List of Figures

1. Tectonic map of the Western Alps (modified from Berthelsen, 1992b).

2. Cross-section of the western Alps

3. Plate 3

4. Plate 4

5. Plate 5

6. Plate 6

7. Plate 7

8. Plate 8

9. Plate 9

10. Synthetic subsidence curves

11. Early Cretaceous cross-sections of the European margin and position of the Pyrenean ocean

12. Middle Eocene and Late Oligocene

13. Simplified present-day tectonic map of the Alpine-Mediterranean area.

14. Stratigraphy and origin of the oceanic series and accretionary sequences

15. Evolution of the flexural bulge during the closing of the Alpine Tethys

16. Reconstruction of the Helvetic margin in Maastrichtian and Early Oligocene

17. Reconstruction of the Briançonnais domain in Early Cretaceous and early Middle Eocene