Lithospheric Structure and Tectonics of the Eastern Alps – Evidence from New Seismic Data

Abstract

During the last two decades, seismic campaigns carried out in the Eastern Alps and the surrounding geological units contributed substantially to our knowledge and understanding of the deep lithospheric structure and tectonics in this area. The main topics addressed by these efforts concern the collision between tectonic plates and fragments of the Adriatic realm with the European platform and the many geodynamic reactions induced by this large-scale process. The individual campaigns yielded valuable geophysical data in the form of cross-sections and 3D models of the lithosphere and upper mantle, as well as geologic and tectonic interpretations. However, the diversity of the geologic structures and tectonic processes in the wider Alpine area still pose many unanswered questions. This chapter provides an overview of the main results achieved by the seismic campaigns and presents a current image of the crust and upper mantle. Generalized geological interpretations will be given and tectonic processes inferred on the basis of the imaged structures. Most of the interpretational models will refer to collision and post-collision times and today’s tectonics will be emphasized. Although this study considers information from several disciplines the author is aware that it is a limited projection of the comprehensive geology and tectonics in the area.