Abstract Most of the research works that aim at explaining the relationships between tectonic and... more Abstract Most of the research works that aim at explaining the relationships between tectonic and volcanism focused a single volcano or eruption. Conversely, this study investigated offshore and onshore areas of the Campania margin in terms of stratigraphy, tectonics, and volcanism at a regional scale. We documented and reconstructed the three-dimensional geometry of several buried volcanoes and volcaniclastic deposits and recognized a complex Late Quaternary tectonic evolution of the region. These results suggest a strict genetic link between rifting and volcanic activity in terms of space-time evolution and because high volumes of magma rose to the surface through regional faults.
Abstract Coeval rifting processes affecting both backarc, thrust belt and foreland occurred in of... more Abstract Coeval rifting processes affecting both backarc, thrust belt and foreland occurred in offshore western Sicily (Central Mediterranean) as indicated by the analysis of a large seismic data set calibrated with well data, onshore data and dredges in a dedicated GIS software environment. Structural pattern of the investigated area, 3-D geological models and a Pliocene-Lower Pleistocene evolution of extensional sedimentary basins have been reconstructed. In detail, two zones characterized by basins with different directions of extension have been recognized: one trending NE-SW, located south of the Egadi Islands; another trending E-W, positioned north of the Egadi Islands. The first group of basins represents the continuation of those of the Africa foreland basin (Pelagian Block), as the second one characterizes the opening of the backarc (southern Tyrrhenian margin). Both basins affect the collisional chain (Maghrebian thrust belt). An eastward progression of extension, from lower Pliocene to lower Pleistocene, based on different onset of the basin fill, has been documented in the Southern Tyrrhenian margin. The study area represents the meeting place of backarc and foreland rifting that affected the late Miocene thrust belt. The recognized pattern of extensional deformation of the upper plate adds some constraint on the geodynamic evolution of the African and Eurasia plates and supports a model of westward dipping slab in the Central Mediterranean. It is hypothesized that the along-trench variation of the nature of the plates, due to paleo-margin configuration, has a profound impact on the upper crustal deformation during the convergence and thus the meeting place of backarc and foreland rifting could represent the surficial signature of the slab detachment since Pliocene times.
ABSTRACT AbstractIn this paper, we present an interdisciplinary study of the Upper Pleistocene ig... more ABSTRACT AbstractIn this paper, we present an interdisciplinary study of the Upper Pleistocene ignimbrites of the Campanian margin in the Neapolitan area performed using outcrops, cores and seismic reflection data. We established a physical correlation between onshore and offshore stratigraphic units and reconstructed three regional geological sections. The stratigraphic succession in Naples is formed, from older to younger, by: Middle Pleistocene marine sediments; ancient ignimbrites reaching a maximum thickness of 200 m; 100–150 m thick tuffs of the 39 ka-old Campanian Ignimbrite; and products of 15 ka-old Neapolitan Yellow Tuff. The whole ignimbrite succession is thicker in Naples city and thins progressively towards the Bay of Naples, thus suggesting that some of the vents of these ignimbrites were possibly located near the city of Naples. NW-SE and NE-SW normal faults were rectognized in the Neapolitan area. In particular, NW-SE trending normal faults displace both the pre-CI tuffs and the Campanian Ignimbrite downthrowing the blocks towards the Bay of Naples in the order of hundreds of metres and feature ignimbrite thicknesses that are higher in the footwall than in the hangingwall blocks, whereas NE-SW normal faults formed after the Neapolitan Yellow Tuff eruption. In conclusion, the key result of our work is that NW-SE volcano tectonic normal faults were active during the Upper Pleistocene when ignimbrites were emplaced in the Neapolitan area in conforming with a model of fissure emission related to regional fault systems.
