Map of plate motions in the Mediterranean region. The Gulf of Corinth (GoC) is located in the eastern region and is undergoing fast extension. The North Anatolian Fault (NAF) and East Anatolian Fault (EAF) are currently strike-slipping. Adapted from Armijo, 1999
The Gulf of Corinth basin, or Corinth rift, is an active extensional marine sedimentary basin thought to have started deforming during the late Miocene – Pleistocene epoch. The dimensions of the Gulf of Corinth are approximately 105 km long and 30 km wide with a basement depth of 3 km at its center. This half-graben basin is formed by a N100°E-oriented rift which separates the Peloponnese peninsula from the continental mainland of Greece.[1] Currently the Corinth rift is opening at rate of 10–15 mm/yr,[2] with respect to the Eurasia Plate.[1][3][4][5] The basin is bounded by the Peloponnese highlands to the south and the westward-moving Anatolian Fault to the north. Major and minor fault planes make up the north and south margins, and its north-south extension is due to activity along an E-W to NW-SE oriented coastal southern margin.[3][4] The basin's active and inactive faults create associated syn-rift sediment fill. These aspects provide a unique opportunity for scientists to study the tectonic and stratigraphic development of a rift, while further understanding how a basin is actually made.
It is postulated that crustal extension is related to a combination of factors: westward movement of the North Anatolian Fault, gravitational collapse of the thickened Hellenide orogenic crust, subduction, and slab roll back of the African Plate at the Hellenic trench.[1][4][5][6] As Africa subducts beneath the Aegean Sea Plate the slab essentially pulls the over-riding plate with it, inducing extension. Rifting occurs as the plate stretches weakening the thickened crust causing its collapse upon itself, creating the basin.
^ abcMoretti, Isabelle; Sakellariou, D; Lykousis, V; Micarelli, L (2003). "The Gulf of Corinth: an active half graben?". Geodynamics. 36 (1–2): 323–340. Bibcode:2003JGeo...36..323M. doi:10.1016/s0264-3707(03)00053-x.
^ abMicarelli, L; Moretti, I; Daniel, J (2003). "Structural propertites of rift-related normal faults: the case study of the Gulf of Corinth, Greece". Geodynamics. 36 (1–2): 275–303. Bibcode:2003JGeo...36..275M. doi:10.1016/s0264-3707(03)00051-6.
^ abcBell, R; McNeill, L; Bull, J; Henstock, T; Collier, R; Leederz, M (March 16, 2009). "Fault architecture, basin structure and evolution of the Gulf of Corinth Rift, central Greece". Basin Research. 21 (6): 824–855. Bibcode:2009BasR...21..824B. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2117.2009.00401.x. S2CID 131665529.
^ abSachpazi, Maria; Clement, Christophe; Laigle, Mireille; Hirn, Alfred; Roussos, Nikos (2003). "Rift structure, evolution, and earthquakes in the Gulf of Corinth, from reflection seismic images". Earth and Planetary Science Letters. 216 (3): 243–257. Bibcode:2003E&PSL.216..243S. doi:10.1016/s0012-821x(03)00503-x.
^Place, Joachim; Géraud, Yves; Diraison, Marc; Laurence, Laurence (February 23, 2007). "North-south transfer zones and paleo-morphological reconstruction of the Xylokastro area (Corinth Gulf, Greece)". Tectonophysics. 440 (1–4): 121–139. Bibcode:2007Tectp.440..121P. doi:10.1016/j.tecto.2006.11.008.
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The GulfofCorinthbasin, or Corinth rift, is an active extensional marine sedimentary basin thought to have started deforming during the late Miocene...
side of the isthmus ofCorinth, being the eastern terminus of the Corinth Canal, which cuts across the isthmus. The Saronic Islands in the gulf have played...
closed by the Strait of Rion between capes Rio and Antirrio, near the Rio-Antirrio bridge, that is the entrance of the GulfofCorinth. On the west, it is...
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Throughout the Basin and Range Province in North America The Rio Grande Rift in the southwestern US The rift zone that contains the GulfofCorinth in Greece...
the GulfofCorinth, an enclosed sea between the Ionian Sea and the Corinth Canal the Pagasetic Gulf, the gulfof Volos, south of the Thermaic Gulf, formed...
Kastritsi. At the course of the river passes near the town of Platani where it receives the river's name, it empties into the GulfofCorinth. The area receives...
valley north of the GulfofCorinth, and parallel to it. They have the same geologic causes. Being situated in karst topography, much of the river runs...
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Megara and Corinth, the sanctuary was probably under the control ofCorinth, as it faced the harbors of that powerful city across the Corinthian gulf. Cult...
surrounding GulfofCorinth. Monetary damages from the earthquake reached $660 million (in 1995 USD). Significant destruction occurred; the collapse of two buildings...
E Gulf of Patras, connecting the Gulf ofCorinth, ESE Gulfof Kyparissia, SE Messenian Gulf, SE Laconian Gulf, ESE Corfu Kefalonia Ithaca Zakynthos Lefkada...
the nearby town of Loutraki (accessible by car via the Athens – Corinth National Highway, or the Athens Suburban Railway). The concept of a partner city...
Peloponnese, Greece. It is 13.3 km (8.3 mi) long and flows into the GulfofCorinth. The source of the river is in the hills near the village Rethi. It flows a...
village Tsivlos and the town Akrata. The river empties into the Gulf of Corinth near Akrata. In ancient times the river's course was close to Achaean Aegae...
in the northern part of Achaea, Greece. The river flows entirely in the municipal unit of Rio and empties into the GulfofCorinth. The river begins on...
and county equivalents of the United States. The 50 states of the United States are divided into 3,007 political subdivisions of states called counties...
mountains, near the village of Priolithos. It flows past the towns of Kalavryta and Diakopto, and flows into the GulfofCorinth near Diakopto. It is 37.5 km...
western part of Corinthia, Greece. The source of the river is in the mountains near Evrostina. It empties into the GulfofCorinth east of Derveni. The...
finally to the League ofCorinth led by Macedon. This period was shaped by the Greco-Persian Wars, the Peloponnesian War, and the Rise of Macedon. Following...
Sea (Saundry, Hogan & Baum 2011). The Saronic Gulf, the gulfof Athens, lies between the Corinth Canal and the Myrtoan Sea. It is said to have been named...
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