TEMPORAL VARIATION IN THE STRESS-FIELD OF THE AEGEAN REGION

We use a forward numerical model to analyse the intra-plate stress fie ld in an area of active extension of continental lithosphere: the Aege an region. Recent tomographic images of the Hellenic subduction zone o ffer the unique opportunity to address the relation between the evolvi ng Aegean stress field and temporal variations in the subduction proce ss. To this extent we apply our model to both the present-day and the Late Pliocene situation. Regarding the current situation it is found t hat subduction-related forces largely explain the observed pattern of tension. Results obtained for the Pliocene indicate that detachment of the slab subducted below western Greece may have controlled the obser ved temporal variation in the pattern of tension.