Most geodynamical models for the kinematics of the central Mediterranean recognise that major tectonic rotations
must have played an important role during the Neogene. The Hellenic arc is believed to have been subjected to clockwise
rotations in the west and counterclockwise rotations in the east, while the southern part (Crete) shows no rotations (Kissel
and Laj, 1988). Many qualitative and quantitative models are based on the idea that Crete did not rotate. We present new
palaeomagnetic data which show that post-early Messinian counterclockwise rotations have occurred on Crete. The amount
of counterclockwise rotation generally varies between 10º and 20º, but in central Crete much larger rotations (up to 40º
counterclockwise) were found. Only a few sections did not show any rotation. The anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility
(AMS) shows lineations, which are consistently WNWESE throughout Crete, indicating post-rotational WNW-ESE
extension, or NNE-SSE compression. The observed counterclockwise rotations are consistent with the results of tectonic
modelling by Ten Veen and Meijer (1998). The latter study compares the late-Middle Miocene to Recent kinematics
with modelled intra-plate stresses for various possible distributions of plate boundary forces. Observations reveal that
motion along left-lateral and right-lateral faults occurred during the Pliocene. The model analysis shows these motions to
be consistent with transform resistance along the eastern segment of the overriding margin. The counterclockwise block
rotations observed by us are probably a consequence of displacements along the left-lateral and right-lateral faults and
could reflect a similar tectonic regime that involved transform resistance. Ó 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved