Azores–Gibraltar Transform Fault
The Azores–Gibraltar Transform Fault, also called the Azores–Gibraltar fault zone (AGFZ), is a major fault zone which runs eastward from the eastern end of the Terceira Rift in the Azores, extending through the Strait of Gibraltar and into the Mediterranean Sea. It forms part of the tectonic boundary between the Eurasian Plate and the African Plate. The extension east of the Strait of Gibraltar is poorly understood and is currently regarded as a "diffuse" boundary. Many geologists believe the fault connects with a subduction zone where the African Plate is slowly subducting beneath the Eurasian Plate somewhere in the vicinity of the Italian Peninsula.
The fault is described as a right-lateral transform fault, moving about 4 mm (0.16 in) per year, but eastern segments of the fault show evidence of compression as well.
References
- Tsunamis, Appendix A, Tectonics of the Azores-Gibraltar fault zone - 7.8 MB PDF, pages 94–97 of 102
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Coordinates: 37°N 16°W / 37°N 16°W