Bollettino Della Societa Geologica Italiana, Oct 1, 2013
The role of the Campania margin faults in the opening of the Tyrrhenian back-arc basin still poor... more The role of the Campania margin faults in the opening of the Tyrrhenian back-arc basin still poorly constrained. The Campania margin, was investigated through the interpretation of seismic reflection and borehole data together with a stratigraphic correlation of dated outcropping units. The interpretation of a seismic grid using seismic and sequence stratigraphy and structural geology approaches in a dedicated GIS environment led to the generation of 2-D models of relevant geological surfaces, isochron maps, a 3-D digital model of the subsurface and to the reconstruction of the geological evolution of the margin with a resolution of 100 ka. The Campania margin is formed by five sub-basins (Northern Gaeta Bay, Central Gaeta Bay, Southern Geata Bay, Campania Plain and Naples Bay) characterized by a stratigraphic fill of Pliocene-Quaternary clastics and volcanics. The analysis of 3D geometry of normal faults and basin architectures permitted us to propose a kinematic evolution of the margin characterized by several tectonic stages and a progressive change in rifting direction.
<p>In areas characterized by geologic variability and high demographic pressure, se... more <p>In areas characterized by geologic variability and high demographic pressure, seafloor sediment characteristics and the study of contaminants are important to reconstruct the origin and pathway of both contaminants and the sediments from source to sink.</p> <p>The area off-shore the alluvial Sarno plain (Naples Bay, Eastern Tyrrhenian Sea) is bounded by the Vesuvius volcano in the northern part and by the carbonates relief of the Sorrento Peninsula in the southern part, and it is affected by metals contamination due the outflow of industrial vast.</p> <p>A Geochemical and physical parameters of the sediments were analysed along a transect moving from the coast until the 100 m of water depth with the aim to explore how the onshore documented contamination affect the offshore counterpart. Surface sediment samples collected from the offshore Sarno plain, were analysed for grain size, nutrients (TOC, TN, TP) and heavy metals (Hg, Cd, As, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Pb) to evaluate the contamination status, and processed using multivariate statistical analysis. A sediment survey along the transect has been used to evaluate: 1) the relative influences of parent lithology and anthropogenic effects offshore the Sarno river; and 2) the extension of the influence of the river in the submarine area.</p> <p>Four clusters are identified through PCA analysis: 1) the first resulted associated to the presence of As and Fe, low TOC content and prevalence of sandy fraction reflecting a geogenic contribution from Vesuvius Plan; 2) the second mainly include Cr, Cu, Zn, Pb and partially Cd and Hg, high TOC content and finest granulometry, reflecting the influence of the Sarno River discharges in the marine area; 3) the third include a variability in the Mn, Fe and TOC content. This area might reflect the Sorrento-Peninsula influence; 4) the forth include samples of the distal area in which a low contamination rate is displayed and irregular Hg and Cd pattern are verified, probably due to diffuse contamination origin and other coupling factors</p> <p>Results indicate that 1) the area offshore Vesuvius displays physical and geochemical association mainly related to the natural origin of volcanoclastic sediments; 2) in the central area, the association of contaminants suggests their anthropogenic origin from the Sarno Plain, whereas the distal area, characterized by low rate of contamination, are mainly influenced by sediment from Sorrento Peninsula. Finally based on the contaminant and nutrient distribution it is possible to individuate the distribution of terrigenous sediments and organic matter of the Sarno delta deposits. The results show that the river should account as one of the main contribution sources of anthropogenic contaminants.  Some metals contamination anthropogenic in origin and TOC in general decreased gradually with distance from the coast and in particular is limited to the area of deposition of the river discharge.</p> <p>Individuation of several marine sector with different geochemical associations permitted the reconstruction of source to sink contaminants pathway on the continental shelf.</p>
