The Collision of the African and Eurasian Plates: A Geological Journey Spanning Millions of Years
The African Plate and the Eurasian Plate are continuously moving towards each other due to tectonic processes, part of the larger tectonic dynamics involving the Mediterranean region. The African Plate moves northward at a rate of about 2.5 centimeters per year, gradually approaching the Eurasian Plate. Geologists predict that the full collision will take millions of years, making it impossible to predict an exact timeline for the significant geological features like mountain ranges to form.
Continual Contact and the Driving Forces
Interestingly, the two tectonic plates are in constant contact with no gap between them. This means that the earthquakes in Southern Europe are caused by the African Plate pushing against the Eurasian Plate, evidencing the ongoing process of tectonic dynamics.
It's important to note that the collision between these plates was initiated a very long time ago, around 65 million years ago. As the African and Eurasian tectonic plates have been moving towards each other, the former Alpine Tethys, situated between these continents, has ceased to exist. Enormous stress was exerted on the sediments of the Alpine Tethys basin, pushing Mesozoic and early Cenozoic strata against the stable Eurasian landmass due to the northward movement of the African continent. The Oligocene and Miocene epochs witnessed most of this activity, as pressure formed great recumbent folds or nappes that rose from the previously existing Alpine Tethys and pushed northward, often breaking and sliding over each other to create gigantic thrust faults.
Formation of the Alpine Ranges
The process of mountain formation involved the rise of crystalline basement rocks, now exposed in the higher central regions, and the formation of rocks found in regions like Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn, and high peaks in the Pennine Alps and the Hohe Tauern. According to Stampfli and Borel 2004, these rock formations played a crucial role in the formation of the Alpine Tethys. As the collision continues, it is likely to contribute to the evolution of the Alpine mountain ranges and the creation of new geological features.
The Future of the Colliding Plates
While the collision itself began a very long time ago, the full impact of the African and Eurasian plates' collision is still developing. Although the plates have already collided, the exact timing of significant geological features like mountain ranges forming is not straightforward to predict. Current geological models suggest that this process could take tens of millions of years, emphasizing the slow but steady pace of tectonic plate movements.
Impact on Southern Europe
Geologically, the ongoing collision between the African and Eurasian plates is a significant force in shaping the landscape of Southern Europe, contributing to earthquakes and the formation of mountain ranges. The northward movement of the African Plate continues to press against the Eurasian Plate, leading to a complex interaction that manifests in the seismic activity and geomorphological features of the region.
Conclusion
The collision between the African and Eurasian plates is a fascinating and complex process that has been occurring for millions of years. While the exact timing of significant geological events can only be speculated, the continuous movement and interaction of these tectonic plates continue to shape the geology and landscape of Southern Europe.