The detachment (i.e., break-off) of down-going subducting oceanic slabs is a major geodynamic event with far-reaching consequences, one of which is the reduction of the slab pull force acting on the trailing plate. We investigate the motion of the Sinai Microplate where a recent (∼1 Myr ago) slab break-off occurred along its sole converging plate boundary (Cyprian Arc) with the overriding Anatolia Microplate. Based on new bathymetric mapping, high-resolution seismic reflection imaging, geodetic and earthquake data, we show that Sinai is actively moving in a northwest direction with respect to Nubia. Our results indicate that despite the recent slab break-off, Sinai has and is still being pulled (or pushed) toward the overriding Anatolia Microplate. The continued convergence possibly occurs because of a persistent slab pull force, a suction force induced by the down-going detached slab and/or by the upper mantle flow induced by the Afar Plume.

中文翻译：

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板片断裂发生后的持续收敛：西普里安弧的情况

向下俯冲洋板的脱离（即断裂）是一个具有深远影响的重大地球动力学事件，其中之一就是作用在尾盘上的板片拉力的减小。我们研究了西奈微板块的运动，其中最近（∼1 Myr 前）沿着其唯一会聚板块边界（西普里安弧）与压倒性的安纳托利亚微板块发生了板片断裂。基于新的测深测绘、高分辨率地震反射成像、大地测量和地震数据，我们表明西奈半岛正在相对于努比亚积极向西北方向移动。我们的结果表明，尽管最近发生了板块断裂，西奈半岛已经并且仍在被拉向（或推向）压倒性的安纳托利亚微板块。持续的汇聚可能是由于持续的板块拉力、由向下分离的板块引起的吸力和/或由阿法尔地幔柱引起的上地幔流引起的吸力而发生的。