ALBERT

Description: A quantitative analysis of planktonic foraminifera, coupled with petrophysical and paleomagnetic measurements and 14C AMS calibrations, was carried out on a deep core recovered in the Sardinia Channel (Western Mediterranean Sea), during the CIESM Sub2 survey, providing an integrated stratigraphic time-framework over the last 80 kyr. Significant changes in the quantitative distribution of planktonic foraminifera allowed the identification of several eco-bioevents useful to accurately mark the boundaries of the eco-biozones widely recognised in the Western Mediterranean records and used for large scale correlations. Namely, 10 eco-biozones were identified based on the relative abundance of selected climate sensitive planktonic foraminiferal species. Sixteen codified eco-bioevents were correlated with the Alboran Sea planktonic foraminiferal data and four climatic global events (Sapropel S1, Younger Dryas, Greenland Isotope Interstadial 1, Greenland Isotope Stadial 2, Heinrich event H1-H6) were recognized. The eco-bioevents together with the 14C AMS calibrations allowed us to define an accurate age model, spanning between 2 and 83 kyr. The reliability of the age model was confirmed by comparing the colour reflectance (550 nm%) data of the studied record with the astronomically tuned record from the Ionian sea (ODP-Site 964). A mean sedimentation rate of about 7 cm/kyr included three turbidite event beds that were chronologically constrained within the relative low stand and lowering sea level phases of the MIS 4 and 3. The deep-sea sedimentary record includes a distinct tephra occurring at the base of the core which dates 78 ka cal. BP. The paleomagnetic data provide a well-defined record of the characteristic remanent magnetization that may be used to reconstruct the geomagnetic paleosecular variation for the Mediterranean back to 83 kyr.

Description: Published

Description: 725 - 737

Description: 2.2. Laboratorio di paleomagnetismo

Description: JCR Journal

Description: reserved

Description: The present-day tectonic setting of the Italian peninsula is very complex and involves competing geodynamic processes. In this context, southern peninsular Italy is characterised by extension along the Apenninic belt and in the Tyrrhenian margin and by transpression in the Apulia-Gargano region. The extension is well defined by means of geological, seismological, and contemporary stress data. For the latter only few data are available in the Apulia-Gargano region, leaving the state of stress in that area unresolved. Here we develop a finite-element model of the southern Italian region in order to predict the contemporary stress field. Our model predictions are constrained by model-independent observations of the orientation of maximum horizontal stress (SHmax), the tectonic regime, and the horizontal velocities derived from GPS observations. We performed a blind test with 31 newly acquired SHmax orientations in the Southern Apennines. These new data come from the analysis of borehole breakouts performed in 46 deep oil exploration wells ranging in depth from 1300 to 5500 m. The model results agree with the stress data that define a prevailing NW-SE SHmax orientation along the Apenninic belt and foredeep and thus are capable to predict the stress field where no stress information is available. We first analyse how much model predictions, based on older data, deviate from present-day stress data and then recalibrate the models based on our new stress data, giving insight into the resolution of both models and data. In the studied region, which is affected by low deformation rates, we find that geodetic data alone cannot resolve such low levels of deformation due to the high relative measurement errors. We conclude that both GPS and stress data are required to constrain model results.

Description: This research was supported by the Italian Presidenza del Consiglio dei Ministri - Dipartimento della Protezione Civile (DPC) through the INGV-DPC project S1.

Description: Published

Description: 193-204

Description: 2T. Deformazione crostale attiva

Description: JCR Journal

Description: open

Description: A quantitative analysis of planktonic foraminifera, coupled with petrophysical and paleomagnetic measurements and 14C AMS calibrations, was carried out on a deep core recovered in the Sardinia Channel (Western Mediterranean Sea), during the CIESM Sub2 survey, providing an integrated stratigraphic time-framework over the last 80 kyr. Significant changes in the quantitative distribution of planktonic foraminifera allowed the identification of several eco-bioevents useful to accurately mark the boundaries of the eco-biozones widely recognised in the Western Mediterranean records and used for large scale correlations. Namely, 10 eco-biozones were identified based on the relative abundance of selected climate sensitive planktonic foraminiferal species. Sixteen codified eco-bioevents were correlated with the Alboran Sea planktonic foraminiferal data and four climatic global events (Sapropel S1, Younger Dryas, Greenland Isotope Interstadial 1, Greenland Isotope Stadial 2, Heinrich event H1-H6) were recognized. The eco-bioevents together with the 14C AMS calibrations concurred to define an accurate age model, spanning between 2 and 83 kyr cal. BP. The reliability of the age model was confirmed by comparing the colour reflectance (550 nm%) data of the studied record with the astronomically tuned one of the Ionian sea (ODP-Site 964). A mean sedimentation rate of about 7 cm/kyr was evaluated including three turbidite event beds that were chronologically constrained within the relative low stand and lowering sea level phases of the MIS 4 and MIS 3. The deep sea sedimentary record includes a distinct tephra occurring at the base of the core which dates 79 ka. The paleomagnetic data provide a well-defined record of the characteristic remanent magnetization that may be used to reconstruct the geomagnetic paleosecular variation for the Mediterranean back to 83 kyr cal. BP.

Description: In press

Description: 2.2. Laboratorio di paleomagnetismo

Description: JCR Journal

Description: open

Description: The Pleistocene history of climate control on sedimentation in the Southern Alps-Po Plain system, northern Italy, was reconstructed using an integrated magnetostratigraphic, palynological, and petrographical approach on a 47-m-deep core. The core mainly consists of lacustrine sediments pertaining to the Bagaggera sequence, deposited at the foothills of the Southern Alps during the late Matuyama subchron (0.99–0.78 Ma). At that time, climate worsened globally and locally it caused the progradation of an alluvial fan unit onto the nearby Po Plain, triggering lake formation by damming of a tributary valley. These new data are used in conjunction with data from the literature to highlight and track the effects of climate forcing on sedimentation during the late Matuyama subchron in different orographic and geodynamic settings of the Southern Alps-Po Plain system as part of the greater Alpine area. We found that the episodes of alluvial fan and braidplain progradation observed in the southern foreland of the Alps during the late Matuyama global cooling seem broadly synchronous with the deposition of most of the so-called Günz and Älterer Deckenschotter deposits in the northern forelands of the Alps as well as with the first major waxing of the Alpine valley glaciers, possibly around the Marine Isotope Stage 22 (~0.87 Ma).

Description: In press

Description: 3.2. Tettonica attiva

Description: JCR Journal

Description: reserved

Description: The Early/Middle Eocene (Ypresian/Lutetian) transition is represented by a hiatus in many North European sections, including those in which the classic stratotypes were originally defined. However, the Global Stratotype Section and Point of the Lutetian Stage, which is still pending definition, should be placed at a globally correlatable event included within that unrepresented interval. The Pyrenean Eocene outcrops display sedimentary successions that offer the rare opportunity to analyse the Ypresian/Lutetian boundary interval in almost continuous sections and in very different settings. Seven reference stratigraphic sections were selected on the basis of their quality and correlated by means of biomagnetostratigraphic data. This correlation framework casts light on the sequence of chronostratigraphic events that characterize the Ypresian/Lutetian boundary interval, which may prove useful in defining the main correlation criterion of the base of the Lutetian. All of the Pyrenean sections show a similar sedimentary evolution, despite being up to 350 km apart from each other, containing deposits of different origins (intrabasinal carbonate sediments, siliciclastic sediments sourced from the Iberian plate, and terrigenous sediments sourced from the uplifting Pyrenees) and despite having been accumulated in different sedimentary environments (from continental to deep marine) and in different geodynamic settings (piggy-back basin, foreland basin and cratonic margin). This common evolution can be readily interpreted in terms of a sea-level driven depositional sequence whose lowstand and transgressive systems tracts are included within the Ypresian/Lutetian boundary interval. The Pyrenean Ypresian/Lutetian depositional sequence can reasonably be correlated with depositional sequences from classic North European areas, shedding light on the palaeoenvironmental history which in those areas has not been recorded. Furthermore, these depositional sequences may possibly correlate with others from the Antarctic Ocean and from New Jersey, as well as with oceanic temperature variations, suggesting that they might be the result of climatically-driven glacioeustatic sea-level changes. Should this hypothesis prove correct, it would confirm previous suggestions that the onset of Antarctic glaciations needs to be backshifted to the late Ypresian at least.

