Map of Plio-Quaternary sediment depths in the Mediterranean Sea

The Mediterranean Sea is an extremely interesting region, still under investigation, owing to its complex evolution related to plate tectonics. Research has focused particularly on the first layer, namely the Plio-Quaternary sediments, a geological unit directly related to the tectonics dynamic, with very different thickness (varying from 0 to more than 4500 m) depending on its location. In recent decades, many institutions have carried out seismic campaigns which have led to compiling a first map of thickness of the Plio-Quaternary layer. This map, being a product derived from seismic data, is expressed in seconds, which represent the time taken by a seismic wave to to travel from the source on surface to a given reflector and back. Our objective was to convert times to depths by combining the map profiles available in literature. An analysis of the gravitational signal generated by these sediments was, then, undertaken, showing the importance of this layer in terms of the gravity field. The final map of Plio-Quaternary sediment depths, together with its predicted accuracy, can be downloaded at the BGTA website.