mediterranean); relationship between structural evolution and volcanism. Tectonophysics 203(1-4), 145-165.

Martínez-Martínez, J. M. & Azañón, J. M. 1997. Mode of extensional tectonics in the southeastern Betics (SE Spain): Implications for the tectonic evolution of the peri-Alboran orogenic system. Tectonics 16(2), 205-225.

Martínez-Martínez, J. M. & Azañón, J. M. 2002. Orthogonal extension in the hinterland of the Gibraltar Arc (Betic, SE Spain). Journal of the Virtual Explorer, 8, 1-20.

Mattauer, M., Faure, M. & Malavieille, J. 1981. Transverse lineation and large-scale structures related to alpine obduction in Corsica. Journal of Structural Geology 3(4), 401-409.

Mattei, M., Funiciello, R. & Kissel, C. 1995. Paleomagnetic and structural evidence for Neogene block rotations in the Central Apennines, Italy. Journal of Geophysical Research 100(B9), 17863-17883.

Mattei, M., Kissel, C. & Funiciello, R. 1996. No tectonic rotation of the Tuscan Tyrrhenian margin (Italy) since late Messinian. Journal of Geophysical Research, B, Solid Earth and Planets 101(2), 2835-2845.

Maury, R. C., Fourcade, S., Coulon, C., El Azzouzi, M., Bellon, H., Coutelle, A., Ouabadi, A., Semroud, B., Megartsi, M., Cotten, J., Belanteur, O., Louni-Hacini, A., Pique, A., Capdevila, R., Hernandez, J. & Rehault, J. P. 2000. Post-collisional Neogene magmatism of the Mediterranean Maghreb margin; a consequence of slab breakoff. Comptes Rendus de l'Academie des Sciences, 331(3), 159-173.

Minzoni, N. 1991. Geodynamic evolution of the Hercynian Sardinian-Corsican Massif: the relationships with the Calabrian-Peloritan Arc. Tectonophysics 191(3-4), 429-430.

Molnar, P. & Atwater, T. 1978. Interarc spreading and Cordilleran tectonics as alternates related to the age of subducted oceanic lithosphere. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 41, 330-340.

Monié, P., Caby, R. & Maluski, H. 1984. ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar investigations within the Grande-Kabylie Massif (northern Algeria); evidences for its Alpine structuration. Eclogae Geologicae Helvetiae 77(1), 115-141.

Monié, P., Maluski, H., Saadallah, A. & Caby, R. 1988. New ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages of Hercynian and Alpine thermotectonic events in Grande Kabylie (Algeria). Tectonophysics 152(1-2), 53-69.

Monié, P., Montigny, R. & Maluski, H. 1992. Age burdigalien de la tectonique ductile extensive dans le massif de l'Edough (Kabylies, Algérie); données radiométriques ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar. Bulletin de la Societe Géologique de France 163(5), 571-584.

Monie, P., Torres-Roldan, R. L. & Garcia-Casco, A. 1994. Cooling and exhumation of the western Betic Cordilleras, (super 40) Ar/ (super 39) Ar thermochronological constraints on a collapsed terrane. Tectonophysics 238(1-4), 353-379.

Montigny, R., Edel, J. B. & Thuizat, R. 1981. Oligo-Miocene rotation of Sardinia: K-Ar ages and paleomagnetic data of Tertiary volcanics. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 54(2), 261-271.

Muttoni, G., Lanci, L., Argnani, A., Hirt, A. M., Cibin, U., Abrahamsen, N. & Lowrie, W. 2000. Paleomagnetic evidence for a Neogene two-phase counterclockwise rotation in the Northern Apennines (Italy). Tectonophysics 326, 241-253.

Nur, A. & Ben-Avraham, Z. 1982. Oceanic plateaus, the fragmentation of continents, and mountain building. Journal of Geophysical Research 87(B5), 3644-3661.

Oldow, J. S., Channell, J. E. T., Catalano, R. & D'Argenio, B. 1990. Contemporaneous thrusting and large-scale rotations in the western Sicilian fold and thrust belt. Tectonics 9(4), 661-681.

Osete, M. L., Freeman, R. & Vegas, R. 1988. Preliminary palaeomagnetic results from the Subbetic Zone (Betic Cordillera, southern Spain); kinematic and structural implications. Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors 57(3-4), 283-300.

