Does the Messina Plate (small piece of oceanic crust between the African and Eurasian Plates, near Messina, Italy) still exist after its forced subduction underneath the Eurasian Plate, by the African Plate?
To determine whether the Messina Plate still exists after its forced subduction, we need to examine the geological processes involved in plate tectonics.
The Messina Plate, also known as the Ionian Plate, is a small fragment of oceanic crust located between the African Plate and the Eurasian Plate in the Ionian Sea, near Messina, Italy. Subduction occurs when one tectonic plate is forced beneath another plate into the Earth's mantle.
According to our current understanding of plate tectonics, when oceanic crust subducts beneath a continental plate, it usually undergoes melting and assimilation into the mantle. This subduction process typically results in the consumption or destruction of the subducted plate.
Therefore, based on the known processes of subduction, it is likely that the Messina Plate, or at least most of it, no longer exists as a distinct plate due to its subduction beneath the Eurasian Plate. However, it is important to note that the geological processes involved in plate tectonics are complex and can vary in different regions.
To get the most up-to-date and accurate information on the current state of the Messina Plate, it would be best to consult scientific studies, research papers, or geological observations conducted by experts in the field of plate tectonics. These sources would provide the latest findings and analyses regarding the fate of the Messina Plate or any remnants that may still exist.