<p>Southeast Naples Bay represents a wide continental shelf environ... more <p>Southeast Naples Bay represents a wide continental shelf environment with terrestrial sediment supply mainly from the Sarno River. The Sarno river basin, including about 500 km<sup>2</sup> of the alluvial plain, is located in Campania Region (SW Italy) between the volcanic complex of Somma-Vesuvio (on the NW), the Sarno Mts. (on the NE), the Lattari Mts. (on the S), the Tyrrhenian sea (on the W) and the Picentini Mts. (on the E). Currently, the Sarno river, partially used for irrigation, is affected by an extreme environmental pollution as a result of the outflow of industrial waste. Consequently, the area of the Naples Bay is influenced by sediment loads derived from the Sarno River (Albanese et al., 2013; De Pippo et al., 2006).</p><p>Seventy-one samples collected by van Veen grab) along a transect (long about 9 km) perpendicular to the coast has been used to evaluate: 1) the relative influences of parent lithology and anthropogenic effects offshore the Sarno river in the Southeast part of Naples Bay; and 2) the extension of the influence of the river in the submarine area. Different environmental indicators were selected for the contamination assessment such as total nitrogen (TN) and phosphorus (TP), total organic carbon (TOC), grain size of particles, metals, priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (16 USEPA, PAHs), total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPHs), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), pesticides (OCPs) and organotin compounds (OTs).</p><p>Two different statistical techniques, Principal Component Analysis and factorial Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), allowed us to recognize areas with different pollution features. The results of this study compared to the published onshore data permitted us to evaluate natural <em>versus</em> anthropogenic sources and to delimit the influence area of the Sarno River supply into the Naples Bay.</p><p>References:</p><ul><li>Albanese, S., Iavazzo, P., Adamo, P., Lima, A., De Vivo, B. (2013) Assessment of the environmental conditions of the Sarno River Basin (South Italy): a stream sediment approach. Environ. Geochem. Health 35, 283–297.</li> <li>De Pippo, T., Donadio, C., Guida, M., & Petrosino, C. (2006) The case of Sarno river (Southern Italy). Effects of geomorphology on the environmental impacts. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 13(3), 184–191.</li> </ul>
The role of the Campania margin faults in the opening of the Tyrrhenian back-arc basin still poor... more The role of the Campania margin faults in the opening of the Tyrrhenian back-arc basin still poorly constrained. The Campania margin, was investigated through the interpretation of seismic reflection and borehole data together with a stratigraphic correlation of dated outcropping units. The interpretation of a seismic grid using seismic and sequence stratigraphy and structural geology approaches in a dedicated GIS environment led to the generation of 2-D models of relevant geological surfaces, isochron maps, a 3-D digital model of the subsurface and to the reconstruction of the geological evolution of the margin with a resolution of 100 ka. The Campania margin is formed by five sub-basins (Northern Gaeta Bay, Central Gaeta Bay, Southern Geata Bay, Campania Plain and Naples Bay) characterized by a stratigraphic fill of Pliocene-Quaternary clastics and volcanics. The analysis of 3D geometry of normal faults and basin architectures permitted us to propose a kinematic evolution of the m...
Abstract Miocene extensional sedimentary basins are being increasingly recognized in Central Medi... more Abstract Miocene extensional sedimentary basins are being increasingly recognized in Central Mediterranean. However the paleogeographic reconstruction of the Paleo-Tyrrhenian during this time span results a difficult task because the subsequent Pliocene-Quaternary backarc opening moved away these older sedimentary basins. Our study outlines principal deformation events recorded by sediments that were deposited within minor basins of the Tyrrhenian Sea region and provides constraints on the duration of these events. The interpretation of seismic profiles, wells, and outcrops data together with a review of the middle-upper Miocene successions permitted us to recognize Miocene third order depositional sequences, reconstruct the fault pattern, and furnish a detailed evolution of the sedimentary basins that preceded the Pliocene-Quaternary Tyrrhenian high stretching. Based on the stratigraphic and tectonic constraints together with the age migration of the depocenters, we reconstructed a detailed paleogeographic evolution of central Mediterranean. Sedimentary basins architecture and fault pattern indicate a system of approximately N-S oriented normal faults and approximately E-W transform faults that were active since the Late Oligocene. Two period of extensional/transtensional tectonics (late Oligocene-Lower Burdigalian and Upper Langhian-Tortonian) were interrupted by a compressional event (late Burdigalian-Lower Langhian). Tacking in account the position of the Miocene volcanic arc (Sardinia), we propose that the coeval sedimentary basins developed in the central Mediterranean as forearc extensional/transtensional basins during the progressive collision with the African plate and before the Tyrrhenian backarc opening. Unlike published late Oligocene-Tortonian reconstructions of the western-central Mediterranean realm that report a linear migration of backarc extension, our results support a geodynamic model characterized by a progressive deformation of the forearc extension in the overriding plate.
