Strain-dependent stress field and plate motions in the south-east Aegean region

In the south-eastern Aegean region, we record stress and strain established in two stages, during the convergence of the African with the Eurasian plate: the late collision of the Hellenides and the fore-arc evolution above the Hellenic subduction. Observed directions of principal stress axes associated with these stages are not in good correlation with the motion direction of the converging plates and are strongly depended to a pre-existed orthogonal fault system, which comprises WNW-ESE and NNE-SSW trending faults. At present, imposition of shear stress along the south-eastern margin of the Aegean plate causes a great variation of stress, while re-activated NNE-SSW trending faults transfer the plate motion of Anatolia south-westwards to the Hellenic Trench.