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Abstract

The fascinating tectonic evolution of the Mediterranean region comprises subduction at numerous subduction zones, extension and seafloor spreading in back-arc areas, and convergence of major continents and smaller continental blocks between them. The active subduction of the Greater Adria block is a dominant feature of the central Mediterranean dynamics. AdriaArray, the ongoing major international experiment, has produced unprecedentedly dense seismic data sampling of the area. It brings into focus both its structure and dynamics and the methodologies for how to best use the abundant seismic and other data to determine the physical structure and dynamics of the lithosphere and underlying mantle. The Mediterranean lithosphere is highly heterogeneous in its thickness, temperature and mechanical strength. This heterogeneity evolves with time and exerts controls on the intraplate magmatism and seismicity. Combined evidence from seismic anisotropy and the geological record sheds light on the 3D patterns of lithospheric deformation. Physical structure of the lithosphere can be determined with seismic surface waves. Using computational petrology and thermodynamic databases, we can invert surface-wave and other data for temperature and composition at depth, equilibrium lithospheric geotherms and lithospheric thickness. It is essential to use accurate surface-wave measurements and fit them closely, to impose constraints on the models from other available data and physical relationships, and to tune the inversions so as to resolve parameter trade-offs. With these developments, thermodynamic inversions yield increasingly accurate models of the lithospheric temperature, thickness and internal structure, with important inferences on its dynamics, evolution and controls on deformation and volcanism.