Abstract Structural features such as faults and fractures play an important role in fluid circulation within the crust, and influence geothermal exchange potential. Based on this consideration, we examined the subsurface structural... more
Abstract Structural features such as faults and fractures play an important role in fluid circulation within the crust, and influence geothermal exchange potential. Based on this consideration, we examined the subsurface structural setting of the Marche Region (Central Italy) in terms of detailed data we obtained on the groundwater in wells; detailed analyses of its physical properties, particularly electrical conductivity, revealed some anomalies in several localities which appear to be related to the local tectonic structures. In addition, we interpreted data from seismic reflection profiles provided by ENI S.p.A, and kindly shared with us, for the SW-NE area crossing the Apennine chain and extending to the Adriatic Sea. Our interpretation indicates the presence of important sub-surface and deep Plio-Quaternary structures linked to outcropping ones with possible hydrogeological implications. Our interpretation of these seismic profiles enabled us to identify some high angle structures affecting the whole sedimentary sequence and routed at depth (>10 km), thus allowing us to gain an understanding of the recent structural evolution of the Apennine Marche sector. We interpreted these mainly NW-SE trending structures to be transpressive structures, related to lower depth SW and NE-dipping high-angle reverse faults (positive flower structures), probably involving the upper crust basement. We identified them along three main parallel alignments (transects) from SW to the coastline, crossing the Mio-Pliocene Apennine range and its external Plio-Quaternary sector. Our analyses of the groundwater in wells throughout the study area indicated possible relationship with deep geological structures. It seems that the high degree of fracturing that accompanies these complex and recent fault systems could facilitate the exchange between superficial and deeper fluids. This is supported by the observation that there is a direct relationship between the electrical conductivity of the water in wells located along the calcareous-marly Apennine Marche ridge, and the amount of rainfall.
Research Interests: Geology, Geochemistry, Geophysics, Hydrogeology, Heat Transfer, and 15 moreTectonics, Seismic reflection data, Geothermal Energy, Quaternary, Tectonophysics, Faults, Seismotectonics, Active Faults, Thermal Conductivity, Heat Conduction, Electrical Conductivity, Convective Heat Transfer, Rock Discontinuities, geothermal gradient, and geothermal fluid circulation
Neste estudo no sítio arqueológico grego de Selinônte foram realizados levantamentos geomorfológicos e geoarqueológicos detalhados com o intuito de reconstruir a evolução da paisagem que ocorreu antes e durante a antropização do sítio e... more
Neste estudo no sítio arqueológico grego de Selinônte foram realizados levantamentos geomorfológicos e geoarqueológicos detalhados com o intuito de reconstruir a evolução da paisagem que ocorreu antes e durante a antropização do sítio e para verificar as possíveis correlações entre mudanças geoambientais e eventos humanos que caracterizou quase quatro séculos da história da cidade. Utilizando uma abordagem multidisciplinar e diferentes técnicas de levantamento, este estudo testemunhou o papel desempenhado pelo clima, configuração geomorfológica e georrecursos no condicionamento do desenvolvimento da cidade e a estreita relação por vezes observada entre os acontecimentos históricos e os processos naturais. Isso incluiu a polêmica e nunca descoberta obra hidráulica de Empédocles, que em 444 a.C., conforme as fontes textuais, resolveu um problema de saúde pública ligado à presença de áreas pantanosas.
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Supplementary File(s): Reconstruction of a Segment of the UNESCO World Heritage Hadrian's Villa Tunnel Network by Integrated GPR, Magnetic–Paleomagnetic, and Electric Resistivity Prospections
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The sequence stratigraphic framework and a summary of the fossil fauna of the upper Miocene portion of the Pisco Formation exposed along the western side of the Ica River (southern Peru) is presented through a new geological map... more
The sequence stratigraphic framework and a summary of the fossil fauna of the upper Miocene portion of the Pisco Formation exposed along the western side of the Ica River (southern Peru) is presented through a new geological map encompassing an area of about 200 km 2 and detailed chronostratigraphic analyses. Extensive field mapping and sedimentological study of outcrop sections have shown that the Pisco Formation is a cyclical sediment unit composed of at least three fining-upward, unconformity-bounded depositional sequences, designated P0, P1, and P2 from oldest to youngest. In the study area, these sequences progressively onlap a composite basal unconformity from southwest to northeast. Integration of biostratigraphic and tephrochronologic age determinations constrains the ages of the three Pisco sequences within the study area. Based on the age of surrounding sediments, a conservative estimate of the age of P0 suggests deposition of these strata between 17.99 ± 0.10 Ma and 9.00 ...
