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Basaltic crust is present in the oceans and marginal seas. Oceanic accretion from inception to ending may be usefully recognized in small basin setting like the Tyrrhenian. Alternating episodes of strong and moderate extensional tectonics characterized the small Tyrrhenian opening. Hyperextension (drifting) of late-Miocene and latemost Pliocene age was followed by Pliocene and Late Quaternary moderate extension (rifting). Early hyperextension (~7.5–6.3 Ma) acted in the submerged margin of Hercynian Sardinia. Sardinia offshore, E-directed low-angle faults were accompanied by MORB-like volcanism of non linear shape in the shallow Vavilov plain - inherited segment of alpine-age orogen. Late hyperextension (~1.9–1.7 Ma) acted along the central N-S lineament of Vavilov plain, former metamorphic core complex. At the lineament northern side, E-dipping detachment faulting exposed serpentinized peridotite. At the other side, Vavilov volcano was faulted and its east flank tilted westwards. At the same time, volcanism with affinity to transitional MORB induced opening of Marsili basin. The drift episodes were characterized by absence or scarcity of volcanic activity on the conjugated emerged margins. The rift episodes (respectively ~5–1.9 Ma, and ~1/0.8 Ma-Recent) saw growth of major north-south trending volcanoes in bathyal area as intense volcanic activity developed on the continental margins.

The preventive excavation undertaken at Aix-en-Provence (38-42, boulevard de la République) in 1998 discovered a light clay ware fund linked with plenty of firing fund rejects. It is a new testimony of ware producing activities in or around the suburbs of the town during the Augustean period. The objets collected are mainly ware but also a few amphorae which form a set akin of amphorae made in the pottery workshops of the Butte des Carmes at Marseilles. We offer to call this product, typocalogically linked to the ones produced at the Palais Montclar (1995 excavations) "light clay ware of the Arc basin", a medium extensive label., La fouille préventive réalisée à Aix-en-Provence aux 38-42, bd de la République en 1998 a révélé un dépôt de céramique à pâte claire associé à d'abondants rebuts de cuisson. Il s'agit là d'un nouveau témoignage des activités de production céramique dans ou aux abords immédiats de la ville durant la période augustéenne. Le mobilier recueilli comprend surtout de la vaisselle, mais aussi quelques amphores, qui composent un ensemble à la fois proche et complémentaire de celles qui furent produites à même époque dans les officines de potiers de la Butte des Carmes à Marseille. On propose de désigner cette production, qui est typologiquement associée à celle du Palais Monclar (fouilles 1995), sous l'appellation assez large de "céramiques à pâte claire du bassin de l'Arc"., Nin Nuria, Pasqualini Michel, Pesty Marie-Thérèse. Les céramiques à pâte claire d'Aix-en-Provence et du bassin de l'Arc. Rebuts d'une officine de potiers aux 38-42, Boulevard de la République. In: Revue archéologique de Narbonnaise, tome 36, 2003. pp. 283-304.