Plate tectonics compression

Figure 4 Sketch of a prototypical pressure-area isotherm. The different phases are marked g, gaseous, molecules are separated from one another or grouped into small isolated rafts Z, liquid, molecules are more condensed but stUl highly compressible s, solid, molecules are densely packed and c, collapsed, the solid plate is ruptured and fragments ride over each other in the manner of tectonic plates.

In Fig. 7, in three separated maps, all thrust (in red), strike-slip (in green), and extensional (in blue) focal mechanisms are shown these views help to study at larger scale the active tectonic styles. Thrust beach balls represent the compressive tectonic style and their distribution shows where the boundary between tectonic plates collides. This type of deformation occurs along a nearly continuous and narrow zone in Northern Africa, from Morocco to Northern Sicily, with two interruptions at the Gibraltar Strait (Fig. 6c) and south of Sardinia. Another continuous part of the tectonic boundary characterized by compressive features is along the eastern part of the Adriatic Sea, along Dinarides and Hellenides belts and partially around the Hellenic Trench. Other minor regions characterized by a compressive deformation are in the Northern Apeimines and around Cyprus Island. 

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