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We propose a new kinematic model for the evolution of the Sicilian-Maghrebian chain from the early Oligocene to Present. In particular, the evolution of the Caltanissetta foredeep basin, active from upper Miocene–Pleistocene is described... more
We propose a new kinematic model for the evolution of the Sicilian-Maghrebian chain from the early Oligocene to Present. In particular, the evolution of the Caltanissetta foredeep basin, active from upper Miocene–Pleistocene is described from a kinematic point of view through a series of plate reconstructions that show the Caltanissetta basin peculiarity with respect to the Maghrebian chain foredeep, and points out that the foredeep evolution can't be explained in a simple collisional complex context.
We present a new approach to the structural and tectonic analysis of the Tyrrhenian – Apennine system since the early Burdigalian, based on a non-rigid plate kinematics approach. This approach allows to determine finite rotations for the... more
We present a new approach to the structural and tectonic analysis of the Tyrrhenian – Apennine system since the early Burdigalian, based on a non-rigid plate kinematics approach. This approach allows to determine finite rotations for the tectonic blocks involved in the evolution of the Apennine chain, though in a framework that allows finite strain of the tectonic elements during their rotation. The method has allowed to give a quantitative rigorous explanation of the transverse structures of the mountain belt.
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Using an analytical methodology taking into account heat flow density data, frictional heating, temperature variations due to the re-equilibrated conductive state after thrusting and geological constrains, we calculated surface heat flow,... more
Using an analytical methodology taking into account heat flow density data, frictional heating, temperature variations due to the re-equilibrated conductive state after thrusting and geological constrains, we calculated surface heat flow, geotherms and isotherms along a balanced and restored regional geological cross-section. Our results highlight the impact of frictional heating produced by thrusts on the thermal structure of the study area, leading to a raising of the isotherms both in the inner Albanides to the E and in the Adriatic sector offshore. Minimum values of Qs in the surroundings of Tirana and the reconstructed 2D thermal structure suggest less favorable conditions for exploitation of geothermal energy, besides the direct use (Borehole Heat Exchanger-Geothermal Heat Pump systems). Nevertheless, the occurrence of the “Kruja geothermal zone”, partially overlapping this area and including hot spring manifestations, emphasize the structural control in driving hot fluids to ...
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Using published cross-sections and a series of geological constraints, a 3D geological model of an important area of the Adriatic sector of peninsular Italy—i.e., the Marche region—was developed. Then, an analytical procedure, taking into... more
Using published cross-sections and a series of geological constraints, a 3D geological model of an important area of the Adriatic sector of peninsular Italy—i.e., the Marche region—was developed. Then, an analytical procedure, taking into account the heat rising from the mantle and the radiogenic heat produced by the crust, was applied on the pre-built structural model, in order to obtain the 3D geothermal setting of the entire region. The results highlighted the key role played by the Moho geometry, particularly as a step of ~10 km occurs between the Adriatic Moho of the subducting plate to the west and the new Tyrrhenian Moho characterizing the back-arc area to the west. The comparison between our results and available borehole data suggests a good fit between the applied analytical methodology and published datasets. A visible anomaly is located at a specific site (i.e., the coastal town of Senigallia), where it may be envisaged that fluid circulation produced a local surface hea...
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Some new results and preliminary remarks about the Plio–Quaternary structural and evolutionary characteristics of the outer Marche Apennines south in the Conero promontory are presented in this study. The present analysis is based on... more
Some new results and preliminary remarks about the Plio–Quaternary structural and evolutionary characteristics of the outer Marche Apennines south in the Conero promontory are presented in this study. The present analysis is based on several subsurface seismic reflection profiles and well data, kindly provided by ENI S.p.A. and available on the VIDEPI list, together with surface geologic–stratigraphic knowledge of Plio–Quaternary evolution from the literature. Examples of negative vs. positive reactivation of inherited structures in fold and thrust belts are highlighted. Here, we present an example from the external domain of the Marche Apennines, which displays interesting reactivation examples from the subsurface geology explored. The study area shows significant evolutionary differences with respect to the northern sector of the Marche region previously investigated by the same research group. The areal distribution of the main structures changes north and south of the ENE–WSW or...