Stratigraphy and architecture of the fault bounding the sedimentary basins developed along the Ea... more Stratigraphy and architecture of the fault bounding the sedimentary basins developed along the Eastern Tyrrhenian margin provide information on the kinematic of faults transversal to the Apennine chain. To understand how changes in geodynamic processes control the structural evolution of transverse faults in the thrust belt-backarc hinge zone, we performed the interpretation of a 2D strictly spaced seismic data set, tied to stratigraphic data of exploration wells and onshore data constrains, and a 3D basin analysis.On the basis of geometry and age of the basin infill, we dated three events of fault activity and a complex kinematics of Pliocene-Quaternary transverse faults. The first tectonic phase produced the oldest normal faults developed along the Latium margin. These faults, active between 5.1 and 3.2 Ma (MPL2-MPL3 and MPL4 succession), bound sedimentary basins filled by a Transgressive/Regressive succession made up of sands, silts and clays. They gradually migrated from the NE-...
The Gulf of Naples located in a high anthropized coastal area is subjected to an infrastructural ... more The Gulf of Naples located in a high anthropized coastal area is subjected to an infrastructural intervention for the installation of a submarine power pipeline. In order to evaluate the distribution of contaminants in the seafloor sediments, a preliminary study has been conducted in the area using multivariate techniques. The statistic approach was performed to gain insights on the occurrence of organic and inorganic contaminants within the area, aiming to identify the relevant hot spots. Three geographical sub-areas influenced by different contaminant association were recognized: Torre Annunziata (TA), Capri (CA), and middle offshore (MO). TA and CA resulted marked by a severe contamination pattern due to anthropogenic pressures. In addition, the influence of the depositional basin in governing the contamination trend has been pointed out. The supervised technique PLS_DA resulted to be a powerful tool in addressing the complexity of the huge dataset acquired during the marine surv...
Abstract Most of the research works that aim at explaining the relationships between tectonic and... more Abstract Most of the research works that aim at explaining the relationships between tectonic and volcanism focused a single volcano or eruption. Conversely, this study investigated offshore and onshore areas of the Campania margin in terms of stratigraphy, tectonics, and volcanism at a regional scale. We documented and reconstructed the three-dimensional geometry of several buried volcanoes and volcaniclastic deposits and recognized a complex Late Quaternary tectonic evolution of the region. These results suggest a strict genetic link between rifting and volcanic activity in terms of space-time evolution and because high volumes of magma rose to the surface through regional faults.
Abstract Coeval rifting processes affecting both backarc, thrust belt and foreland occurred in of... more Abstract Coeval rifting processes affecting both backarc, thrust belt and foreland occurred in offshore western Sicily (Central Mediterranean) as indicated by the analysis of a large seismic data set calibrated with well data, onshore data and dredges in a dedicated GIS software environment. Structural pattern of the investigated area, 3-D geological models and a Pliocene-Lower Pleistocene evolution of extensional sedimentary basins have been reconstructed. In detail, two zones characterized by basins with different directions of extension have been recognized: one trending NE-SW, located south of the Egadi Islands; another trending E-W, positioned north of the Egadi Islands. The first group of basins represents the continuation of those of the Africa foreland basin (Pelagian Block), as the second one characterizes the opening of the backarc (southern Tyrrhenian margin). Both basins affect the collisional chain (Maghrebian thrust belt). An eastward progression of extension, from lower Pliocene to lower Pleistocene, based on different onset of the basin fill, has been documented in the Southern Tyrrhenian margin. The study area represents the meeting place of backarc and foreland rifting that affected the late Miocene thrust belt. The recognized pattern of extensional deformation of the upper plate adds some constraint on the geodynamic evolution of the African and Eurasia plates and supports a model of westward dipping slab in the Central Mediterranean. It is hypothesized that the along-trench variation of the nature of the plates, due to paleo-margin configuration, has a profound impact on the upper crustal deformation during the convergence and thus the meeting place of backarc and foreland rifting could represent the surficial signature of the slab detachment since Pliocene times.
