Abstract | The Indian Ocean encountered a complex evolution characterized by many separate small plates, some being transferred from one major plate to another one with corresponding readjustment of the spreading ridge system. Some plates split, some others unified. The inception and evolution of hotspots (Karoo, Madagascar-Marion, Rajmahal-Kerguelen, Deccan-Reunion, Afar...) opened and affected the oceanic basins, while the fringing subductions - then collisions - of the northern plates (Makran and Indonesian subductions; Caucasus, Zagros, Himalayas collisions...) triggered many of the observed reorganizations. In this talk I will present some of the remaining problems arising from the complexity and imbrication of the successive tectonic phases and will propose a few profiles that may adequately help us to resolve these problems using minimum ship time - for instance during transits of the current IIOE2. |