Miocene–Recent evolution of Anaximander Mountains and Finike Basin at the junction of Hellenic and Cyprus Arcs, eastern Mediterranean

Interpretation of ~ 1750 km of multi-channel seismic reflection profiles shows that the region of Anaximander Mountains (sensu lato) experienced a protracted Miocene contractional tectonic phase characterised by a nearly E–W trending and S-verging fold–thrust belt. This tectonic phase culminated during the latest Miocene and was replaced in the early-mid Pliocene by a tectonic regime dominated by transpression and rotation. We postulate that during the Pliocene–Quaternary the Anaximander Mountain (sensu stricto) and the Anaximenes Mountain developed as the result of reactivation and uplift and rotation of a linked, thick-skinned pre-Messinian imbricate thrust fan. In both regions, the development of back thrusts accentuated the morphology of these submarine mountains. At this time, the Anaximenes Mountain experienced a progressive counterclockwise rotation, while the Anaxagoras Mountain and the Florence Rise experienced a clockwise rotation creating the present present-day arrowhead-shaped morphology of the Anaximander Mountains (sensu lato). The Sırrı Erinç Plateau represents a former Miocene fold–thrust belt that is transected during the Pliocene–Quaternary by a major transpressional fault system, which created a series of closely-spaced high-angle faults that cut the seafloor, creating a corrugated topography. A major transfer fault is developed between the Anaximander Mountain (sensu stricto) and the Sırrı Erinç Plateau which displays ~ 2 km of contractional stratigraphic separation and as much as 40 km of sinistral strike-slip.The Finike Basin evolved during the Pliocene–Quaternary as the result of accelerated subsidence, caused by the lithospheric loading of the western Tauride Mountains.