oa Global to Regional Plate Tectonics during the Permo-Triassic

Plate reconstructions prior to the Jurassic, lack the calibration from Oceanic seafloor, which is not preserved. Only the continental fragments can be constraint with paleomagnetic and other geosocience data. The objective of this study is to bring together the key geosciences data to constrain the plate model to be able to explain the Khuff Formation Development and deformation. Global constraints are needed in order to get a sensible plate tectonic model that underpin the evolution of the Permo-Triassic Khuff Formation along the passive margin of the Neo-Tethys Ocean. Most geodynamic scenarios describe the plate tectonic process as an oceanic Tethys slab subducting under the Eurasian craton. Such models suggest subsequently tearing of a ribbon-like suit of continental basement terranes called ‘Cimmerian’ from the Gondwana margin to form the Neo-Tethys Ocean. The subduction zone subsequently consumes the Neo-Tethys as the Cimmerians terranes dock onto the Eurasia margin. This slab-pull and slab-push sequence of events has important implications for the Africa-Arabia margin.