Structural analysis, based on geopisical data allow to reconstruct the opening geodynamic process and post-opening evolution of the Ligurian Sea. The opening phase was characterized by the activity of some important stryke-slip faults, parallel to the Pyrenean Fault, which originated different pull-apart basins, since the Late Oligocene up to Upper Burdigallian. the post-opening evolution was mainly characterized by extensional tectonics. During the Middle Miocene the area haave been affected by short, but important compressive phase. In the Plio-Quaternary the Ligurian Sea was affwcted by a strong reactivation of the regional extension, during the Upper Pliocene to the present, by rapid tectonic uplift. This is accompained by ancien fault reactivation as stryke-slip, normal and reverse faults, testified by the seismicity and by earthquake focal mechanism solution.
