From 2D Physiography to 4D Geodynamics: contributions of Deep Geophysics to the knowledge of the Earth\\\\\\\'s crust in the Mediterranean, and its evolution with special reference to the energy accumulations at the plates subduction zones

In the 1950�s an important project for the study of the deep interior of the Earth through Applied Geophysics also started in Italy. Modern instruments and methods were developed, experimented and applied on land and at sea by University Institutes and a new, specially dedicated one (1958, Osservatorio Geofisico Sperimentale: OGS; now Istituto Nazionale di Oceanografia e di Geofisica Sperimentale). The initiatives attracted interest, cooperation and enthusiasm also in the European Community, with e.g. the creation of scientific societies like the European Seismological Commission (ESC, 1950). Under the ESC�s umbrella, the Deep Seismic Sounding (DSS) started a program that produced the first knowledge that went down to the base of the crust (Moho) and revealed the overlapping of the Moho in the subduction zones. The extension to the sea was obvious as soon as the naval means and instruments became available (1960�s), also favoured by the institution (1961) of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC), of which Italy has been a founder and active member. One of the first realizations was the International Bathymetric Map of the Mediterranean (IBCM; 1:1,000,000, 10 sheets; 1963-1981) and its Geological and Geophysical series (Gravity anomalies, 1989; Seismicity, 1991; Plio-Quaternary, 1993; Unconsolidated Sediments, 1993; Magnetic anomalies, 1998). In the meantime, the need for new geophysical technologies to study the deep crust and to coordinate interpretations (to reduce the non-determination of the single methods), also brought Italy to promoting a new multidisciplinary ad-hoc program (CROsta Profonda, CROP; 1983-...), whose results are of paramount importance for the advances in geological and geophysical knowledge (advent of 3D and 4D tectonic interpretation). This turned out to be particularly useful for the Mediterranean area, where the land and sea geological conditions are tectonically connected and /or time dependent in their evolution. A few examples of results obtained after 50 years of international cooperation are illustrated for the Central Mediterranean area, where the interactions between three plates (African, European and Adriatic ones) accumulated high tectonic stresses particularly along the subduction zones, as revealed by seismicity. Indeed, in the Mediterranean the belts of potential instability along the actual subduction zones are clearly correlated with seismicity. The GPS preliminary results confirm the regional movements (due to plates actions) and the local ones (connected with local tectonics).