Palmer, A. R. 1983. The Decade of North American Geology 1983 geologic time scale. Geology 11(9), 503-504.

Pares, J. M., Freeman, R. & Roca, E. 1992. Neogene structural development in the Valencia Trough margins from palaeomagnetic data. Tectonophysics 203(1-4), 111-124.

Patacca, E., Sartori, R. & Scandone, P. 1990. Tyrrhenian basin and Apenninic arcs: kinematic relations since Late Tortonian times. Memorie Societa Geologica Italiana 45, 425-451.

Patacca, E., Sartori, R. & Scandone, P. 1993. Tyrrhenian basin and Apennines. Kinematic evolution and related dynamic constraints. In: Recent Evolution and Seismicity of the Mediterranean Region (edited by Boschi, E., Mantovani, E. & Morelli, A.) 402. NATO ASI Series, 161-171.

Peucat, J. J. & Bossière, G. 1981. Ages Rb-Sr sur micas du socle métamorphique Kabyle (Algérie): mise en évidence d'évènements thermiques alpins. Bulletin de la Societe Géologique de France 23(5), 437-448.

Platt, J. P. & Compagnoni, R. 1990. Alpine ductile deformation and metamorphism in a Calabrian basement nappe (Aspromonte, south Italy). Eclogae geologicae Helvetiae 83(1), 41-58.

Platt, J. P., Soto, J. I., Whitehouse, M. J., Hurford, A. J. & Kelley, S. P. 1998. Thermal evolution, rate of exhumation, and tectonic significance of metamorphic rocks from the floor of the Alboran extensional basin, western Mediterranean. Tectonics 17(5), 671-689.

Platt, J. P., van den Eeckhout, B., Janzen, E., Konert, G., Simon, O. J. & Weijermars, R. 1983. The structure and tectonic evolution of the Aguilon fold-nappe, Sierra Alhamilla, Betic Cordilleras, SE Spain. Journal of Structural Geology 5(5), 519-538.

Platt, J. P. & Vissers, R. L. M. 1989. Extensional collapse of thickened continental lithosphere: A working hypothesis for the Alboran Sea and Gibraltar arc. Geology 17, 540-543.

Platzman, E. S. 1992. Paleomagnetic rotations and the kinematics of the Gibraltar arc. Geology 20, 311-314.

Platzman, E. S., Platt, J. P. & Olivier, P. 1993. Palaeomagnetic rotations and fault kinematics in the Rif Arc of Morocco. Journal of the Geological Society, London 150, 707-718.

Rehault, J.-P., Boillot, G. & Mauffret, A. 1985. The Western Mediterranean Basin. In: Geological evolution of the Mediterranean Basin (edited by Stanley, D. J. & Wezel, F.-C.). Springer-Verlag, 101-129.

Ricou, L. E., Dercourt, J., Geyssant, J., Grandjacquet, C., Lepvrier, C. & Biju-Duval, B. 1986. Geological constraints on the Alpine evolution of the Mediterranean Tethys. Tectonophysics 123(1-4), 83-122.

Roca, E., Sans, M., Cabrera, L. & Marzo, M. 1999. Oligocene to Middle Miocene evolution of the central Catalan margin (northwestern Mediterranean). Tectonophysics 315, 209-233.

Rosenbaum, G., Lister, G. S. & Duboz, C. in press. Motions of Africa, Iberia and Europe during Alpine orogeny. Tectonophysics.

Rosseti, F., Faccenna, C., Goffé, B., Monié, P., Argentieri, A., Funiciello, R. & Mattei, M. 2001. Alpine structural and metamorphic signature of the Sila Piccola Massif nappe stack (Calabria, Italy): Insights for the tectonic evolution of the Calabrian Arc. Tectonics 20(1), 112-133.

Royden, L. H. 1993a. Evolution of retreating subduction boundaries formed during continental collision. Tectonics 12(3), 629-638.

Royden, L. H. 1993b. The tectonic expression of slab pull at continental convergent boundaries. Tectonics 12(2), 303-325.

Rubatto, D. & Gebauer, D. 1999. Eo/Oligocene (35Ma) high-pressure metamorphism in the Gornergrat Zone (Monte Rosa, Western Alps): implications for paleogeography. Schweizerische Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen 79, 353-362.