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Abstract The 2016–2017 Amatrice-Norcia seismic sequence was triggered by the reactivation of a complex NNW-SSE trending, WSW-dipping normal fault system cross-cutting the Umbria-Marche fold and thrust belt near M. Vettore. This fault... more
Abstract The 2016–2017 Amatrice-Norcia seismic sequence was triggered by the reactivation of a complex NNW-SSE trending, WSW-dipping normal fault system cross-cutting the Umbria-Marche fold and thrust belt near M. Vettore. This fault system produced clear and impressive co-seismic ruptures on normal faults in the hangingwall of the M. Sibillini thrust, whereas ruptures in the footwall were observed, but less clear. As a result, a strong controversy exists in the literature about the geometry of the seismogenic faults, their relationships with pre-existing thrusts, and the location of normal-faulting rupture tips. In this work, we present a 3D geological model of the M. Vettore area located between the Castelluccio basin and the outcrop of the M. Sibillini thrust, where the most evident co-seismic ruptures have been observed. The model shows the relationship between the ruptured normal faults and the M. Sibillini thrust, and was constructed using a grid of 14 geological cross-sections parallel and orthogonal to the main structural elements (i.e. normal faults and thrusts) down to a depth of 3 km. The model was built using reference structural surfaces, such as the top of the Early Cretaceous Maiolica Fm., the M. Sibillini thrust and the main seismogenic normal faults belonging to the M. Vettore fault system. The 3D model has allowed us to calculate the vertical cumulative throw distribution for the M. Vettore normal faults. The cumulative geological throw of ca. 1300 m across the normal faults in the proximity of the M. Sibillini thrust indicates that the seismogenic fault system continues into the footwall of the thrust, displacing it in the sub-surface. The results of this study provide important constraints on the cross-cutting relationships between active normal and pre-existing compressional structures in seismically active areas, contributing to a better definition of the faults segmentation, and the related seismic hazard.
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The UNESCO World Heritage Hadrian’s Villa lies over the Colli Albani volcanic district near Rome. Magnetic, paleomagnetic, radar, and electric resistivity surveys were performed in the Plutonium–Inferi sector to detect buried... more
The UNESCO World Heritage Hadrian’s Villa lies over the Colli Albani volcanic district near Rome. Magnetic, paleomagnetic, radar, and electric resistivity surveys were performed in the Plutonium–Inferi sector to detect buried buildings and outline a segment of the underground system of tunnels that link different zones of the villa. In particular, a paleomagnetic analysis of the bedrock unit allowed to accomplish an accurate geomagnetic field modelling and characterize the archaeological sources of the magnetic field anomalies. We used a computer-assisted forward modelling procedure to generate a structural model of the sources of the observed anomalies. The intrinsic ambiguity of the magnetic field modelling was reduced with the support of ground penetrating radar amplitude slices and an analysis of radar and electric resistivity profiles. The bedrock lithology in this area is an ignimbrite tuff characterized by abundant iron oxides. The high-amplitude magnetic anomalie...
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This work is part of a PhD project devoted to promoting the study of Earth Sciences at schools by presenting significant geosites in the Marche Region. The Mount Conero geosite, with several outcrops and geological trails, offers teachers... more
This work is part of a PhD project devoted to promoting the study of Earth Sciences at schools by presenting significant geosites in the Marche Region. The Mount Conero geosite, with several outcrops and geological trails, offers teachers prime locations for showing the most interesting moments of the geological evolution of the region, from the Cretaceous to the Pleistocene, and can serve as a springboard for introducing a variety of geoscience topics related to the major themes of Earth sciences courses at schools. These outcrops also meet certain requirements for school field trips, in terms of logistics, appeal, availability of data, and they can be modulated for students of different ages. Teachers can avail themselves of general, specific, and interdisciplinary teaching material at different school levels (http://d7.unicam.it/teachingearthsciences/) for the field trips and class activities.
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Il sistema geotermico di Rosario de la Frontera (Salta, Argentina): risultati geochimici e idrogeologici preliminari.Questo studio e parte di un'indagine multidisciplinare delle sorgenti termali emergenti nel territorio di Rosario de... more
Il sistema geotermico di Rosario de la Frontera (Salta, Argentina): risultati geochimici e idrogeologici preliminari.Questo studio e parte di un'indagine multidisciplinare delle sorgenti termali emergenti nel territorio di Rosario de La Frontera (La Candelaria Ridge, Salta, Argentina; Progetto CUIA bando 2010-11); esso e stato condotto al fine di produrre una valutazione preliminare del potenziale geotermico di questo sistema. Queste manifestazioni termali di superficie, la cui temperatura varia tra 22,7 e 93,3°C, si trovano nel settore settentrionale dell'anticlinale a direzione N-S che caratterizza l'intera Sierra Candelaria nella provincia di Salta (Argentina NW, SEGEMAR, Catalogo de Manifestaciones Termales de la Republica Argentina; Seggiaro et al., 1997). Lo studio si basa su dati analitici relativi alla composizione chimica e isotopica (18O2, D e 13C-CO2)di 13 campioni di acqua e 5 campioni di gas prelevati da sorgenti termali che emergono in questa area riservata. Inoltre, piu di 20 stazioni strutturali sono state realizzate per caratterizzare il principale sistema di fratture. Questi dati sono importanti per valutare la permeabilita del serbatoio e per determinare le principali direzioni di flusso del fluido in profondita.
