Title: Mapping and Analyzing the Volcano-Petrology and Tectono-Seismicity Characteristics Along the Syrian Rift – NW the Arabian Plate
Abstract: The European and African continents are crossed by several N-S-trending rifts, all together major structural features at world scale. They include, from North to South, firstly the Oslo Permian rift (Norway), continued by the Neogene fracture system of Central-Southern Germany (Eifel, Rhine Graben), then the rift system of French massif Central and Rhone valley, ending finally with the great African rift, the major structure of this continent. These major crustal fractures, extending down in the underlying mantle, have been active at different times, while always keeping the same approximate N-S direction. Periods of major activity are marked by extensive volcanism, with a distinct tendency to show younger ages southwards: Permian in Norway, Neogene in Germany, Neogene to subactual in France, actual (present-day) in Africa. These ages correspond mainly to the initial stage of riftforming, whereas more ancient accidents (e.g. Norway) could repeatedly play again, at each phase of crustal extension. In direct continuity with the Dead Sea Fault, the Syrian rift links the rigid Arabian plate to the mobile ophiolite belt of Cyprus and Southern Turkey (Juteau 1974, Parrot 1977). It plays a very important role in the regional geodynamic structure. Its exact position, as well as the related fracture system, has been documented from the analysis of complete aerial photo coverage of the whole Syrian territory (Bilal and Ammar 2004). Many partial works on the different aspects of this area: tectonics, geodynamics, volcanism, crustal and mantle rocks, and seismicity have been done. But a global synthetic on these aspects are given in this research, using new data in field and laboratory. The results either of my team at Damascus university, or either those of the scientific cooperation projects, from 1998 till now, with the teams of colleagues from the French universities: professors Jean Chorowicz, and Albert Jambon, from Pierre and Marie Curie university; professor Phillipe Huchon, from Ecole Normal Superior of Paris; professor Jacques Touret, from Ecole des Mines of Paris, and professor Jean Ives Cottin from the university Jean Monnet of SaintEtienne. In addition to international works indicated in the references list. While the global work, at the macroscale, has been achieved, it still more works to do at the micro –scale: the detailed composition variations of the volcanic rocks, and their geologic process indication; the liaison between the different tectonic unities, and theirs liaison with the regional geotectonic; and the microseismic zonation in the country.