Thermal and structural modeling of the Levant Basin, Eastern Mediterranean

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Jörg Ebbing
• Subject Area: Geophysics
• Term: since 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 560924174

The Levant Basin is an area of some unusual observations: a thick sedimentary sequence of up to 15 km overlays an exceptionally thinned crust and a relatively thin lithosphere. Surprisingly, at the same time, relatively low surface heat flow values characterize the basin. Here, we aim to perform, for the first time, 3D thermal modeling of the entire lithosphere based on integrated inverse and forward modeling. We will utilize vector magnetic data to study the igneous crustal structure beneath the basin, and we aim to measure such vector data in the onshore area, with a dedicated regional aeromagnetic survey, to be able to trace geological structures from the onshore to the offshore domain. Modeling has three targets: overall lithospheric architecture, the crystalline basement, and the thermal system. For this, we will combine well-established forward modeling approaches with novel joint inversion codes. As part of this modelling effort, we will extend an existing Bayesian Markov Chain Monte Carlo approach with a 3D thermal forward solver. The integrated nature of this approach will allow us to quantify the sources of the anomalous low heat flow and its relation to the lithospheric setting, which in turn will provide novel insights into the geodynamic history of the Eastern Mediterranean.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Israel
• Partner Organisation: The Israel Science Foundation
• Cooperation Partner: Professor Dr. Roi Granot