Two main groups of geological models presented over the last four decades on the palaeogeographic, paleotectonic and geodynamic eo-Alpine and neo-Alpine evolution of the central-western Mediterranean area were compared. The comparison was carried out mainly considering the main stratigraphic, sedimentological, petrographic, structural and plate tectonic constraints. Moreover, recent geophysical interpretations and reconstructions were also considered with an aim of presenting all the different results. The models can roughly be grouped into two main classes. First family considers the presence of the Mesozoic Tethyan Ocean, where a single oceanic basin is located between Africa and Europe and from which both eo-Alpine and neo-Alpine chains were generated during the Cretaceous to Miocene time span. Conversely, the other class considers the occurrence of at least two Tethyan oceanic branches (or with thinned continental crust) since the Jurassic, separated by one or more microcontinents. The pros and cons of both classes of models are presented. Progressive innovations and improvements to the two groups of models were proposed over the years. However, because the models are based on different data sets resulting from basic geological studies or obtained by means of other approaches, they often do not integrate easily. This caused interpretative difficulties and terminological uncertainties for their comparison, and completely different models were considered equivalent and, sometimes, the same terminology was used indifferently to identify different geological subjects. The main differences between the examined models concern the kinematic reconstructions and by hence in the palaeogeographic and paleotectonic interpretations. The discussion presented in this paper aims at contributing to clarify and update the state of knowledge on this controversial topic.

New biostratigraphic data from the formations unconformably lying above the tectonic units resulting from the Flysch Basin Domain (FBD) in the Sicilian Maghrebids are here reported. The FBD constituted a southern branch of the western Tethys, separating during the Jurassic to Paleogene a Mesomediterranean Microplate from the African Plate. The age of the youngest sediments involved in the nappes and that of the unconformable terrains deposited in thrust-top basins on these tectonic units, allow to define both the age of deformation of the oceanic realm and the onset of the continental collision. The deformation migrated from internal to external areas of FBD starting from the latest Burdigalian-Langhian to Serravallian. Therefore, the previously proposed Eocene-Oligocene mesoalpine deformation of the Maghrebian FBD cannot be supported. The continental collision started during the Serravallian and it was accomplished in the late Tortonian, when clastic deposits sealed the boundaries of the tectonic units o... Une révision biostratigraphique des formations qui reposent en discordance sur les unités tectoniques issues du domain du Bassin des Flyschs Maghrébins a été réalisée dans le secteur sicilien de la Chaîne maghrébine. Ce bassin des flyschs représentait la branche méridionale de la Téthys occidentale qui, pendant le Jurassique-Paléogène, était située entre une Microplaque Mésoméditerranéenne et la Marge Africaine. L'âge des terrains les plus récents impliqués dans les nappes, et celui-là des terrains déposés en discordance dans des bassins sur ces unités charriées, permettent de définir aussi bien l'âge de la déformation du domain océanique que la conséquente collision continentale. En effet, la déformation du Bassin des Flyschs Maghrébins s'est vérifiée, à partir des zones internes vers les zones externes du domain, du Burdigalien terminal-Langhien jusqu'au Serravallien et, pour cette raison, on ne peut pas accepter une déformation méso-alpine d'âge Eocène-Oligocène, plusieurs fois signalée en littérature....

The coastal strip between the Volta River delta and the westernmost portion of Benin (West Africa Margin of Atlantic Basin) is highly populated (e.g., Lomé) due to migrations from inland areas. The coastal zone has proved to be very vulnerable because of the potential development of sometimes catastrophic events related to different and interacting causes, resulting in negative effects on natural ecosystems and socio-economic conditions. The main problem is the marked erosion of large coastal sectors with maximum retreat rates of the order of 5 m/year. The continuous loss of territory leads to a progressive impoverishment of activities and human resources and to the increase of geological risk factors. The coastal erosion is induced both by natural and anthropic causes and can be controlled only by means of prevention programs, detailed scientific studies and targeted technical interventions. The main erosional processes observed in the study area are triggered by the presence of the Lomé port and other human activities on the coastal strip, including the water extraction from the subsoil, which induces subsidence and the use of sediments as inert material. These elements, together with the reduction of the solid supply from Volta River (caused by the realization of the Akosombo dam) are among the main factors that control the medium and long-term evolution of the area. Also relative sea level changes, which take into account also tectonic and/or isostatic components, can contribute to the process. In order to have a real understanding of the coastal dynamics and evolution, it would be necessary to develop a scientific structure through the collaboration of all countries of the Bight of Benin affected by coastal erosion. The aim should be primarily to collect the interdisciplinary quantitative data necessary to develop a scientific knowledge background of the Bight of Benin coastal/ocean system. In conclusion, some proposals are presented to reduce the vulnerability of the coastal area as for example to plan surveys for the realization of appropriate coastal protection works, such as walls, revetments, groins, etc. A possible expansion of the port of Lomè is also considered. Proposals comprise the constitution of a Supranational Scientific Committee as a coordinating structure on erosion for both the study of phenomena and planning interventions.