Recent tectonics of Eratosthenes Seamount: an example of seamount deformation during incipient continental collision.

The Eratosthenes Seamount is a continental fragment undergoing collision with Cyprus along the African-Eurasian plate boundary. High-resolution seismic and deep-tow sonar data revealed that extensional deformation is occurring over most of the seamount, whereas compressional deformation was observed within the trench basin to the north and also in the asymmetric basin south of the seamount. This recent tectonic activity has triggered the development of slumps, turbidites and fluid escape structures. Although the 'staircase' bathymetry is similar to that of subducting oceanic seamounts, the distribution and characteristics of structures which develop during collision-subduction are very different.