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Tectonic activity in the Mediterranean area (involving migrations of old orogenic belts, formation of basins and building of orogenic systems) has been determined by the convergence of the confining plates (Nubia, Arabia and Eurasia). Such convergence has been mainly accommodated by the consumption of oceanic and thinned continental domains, triggered by the lateral escapes of orogenic wedges. Here, we argue that the implications of the above basic concepts can allow plausible explanations for the very complex time-space distribution of tectonic processes in the study area, with particular regard to the development of Trench-Arc-Back Arc systems. In the late Oligocene and lower–middle Miocene, the consumption of the eastern Alpine Tethys oceanic domain was caused by the eastward to SE ward migration/bending of the Alpine–Iberian belt, driven by the Nubia–Eurasia convergence. The crustal stretching that developed in the wake of that migrating Arc led to formation of the Balearic basin, whereas accretionary activity along the trench zone formed the Apennine belt. Since the collision of the Anatolian–Aegean–Pelagonian system (extruding westward in response to the indentation of the Arabian promontory) with the Nubia-Adriatic continental domain, around the late Miocene–early Pliocene, the tectonic setting in the central Mediterranean area underwent a major reorganization, aimed at activating a less resisted shortening pattern, which led to the consumption of the remnant oceanic and thinned continental domains in the central Mediterranean area.

The top-down structured paper consists of four parts. The first part discusses the Mediterranean Sea, focusing on the geological history of the islands of the western Mediterranean. The second part of the paper is dedicated to the Elba Island, including its geological structure, as well as describing the main minerals. The third part presents the original qualitative research carried out on Elba Island, aimed at assessing geotourism based on participant observation in four organized tours and semi-structured interviews. The findings reveal the participants' outlook on geotourism on Elba Island, leading to an identification of two different types of geotourists. As a theoretical implication, this distinction of types of geotourists can be applied to other geotourism destinations, while from the practical point of view it can guide marketing strategies related to the promotion of geotourism on the island. The conclusions focus on the discussion of the potential and current use of the Elba Island in the light of the findings of this case study, exploring links with other similar studies elsewhere, as well as future perspectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Our data does not support the monophyly of the family Ctenizidae. [•] The family has an ancient origin and long history in the Mediterranean region. [•] We demonstrate the vicariant origin of the amphiatlantic distribution of Ummidia. [•] The dynamic geology of the Mediterranean drove diversification of local genera. [•] Deep divergences support Cteniza and Cyrtocarenum as independent lineages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The salinity crisis of the Mediterranean during Messinian time was one of the most dramatic episodes of oceanic change of the past 20 or so million years, resulting in the deposition of kilometer thick evaporitic sequences. A large and rapid drawdown of the Mediterranean water level caused erosion and deposition of non-marine sediments in a large ‘Lago Mare’ basin. Both the surface loading by the Lower Messinian evaporites, and the removal of the water load resulted in isostatic/flexural rebound that significantly affected river canyons and topographic slopes. We use flexure models to quantitatively predict possible signatures of these events, and verify these expectations at well-studied margins. The highly irregular shape of the reconstructed basin calls for a three-dimensional model. Near basin margins, plate-bending effects are most pronounced which is why flexure is particularly important for a relatively narrow basin like the Mediterranean. We focus on one specific sea level scenario for the Messinian Salinity Crisis, where most of the evaporite load was deposited during a sea level highstand, followed by a rapid desiccation. Evaporite loading at current sea level is expected to cause subsidence of the deep basins by hundreds of meters and simultaneous uplift of continental parts of the margins. Differential uplift may lead to significant slope angle changes and thus gravity flows. The relative scarcity of Lower Evaporite sequences along the margins may be a result of these phenomena. Normal faulting of Lower Evaporite and older sediments and rocks is expected on the margins. Desiccation enhances erosion of the freshly exposed continental shelf and slope. Subsidence and riverbed sedimentation occurs on the continental margins, and significant uplift towards the basin center. Reverse faulting is predicted at the margins. Finally, regional isostatic uplift following Zanclean flooding is predicted to destabilize margin slope deposits, and to cause marginal uplift, river down-cutting, and normal faulting. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Tectonic activity in the Mediterranean area (involving migrations of old orogenic belts, formation of basins and building of orogenic systems) has been determined by the convergence of the confining plates (Nubia, Arabia and Eurasia). Such convergence has been mainly accommodated by the consumption of oceanic and thinned continental domains, triggered by the lateral escapes of orogenic wedges. Here, we argue that the implications of the above basic concepts can allow plausible explanations for the very complex time-space distribution of tectonic processes in the study area, with particular regard to the development of Trench-Arc-Back Arc systems. In the late Oligocene and lower–middle Miocene, the consumption of the eastern Alpine Tethys oceanic domain was caused by the eastward to SE ward migration/bending of the Alpine–Iberian belt, driven by the Nubia–Eurasia convergence. The crustal stretching that developed in the wake of that migrating Arc led to formation of the Balearic basin, whereas accretionary activity along the trench zone formed the Apennine belt. Since the collision of the Anatolian–Aegean–Pelagonian system (extruding westward in response to the indentation of the Arabian promontory) with the Nubia-Adriatic continental domain, around the late Miocene–early Pliocene, the tectonic setting in the central Mediterranean area underwent a major reorganization, aimed at activating a less resisted shortening pattern, which led to the consumption of the remnant oceanic and thinned continental domains in the central Mediterranean area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]