Description: Published

Description: 313-332

Description: 2.2. Laboratorio di paleomagnetismo

Description: JCR Journal

Description: reserved

Description: The Colli Albani volcanic complex, located in central Italy about 15km SE of Rome, has been dominated by periodic eruptive histories started about 561 ka and ending with the most recent and voluminous activity of the Albano maar (〈70 ka) phase. Earthquakes of moderate intensity, gas emissions and significant ground deformations are the recent evidences of a residual activity. We decided to start a monitoring test by installing as first step three GPS permanent stations on the volcanic structure, in sites easily accessible. The analysis of about 2 years of GPS observations has evidenced a peculiar velocity pattern of the Colli Albani stations with respect to those located nearby, but outside the volcano edifice. With respect to Eurasia, the horizontal velocities are NE directed with magnitudes of 2.2±1.4mm/year (RDPI), 3.0±0.8mm/year (RMPO) and 3.3±1.2mm/year (NEMI). The uplift rates are determined with minor accuracy and range from 3.3 and 6.0mm/year. We used a non-linear inversion algorithm to determine the best-fit parameters for a Mogi spherical source based on the Levenberg–Marquardt least squares approach. The best-fit is obtained with a source at 4.6km depth beneath thewestern flank of the volcano and a volume variation of 3.6×10−4 km3/year. This result is in agreement with the volume rate retrieved by PS-InSAR technique and rather different from the rate inferred from leveling surveys. Consequently, non-linear trends of the hydrothermal system charge cannot be excluded apriori and the continuous GPS monitoring should be considered a priority in assessing the hazard of the Colli Albani.

Description: This work has been partially supported by the Dept. of Civil Protection, Project DPC115 V3 Colli Albani.

Description: Published

Description: 79-87

Description: 1.3. TTC - Sorveglianza geodetica delle aree vulcaniche attive

Description: JCR Journal

Description: reserved

Description: Detailed stratigraphical, archaeological, micropalaeontological, archaeometrical and petrochemical analyses of samples from trenches and boreholes at insula of Casti Amanti, in Pompeii, allowed a faithful reconstruction of the recent environmental evolution of the site. The present data clearly indicate the alternation of both subaerial and shallow marine conditions during Holocene times. Taking into account the relative local sea level variations, a ~30 m ground uplift event in the last 6 kyr (with an average vertical uplift rate of ~5 mm/yr) was inferred for the first time.

Description: Published

Description: 451–461

Description: 3.6. Fisica del vulcanismo

Description: JCR Journal

Description: reserved

Description: We report on structural and anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) results from the Upper Miocene sediments of the Amantea basin, located on the Tyrrhenian coast of the Calabrian Arc (Southern Italy). The stratigraphic succession of the basin is organized in three depositional sequences, separated by two major angular unconformities. Detailed geologica1 mapping and structural analysis demonstrate that the stratigraphic evolution of the Amantea basin is strongly controlled by a synsedimentary extensional tectonic regime. Severa1 NNE-SSW-trending norma1 fault arrays with large scatter in inclination values have been interpreted as due to a domino faulting mechanism, consistent with a WNW-ESE stretching direction. AMS data have been obtained for 13 sites, both in the not constrained in age first depositional sequence (3 sites), and in the upper Tortonian-lower Messinian clays from the second depositional sequence (10 sites). Al1 the sites show a strong magnetic foliation parallel to the bedding planes, and a well defined magnetic lineation subparallel to the local bedding dip directions. The magnetic lineations cluster around a WNW-ESE trend and are parallel to the stretching directions inferred by fault-slip analysis and basin architecture. These new data then confirm the possibility to use the magnetic lineation to map the strain trajectory in weakly deformed extensional sedimentary basins. Paleomagnetic data (from previous studies) show that the whole Calabrian block underwent a 15°-20° clockwise rotation probably in the Pleistocene, postdating the extensional tectonic events which controlled the Amantea basin geometry. Therefore we suggest for the Amantea basin an original E-W-oriented stretching direction, which may be considered as the older extensional direction characterizing the Late Miocene evolution of the southern Tyrrhenian Sea domain.

Description: Published

Description: 33-49

Description: JCR Journal

Description: reserved

Description: Here we report the results of the analysis of a GPS velocity field in the Umbria–Marche Apennines (central Italy) obtained from the integration of diverse geodetic networks. The velocity field obtained shows a high degree of consistency both spatially and in terms of comparison with independent information, despite the limited time span of some GPS stations. Starting from the velocity field we derive a continuous strain rate field applying a spline interpolation technique which provide a smooth estimate of the deformation field. The main feature of the resulting strain rate field is a continuous high (N50 nanostrain/year) strain rate belt coincident with the area of largest historical and instrumental seismic release. The model directions of the principal axes agree with geological and seismological information indicating NE–SW extension. We transform the strain rate field into geodetic moment rate using the Kostrov formula to evaluate the potential seismic activity of the region and compare it with actual seismic release in the last 720 years from MwN5.5 earthquakes. This comparison highlights a large possible deficit in the seismic release with respect to the overall potential seismic activity, particularly concentrated in the northern part of the study area. This discrepancy can be resolved with either a large amount of seismicity to be released in the near future or significant aseismic slip and deformation.

Description: Published

Description: 3-12

Description: 2T. Deformazione crostale attiva

Description: JCR Journal

Description: reserved

Description: This paper presents a new methodology for studying the evolution of curved mountain belts by means of paleomagnetic analyses performed on analogue models. Eleven models were designed aimed at reproducing various tectonic settings in thin-skinned tectonics. Our models analyze in particular those features reported in the literature as possible causes for peculiar rotational patterns in the outermost as well as in the more internal fronts. In all the models the sedimentary cover was reproduced by frictional low-cohesion materials (sand and glass micro-beads), which detached either on frictional or on viscous layers. These latter were reproduced in the models by silicone. The sand forming the models has been previously mixed with magnetite-dominated powder. Before deformation, the models were magnetized by means of two permanent magnets generating within each model a quasi-linear magnetic field of intensity variable between 20 and 100 mT. After deformation, the models were cut into closely spaced vertical sections and sampled by means of 1x1-cm Plexiglas cylinders at several locations along curved fronts. Care was taken to collect paleomagnetic samples only within virtually undeformed thrust sheets, avoiding zones affected by pervasive shear. Afterwards, the natural remanent magnetization of these samples was measured, and alternating field demagnetization was used to isolate the principal components. The characteristic components of magnetization isolated were used to estimate the vertical-axis rotations occurring during model deformation. We find that indenters pushing into deforming belts from behind form non-rotational curved outer fronts. The more internal fronts show oroclinal-type rotations of a smaller magnitude than that expected for a perfect orocline. Lateral symmetrical obstacles in the foreland colliding with forward propagating belts produce non-rotational outer curved fronts as well, whereas in between and inside the obstacles a perfect orocline forms only when the ratio between obstacles’ distance and thickness of the cover is greater than 10. Finally, when a belt collides with an obstacle in the foreland oblique to the shortening direction the outer front displays rotations opposite in sign to oroclinal-type rotations, whereas the internal fronts seem to assume an "oroclinal type" rotational pattern. Furthermore rotation is easier in laterally unconfined models, i.e. when the wedge can "escape" laterally. The results from our models may be useful when compared to paleomagnetic rotations detected in natural arcs. In these cases, our results may allow for better understanding the tectonic setting controlling the genesis of curved mountain fronts, as is the case of the Gela Nappe of Sicily we compare with some of our models.

Description: Published

Description: 633-654

Description: JCR Journal

Description: reserved

Description: A comparison of the geomagnetic directions derived from lava flows of Italian volcanoes with those derived from direct historical measurements of the Earth’s magnetic field (Lanza et al., 2005) yielded two main results: (1) The general agreement between the two data sets already noted by previous authors (Rolph et al., 1987; Incoronato et al., 2002; Tanguy et al., 2003) was better substantiated. (2) The thermal remanent magnetization (TRM) direction of most flows was shown to deviate from the corresponding historical direction by a small angle θ. In most cases, this angle was larger than the experimental error on the TRM direction as given by the α95 semi-angle of confidence of Fisher’s statistics, i.e. θ 〉 α95. The conclusion drawn from these results was straightforward: a better understanding of the causes of the TRM deviation is required if we are to fully exploit the precision of TRM data from Italian volcanoes when their α95 value is less than 2.5–3.0◦.

Description: Published

Description: 121-124

Description: 1.6. Osservazioni di geomagnetismo

Description: 2.6. TTC - Laboratorio di gravimetria, magnetismo ed elettromagnetismo in aree attive

Description: 3.4. Geomagnetismo

Description: JCR Journal

Description: reserved

Description: The age of spreading of the Liguro–Provençal Basin is still poorly constrained due to the lack of boreholes penetrating the whole sedimentary sequence above the oceanic crust and the lack of a clear magnetic anomaly pattern. In the past, a consensus developed over a fast (20.5–19 Ma) spreading event, relying on old paleomagnetic data from Oligo–Miocene Sardinian volcanics showing a drift-related 30° counterclockwise (CCW) rotation. Here we report new paleomagnetic data from a 10-mthick lower–middle Miocene marine sedimentary sequence from southwestern Sardinia. Ar/Ar dating of two volcanoclastic levels in the lower part of the sequence yields ages of 18.94±0.13 and 19.20±0.12 Ma (lower–mid Burdigalian). Sedimentary strata below the upper volcanic level document a 23.3±4.6° CCW rotation with respect to Europe, while younger strata rapidly evolve to null rotation values. A recent magnetic overprint can be excluded by several lines of evidence, particularly by the significant difference between the in situ paleomagnetic and geocentric axial dipole (GAD) field directions. In both the rotated and unrotated part of the section, only normal polarity directions were obtained. As the global magnetic polarity time scale (MPTS) documents several geomagnetic reversals in the Burdigalian, a continuous sedimentary record would imply that (unrealistically) the whole documented rotation occurred in few thousands years only. We conclude that the section contains one (or more) hiatus(es), and that the minimum age of the unrotated sediments above the volcanic levels is unconstrained. Typical back-arc basin spreading rates translate to a duration ≥3 Ma for the opening of the Liguro–Provençal Basin. Thus, spreading and rotation of Corsica–Sardinia ended no earlier than 16 Ma (early Langhian). A 16–19 Ma, spreading is corroborated by other evidences, such as the age of the breakup unconformity in Sardinia, the age of igneous rocks dredged west of Corsica, the heat flow in the Liguro–Provençal Basin, and recent paleomagnetic data from Sardinian sediments and volcanics. Since Corsica was still rotating/drifting eastward at 16 Ma, it presumably induced significant shortening to the east, in the Apennine belt. Therefore, the lower Miocene extensional basins in the northern Tyrrhenian Sea and margins can be interpreted as synorogenic "intra-wedge" basins due to the thickening and collapse of the northern Apennine wedge.

