Eastern Mediterranean - Collision Impact on the Structure of the Eratosthenes Seamount and the Levantine Basin

The Eastern Mediterranean became subject of scientific and public interest because of the detection of significant hydrocarbon plays. However, the tectonic framework of the Eastern Mediterranean is still a matter of discussion, e.g. the crustal type underlying the Levantine Basin, the origin and structure of the Eratosthenes Seamount. In 2010, the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources of Germany carried out a multi-component marine geophysical survey in the area south of Cyprus covering the Eratosthenes Seamount and the western part of the Levantine Basin. We present results of multichannel seismic lines and refraction seismic lines. First results point to a highly deformed Eratosthenes Seamount due to the ongoing compression of the African Plate. Graben structures have formed across the seamount. The transition to the deep Levantine Basin is very sharp. Within the basin, sediments to a depth up to 12 km could be resolved. Velocity information of a refraction seismic line points to an oceanic floored Levantine Basin.