In the northern Marche area of central Italy, the analysis of landforms and stream terraces indicates a generalised Quaternary uplift, as well as differential vertical uplift (of a few tens of metres at most) in different sectors of the foothills area. Moreover, uplift rates appear to have dramatically increased in late Pleistocene-Holocene times, as shown by geomorphologic features (e.g. narrowing of valley terraces and steepening of hillslopes). Within this context, a major issue is represented by establishing the possible occurrence of Quaternary faulting, its kinematics and relationships with the processes above. Based on geomorphologic, stratigraphic and structural studies, several recent (i.e. post-thrusting) faults have been identified, both in Quaternary deposits (upper Pleistocene terrace alluvium, upper Pleistocene- Holocene slope deposits) and in bedrock, in the Metauro River Basin area. Our analyses were focused on two main sites, the first in the Fossombrone village area, and the second downstream along the Metauro River, on the right bank (Pian di Rose). The analysed brittle structures appear to form part of a hard-linked fault system mostly including roughly N-S trending normal faults and NESW striking sinistral oblique-slip transfer faults. Our results suggest that this fault system controlled the Quaternary geomorphologic evolution of the study area, at least in the middle Pleistocene and in the lower part of the upper Pleistocene. Furthermore, the occurrence of upper Pleistocene-Holocene faulted deposits suggests that active WSW-ENE (260°N) extension might characterise the study area.

Evidence for Quaternary Faulting in the Metauro river basin (northern Marche Apennines)

SAVELLI, DANIELE;DE DONATIS, MAURO;NESCI, OLIVIA;TRAMONTANA, MARIO;VENERI, FRANCESCO
2002

Abstract

In the northern Marche area of central Italy, the analysis of landforms and stream terraces indicates a generalised Quaternary uplift, as well as differential vertical uplift (of a few tens of metres at most) in different sectors of the foothills area. Moreover, uplift rates appear to have dramatically increased in late Pleistocene-Holocene times, as shown by geomorphologic features (e.g. narrowing of valley terraces and steepening of hillslopes). Within this context, a major issue is represented by establishing the possible occurrence of Quaternary faulting, its kinematics and relationships with the processes above. Based on geomorphologic, stratigraphic and structural studies, several recent (i.e. post-thrusting) faults have been identified, both in Quaternary deposits (upper Pleistocene terrace alluvium, upper Pleistocene- Holocene slope deposits) and in bedrock, in the Metauro River Basin area. Our analyses were focused on two main sites, the first in the Fossombrone village area, and the second downstream along the Metauro River, on the right bank (Pian di Rose). The analysed brittle structures appear to form part of a hard-linked fault system mostly including roughly N-S trending normal faults and NESW striking sinistral oblique-slip transfer faults. Our results suggest that this fault system controlled the Quaternary geomorphologic evolution of the study area, at least in the middle Pleistocene and in the lower part of the upper Pleistocene. Furthermore, the occurrence of upper Pleistocene-Holocene faulted deposits suggests that active WSW-ENE (260°N) extension might characterise the study area.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11576/1886613
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