Description: Published

Description: 231-251

Description: 2.2. Laboratorio di paleomagnetismo

Description: JCR Journal

Description: reserved

Description: We report on new paleomagnetic results obtained from 27 sites sampled in the Plio-Pleistocene sequences at the external front of the central-northern Apennines. Previous analyses of Miocene (Messinian) sediments indicated that the present shape of the northern Apenninic arc is due to the oroclinal bending of an originally straight belt oriented around N320° and that vertical axis rotations accompanied the migration of the thrust fronts toward the Adriatic foreland [F. Speranza et al., J. Geophys. Res. 102 (1997) 3153-3166]. We tried to provide new paleomagnetic constraints for the timing and rates of the oroclinal bending process during the Pliocene and the Pleistocene. The results suggest that CCW rotations observed in the northern part of the studied area are possibly younger than 3 Ma. No regional rotation is recorded in the Pliocene and Pleistocene sediments from the southern part of the study area, analogously to the Messinian sediments of the 'Acquasanta' domain of Speranza et al. [F. Speranza et al., J. Geophys. Res. 102 (1997) 3153-3166]. A local significant CCW rotation (23° ± 10°) is identified in the Early Pleistocene sediments that crop out along the Adriatic coast between Ascoli and Pescara, indicating differential motion of the thrust sheets. This rotation must be younger than 1.43 Ma.

Description: Published

Description: 243-257

Description: 2.2. Laboratorio di paleomagnetismo

Description: JCR Journal

Description: open

Description: Along the southern coast of the Gulf of Corinth, important coastal uplift is illustrated by raised Late-Pleistocene marine platforms. Terrace remnants preserved on the footwall of the Aigion and Eliki Faults were mapped in detail. To derive cumulative uplift rates, the individual terraces were tentatively correlated with the eustatic sea-level curve, constrained by some direct dating of the deposits blanketing the terraces. We obtain uplift rates of 1.05–1.2 mmyr−1 for the Aigion Fault footwall and of 1.0 and 1.25 mmyr−1 for the East and West Eliki Fault footwalls respectively. A forward modelling procedure was adopted to fit the best-preserved terrace transects, using a code based on standard dislocation theory and assuming reasonable scenarios of regional uplift. We obtained maximum slip rates consistently in the range of 7–11 mmyr−1 for the West and East Eliki Faults and of 9–11 mmyr−1 for the Aigion Fault.

Description: Published

Description: 325-334

Description: 3.2. Tettonica attiva

Description: JCR Journal

Description: reserved

Description: Ocean Drilling Program holes 744Aand 748B represent key sections for calibration of Southern Ocean Eocene-Oligocene biostratigraphic zonations. Sites 744 and 748 were above the carbonate compensation depth throughout this time interval and contain good planktonic foraminiferal, calcareous nannofossil, and diatom biostratigraphic records. In particular, the Southern Ocean diatom biostratigraphic zonation for the Oligocene critically hinges on calibration of these two holes. Previous low-resolution magnetostratigraphic studies at these sites were hampered by limited sampling and technical difficulties, which prompted our high-resolution reinvestigation of the magnetostratigraphy. Magnetic polarity zonations for holes 744Aand 748B were constructed after inspection of vector component plots at 1-cm stratigraphic intervals from continuous u-channel measurements. The magnetizations are generally stable and a robust polarity stratigraphy has been obtained for both holes. The increased resolution of our study and identification of persistent secondary overprints, which were not recognised in previous studies, suggests that the previously published interpretations need to be revised. Our magnetostratigraphic interpretations for both holes are constrained by foraminiferal and calcareous nannofossil datums, as well as by Sr isotope ages. We have calibrated four diatom datums, which are synchronous at the two studied sites, to the geomagnetic polarity timescale, including the first occurrence (FO) of Lisitzinia ornata (27.8 Ma), the FO of Rocella vigilans var. B (27.8 Ma), the FO of Cavitatus jouseanus (30.9 Ma) and the FO of Rhizosolenia oligocaenica (33.8 Ma). The synchroneity of these datums suggests that diatom biostratigraphy has considerable potential for Palaeogene biostratigraphic correlation in the Southern Ocean. Although the ages of some datums are obscured by an unconformity in Hole 744A, our age model from Hole 748B suggests age estimates for the last common occurrence of Rocella vigilans var. A(~29.0 Ma), the FO of Rocella vigilans var. A(30.0 Ma) and the FO of Rhizosolenia antarctica (33.2 Ma). It should also be noted that the last occurrence of the calcareous nannofossil Chiasmolithus altus occurs in Chron C8r rather than C8n in our revised magnetostratigraphic interpretation, which indicates that this datum is not diachronous between low and mid latitudes as had previously been suggested. Significant unconformities are documented in both holes, in the middle Oligocene and in the middle late Oligocene, respectively, which probably resulted from periods of enhanced circumpolar deep-water circulation.

Description: Published

Description: 145-168

Description: 2.2. Laboratorio di paleomagnetismo

Description: JCR Journal

Description: reserved

Description: In this work, we report the results of an integrated approach using both seismological and geodetic data provided by the INGV-CT (Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione di Catania) Stromboli volcano monitoring systems, in order to improve the knowledge of its plumbing system. In particular, we investigated the relationships between the June 1999 seismic swarm, occurring in the area of Stromboli, and the possible activation of the NE–SW oriented volcano-tectonic structure. We analyzed this seismic swarm proposing new locations and a morphological analysis of the waveforms. This approach allowed us to demonstrate that there are relationships between the tectonic activity near Stromboli and the rising of magma. This evidence supports the hypothesis that during the 1999 swarm an intrusive process started from a crustal level where earthquakes were located (about 10–15 km b.s.l.). As already testified by other similar episodes (deformation anomaly recorded between December 1994 and March 1995 after the November 1994 swarm), months after the 1999 seismic activity, the tiltmeters and the GPS permanent stations deployed in Stromboli, showed slow variations over three months (May–July 2000). We performed an analytical inversion of these geodetic observations and found that the modelled sources are characterized by NE–SW trend, compatible with the regional faults cutting the volcano. The modelled sources could represent the rising pathway connecting the “deep” plumbing system (about 10–15 km b.s.l.) to the “shallow” one located in the body of the Stromboli volcano (about 500 m a.s.l.). These new evidences support the hypothesis of the existence of a simple plumbing system with different levels of magma storage, where batches of magma are periodically pushed up along the main NE–SW tectonic trend.

Description: Published

Description: 529-540

Description: 1.3. TTC - Sorveglianza geodetica delle aree vulcaniche attive

Description: JCR Journal

Description: reserved

Description: The Piànico-Sèllere is a lacustrine succession from northern Italy that records a sequence of climatic transitions across two Pleistocene glacial stages. The intervening interglacial stage is represented by well-preserved varves with calcitic (summer) and clastic (winter) laminae. There is a tight coupling between climate-driven lithologic changes and magnetic susceptibility variations, and stable paleomagnetic components were retrieved from all investigated lithologies including the largely diamagnetic calcite varves. These components were used to delineate a sequence of magnetic polarity reversals that was interpreted as a record of excursions of the Earth’s magnetic field. Comparison of the magnetostratigraphic results with previously published data allows discussion of two possible models which have generated controversy regarding the age of the Piànico Formation. The data indicates that the Piànico Formation magnetostratigraphy correlates to geomagnetic field excursions across the Brunhes/Matuyama transition, and consequently the Piànico interglacial correlates to marine isotope stage 19. This correlation option is substantially consistent with K-Ar radiometric age estimates recently obtained from a tepha layer interbedded in the Piànico Formation. The alternative option, considering the Piànico interglacial correlative to marine isotope stage 11 within the Brunhes Chron as supported by tephrochronological dating reported in the literature, is not supported by the magnetostratigraphic results.

