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Geodynamics of the Mediterranean Region: Primary Role of Extrusion Processes

Encyclopedia 2025, 5(3), 97; https://doi.org/10.3390/encyclopedia5030097
by Enzo Mantovani, Marcello Viti *, Caterina Tamburelli and Daniele Babbucci
Reviewer 1: Anonymous
Reviewer 2: Anonymous
Reviewer 3:
Encyclopedia 2025, 5(3), 97; https://doi.org/10.3390/encyclopedia5030097
Submission received: 15 April 2025 / Revised: 20 June 2025 / Accepted: 3 July 2025 / Published: 7 July 2025
(This article belongs to the Section Earth Sciences)

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The article is a summary of the contents of the volume "Neogenic Evolution of the Mediterranean Region" by the same authors. The volume and the paper focus on a very complex geological evolution of the Mediterranean Sea, so this summary is sometimes difficult to follow, due to the numerous events and different regions involved. Although I fully agree with the primary role of extrusion process, I have some doubts about the hypothesis that "the horizontal force of an ancient oceanic domain is comparable or greater than that of a continental plate". Although some cited authors corroborate this hypothesis, it seems to me that this is not generally accepted in most of the literature (but this could be a positive aspect) and, in particular, it also seems to contradict the fact that the discussed estrusion tectonics generally occurs in the presence of an ancient oceanic foreland.

In any case, the authors of the article refer to their more detailed works and the paper repects the aims of the journal 

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

Please see the attachment

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

I would like to thank the authors and editor for giving me the chance to read the paper titled “Geodynamics of the Mediterranean Region: Primary Role of Extrusion Processes”. I have read it with great interest. It discusses the geodynamics in the Mediterranean region and specifically its evolution from Oligocene to date. The authors try to explain that the evolution of the Mediterranean is better explained from the Plate tectonics theory without basing any assumptions on the slab-pull model.

Unfortunately, in my opinion, the manuscript cannot be published in its current form unless major revisions are made by the authors. I provide specific questions and suggestions which I believe will make the text easier to be understood by the general public, students in Geology, and in general researchers that would like to have an overview of the Mediterranean evolution fast and accurately. Based on the description of the scope of “Encyclopedia journal” simple and accurate scientific information that targets event the general public is of crucial importance.

Comments and suggestions:

The paper is based on other papers and a book which is in line with the “Entries” option for Encyclopedia journal. Unfortunately, its structure needs significant improvement, in my opinion. It has to be written thinking about the journal’s target audience.

  • In my opinion, the last paragraph of the study should be transferred to the beginning of the paper as it describes the main concept of the document. Also, this paragraph needs to be better explained: What do you mean by “ ….. the evolution of the Mediterranean region can be explained as effects of the relative motions of the major plates, as provided by the Plate Tectonics theory, without the need of invoking additional mantle forces, such as the one involved by the slab-pull model…..”? Are these different, and how exactly differentiate?
  • The introduction goes directly to the evolution of the region without a narrative.
  • A schema and an introductory discussion on plate tectonics is missing. What is plate tectonics theory, what are the main processes? You could provide basic information on the slab-pull mechanism, convection current, ridge push mechanism, seafloor spreading, mid-ocean ridge, trenches and extrusion mechanisms. All these can be presented briefly along with a schematic representation.
  • The section of tectonics and seismicity is too short compared to the other sections. Also, it is not well balanced, as it provides more information on seismicity in Italy. Eastern Mediterranean and Turkey are extremely more seismic compared to Italy. Please enhance this chapter and include a map with epicenters of the big events, at least. Also, this chapter should be before the “Propose dynamic interpretation”.
  • I would have an introductory section on plate tectonics, a section describing the current situation tectonics, seismicity, geodynamics of the study region in general, then a discussion section with your interpretation and suggestions and finally the conclusions.
  • It seems that there is a strong focus on the central part of the Mediterranean compared to the West and Eastern one.
  • I also miss reference and points from the “The TRANSMED Atlas. The Mediterranean Region from Crust to Mantle” (Cavazza et al., 2004).
  • You mention that seismic hazard maps fail, but you do not provide enough evidence on how the understanding of what you propose will help us to mitigate seismic risk.
  • I would like to see a bit more clear your position against other studies, always in brief. It is discussed in the section “discussion”, but it requires a light improvement. At least it is not clear to me.
  • Make clear how your proposals are different (and better) from existing ones in the region.
  • Figure 2 legend is not adeqaute.Actually there is no legend.
  • Figure 1 capture needs improvement, especially for elements, 8, 9, 10, 11.

