Fig. 5: The evolution of the plate-mantle system in the westernmost Mediterranean from late Oligocene to late Miocene predicted by Case 1-1.

Panels (a–c) show the slab architecture and corresponding surface tectonics at 25 Ma; (d–f) at 21 Ma; (g–i) at 16 Ma; (j–l) at 8 Ma. Geological ages and model runtimes (in parentheses) are noted in the lower right corner of each row. Panels (a, d, g, j) show the three-dimensional morphology of the Gibraltar slab from a northeast to southwest perspective, while panels (b, e, h, k) offer a view from south to north. The slabs and the bottom of the continental lithosphere are represented by dark blue surfaces, defined by the envelope of the lithospheric material. Colored vectors indicate the mantle flow state, with the color bar in the lower right corner showing the velocity magnitude of the mantle flow. The black arrows indicate the true north. Panels (c, f, i, l) present map views of the predicted trench and surficial tectonics. Red sawtooth lines represent the trench, with the teeth pointing toward the subduction polarity. Red arrows depict the predicted local surface velocity. Slab morphology is shown by depth contour lines, with colors indicating different depths. Please refer to the color of the lines at the bottom for the slab contour depth. Present-day coastlines are delineated by solid black lines.