Saadallah, A. & Caby, R. 1996. Alpine extensional detachment tectonics in the Grande Kabylie metamorphic core complex of the Maghrebides (northern Algeria). Tectonophysics 267, 257-273.

Sagnotti, L. 1992. Paleomagnetic evidence for a Pleistocene counterclockwise rotation of the Sant'Arcangelo basin, southern Italy. Geophysical Research Letters 19(2), 135-138.

Sagnotti, L., Mattei, M., Faccenna, C. & Funiciello, R. 1994. Paleomagnetic evidence for no tectonic rotation of the central Italy Tyrrhenian margin since upper Pliocene. Geophysical Research Letters 21(6), 481-484.

Sagnotti, L., Winkler, A., Alfonsi, L., Florindo, F. & Marra, F. 2000. Paleomagnetic constraints on the Plio-Pleistocene geodynamic evolution of the external central-northern Apennines (Italy). Earth and Planetary Science Letters 180(3-4), 243-257.

Savelli, C. 1988. Late Oligocene to Recent episodes of magmatism in and around the Tyrrhenian Sea: implications for the processes of opening in a young inter-arc basin of intra-orogenic (Mediterranean) type. Tectonophysics 146, 163-181.

Savelli, C. 2000. Subduction-related episodes of K-alkaline magmatism (15-0.1 Ma) and geodynamic implications in the north Tyrrhenian - central Italy region: a review. Journal of Geodynamics 30, 575-591.

Scheepers, P. J. J. 1992. No tectonic rotation for the Apulia-Gargano foreland in the Pleistocene. Geophysical Research Letters 19(22), 2275-2278.

Scheepers, P. J. J. & Langereis, C. G. 1993. Analysis of NRM directions from the Rossello composite: implications for tectonic rotations of the Caltanissetta basin, Sicily. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 119, 243-258.

Scheepers, P. J. J. & Langereis, C. G. 1994. Paleomagnetic evidence for counter-clockwise rotations in the Southern Apennines fold-and-thrust belt during the late Pliocene and middle Pleistocene. Tectonophysics 239(1-4), 43-59.

Scheepers, P. J. J., Langereis, C. G. & Hilgen, F. J. 1993. Counter-clockwise rotations in the southern Apennines during the Pleistocene: paleomagnetic evidence from the Matera area. Tectonophysics 225, 379-410.

Scheepers, P. J. J., Langereis, C. G., Zijderveld, J. D. A. & Hilgen, F. J. 1994. Paleomagnetic evidence for a Pleistocene clockwise rotation of the Calabro-Peloritan block (southern Italy). Tectonophysics 230, 19-48.

Schenk, V. 1980. U-Pb and Rb-Sr radiometric dates and their correlation with metamorphic events in the granulite-facies basement of the Serre, southern Calabria (Italy). Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology 73(1), 23-38.

Seber, D., Barazangi, M., Ibenbrahim, A. & Demnati, A. 1996. Geophysical evidence for lithospheric delamination beneath the Alboran Sea and Rif-Betic mountains. Nature 379, 785-790.

Sengör, A. M. C. 1993. Some current problems on the tectonic evolution of the Mediterranean during the Cainozoic. In: Recent Evolution and Seismicity of the Mediterranean Region (edited by Boschi, E., Mantovani, E. & Morelli, A.) 402. NATO ASI Series, 1-51.

Séranne, M. 1999. The Gulf of Lion continental margin (NW Mediterranean) revisited by IBS: an overview. In: The Mediterranean Basins: Tertiary Extension within the Alpine Orogen (edited by Durand, B., Jolivet, L., Horvath, F. & Séranne, M.) 156. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 156, 15-36.

Serri, G., Innocenti, F. & Manetti, P. 1993. Geochemical and petrological evidence of the subduction of delaminated Adriatic continental lithosphere in the genesis of the Neogene-Quaternary magmatism of central Italy. Tectonophysics 223, 117-147.

Smith, A. G. 1971. Alpine deformation and the oceanic areas of the Tethys, Mediterranean, and Atlantic. Geological Society of America Bulletin 82, 2039-2070.

Sowerbutts, A. 2000. Sedimentation and volcanism linked to multiphase rifting in an Oligo-Miocene intra-arc basin, Anglona, Sardinia. Geological Magazine 137(4), 395-418.

