-This paper presents a synthetic view of the geodynamic evolution of the Zagros orogen within the frame of the Arabia-Eurasia collision. The Zagros orogen and the Iranian plateau preserve a record of the long-standing convergence history between Eurasia and Arabia across the Neo-Tethys, from subduction/obduction processes to present-day collision (from ∼ 150 to 0 Ma). We herein combine the results obtained on several geodynamic issues, namely the location of the oceanic suture zone, the age of oceanic closure and collision, the magmatic and geochemical evolution of the Eurasian upper plate during convergence (as testified by the successive Sanandaj-Sirjan, Kermanshah and Urumieh-Dokhtar magmatic arcs), the P-T-t history of the few Zagros blueschists, the convergence characteristics across the Neo-Tethys (kinematic velocities, tomographic constraints, subduction zones and obduction processes), together with a survey of recent results gathered by others. We provide lithospheric-scale reconstructions of the Zagros orogen from ∼ 150 to 0 Ma across two SW-NE transects. The evolution of the Zagros orogen is also compared to those of the nearby Turkish and Himalayan orogens. In our geotectonic scenario for the Zagros convergence, we outline three main periods/regimes: (1) the Mid to Late Cretaceous (115-85 Ma) corresponds to a distinctive period of perturbation of subduction processes and interplate mechanical coupling marked by blueschist exhumation and upper-plate fragmentation, (2) the Paleocene-Eocene (60-40 Ma) witnesses slab break-off, major shifts in arc magmatism and distributed extension within the upper plate, and (3) from the Oligocene onwards (∼ 30-0 Ma), collision develops with a progressive SW migration of deformation and topographic build-up (Sanandaj-Sirjan Zone: 20-15 Ma, High Zagros: ∼ 12-8 Ma; Simply Folded Belt: 5-0 Ma) and with partial slab tear at depths (∼ 10 Ma to present). Our reconstructions underline the key role played by subduction throughout the whole convergence history. We finally stress that such a long-lasting subduction system with changing boundary conditions also makes the Zagros orogen an ideal natural laboratory for subduction processes.

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We quantitatively investigate the relation between nappe stacking and subduction in the Aegean region. If nappe stacking is the result of the decoupling of upper-crustal parts (5-10 km thick) from subducting lithosphere, then the amount of convergence estimated from balancing the nappe stack provides a lower limit to the amount of convergence accommodated by subduction. The balanced nappe stack combined with the estimated amount of completely subducted lithosphere indicates 700 km of Jurassic and 2400 km of post-Jurassic convergence. From seismic tomographic images of the underlying mantle, we estimate 2100-2500 km of post-Jurassic convergence. We conclude that (1) the imaged slab represents the subducted lithosphere that originally underlay the nappes, (2) since the Early Cretaceous, subduction in the Aegean has occurred in one single subduction zone, and (3) the composition of the original basement of the nappes indicates that at least 900 km of sub-upper-crust continental lithosphere subducted in the Aegean. This paper benefited from thorough reviews of Laurent Jolivet and Mark Brandon. We thank Herman van Roermund and Manfred van Bergen for comments on earlier versions of this manuscript. This is an ISES and VMGS publication.

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Cloetingh, S. and Wortel, R., 1986. Stress in the Ind~Austr~ian plate. In: B. Johnson and A.W. Bally (Editors),We modelled the state of stress in the Indo-Australian plate in order to investigate quantitatively variations observed in tectonic style. The numerical procedure incorporates the dependence of slab pull and ridge push on the age of the oceanic lithosphere. Estimates are presented for the average net resistive forces at the Himalayan collision zone, the suction force acting on the overriding Indo-Australian plate segment at the Tonga-Kermadec trench and the drag at the base of the lithosphere.Our modelhng shows a concen~ation of compressive stresses of the order of 3-5 lcbar in the Ninetyeast Ridge area; the effects of the compressive resistance associated with Himalayan collision and subduction of young lithosphere off the northern part of the Sunda arc are focused in this region. The stress field as calculated gives a consistent explanation for the observed concentration of seismic activity (Stein and Okal, 1978) and significant deformation in the oceanic crust (Weissel et al., 1980;McAdoo and Sandwell, 1985) in the area.The calculated stress field in the area adjacent to the Southeast and Central India ridges is characterized by tension parallel to the spreading axis. This explains the concentration of near-ridge normal faulting seismicity (with T-axes subparaIle1 to the spreading ridge) in the Indian Ocean as recently observed by Bergman et al. (1984) and Wiens and Stein (1984).The regional stress field along the strike of the Sunda arc varies from compression seaward of and parallel to the Sumatra trench segment, to tension perpendicular to the Java-Flores segment. This explains the selective occurrence of well developed grabens seaward off the Java-Flores segment of the trench, observed by Hilde (1983).Our modelling shows that the observed rotation of the stress field (Denham et al., 1979) in the Australian continent is mainly the consequence of its geographic position relative to the surrounding trench segments and the variations of the forces acting on the down-going slab in each of these. The state of compression in west and central Australia is induced by the action of resistive forces at the Himalayan and Banda arc collision zones.The joint occurrence of high levels of compression in the plate's interior and normal faulting seismicity in the near-ridge areas, is a transient feature unique to the present dynamic situation of the Indo-Australian plate.~-1951/86/$03.50 0 1986 Elsevier Science Publishers B.V.