Plume Versus Slab-Pull: Example from the Arabian Plate

Mantle convection and the interaction of buoyant plumes with lithosphere have been a significant influence on plate tectonics. Plume-lithosphere interactions regarded as major driver continental rifting, linked to triple junction development supercontinent break-up events. There are also many extensional tectonic settings that lack evidence for mantle plume associated magmatism, indicating far-field stresses drive fragmentation. The Arabian Plate is spectacular active example where both interact break-up. Despite more than 80 years geological research, there remains conjecture concerning geodynamic processes responsible motion nature or onset extension/deformation Plate. Complex structural patterns within interpreted in context movements reorganization related subduction Tethys Oceanic plate, collision between Eurasian plates, superposition Afar plume. These accordingly resulted different explanations understanding Afro-Arabian rift system. We assess relative vs. far field influences by reviewing current views concept models these forces highlighting their significance implications Arabia. Our synthesis shows most geodynamical proposed so not applicable entire its surrounding boundaries.