Description: In press

Description: 3.2. Tettonica attiva

Description: JCR Journal

Description: open

Description: Recent developments in paleomagnetism and environmental magnetism provide new tools for the detailed correlation of climatically induced magnetic mineralogy changes in sedimentary sequences. Studies of these changes contribute to the reconstruction of climate history for the glacial^interglacial cycles of the Late Pleistocene and to the delineation of the range of natural variability for global climate during the past hundred thousands years. Here we show that sharp coercivity minima observed in fine-grained sediments from the continental rise of the western Antarctic Peninsula correlate to the major rapid cooling events of the northern Atlantic (Heinrich layers). We interpret such an environmental magnetic signal in terms of variations in deep sea diagenetic processes of sulfide formation, which reflect changes in the input of detrital organic matter controlled by sea-ice extent. With the inherent uncertainties in age controls, the sedimentary paleoclimatic markers of the two hemispheres are almost contemporaneous, but interhemispheric time lags or leads of the order of 1-2 kyr (such as those recently reported from the Greenland and Antarctic ice cores) are also compatible with the data.

Description: Published

Description: 65-80

Description: 2.2. Laboratorio di paleomagnetismo

Description: JCR Journal

Description: reserved

Description: Many of the mountain belts displaying a curved shape are "oroclines", i.e. are produced after progressive bending of an originally straight fold and thrust belt. The bending process was previously explained as a consequence of several possible events taking place in the crustal orogenic wedge, such as occurrence of obstacles, non-coaxial deformation, and mouvements on wrench faults. Recent paleomagnetic results from the northern Apenninic Arc document that this belt is properly an orocline and results from Late Messinian-Early Pliocene bending of a Messinian straight belt-foredeep system. Tomographic images in turn show the presence of a high-velocity body, interpreted as subducted slab, in the upper mantle beneath the northern Apennines, between 35 and 670 km depth. Down to 100 km, this body displays an arcuate shape which closely mirrors the geological outlines, while it appears to be straight (and parallel to the Messinian pre-rotated belt) at depth. We explore here the possibility that the arcuate shape of the northern Apennines is a consequence, closely following in time, on much deeper processes than previously suggested, i.e. the lateral bending of the subducting Adriatic plate.

Description: Published

Description: 53-64

Description: JCR Journal

Description: reserved

Description: We report on the anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) analyses of fine-grained sediments deposited during the Messinian in foredeep basins at the front of the northern Apenninic chain. The data refer to 32 sampling sites, mostly distributed in the fine-grained intervals of the Laga and Colombacci formations, extending along the belt for a total length of about 300 km. Rock magnetism analyses indicate that the magnetic susceptibility and its anisotropy are in most cases dominated by the paramagnetic minerals of the clay matrix. In order to delineate the contribution of the ferrimagnetic fraction to the overall susceptibility fabric, the anisotropy of the anhysteretic remanent magnetisation was investigated at some representative sites. The magnetic fabric of the studied sediments mostly reflects the effects of compaction, showing a predominant magnetic foliation parallel to the bedding piane. At all the sites a well distinct magnetic lineation was also found, which is parallel to the fold axes and thrust fronts, both at local and regional scales. This feature is maintained in sequences that differ for sedimentological character and age, implying that the magnetic lineation was produced by a mild tectonic overprint of the primary sedimentary-compactional fabric. The relationship between the magnetic lineation trends and the vertical axis rotations detected by Speranza et al. [Speranza, F., Sagnotti, L.. Mattei, M., 1997. J. Geophys. Res. 102, 3153-3166] indicates that the magnetic lineation formed during the compressive phases of the Messinian-early Pliocene, when the Apenninic front was almost rectilinear and oriented N32O°.

Description: Published

Description: 73-93

Description: JCR Journal

Description: reserved

Description: A transect of three sites was drilled during Leg 188 of the Ocean Drilling Program (ODP), proximal to the East Antarctic Ice Sheet (EAIS) across the Prydz Bay continental shelf (Site 1166), slope (Site 1167), and rise (Site 1165). We present results of a palaeomagnetic and rock magnetic study of sediments recovered at sites 1165 and 1166. Magnetostratigraphic interpretations are presented for both holes and are mainly constrained by diatom and radiolarian biostratigraphies, interpreted in the light of recent refinements to Southern Ocean zonal schemes and datum calibrations for these microfossil groups. Site 1165 records a history of sedimentation on the continental rise extending back to earliest Miocene times (about 22 Ma). Several long-term changes characterise this record, including an overall trend of decreasing sedimentation rates from the bottom to the top of the hole. There is a progressive decrease in the sedimentation rate above about 308 mbsf (meters below sea floor), which is marked by a transition from dark-grey fissile claystones to greenish-grey diatom-bearing clays. At this transition, ice-rafted debris, sand grains, and total clay content also increase. The chronology presented here indicates a middle Miocene age (~14.3 Ma) for the lithological transition. Correlation to ODP Hole 747A from the Kerguelen Plateau suggests that this lithological transition coincides with the base of the Mi-3/3a δ18O event, which suggests palaeoclimatic control on middle Miocene sedimentation changes at Site 1165. Core recovery was poor at Site 1166. Consequently, the magnetostratigraphic data are of limited value. The deepest cores recovered at Site 1166 record brief intervals in the early history of the EAIS for the Prydz Bay region, extending back through the early stage of glaciation to pre-glacial times. An Early Cretaceous fluvio-lacustrine unit, lagoonal deposits and sandy fluvio-deltaic units of mid-late Eocene age contain a sporadic record of the transition from humid and mild conditions to cool temperate conditions.

Description: Published

Description: 69-100

Description: 2.2. Laboratorio di paleomagnetismo

Description: JCR Journal

Description: reserved

Description: Direct measurements of the Earth’s magnetic field in Italy since 1640 a.d. have been used to check the remanence directions derived from historically dated volcanic rocks of Etna and Vesuvius. Direct measurements consist of the records of L’Aquila and Pola geomagnetic observatories, the repeat stations of the Italian Magnetic Network and the data base of the Historical Italian Geomagnetic Data Catalogue. All have been relocated to the same reference site (Viterbo — lat. 42.45◦N, long. 12.03◦E) in order to draw a reference secular variation (SV) curve. The direction of the Earth’s field at Viterbo has also been calculated from the historical records (2000–1600) of ref. [Jackson, A., Jonkers, A.R.T., Walker, M.R., 2000. Four centuries of geomagnetic secular variation from historical records. Phil. Trans. R. Soc. London, Ser. A 358, 957–990] database. The remanence directions from Etna show a general agreement with the trend of the SV curve, although their inclination is usually lower than that from the direct measurement. The directions from Vesuvius are more scattered. Large discrepancies occur at both volcanoes and in some cases have been ascribed in the literature to poor geographic information, making it difficult to identify the flows actually emplaced during the eruptions reported in the chronicles. Closer examination shows that the great majority of the best-defined remanence directions (semi-angle of confidence α95 〈 2.5◦) deviate significantly from the geomagnetic direction measured at the time of the emplacement, the angle between the two directions being larger than the α95 value. The value of 2.5–3.0◦ can thus be regarded as a conservative evaluation of the error when dealing with dating Etna and Vesuvius lava flows older than 17th century, even when the accuracy attained in remanence measurements is higher. In default of a SV curve for Italy derived from archaeological artefacts, a further error in dating is introduced when reference is made to SV curves of other countries, even if well-established, as these are from regions too far from Italy (〉600 km) to confidently relocate magnetic directions.

Description: Published

Description: 97-107

Description: 1.6. Osservazioni di geomagnetismo

Description: 2.6. TTC - Laboratorio di gravimetria, magnetismo ed elettromagnetismo in aree attive

Description: 3.4. Geomagnetismo

Description: JCR Journal

Description: reserved

Description: The analysis of the Messinian and Pliocene stratigraphy of the southern Bajo Segura Basin (Betic Cordillera, Spain) has revealed three highstand sedimentary phases (Messinian I, Messinian II, and Pliocene) bounded by two lowstand erosional surfaces (intra-Messinian and end-Messinian unconformities). The Messinian I highstand phase is characterized by the progradation of coastal and shallow marine sandstones (La Virgen Fm) over slope and pelagic-basin marls (Torremendo Fm). After this first phase, a fall in sea level brought about the intra-Messinian unconformity, a subaerial erosional surface with local accumulations of karstic breccias and caliche-like carbonate crusts. The Messinian II highstand phase is represented by sandy beaches and muddy lagoons (Garruchal Fm) correlative with shallow marine evaporites (San Miguel Fm); this second phase records the intra-Messinian reflooding of the basin, which characterizes the salinity crisis in the marginal basins of the Mediterranean. A new sea-level fall resulted in the end-Messinian unconformity, of which the most significant feature is the presence of a broad palaeovalley, c. 200 m deep, which, along its course, completely eroded the deposits of the Messinian II phase and part of the deposits of the Messinian I phase. The Pliocene highstand phase begins with coastal and shallow marine conglomerates and sandstones (La Pedrera Fm) which fill the deep part of the above-mentioned palaeovalley. These bottom deposits evolved gradually upwards towards pelagic marls (Hurchillo Fm), over which shallow marine and coastal sandstones prograded (Rojales Fm). This third phase records the flooding of the basin at the beginning of the Pliocene, when the salinity crisis ended in the marginal basins of the Mediterranean. The combination of calcareous nannoplankton biostratigraphy and magnetostratigraphy has confirmed that both the end of the sedimentation of the Messinian I phase, as well as the two lowstand erosional surfaces (intra- and end-Messinian unconformities) and also the onset of the Pliocene phase occurred in the chron C3r (c. 5.9–5.2 Ma). Under the assumption of the classical model of a desiccated deep basin, either of the two aforementioned erosional surfaces, or even both, could be correlative with the evaporites deposited in the abyssal parts of the Mediterranean.

