Crust-mantle mechanical structure in the Central Mediterranean region

•We analyse the mechanical behaviour of the lithosphere in the Central Mediterranean.•The effects of wet and dry rheology are investigated.•Mantle strength is dominant in the Tyrrhenian and Algero-Provençal domains.•Crust strength is dominant east of the Italian peninsula.•Thick mechanical non-competent layers occur in the surroundings of the Pannonian Basin.

A thermo-rheological analysis is performed to elucidate the mechanical behaviour of the lithosphere in the Mediterranean domain. The thermal field of the lithosphere is calculated by means of a finite element 3D thermal model. The decrease in radiogenic heat production with depth is taken into account, together with the compositional layering of the lithosphere. The predicted thermal field is analysed in terms of the temperatures and depth of the thermal lithosphere base. Based on the predicted thermal field, a rheological analysis is conducted, accounting for both the brittle and ductile behaviour of each lithospheric layer. The effects of the choice of wet and dry rheology are also investigated. Our rheological analysis reveals a strongly heterogeneous lithosphere strength pattern in the Central Mediterranean, characterised by strong lateral strength gradients and the occurrence of non-competent crustal layers of significant thickness in the eastern portion of the study area.