Complexity of the Geological Framework and Use of Mathematics - Geomathematics: Theoretical Foundations, Applications and Future Developments - page 5

Fig. 1.1 Tectonic sketch maps of Strigno area on in northern Italy and Eastern Alps (After
Agterberg 1961 ). Although area sizes differ by a factor of 1,600, the patterns showing overthrust
sheets are similar. Originally gravity sliding was assumed to be the major cause of these patterns.
However, after development of the theory of plate tectonics in the 1960s, it has become apparent
that plate collision was the primary driving force of Alpine orogeny. The Strigno overthrust sheets
are due to Late Miocene southward movement of the Eurasian plate over the Adria micro-plate,
and the eastern Alpine nappes were formed during the earlier (primarily Oligocene) northward
movement of the African plate across the Eurasian plate. For more discussion, see Chap. 8
(Source: Agterberg 1961 , Fig. 107)