Description: Published

Description: 267-288

Description: 2.2. Laboratorio di paleomagnetismo

Description: JCR Journal

Description: reserved

Description: This work represents the first attempt to use anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) analysis for the characterization of the magnetic fabric of Plio-Pleistocene sediments in the southern Apennines of Italy. The area examined, the Sant’Arcangelo basin, has undergone mild deformation during the Pleistocene. Analysis was carried out on 182 cores sampled at 15 sites in unmetamorphosed, weakly deformed clays and marly clays. The data identify a magnetic fabric of clearly depositional—compactional origin even though a partial contribution of tectonic deformation to the AMS is also recognizable at many sites. The results presented here are compared with the existing structural and sedimentary data. In particular, a close consistency is found between the overall orientation of magnetic lineations and the compressional directions indicated by previous meso-structural analysis. We suggest that the magnetic fabric detected here arises from a limited overprint of strain effects related to compressional episodes on a primary, sedimentary, fabric. This interpretation allowed us to resolve the bedding attitude where the clayey units appear homogeneous in the field, and hence to suggest the appropriate bedding correction in concomitant paleomagnetic analysis, and to estimate the orientation and the relative degree of deformation at each sampling site.

Description: Published

Description: 165-176

Description: JCR Journal

Description: reserved

Description: Piston core LC07, located west of the Sicily Strait in the Mediterranean Sea, unambiguously records the Matuyama/ Brunhes (M/B) and the upper Jaramillo polarity reversals, with similar average sediment accumulation rates (SARs) for the Brunhes Chron (2.29 cm/kyr) and late Matuyama Chron C1r.1r (2.19 cm/kyr). We report a relative paleointensity record for the interval spanning the M/B boundary down into the Jaramillo Subchron, which is unique in the Mediterranean because existing records from this basin cover only the last 80 kyr. The average SAR in core LC07 is used to translate the depth-related paleointensity record to the time domain; the ratio of anhysteretic remanent magnetization to low-field magnetic susceptibility is climatically sensitive and is used to tune the age model. This correlation produces a good fit to the global ice volume model derived for summer insolation at 65°N. With this age model, a paleointensity minimum in association with the M/B boundary has a duration of about 4-5 kyr, while the directional change has a duration of 〈3 kyr. A second paleointensity minimum of similar duration is found about 16 kyr below the M/B boundary. This feature (precursor or 'dip' in the literature) has previously been recognized at the same time interval in many marine records, which reinforces the validity of our age model. Other relative paleointensity minima are found within chron C1r.1r, and, within the uncertainties of the respective age models, these minima coincide with those observed from the few published coeval paleointensity records. In particular, there is good correspondence between the ages of minima at about 0.92 and 0.89 Ma, which probably correlate with two geomagnetic excursions (Santa Rosa and Kamikatsura, respectively) that have been recorded in lava flows and dated using the 40Ar/39Ar technique. In contrast, a recently dated excursion at 0.83 Ma from La Palma seems to correspond to a paleointensity maximum. This observation is opposite to that expected and this excursion needs to be confirmed. In contrast to some recently published paleointensity records, spectral analysis of the LC07 record does not reveal identification of significant power at the orbital obliquity frequency.

Description: Published

Description: 327-341

Description: 2.2. Laboratorio di paleomagnetismo

Description: JCR Journal

Description: reserved

Description: Drilling offshore from Cape Roberts, Antarctica, has enabled recovery of a 1472-m cumulative record of late Eocene–early Miocene history of sedimentary basin development and climate change in the Western Ross Sea. In this paper, we synthesize the results of palaeomagnetic analyses carried out on the CRP-1, CRP-2 and CRP-3 sediment cores, and present a chronology for the recovered Eocene–Miocene succession. Stepwise demagnetization data demonstrate that secondary overprints have been successfully removed and that characteristic remanent magnetizations (ChRMs) have been clearly identified in most of the samples. A close sampling interval has allowed a detailed magnetic polarity stratigraphy to be established for the composite succession. Correlation with the geomagnetic polarity time scale (GPTS) has been constrained by a number of 40Ar/39Ar and 87Sr/86Sr ages, as well as by a recently developed Antarctic siliceous microfossil zonation, and by calcareous nannoplankton biostratigraphy. The basal sediments of the Eocene–Miocene succession rest unconformably on Devonian sandstones of the Beacon Supergroup. A basal sandstone breccia, which probably represents the onset of rifting in the Victoria Land Basin (VLB), is overlain by a succession of sandstones that are interbedded with thin conglomerate beds. These sediments give way to more clearly glacially influenced mudstones and diamictite facies in the mid Oligocene, and, by the Oligocene–Miocene boundary, coincident with the Mi-1 glaciation, a permanent glacial dominance was imprinted on the sedimentary record. Average sediment accumulation rates were initially rapid in the late Eocene–early Oligocene (up to 60 cm/k.y.), but reduced to only a few cm/k.y. in the early Miocene as basin subsidence slowed.

Description: Published

Description: 207-236

Description: 2.2. Laboratorio di paleomagnetismo

Description: 3.8. Geofisica per l'ambiente

Description: JCR Journal

Description: reserved

Description: We present a high-resolution paleomagnetic record from 682 discrete samples from Eltanin 27–21 (69.03°S 179.83°E), a 16-meter long piston core recovered in 1968 at a water depth of 3456 m by the USNS Eltanin as part of Operation Deep Freeze. After removal of a low-coercivity overprint, most samples yield stable characteristic remanent magnetization directions. The downhole variation in the magnetic inclination provides a well-resolved magnetostratigraphy from the Brunhes Chron (0–0.781 Ma), through the Reunion Subchron (2.128–2.148 Ma), and into Chron C2r.2r. The sedimentation rates are sufficiently high that even short-term geomagnetic features, like the Cobb Mountain excursion, are resolved. The record from Eltanin 27–21 provides new insights into the behavior of the geomagnetic field at high latitudes, about which very little is currently known. Using the variability in the inclinations during stable polarity intervals, we estimate that the dispersion in the paleomagnetic pole position over the past ~2 Myr is 30.3°±4.3°, which is significantly greater than observed at low to mid latitude sites. The higher dispersion observed at Eltanin 27–21 is consistent with numerical modeling of the geodynamo. That modeling has shown that polar vortices can develop in the Earth's core within the tangent cylinder, defined as the cylinder coaxial with the Earth's rotation axis and tangent to the inner core/outer core boundary. The polar vortices produce vigorous fluid motion in the core, which creates greater geomagnetic field variability above the tangent cylinder at the surface of the Earth. The tangent cylinder intersects the Earth's surface in the polar regions at 79.1° latitude, which is relatively close to the latitude of Eltanin 27–21.

Description: Published

Description: 435-443

Description: 2.2. Laboratorio di paleomagnetismo

Description: JCR Journal

Description: reserved

Description: The Neogene Fortuna and Bajo Segura basins are located on the northeastern end of the Trans-Alborán Shear Zone (TASZ), on the eastern Betic cordillera. The stratigraphic study of the infilling of these basins has shown two major sedimentary discontinuities. The first one, represented by an erosive surface separating open marine marls from an overlying coastal conglomeratic unit, is linked to the onset of the activity along the TASZ, which in this area indicates the beginning of the Abanilla Thrust emplacement. In the Fortuna Basin, the Tortonian salinity crisis, registered over this older first discontinuity, was therefore related to tectonic processes of the eastern portion of the cordillera and consequently would not have an expression in the western basins. The age of the Tortonian Salinity Crisis has been established with nannofossil biostratigraphy as Latest Tortonian at a somewhat lower stratigraphic position than previously recognized. The second sedimentary discontinuity was developed in relation with the known Mediterranean-wide Messinian salinity crisis.

