Geomorphic response to late Quaternary tectonics in the axial portion of the Southern Apennines (Italy): A case study from the Calore River valley. Issue 11 (6th June 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Amato, V.; Aucelli, P.P.C.; Cesarano, M.; Filocamo, F.; Leone, N.; Petrosino, P.; Rosskopf, C.M.; Valente, E.; Casciello, E.; Giralt, S.; Jicha, B.R.
• Is Part Of: Earth surface processes and landforms. Volume 43:Issue 11(2018)
• Page Start: 2463
• Page End: 2480
• Publication Date: 2018-06-06
• Subjects: geomorphology -- extensional tectonics -- alluvial fans -- tephrostratigraphy -- southern Italy; Geomorphology -- Periodicals; 551.4
• DOI: 10.1002/esp.4390
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0197-9337

Abstract

Abstract: The present study focuses on the morphotectonic evolution of the axial portion of the Southern Apennine chain between the lower Calore River valley and the northern Camposauro mountain front (Campania Region). A multidisciplinary approach was used, including geomorphological, field‐geology, stratigraphical, morphotectonic, structural, 40 Ar/ 39 Ar and tephrostratigraphical data. Results indicate that, from the Lower Pleistocene onwards, this sector of the chain was affected by extensional tectonics responsible for the onset of the sedimentation of Quaternary fluvial, alluvial fan and slope deposits. Fault systems are mainly composed of NW‐SE, NE–SW and W‐E trending strike‐slip and normal faults, associated to NW‐SE and NE–SW oriented extensions. Fault scarps, stratigraphical and structural data and morphotectonic indicators suggest that these faults affected the wide piedmont area of the northern Camposauro mountain front in the Lower Pleistocene–Upper Pleistocene time span. Faults affected both the oldest Quaternary slope deposits (Laiano Synthem, Lower Pleistocene) and the overlying alluvial fan system deposits constrained between the late Middle Pleistocene and the Holocene. The latter are geomorphologically and chrono‐stratigraphically grouped into four generations, I generation: late Middle Pleistocene–early Upper Pleistocene, with tephra layers 40 Ar/ 39 Ar dated to 158±6 and 113±7 ka; II generation: Upper Pleistocene, with tephra layers correlated with the Campanian Ignimbrite (39 ka) and with the slightly older Campi Flegrei activity ( 40 Ar/ 39 Ar age 48±7 ka); III generation: late Upper Pleistocene–Lower Holocene, with tephra layers correlated with the Neapolitan Yellow Tuff (~15 ka); IV generation: Holocene in age. The evolution of the first three generations was controlled by Middle Pleistocene extensional tectonics, while Holocene fans do not show evidence of tectonic activity. Nevertheless, considering the moderate to high magnitude historical seismicity of the study area, we cannot rule out that some of the recognized faults may still be active. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Abstract : The Calore river valley is located in the axial portion of the Southern Apennines (Italy) being bounded, to the south, by the northern slope of the Camposauro Mountain. Four generations of alluvial fans have been recognized, chronologically constrained between the late Middle Pleistocene and the Holocene by tephrostratigrapichal analysis and 40 Ar/ 39 Ar dating of interbedded tephra layers. Geomorphological, morphoteconic, stratigraphical and structural data point to fault activity at least up to 40 ka.