Seismic images at the convergence zone from south of Cyprus to the Syrian coast, eastern Mediterranean

Multichannel seismic profiles from cruise 5 of the RN Akademik Nikolaj Stra khov provide the first deep seismic reflection images and extensive coverag e south and east of Cyprus. Five NW-SE-trending seismic lines cross an area of active continental collision. Main tectonic structures are the Eratosth enes Seamount collision zone, the Hecateaus Rise and the Latakia-Larnaca Ri dge systems. The Levantine Basin extends to the south all over the area. Th e data required careful processing due to the low-fold coverage, the reverb eratory character of the signal and the strong multiple energy. The seismic results clearly image the thick sedimentary sequence of the Levantine Basi n. This basin is observed to terminate abruptly at the junction with the He cateaus Rise south of Cyprus. To the east and north, the deformation appear s to be partitioned along two separated structures next to the Latakia and Larnaca Ridges. They correspond to major oblique fault systems. (C) 2000 El sevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.