| The last global synthesis of the evolution of the Indian ocean which satisfactorily describes the kinematics of the five major plates, up to the initial stages, dates back to Norton and Sclater [1979]. Although the most recent phases of evolution have been largely detailed, in particular in the proximity of the triple junction, the initial stages of evolution have been generally described by models quite speculative and generally only constrained by pairs of plates. The recentmost gravity data based on the altimetric satellites SEASAT, GEOSAT and ERS1 [Sandwell and Smith, 1992] give an homogenoeus image of sea-floor topography. These data, declassified to the south of 30°S, reveal previously unknowkn features of the sea-floor fabric and allow to further... |