Spakman, W., van der Lee, S. & van der Hilst, R. 1993. Travel-time tomography of the European-Mediterranean mantle down to 1400 km. Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors 79(1-2), 3-74.

Speranza, F. 1999. Paleomagnetism and the Corsica-Sardinia rotation: a short review. Bollettino della Societa Geologica Italiana, 118, 537-543.

Speranza, F., Maniscalco, R., Mattei, M., Stefano, D. & Butler, R. W. H. 1999. Timing and magnitude of rotations in the frontal thrust systems of southwestern Sicily. Tectonics 18(6), 1178-1197.

Speranza, F., Mattei, M., Naso, G., Di Bucci, D. & Corrado, S. 1998. Neogene-Quaternary evolution of the central Apennine orogenic system (Italy): a structural and palaeomagnetic approach in the Molise region. Tectonophysics 299, 143-157.

Speranza, F., Mattei, M., Sagnotti, L. & Grasso, F. 2000. Rotational differences between the northern and southern Tyrrhenian domains: palaeomagnetic constraints from the Amantea Basin (Calabria, Italy). Journal of the Geological Society of London 157, 327-334.

Speranza, F., Sagnotti, L. & Mattei, M. 1997. Tectonics of the Umbria-Marche-Romagna arc (central northern Apennines, Italy): new paleomagnetic constraints. Journal of Geophysical Research 102(2), 3153-3166.

Stampfli, G. M., Mosar, J., Marquer, D., Marchant, R., Baudin, T. & Borel, G. 1998. Subduction and obduction processes in the Swiss Alps. Tectonophysics 296(1-2), 159-204.

Stanley, D. J. & Wezel, F.-C. 1985. Geological evolution of the Mediterranean Basin. Springer-Verlag, 589.

Tricart, P., Torelli, L., Argnani, A., Rekhiss, F. & Zitellini, N. 1994. Extensional collapse related to compressional uplift un the Alpine Chain off northern Tunisia (Central Mediterranean). Tectonophysics 238, 317-329.

Van der Val, D. & Vissers, R. L. M. 1993. Uplift and emplacement of upper mantle rocks in the western Mediterranean. Geology 21, 1119-1122.

van Dijk, J. & Okkes, M. 1991. Neogene tectonostratigraphy and kinematics of Calabrian basins; implications for the geodynamics of the Central Mediterranean. Tectonophysics 196, 23-60.

van Dijk, J. P. & Scheepers, P. J. J. 1995. Neotectonic rotations in the Calabrian Arc; implications for a Pliocene-Recent geodynamic scenario for the central Mediterranean. Earth-Science Reviews 39(3-4), 207-246.

Vigliotti, L. & Langenheim, V. E. 1995. When did Sardinia stop rotating? New palaeomagnetic results. Terra Nova 7(4), 424-435.

Villalain, J. J., Osete, M. L., Vegas, R., Garcia-Duenas, V. & Heller, F. 1996. The Neogene remagnetization in the western Betics; a brief comment on the reliability of palaeomagnetic directions. In: Palaeomagnetism and tectonics of the Mediterranean region (edited by Morris, A. & Tarling, D. H.) 105. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 150, 33-41.

Watts, A. B. & Torné, M. 1992. Subsidence history, crustal structure, and thermal evolution of the Valencia trough: a young extensional basin in the Western Mediterranean. Journal of Geophysical Research 97(B13), 20021-20041.

Wildi, W. 1983. La chaine tello-rifaine (Algérie, Maroc, Tunisie): structure stratigraphie et évolution du Trias au Miocène. Revue de Géologie Dynamique et de Géographie Physique 24(3), 201-297.

Wortel, M. J. R. & Spakman, W. 1992. Structure and dynamics of subducted lithosphere in the Mediterranean region. Proceedings of the Koninklijke Nederlandse Akademie van Wetenschappen 95(3), 325-347.

Wortel, M. J. R. & Spakman, W. 2000. Subduction and slab detachment in the Mediterranean-Carpathian region. Science 290, 1910-1917.

Zeck, H. P., Maluski, H. & Kristensen, A. B. 2000. Revised geochronology of the Neogene calc-alkaline volcanic suite in Sierra de Gata, Alboran volcanic province, SE Spain. Journal of the Geological Society of London 157, 75-81.