ABSTRACT AbstractIn this paper, we present an interdisciplinary study of the Upper Pleistocene ig... more ABSTRACT AbstractIn this paper, we present an interdisciplinary study of the Upper Pleistocene ignimbrites of the Campanian margin in the Neapolitan area performed using outcrops, cores and seismic reflection data. We established a physical correlation between onshore and offshore stratigraphic units and reconstructed three regional geological sections. The stratigraphic succession in Naples is formed, from older to younger, by: Middle Pleistocene marine sediments; ancient ignimbrites reaching a maximum thickness of 200 m; 100–150 m thick tuffs of the 39 ka-old Campanian Ignimbrite; and products of 15 ka-old Neapolitan Yellow Tuff. The whole ignimbrite succession is thicker in Naples city and thins progressively towards the Bay of Naples, thus suggesting that some of the vents of these ignimbrites were possibly located near the city of Naples. NW-SE and NE-SW normal faults were rectognized in the Neapolitan area. In particular, NW-SE trending normal faults displace both the pre-CI tuffs and the Campanian Ignimbrite downthrowing the blocks towards the Bay of Naples in the order of hundreds of metres and feature ignimbrite thicknesses that are higher in the footwall than in the hangingwall blocks, whereas NE-SW normal faults formed after the Neapolitan Yellow Tuff eruption. In conclusion, the key result of our work is that NW-SE volcano tectonic normal faults were active during the Upper Pleistocene when ignimbrites were emplaced in the Neapolitan area in conforming with a model of fissure emission related to regional fault systems.
Bollettino Della Societa Geologica Italiana, Oct 1, 2013
The role of the Campania margin faults in the opening of the Tyrrhenian back-arc basin still poor... more The role of the Campania margin faults in the opening of the Tyrrhenian back-arc basin still poorly constrained. The Campania margin, was investigated through the interpretation of seismic reflection and borehole data together with a stratigraphic correlation of dated outcropping units. The interpretation of a seismic grid using seismic and sequence stratigraphy and structural geology approaches in a dedicated GIS environment led to the generation of 2-D models of relevant geological surfaces, isochron maps, a 3-D digital model of the subsurface and to the reconstruction of the geological evolution of the margin with a resolution of 100 ka. The Campania margin is formed by five sub-basins (Northern Gaeta Bay, Central Gaeta Bay, Southern Geata Bay, Campania Plain and Naples Bay) characterized by a stratigraphic fill of Pliocene-Quaternary clastics and volcanics. The analysis of 3D geometry of normal faults and basin architectures permitted us to propose a kinematic evolution of the margin characterized by several tectonic stages and a progressive change in rifting direction.
<p>In areas characterized by geologic variability and high demographic pressure, se... more <p>In areas characterized by geologic variability and high demographic pressure, seafloor sediment characteristics and the study of contaminants are important to reconstruct the origin and pathway of both contaminants and the sediments from source to sink.</p> <p>The area off-shore the alluvial Sarno plain (Naples Bay, Eastern Tyrrhenian Sea) is bounded by the Vesuvius volcano in the northern part and by the carbonates relief of the Sorrento Peninsula in the southern part, and it is affected by metals contamination due the outflow of industrial vast.</p> <p>A Geochemical and physical parameters of the sediments were analysed along a transect moving from the coast until the 100 m of water depth with the aim to explore how the onshore documented contamination affect the offshore counterpart. Surface sediment samples collected from the offshore Sarno plain, were analysed for grain size, nutrients (TOC, TN, TP) and heavy metals (Hg, Cd, As, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Pb) to evaluate the contamination status, and processed using multivariate statistical analysis. A sediment survey along the transect has been used to evaluate: 1) the relative influences of parent lithology and anthropogenic effects offshore the Sarno river; and 2) the extension of the influence of the river in the submarine area.