Description: Published

Description: 474-481

Description: 2.2. Laboratorio di paleomagnetismo

Description: JCR Journal

Description: reserved

Description: A new magnetic polarity stratigraphy is reported from 214 sampling sites representing 265 m of fluviatile red beds of the Buntsandstein facies succession from the Catalan Coastal Ranges (Riera de Sant Jaume, RSJ section). The Buntsandstein constitutes the lowermost of the six lithostratigraphic units in which the Triassic from the CCR is subdivided (also grouped into the typical three-fold subdivision of the Germanic Facies from the Tethys Realm: Buntsandstein, Muschelkalk and Keuper). Magnetostratigraphic data from four sections though the uppermost Buntsandstein facies located in the Molina de Aragón area in the Iberian Ranges (Rey, D., Turner, P., Ramos, A., 1996. Palaeomagnetism and Magnetostratigraphy of the Middle Triassic in the Iberian Ranges (Central Spain). In: Morris, A., Tarling, D.R. (Eds.), Palaeomagnetism and Tectonics of the Mediterranean Region, Geol. Soc. Sp. Pub. 105, 59–82) are also discussed in the light of a new biostratigraphic reappraisal of the palynoflora content presented herein. Characteristic magnetizations are carried mostly by hematite with minor contributions by magnetite for the Buntsandstein red beds. The magnetic polarity sequence at the RSJ section consists of 9 magnetozones (and one additional less reliable magnetozone) that are represented by more than two samples. A detailed study along a magnetic reversal indicates that the nature of the remanence in the studied red beds is partially controlled by a chemical magnetization process (delayed remanence acquisition), in addition to a detrital signature (the characteristic primary direction). Chronostratigraphic constraints are provided by conodont fauna from the overlying Muschelkalk facies that indicates a middle–late Pelsonian to late Illyrian age (middle–late Anisian) (Marquez-Aliaga, A., Valenzuela-Rios, J.I., Calvet, F., Budurov, K., 2000. Middle Triassic conodonts from northeastern Spain; biostratigraphic implications. Terra Nova 12, 77–83) and a few palynostratigraphic determinations in the Buntsandstein red beds. These biostratigraphic constraints and the magnetic polarity pattern allow an unambiguous correlation of the RSJ magnetostratigraphy to the conodont-ammonoid-calibrated magnetostratigraphy from the Tethys realm (Muttoni, G., Kent, D.V., Meco, S., Balini, M., Nicora, A., Rettori, R. Gaetani, M., Krystine, L., 1998. Towards a better definition of the Middle Triassic magnetostratigraphy and biostratigraphy of the Tethyan realm. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 164, 285–302; Muttoni, G., Gaetani, M., Budurov, K., Zagorchev, I., Trifonova, E., Ivanova, D., Petrounova, L., Lowrie, W., 2000. Middle Triassic paleomagnetic data from northern Bulgaria; constraints on Tethyan magnetostratigraphy and paleogeography. Palaeogeogr. Palaeoclimatol. Palaeoecol. 160, 223–237; Muttoni, G., Nicora, A., Brack, P., Kent, D.V., 2004a. Integrated Anisian–Ladinian boundary chronology. Palaeogeogr. Palaeoclimatol. Palaeoecol. 208, 85–102; Muttoni, G., Kent, D.V., Olsen, P.E., Di Stefano, P., Lowrie, W., Bernasconi, S., Hernandez, F.M., 2004b. Tethyan magnetostratigraphy from Pizzo Mondello (Sicily) and correlation to the Late Triassic Newark astrochronological polarity time scale. Geol. Soc. Amer. Bull. 116, 1043–1058). The proposed correlation identifies for the first time in the Triassic from Iberia the Olenekian (Scythian)–Anisian stage boundary (245 Ma) within magnetozone N3 in the Riera de Sant Jaume units. Likewise, the new palynostratigraphic reconsideration allows the identification of the Anisian–Ladian stage (Illyrian–Fassanian substage) boundary (taken the option at the base of the Curionii ammonoid Zone favored by Muttoni et al. (2004a) [Muttoni, G., Nicora, A., Brack, P., Kent, D.V., 2004. Integrated Anisian–Ladinian boundary chronology. Palaeogeogr. Palaeoclimatol. Palaeoecol. 208, 85–102] for this boundary within the upper part of the Rillo Mudstone and Sandstones Formation (RMS Formation) and the Fassanian–Longobardian substage boundary (Ladinian) within the Torete Multicoloured Mudstone and Sandstone Formation (TMMS Formation). Our data are consistent with the notion that the lower Muschelkalk transgression progressed from east to west (i.e., the Buntsandstein/Muschelkalk boundary is younger in the Iberian Ranges with respect to the Catalan Coastal Ranges). The Early/Middle Triassic paleopole for the Catalan Coastal Ranges is located at 55.18N 172.4E (Dp=1.4, Dm=2.7).and the Middle/Late Triassic paleopole for the Iberian Ranges is 558N 201E (Dp=1.7, Dm=3.1). These paleopoles are compatible with the general trend of the Iberian apparent polar wander path which indicates a northward motion during the Triassic related to the general northward translation of Pangea.

Description: Published

Description: 158-177

Description: 2.2. Laboratorio di paleomagnetismo

Description: JCR Journal

Description: reserved

Description: In curved orogenic systems where thrusting and vertical-axis rotations have been documented, it is possible to determine whether the curvature is secondary or progressive based on the timing between the two motions. The South-Central Unit of the Southern Pyrenees provides an opportunity to investigate relationships between thrusting, folding, and vertical-axis rotation because of unusual preservation of Tertiary synorogenic sedimentary strata. Paleomagnetic samples were collected from 51 sites in the upper Eocene-lower Oligocene continental synorogenic strata of the Oliana anticline, a foreland fold along the eastern margin of the South-Central Unit. Site-mean characteristic remanent magnetization directions were determined from 17 sites through thermal demagnetization and principal component analysis. In addition, 72 samples were collected from 39 stratigraphic levels spanning the Upper Eocene marine marls and treated with thermal and alternating field demagnetization techniques. Of these, 53 samples yielded demagnetization trajectories that further constrained the rotation. Comparison of the observed mean paleomagnetic direction from the Oliana anticline with the expected direction indicates a counterclockwise rotation (R ± ΔR) of 20.3° ± 10.9°. Based on the stratigraphic horizons recording the rotation, the age of the rotation is younger than ~34 Ma (after deposition of Unit 3). Data covering the Upper Eocene-Lower Oligocene time interval indicate a similar magnitude of rotation, suggesting that late stage emplacement of thrust sheets hinterlandward of the Oliana anticline controlled the rotation, with rotation accommodated along regionally extensive evaporites. The well-constrained timing relationships between thrusting and rotation and the regional and local transport directions, suggest that the South-Central Unit is a progressive curve that formed through distributed shortening.

Description: Published

Description: 435-449

Description: 2.2. Laboratorio di paleomagnetismo

Description: JCR Journal

Description: reserved

Description: Neogene intermontane basins in Almería Province, SE Spain, display excellent exposures of Messinian (Late Miocene) sequences. The Sorbas, Almería-Níjar and Vera basins maintained connection with the Mediterranean throughout the Messinian, except during the major desiccation phase leading to the formation of salt in the deep centre of the Western Mediterranean. These basins were part of the Western Mediterranean with no separate link to the Atlantic Ocean. The presence of normal marine sediments in these basins reflects the Western Mediterranean watermass. Messinian pre-evaporitic sediments in the basins of southeastern Almería do not show gradual change towards evaporite deposits. Instead they contain stenohaline invertebrates right up to a major erosion surface that separates them from overlying gypsum deposits. This contradicts suggestion of progressive salinity increase in this part of the Western Mediterranean prior to the Messinian Salinity Crisis (MSC); it also indicates that initiation of evaporite precipitation was not synchronous throughout the Mediterranean Basin. There is no major erosion surface within or at the top of the evaporites in these Almería basins, and the gypsum beds exhibit upward transition to siliciclastic and carbonate deposits. This is inconsistent with a model of Messinian Mediterranean evaporite formation whereby deposition of marginal evaporites was followed by their erosion during drawdown that resulted in formation of evaporites in the centre of the Western Mediterranean. The presence of stenohaline biotas in siliciclastic deposits interbedded with the gypsum and in the Messinian post-evaporitic sediments, challenges the view that a long-standing large body of brackish water (the Lago Mare) filled the Western Mediterranean following the MSC and prior to Early Pliocene flooding. It also contradicts the concept of many relatively small brackish basins spread across an otherwise desiccated Western Mediterranean basin. The basins of southeastern Almería record normal marine Early Messinian sedimentation that was abruptly interrupted by sealevel fall. This drawdown most likely resulted in precipitation of evaporites in the central deep Western Mediterranean basin. Following this episode, final marine reflooding of the Western Mediterranean took place during the Late Messinian, and the Mediterranean Sea rose to a level similar to, or higher than, that preceding the Salinity Crisis.

Description: Published

Description: 131-154

Description: 2.2. Laboratorio di paleomagnetismo

Description: JCR Journal

Description: reserved

Description: To investigate the kinematics of the Adriatic region we integrate continuous and episodic GPS measurements and ${M_w} 〉 4.5$ earthquake slip vectors selected from the Regional Centroid Moment Tensor (RCMT) catalogue. Coherent motion of GPS sites in the Po Valley, in Apulia and in the Hyblean Plateau allows us to estimate geodetically constrained angular velocities for these regions. The predictions of the GPS-inferred angular velocities are compared with the earthquake slip vectors, showing that the seismically-expressed deformation at the microplate boundaries is consistent with the observed geodetic motion. The remarkable consistency between geodetic, seismological and geological evidence of active tectonics, suggests that active deformation in the Central Adriatic is controlled by the relative motion between the Adria and Apulia microplates. The microplates angular rotation rates are then compared with the rotation rates calculated with a simple block model supporting the hypotheses (1) that Apulia forms a single microplate with the Ionian Sea and possibly with the Hyblean region and (2) that Adria and Apulia rotate in such a way as to accommodate the Eurasia-Nubia relative motion. We suggest that the present-day microplate configuration follows a recent fragmentation of the Adriatic promontory that during the Neogene rigidly transferred the Africa motion to the orogenic belts that now surround the Adriatic region.

