The post-collisional Neogene Southern Apennines thrust belt presents a complex Pliocene-Quaternary kinematics, closely controlled by the roll-back of the sinking foreland lithosphere. Integration of field geology, stratigraphy, structural analysis, geomorphology and sub-surface dataset allow one to outline the present-day geological configuration and the recent evolution of the Southern Apennines in order to investigate the possible relationships between surface tectonic features and deep lithospheric structure. Three main morpho-structural features (outer, axial, inner) have been identified in the Campania-Lucania segment of the Apenninic arc, that has been largely involved into very young tectonic transport till Lower Pleistocene times. Out-of-sequence thrusting and counterclockwise rotations strongly characterize this last compressive event at the outcrop scale too. At the same time the Tyrrhenian margin of the Southern Apennines has been affected by normal block faulting due to the progressive advancing of the back-arc extension. The post-orogenic Brandano deposits (Sicilian) show no evidence of compressive features around the Apulian region, while along the Calabrian arc the same Sicilian deposits are largely involved in the orogenic transport. A N120° left-lateral strike-slip fault system developed starting from Sicilian because of the differential flexure retreat between Apulian and Ionian area. This Cilento-Pollino shear zone should represent the surface expression of a major lithospheric tear and it is probably also responsible for the differentiation of the Southern Apennines into axial and inner belts. Block-faulting rotations along vertical axes, caused by the Cilento-Pollino shear zone, seem to be very common all along the Tyrrhenian margin. Finally a complex geodynamical evolution model based on roll-back of the foreland lithosphere, differential flexure retreat, lithospheric left-lateral tear fault and viscous-elastic rebound is discussed.
Quaternary kinematic evolution of the Southern Apennines. Relationships between surface geological features and deep lithospheric structures.
PATACCA, ETTA;SCANDONE, PAOLO;
1993-01-01
Abstract
The post-collisional Neogene Southern Apennines thrust belt presents a complex Pliocene-Quaternary kinematics, closely controlled by the roll-back of the sinking foreland lithosphere. Integration of field geology, stratigraphy, structural analysis, geomorphology and sub-surface dataset allow one to outline the present-day geological configuration and the recent evolution of the Southern Apennines in order to investigate the possible relationships between surface tectonic features and deep lithospheric structure. Three main morpho-structural features (outer, axial, inner) have been identified in the Campania-Lucania segment of the Apenninic arc, that has been largely involved into very young tectonic transport till Lower Pleistocene times. Out-of-sequence thrusting and counterclockwise rotations strongly characterize this last compressive event at the outcrop scale too. At the same time the Tyrrhenian margin of the Southern Apennines has been affected by normal block faulting due to the progressive advancing of the back-arc extension. The post-orogenic Brandano deposits (Sicilian) show no evidence of compressive features around the Apulian region, while along the Calabrian arc the same Sicilian deposits are largely involved in the orogenic transport. A N120° left-lateral strike-slip fault system developed starting from Sicilian because of the differential flexure retreat between Apulian and Ionian area. This Cilento-Pollino shear zone should represent the surface expression of a major lithospheric tear and it is probably also responsible for the differentiation of the Southern Apennines into axial and inner belts. Block-faulting rotations along vertical axes, caused by the Cilento-Pollino shear zone, seem to be very common all along the Tyrrhenian margin. Finally a complex geodynamical evolution model based on roll-back of the foreland lithosphere, differential flexure retreat, lithospheric left-lateral tear fault and viscous-elastic rebound is discussed.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