</p> <p>Four clusters are identified through PCA analysis: 1) the first resulted associated to the presence of As and Fe, low TOC content and prevalence of sandy fraction reflecting a geogenic contribution from Vesuvius Plan; 2) the second mainly include Cr, Cu, Zn, Pb and partially Cd and Hg, high TOC content and finest granulometry, reflecting the influence of the Sarno River discharges in the marine area; 3) the third include a variability in the Mn, Fe and TOC content. This area might reflect the Sorrento-Peninsula influence; 4) the forth include samples of the distal area in which a low contamination rate is displayed and irregular Hg and Cd pattern are verified, probably due to diffuse contamination origin and other coupling factors</p> <p>Results indicate that 1) the area offshore Vesuvius displays physical and geochemical association mainly related to the natural origin of volcanoclastic sediments; 2) in the central area, the association of contaminants suggests their anthropogenic origin from the Sarno Plain, whereas the distal area, characterized by low rate of contamination, are mainly influenced by sediment from Sorrento Peninsula. Finally based on the contaminant and nutrient distribution it is possible to individuate the distribution of terrigenous sediments and organic matter of the Sarno delta deposits. The results show that the river should account as one of the main contribution sources of anthropogenic contaminants.  Some metals contamination anthropogenic in origin and TOC in general decreased gradually with distance from the coast and in particular is limited to the area of deposition of the river discharge.</p> <p>Individuation of several marine sector with different geochemical associations permitted the reconstruction of source to sink contaminants pathway on the continental shelf.</p>
<p>Southeast Naples Bay represents a wide continental shelf environ... more <p>Southeast Naples Bay represents a wide continental shelf environment with terrestrial sediment supply mainly from the Sarno River. The Sarno river basin, including about 500 km<sup>2</sup> of the alluvial plain, is located in Campania Region (SW Italy) between the volcanic complex of Somma-Vesuvio (on the NW), the Sarno Mts. (on the NE), the Lattari Mts. (on the S), the Tyrrhenian sea (on the W) and the Picentini Mts. (on the E). Currently, the Sarno river, partially used for irrigation, is affected by an extreme environmental pollution as a result of the outflow of industrial waste. Consequently, the area of the Naples Bay is influenced by sediment loads derived from the Sarno River (Albanese et al., 2013; De Pippo et al., 2006).</p><p>Seventy-one samples collected by van Veen grab) along a transect (long about 9 km) perpendicular to the coast has been used to evaluate: 1) the relative influences of parent lithology and anthropogenic effects offshore the Sarno river in the Southeast part of Naples Bay; and 2) the extension of the influence of the river in the submarine area. Different environmental indicators were selected for the contamination assessment such as total nitrogen (TN) and phosphorus (TP), total organic carbon (TOC), grain size of particles, metals, priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (16 USEPA, PAHs), total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPHs), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), pesticides (OCPs) and organotin compounds (OTs).</p><p>Two different statistical techniques, Principal Component Analysis and factorial Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), allowed us to recognize areas with different pollution features. The results of this study compared to the published onshore data permitted us to evaluate natural <em>versus</em> anthropogenic sources and to delimit the influence area of the Sarno River supply into the Naples Bay.</p><p>References:</p><ul><li>Albanese, S., Iavazzo, P., Adamo, P., Lima, A., De Vivo, B. (2013) Assessment of the environmental conditions of the Sarno River Basin (South Italy): a stream sediment approach. Environ. Geochem. Health 35, 283–297.</li> <li>De Pippo, T., Donadio, C., Guida, M., & Petrosino, C. (2006) The case of Sarno river (Southern Italy). Effects of geomorphology on the environmental impacts. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 13(3), 184–191.</li> </ul>
The role of the Campania margin faults in the opening of the Tyrrhenian back-arc basin still poor... more The role of the Campania margin faults in the opening of the Tyrrhenian back-arc basin still poorly constrained. The Campania margin, was investigated through the interpretation of seismic reflection and borehole data together with a stratigraphic correlation of dated outcropping units. The interpretation of a seismic grid using seismic and sequence stratigraphy and structural geology approaches in a dedicated GIS environment led to the generation of 2-D models of relevant geological surfaces, isochron maps, a 3-D digital model of the subsurface and to the reconstruction of the geological evolution of the margin with a resolution of 100 ka. The Campania margin is formed by five sub-basins (Northern Gaeta Bay, Central Gaeta Bay, Southern Geata Bay, Campania Plain and Naples Bay) characterized by a stratigraphic fill of Pliocene-Quaternary clastics and volcanics. The analysis of 3D geometry of normal faults and basin architectures permitted us to propose a kinematic evolution of the m...
