Geophysical and petrological modeling of the structure and composition of the crust and upper mantle in complex geodynamic settings: The Tyrrhenian Sea and surroundings.

Integrated petrological-geophysical studies are useful in a geodynamically complex area characterised by abundant variable young magmatism, such as the Tyrrhenian Sea and surroundings. A thin crust overlying a soft mantle is observed for volcanoes in the Central Tyrrhenian Sea. The structure of the upper mantle, in contrast, shows striking differences among various volcanic provinces. The petrological–geochemical signatures of Italian volcanoes show strong variations that allow us to distinguish several magmatic provinces. These often coincide with mantle sectors identified by Vs tomography. The dominance of mafic subalkaline magmatism in the Tyrrhenian Sea basin denotes large degrees of partial melting, well in agreement with the soft characteristics of the uppermost mantle in this area. Petrological-geophysical constraints allows us to propose a 3D geodynamic model of the Tyrrhenian basin and bordering volcanic areas, including the subduction of the Ionian–Adria lithosphere.