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ABSTRACT In this study, the chemical and isotopic composition of thermo-mineral springs from the Rosario de la Frontera hydrothermal system was used to construct a conceptual model describing the source regions the thermal fluids and the... more
ABSTRACT In this study, the chemical and isotopic composition of thermo-mineral springs from the Rosario de la Frontera hydrothermal system was used to construct a conceptual model describing the source regions the thermal fluids and the chemical-physical processes controlling the chemistry of waters and dissolved gases during their underground circulation. The main hydrothermal reservoir, hosted within the Cretaceous Pirgua Subgroup deposits, is fed by meteoric water and shows a Na-HCO3 composition produced by water-rock interactions involving sedimentary formations mostly consisting of conglomerates and sandstones, which are interbedded with alkaline volcanic rocks and shales and limestone deposits. This aquifer also receives significant contributions of crustal CO2 and He from mantle degassing, the latter being likely favored by the regional tectonic assessment that is characterized by a deep detachment (at about 10 km depth) in the basement of the Santa Bárbara thick-skinned thrust system and a thinned lithosphere. The uprising thermal fluids mix with a relatively high salinity Na-Cl dominated aquifer produced by the interaction of meteoric water with the Tertiary Anta Formation evaporite. The temperatures of the hydrothermal reservoir, estimated with water geothermometers, are up to 130 °C, which are consistent with the thickness of the hydrothermal circuit (2,700-3,000 m) and the relatively high local geothermal gradient (~ 40 °C/km). These results suggest that the heat stored in the fluid phase of RFHS is up to ~ 1 × 1018 J, a value significantly higher (20%) than that previously estimated assuming an average reservoir temperature of 90 °C.
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Résumé/Abstract The Umbria-Marche-Sabina ridge is bounded to the east by a defining a major thrust fault extending from Olevano Romano in the south to the Foglia River Valley in the north. This consists of two main portions arranged in... more
Résumé/Abstract The Umbria-Marche-Sabina ridge is bounded to the east by a defining a major thrust fault extending from Olevano Romano in the south to the Foglia River Valley in the north. This consists of two main portions arranged in aright-stepping en-échelon ...
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We describe the opening of back-arc basins and the associated formation of accretionary wedges through the application of techniques of deformable plate kinematics. These methods have proven to be suitable to describe complex tectonic... more
We describe the opening of back-arc basins and the associated formation of accretionary wedges through the application of techniques of deformable plate kinematics. These methods have proven to be suitable to describe complex tectonic processes, such as those that are observed along the Africa–Europe collision belt. In the central Mediterranean area, these processes result from the passive subduction of the lithosphere belonging to the Alpine Tethys and Ionian Ocean. In particular, we focus on the opening of the Tyrrhenian basin and the contemporary formation of the Apennine chain. We divide the area of the Apennine Chain and the Tyrrhenian basin into deformable polygons that are identified on the basis of sets of extensional structures that are coherent with unique Euler pole grids. The boundaries between these polygons coincide with large tectonic lineaments that characterize the Tyrrhenian–Apennine area. The tectonic style along these structures reflects the variability of relati...
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The Adria-Apulia plate boundary during the upper cretaceous. Tectonic reconstructions of the Alpine-Mediterranean area are affected by uncertainties linked to the kinematics role of the Adria microplate. Is it an African promontory or an... more
The Adria-Apulia plate boundary during the upper cretaceous. Tectonic reconstructions of the Alpine-Mediterranean area are affected by uncertainties linked to the kinematics role of the Adria microplate. Is it an African promontory or an independent microplate? In this study we show the geological evidences of a plate boundary developed between the Adria microplate and the African plate (Apulia) during the Upper Cretaceous. We used data collected by several Authors in the last 20 years with re-interpretations of data from wells at depth and seismic lines in the Puglia region off-shore. This tectonic element, characterized by sinistral transpressional movements, started his activity in the Cenomanian age when the African and the Eurasiatic plates began their compressive movements.
In the context of a research project focused on the solution of geological problems related to the Mesozoic kinematics of the Adria/Apulia plate boundary, here we present new data on the structural evolution of the Rosaria Mare... more
In the context of a research project focused on the solution of geological problems related to the Mesozoic kinematics of the Adria/Apulia plate boundary, here we present new data on the structural evolution of the Rosaria Mare intra-platform Basin area (R.M.i.B.). This basin developed within the Apulian Carbonate Platform domain (A.C.P.) during the Upper Cretaceous-Miocene, and represents a key structural feature to assess the kinematics of the Adria/Apulia plate boundary during early convergence between African and Eurasian plates (Schettino & Turco, 2009). The main aim of this work is the formulation of a conceptual tectonic model of the central A.C.P. by integrating offshore seismic data with available onshore stratigraphic data.