Abstract Miocene extensional sedimentary basins are being increasingly recognized in Central Medi... more Abstract Miocene extensional sedimentary basins are being increasingly recognized in Central Mediterranean. However the paleogeographic reconstruction of the Paleo-Tyrrhenian during this time span results a difficult task because the subsequent Pliocene-Quaternary backarc opening moved away these older sedimentary basins. Our study outlines principal deformation events recorded by sediments that were deposited within minor basins of the Tyrrhenian Sea region and provides constraints on the duration of these events. The interpretation of seismic profiles, wells, and outcrops data together with a review of the middle-upper Miocene successions permitted us to recognize Miocene third order depositional sequences, reconstruct the fault pattern, and furnish a detailed evolution of the sedimentary basins that preceded the Pliocene-Quaternary Tyrrhenian high stretching. Based on the stratigraphic and tectonic constraints together with the age migration of the depocenters, we reconstructed a detailed paleogeographic evolution of central Mediterranean. Sedimentary basins architecture and fault pattern indicate a system of approximately N-S oriented normal faults and approximately E-W transform faults that were active since the Late Oligocene. Two period of extensional/transtensional tectonics (late Oligocene-Lower Burdigalian and Upper Langhian-Tortonian) were interrupted by a compressional event (late Burdigalian-Lower Langhian). Tacking in account the position of the Miocene volcanic arc (Sardinia), we propose that the coeval sedimentary basins developed in the central Mediterranean as forearc extensional/transtensional basins during the progressive collision with the African plate and before the Tyrrhenian backarc opening. Unlike published late Oligocene-Tortonian reconstructions of the western-central Mediterranean realm that report a linear migration of backarc extension, our results support a geodynamic model characterized by a progressive deformation of the forearc extension in the overriding plate.
Stratigraphy and architecture of the fault bounding the sedimentary basins developed along the Ea... more Stratigraphy and architecture of the fault bounding the sedimentary basins developed along the Eastern Tyrrhenian margin provide information on the kinematic of faults transversal to the Apennine chain. To understand how changes in geodynamic processes control the structural evolution of transverse faults in the thrust belt-backarc hinge zone, we performed the interpretation of a 2D strictly spaced seismic data set, tied to stratigraphic data of exploration wells and onshore data constrains, and a 3D basin analysis.On the basis of geometry and age of the basin infill, we dated three events of fault activity and a complex kinematics of Pliocene-Quaternary transverse faults. The first tectonic phase produced the oldest normal faults developed along the Latium margin. These faults, active between 5.1 and 3.2 Ma (MPL2-MPL3 and MPL4 succession), bound sedimentary basins filled by a Transgressive/Regressive succession made up of sands, silts and clays. They gradually migrated from the NE-...
The Gulf of Naples located in a high anthropized coastal area is subjected to an infrastructural ... more The Gulf of Naples located in a high anthropized coastal area is subjected to an infrastructural intervention for the installation of a submarine power pipeline. In order to evaluate the distribution of contaminants in the seafloor sediments, a preliminary study has been conducted in the area using multivariate techniques. The statistic approach was performed to gain insights on the occurrence of organic and inorganic contaminants within the area, aiming to identify the relevant hot spots. Three geographical sub-areas influenced by different contaminant association were recognized: Torre Annunziata (TA), Capri (CA), and middle offshore (MO). TA and CA resulted marked by a severe contamination pattern due to anthropogenic pressures. In addition, the influence of the depositional basin in governing the contamination trend has been pointed out. The supervised technique PLS_DA resulted to be a powerful tool in addressing the complexity of the huge dataset acquired during the marine surv...
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