Description: Published

Description: B12413

Description: 3.2. Tettonica attiva

Description: JCR Journal

Description: reserved

Description: The Gran Sasso range is a striking salient formed by two roughly rectilinear E–W and N–S limbs. In the past ∼90° counterclockwise (CCW) rotations from the eastern Gran Sasso were reported [Tectonophysics 215 (1992) 335], suggesting west–east increase of rotation-related northward shortening along the E–W limb. In this paper, we report on paleomagnetic data from Meso-Cenozoic sedimentary dykes and strata cropping out at Corno Grande (central part of the E–W Gran Sasso limb), the highest summit of the Apennine belt. Predominant northwestward paleomagnetic declinations (in the normal polarity state) from both sedimentary dykes and strata are observed. When compared to the expected declination values for the Adriatic foreland, our data document no thrusting-related rotation at Corno Grande. The overall paleomagnetic data set coupled with the available geological information shows that the Gran Sasso arc is in fact a composite structure, formed by an unrotated-low shortening western (E–W trending) limb and a strongly CCW rotated eastern salient. Late Messinian and post-early Pliocene shortening episodes documented along the Gran Sasso front indicate that belt building and arc formation occurred during two distinct episodes. We suggest that the southern part of a late Messinian N–S front was reactivated during early–middle Pliocene time, forming a tight range salient due to CCW rotations and differential along-front shortening rates. The formation of a northward displacing bulge in an overall NW–SE chain is likely a consequence of the collision between the Latium-Abruzzi and Apulian carbonate platforms during northeastward propagation of the Apennine wedge, inducing lateral northward extrusion of Latium-Abruzzi carbonates towards ductile basinal sediment areas.

Description: Published

Description: 183-197

Description: 2.2. Laboratorio di paleomagnetismo

Description: JCR Journal

Description: reserved

Description: We report on new palaeomagnetic and magnetic fabric analyses of mainly Upper Miocene sedimentary sequences from the external central Apennine fold and thrust belt (Molise area), where the principal compressive structures are clearly non-coaxial. The sampling was carried out on the E–W-oriented Matese–Frosolone thrust sheet, that for its geographical position and structural setting (superposition of thrusting, strike-slip and extensional tectonics since Late Miocene to present-day) represents a key structure for the comprehension of the Neogene–Quaternary evolution of the entire Molise area. Palaeomagnetic results suggest that the Matese–Frosolone thrust sheet counterclockwise rotated at least 35° after Messinian times. These data confirm that the present-day trend variability observed in the main compressional structures in the Apennine chain can be related to rotations about vertical axes rather than to changes in the stress field orientation, at least since Late Miocene times. Magnetic fabric analyses indicate that the studied sediments were subjected to very mild deformation, suggesting that the surface emergence of the thrust front of the Matese–Frosolone unit is located farther north, far from the studied area. Well-defined magnetic lineations of tectonic origin were only observed in sites close to localised belts of strike-slip deformation.

Description: Published

Description: 143-157

Description: JCR Journal

Description: reserved

Description: The Deep Western Boundary Current (DWBC) inflow to the SW Pacific is one of the largest, transporting ~40% of the total input of deep water to the world’s oceans. Here we use a sedimentary record from the giant piston core MD97-2114 collected on the northern flank of the Chatham Rise located at 1935 m water depth, east of New Zealand, to investigate DWBC variability during the Pleistocene epoch when the period of glacial cycles changed progressively from a 41 kyr to 100 kyr rhythm. Magnetic grain-size may be directly related to orbitally forced fluctuations in the strength of the upper circumpolar deep water (UCDW) through its interaction with terrigenous sediments supplied from the south and west. The long-term trends in magnetic properties are characterized by two main perturbations centered at 870 ka (Marine Isotope Stage, MIS 22) 450 ka (MIS 12), which is broadly consistent with the inferred perturbation during the mid-Pleistocene climate transition based on sedimentological paleocurrent reconstruction from Ocean Drilling Program Site 1123 located at 3290 m water depth in the main core of the DWBC flow on the North Chatham Drift. This similarity suggests that both the upper and middle CDW are modulated by similar processes and fluctuations of Antarctic Bottom Water production could be directly responsible for this deep Pacific Ocean inflow variability over the past 1.2 Ma.

Description: Published

Description: 107-118

Description: 2.2. Laboratorio di paleomagnetismo

Description: JCR Journal

Description: reserved

Description: Colli Albani is a volcanic complex close to the city of Rome. Here we show results from GPS campaigns performed in the time span 1995-1996.

Description: Published

Description: 55-65

Description: 1.3. TTC - Sorveglianza geodetica delle aree vulcaniche attive

Description: JCR Journal

Description: reserved

Description: We report on new paleomagnetic and anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) data from Plio-Pleistocene sedimentary units from Corinth and Megara basins (Peloponnesus, Greece). Paleomagnetic results show that Megara basin has undergone vertical axis CW rotation since the Pliocene, while Corinth has rotated CCW during the same period of time. These results indicate that the overall deformation in central Greece has been achieved by complex interactions of mostly rigid, rotating, fault bounded crustal blocks. The comparison of paleomagnetic results and existing GPS data shows that the boundaries of the rigid blocks in central Greece have changed over time, with faulting migrating into the hanging walls, sometimes changing in orientation. The Megara basin belonged to the Beotia-Locris block in the past but has now been incorporated into the Peloponnesus block, possibly because the faulting in the Gulf of Corinth has propagated both north and east. Paleomagnetic and GPS data from Megara and Corinth basins have significant implications for the deformation style of the continental lithosphere. In areas of distributed deformation the continental lithosphere behaves instantaneously like a small number of rigid blocks with well-defined boundaries. This means that these boundaries could be detected with only few years of observations with GPS. However, on a larger time interval the block boundaries change with time as the active fault moves. Paleomagnetic studies distinguishing differential rotational domains provide a useful tool to map how block boundaries change with time.

Description: Published

Description: 1-15

Description: reserved

Description: The present-day arcuate shape of the Calabrian Arc has been accomplished during Neogene and Early Pleistocene by large and opposite vertical axis rotations along the two arms of the Arc. Clockwise (CW) rotations have been systematically registered in Sicily and Calabria, whereas counterclockwise (CCW) rotations were measured in Southern Apennines. Such opposite vertical axis rotations ceased in the uppermost part of the Lower Pleistocene (about 1 Ma ago) along almost the entire Calabrian Arc and are not observed in the present-day GPS velocity field. The end of the Calabrian Arc bending during the Quaternary marks a decrease in the efficiency of the tectonic processes related to the long-lived subduction of the Ionian slab, which caused the halting of the back-arc opening in the Southern Tyrrhenian Sea.

Description: Published

Description: 259-274

Description: 3.2. Tettonica attiva

Description: JCR Journal

Description: reserved

Description: We report on a high-resolution magnetostratigraphic analysis of a continuous 97.5 m thick upper Sinemurian–Pliensbachian pelagic limestone section (“Corniola” formation) exposed at Bosso Stirpeto (Marche, Italy), where detailed ammonite and calcareous nannofossil biozonation is available. The early Pliensbachian (Carixian) is notably expanded (74.35 m excluding few slumps), implying an average sedimentation rate of 28.6 m/Myr. Both the Carixian boundaries and three additional intra-Carixian ammonite zone boundaries are tied up with polarity magnetozones. We find that a normal polarity characterizes the latest Sinemurian and Sinemurian/Carixian boundary, while a reverse polarity (punctuated by three short normal polarity magnetozones) dominates the Carixian. In the lower Carixian sediments, two 3.39–4.65 m thick (excluding the slumps) intervals are characterized by persistent transitional (between 45°N and 45°S) virtual geomagnetic pole (VGP) latitudes, but this seems not to be the result of mineral magnetic artefacts, antipodal polarity averaging, or sedimentary layer disturbance. Thus we suggest that in two ∼120 and 160 kyr-long time intervals during the early Carixian, the VGPs were predominantly confined at tropical–equatorial latitudes of the Earth. Such geomagnetic feature has never been documented before elsewhere in other time intervals, and requires further paleomagnetic investigation of other expanded Carixian section to be confirmed. The magnetic polarity profile (including the transitional direction intervals) of Bosso Stirpeto may compare with that from similarly expanded Carixian sections (Breggia, Switzerland), and cores (Montcornet, Paris basin). However, the matching of magnetic polarity zones requires a significant aging of some parts of the magnetostratigraphic profile at both Breggia and Montcornet.