The above improvements need to be to the point, providing the basic knowledge. The length of the document is fine. You can also reduce the conclusions sections to gain space to add the improvements, if necessary.

I think that with the above suggestions, if they are willing to follow them, the authors can present a document that can be used as a basic knowledge point for the Mediterranean that can be used for the general public, in geology related universities and even scientists.

Comments on the Quality of English Language

Some minor typing errors exist. In some cases syntax can be improved.

Author Response

Please see the attachment

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Primary, I would like to note, that the MDPI template is not properly used in this manuscript. Please, rearrange all paragraphs upon rules. Secondary, the reference style is also not respected. Plase, check points after initials and at the end of the lines, commas or semicolon between authors surnames. Somewhere you use doi:, somewhere https://doi.org/ as a link.

[88] Hassani, R., Jongmans, D., Chery, J.) Study

[61] Submitted to Geohazard 2025. I doubt you can use unpublished papers as reference

[52] Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology and [24] Marine Petroleum Geology

[34] p. 687–705.

[29] not Late Cenozoice, but Late Cenozoic   Also you missed paper number Full citattion Viti, M.; Mantovani, E.; Babbucci, D.; Tamburelli, C.; Caggiati, M.; Riva, A. Basic Role of Extrusion Processes in the Late Cenozoic Evolution of the Western and Central Mediterranean Belts. Geosciences 2021, 11, 499. https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences11120499

It is obvious that this paper is also cited:

Mantovani, E. , Viti, M. , Babbucci, D. , Tamburelli, C. , Cenni, N. , Baglione, M. and D’Intinosante, V. (2014) Generation of Back-Arc Basins as Side Effect of Shortening Processes: Examples from the Central Mediterranean. International Journal of Geosciences5, 1062-1079. doi: 10.4236/ijg.2014.510091.

Definition is not given the specific of this topic: exact geologic timeline and main drivers of this picture. Now it is more like introduction part but very sparse.

Fig. 2. TAF=Trans-Anatolian fault system

Why do you shorten the direction somewhere, but not everywhere. It looks quite carelessly: "During this phase, the Adriatic promontory accumulated a counterclockwise torsion,
due to the NE ward motion of Nubia and to the fact that the northwestern edge of that
promontory was stuck into the western Alps". Although, the name should start with capital letter, e.g. Western Alps. Also p. 7 Southern Periadriatic zones

 Please, decide either you use the Adriatic plate or the Adria plate. Because, in my opinion, it confuses the reader.

Affiliation seems is needed to be written in English (now it is in Italian Dipartimento di Scienze Fisiche, della Terra e dell’Ambiente, Università di Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy).

p. 5. NAMINGS! please correct and check others. As I see Al the Alkapa, instead of ALCAPA
the Alkapa and Tisza Tethyan belt sectors

p. 7 what is Tell in Northern Nubia? I haven't seen it in the text and never heard. 

Figure instead of Fig. I suggest adding degrees in maps. 

Comments on the Quality of English Language

There are some typos in names, capital letters in the middle of a word, and missing hyphens. Other language is understandable.

 

Author Response

Please see the attachment

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

I would like to thank the authors for taking into account my comments and considering implementing them.The manuscript has been improved. I think that it is a paper that provides basic understanding of the evolution of the study area and can be used as a simplified reference for it.

Some really minor typing errors exist, that can be corrected during proofreading.

Author Response

We are grateful for the suggestions provided by the reviewers.

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Authors made some improvements.

Figure 1B. Something wrong is with indication 8 and 11. As on the map I see empty triangles on line, which is not in the legend ΔΔΔ ?

Figure 2. WPa=Western Padanian sector. TAF=Trans-Anatolian fault system

P. 6 Western Alps. Central and Eastern Alps

 

Something is wrong in [98] 98. Ben-Menahem, A. Earthquake catalogue for the Middle East (92 B.C.-1980 A.D.) Boll. Geofis. [99] Teor. Appl. 1979, XXI, 84, 245-310.

 

Author Response

We are grateful for the suggestions provided by the reviewers.

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