Description: Published

Description: 344-359

Description: 3.4. Geomagnetismo

Description: JCR Journal

Description: reserved

Description: The island of Pantelleria is an active volcano located in the Sicily Channel (Southern Italy), in the middle of a continental rift system. Since the 1980s the island was periodically surveyed by using geodetic techniques (EDM, levelling, GPS and high precise gravimetry) to monitor the regional and local volcanic dynamics. Gravity data, collected between 1990 and 1998, show short and long wavelength changes due to the combined effect of shallow and deep sources. They reflect, to some degree, the structural setting of the island as delineated by the Bouguer anomaly field, which indicates that the island is broken up into two main basement blocks. The latter are bordered by two lineaments, probably regional faults related to the global geodynamics of the Sicily Channel Rift Zone. Moreover, the inverse correlation between the gravity and altimetric variations suggests that: i) Pantelleria is kinematically divided in two blocks; ii) the observed behaviour is strongly influenced by the geodynamics of the Sicily Channel. A new interpretation of the fully reprocessed data sets is presented, focusing on the spatial–temporal features of the horizontal ground deformation and gravity changes compared to the Bouguer anomaly and altimetric data. This leads to conclude that volcanism on the island has been probably strongly influenced by the global geodynamics of the Sicily Channel, and future eruptions are most likely to occur at the structural boundary separating the two blocks.

Description: Published

Description: 146– 162

Description: reserved

Description: We have analysed the deformation documented during unrest at the Campi Flegrei caldera, Italy, between 1981 and 2001. Via inverse modelling, we constrain the location, geometry and size of the source responsible for the continuing period of surface deformation.We present a critical re-evaluation of results from previously published models and for the first time invert post-1994 data to infer source parameters. Our evaluation is based on constraints from additional horizontal displacement data, mechanical properties of the country rocks, effects of volcanic surface loading and on other geophysical and geochemical observations. We invert leveling and tide-gauge data for a spherical point (Mogi-model) source, a penny-shaped crack and finally a prolate spheroid. Despite the good qualities of fit of both the Mogi-model and the penny-shaped source to the vertical displacement data, our critical evaluation of the implied source properties forces us to reject these models. We propose instead a vertical prolate spheroid located about 800 m East of Pozzuoli at a depth of 2.9 km (95% confidence bound 2.0 to 4.2 km) with an aspect ratio of 0.51 (95% bounds 0.37–0.69) as a more appropriate source model. This model best accounts for the criteria employed and the observed deformation between 1981 and 2001. Combined with results from the inversion of gravity change data (1982–1984) for the spheroidal source, we infer a hybrid nature of the source including both magmatic and hydrothermal components.

Description: Published

Description: 132– 145

Description: reserved

Description: Italy is covered by a first-order triangulation network that was established between 1869 and 1908 and re-measured in patches between 1936 and 1963. We analyse the measurements made in the central part of Italy to form an estimate of the rate of strain in the Central Apennines. We conclude that the rate of strain in this region is too small to detect from the repeated triangulation measurement. This result places an upper bound of about 10(exp-7)/yr on the strain rate of the Central Apennines, and implies that the maximum rate of extension across the region is no higher than about 3 mm/yr.

Description: Published

Description: 261-267

Description: reserved

Description: We investigate crustal deformation along the Eurasia-Nubia plate boundary in Calabria and Sicily revealed by the GPS velocity field obtained by the combination of continuous site velocities with previous results from episodic campaigns. We recognize two distinct crustal domains characterized by different motions and styles of deformation. Convergence in Sicily is taken up by crustal shortening along the former Tyrrhenian back arc passive margin, in agreement with seismological data and geological evidence of recent cessation of deformation along the Plio-Pleistocene subduction front. The analysis of the GPS data and the consistency between earthquake slip vectors and convergence direction suggest that Eu-Nu convergence in Sicily does not require intermediate crustal blocks. Significant Eurasia ( 3 mm/yr to NNE) and Nubia-fixed ( 5 mm/yr to ESE) residual velocities in Calabria suggest instead the presence of an intermediate crustal block which can be interpreted as a forearc sliver or as an independent Ionian block. According to the first hypothesis, subduction is still active in the Ionian wedge, although we find no evidence for active back arc spreading in the Tyrrhenian Sea. The N115 E oriented Sicily-Calabria GPS relative motion is consistent with the extension observed during the 1908 Mw 7.1 Messina earthquake. We suggest that up to 3 mm/yr ( 80%) of this estimated relative motion between Sicily and the Calabrian Arc may be taken up in the Messina Straits.

Description: Published

Description: 1-16

Description: reserved

Description: We present the first GPS estimate of crustal extension in the central Apennines (Italy) through the analysis of the deformation of a sub-network of the National GPS Geodetic network IGM95 in the interval 1994–1999. The selected sub-network spans the entire active deformation belt perpendicularly to its axis and allows the evaluation of (1) the total extension rate absorbed in this sector of the Apennines and (2) the seismogenic potential of the normal faults active in the Late Pleistocene-Holocene interval within the network. Results of this reoccupation are consistent with an extensional strain rate of 0.18×10−6 yr−1 concentrated in an area of about 35 km width, giving an average extension rate of 6±2 mm/yr across the central Apennines. The pattern of active deformation suggests active elastic strain accumulation on the westernmost of the two fault systems active in the Late Pleistocene-Holocene interval and may also suggest the presence of another active fault system not recognized so far.

Description: Published

Description: 2121-2124

Description: reserved

Description: Mount Etna has developed at the intersection of two regional tectonic lineaments, the NNW–SSE trending Hybleo–Maltese escarpment, which separates the thick inland continental crust of the African platform from the Ionian Mesozoic oceanic crust, and the NE–SW Messina–Fiumefreddo fault that marks a rift zone between south Calabria and north-eastern Sicily, extending as far as the Mt. Etna area. All tectonic features affect, with outstanding surface features, the eastern side of the volcano. The eastern flank of the volcano is affected by a long-term motion toward ESE. In 1997, in order to increase the detail of the ground deformation pattern on the lower eastern flank of Mt. Etna, a new GPS network, the “Ionica” network, was installed on this sector of the volcano. This GPS network consists of 24 stations and covers the lower eastern flank of the volcano from the town of Catania to Taormina and from the coastline up to an altitude of about 1300 m. All the new stations consist in self-centring benchmarks; this kind of benchmark allows all station set-up errors to be avoided. Before the merging of the Ionica network to the frame of the global GPS network of Mt. Etna (in June 2001), three surveys were carried out on this network: in September 1997, August 1998 and January 2001. From the ground deformation pattern, it is possible to distinguish two different sectors, showing different characteristics of deformation. The southern part of the network shows a more uniform distribution of the vertical motion with a mean SE-ward horizontal component while the northern one shows an heterogeneous vertical motion with a ESE-ward horizontal component. Furthermore, a higher velocity is detected between 1997 and 1998, due to the additional stress induced by a shallow intrusion on the NW flank of the volcano. The model resulting from data inversions defines a wide sliding plane beneath the entire eastern flank of the volcano with a low dip angle. The expected velocity vectors fit well the observed ones, even if the measured velocities are still quite higher than expected, at lowermost stations. The vertical inclination of the velocity vectors measured during the 1998–2001 period, gradually decreases from West to East suggesting a sort of rotational movement of the south-eastern flank, interrupted by some anomalous vectors on the lower part, that show higher vertical velocities. These anomalies, being located on a wedge defined by the intersection of the main NNW–SSE and NE–SW fault systems and near the Timpe faults, are probably due to the activity of the vertical faults cutting the lower eastern flank of Mt. Etna. Stations lying on the hanging wall and on the footwall of the Timpe fault system are affected by similar horizontal displacements, meaning that these structures are moving eastwards together with the sliding flank; this evidence suggests that the Timpe faults are probably second order structures, with respect to the detachment surface. These results depict a structural framework of the eastern flank of Mt. Etna in which the low angle dislocation can be considered as a first order approximation of an actual listric plane and the current active part of the Timpe fault system is confined above the detachment surface.

Description: Published

Description: 357-369

Description: reserved

Description: A new high-resolution Apparent Polar Wander Path (APWP) segment has been obtained from the magnetostratigraphy of four Kimmeridgian to Lower Aptian sections in the Northern Apennines (Italy). The use of paleomagnetic data for determination of the Adria APWP was hampered by the large local rotations linked to Apennine tectonics, characterized by folds and thrusts developed during the Neogene. To overcome this problem, we have computed relative rotations between time overlapping sections and realigned them in a common declination reference frame (namely the Bosso section). We synthesized a new high-resolution 150 to 125 Ma APWP for Adria, which has a similar shape to the time-equivalent segment of the synthetic APWP of Africa of Besse and Courtillot [J., Besse, V., Courtillot, Apparent and true polar wander and the geometry of the geomagnetic field over the last 200 Myr, J. Geophys. Res. 107(B11) (2002), doi:10.1029/200JB000050]. A 26° clockwise rotation of our combined Adria APWP places it in almost perfect overlap with African data of same age, confirming that the Adria promontory moved coherently with Africa during this time span, whereas the counterclockwise rotation of Adria with respect to Africa was introduced later, most probably during Apennines orogenesis. Finally, we discuss in relation with worldwide plate evolution the peculiar shape of our APWP, which displays a hairpin turn during Berriasian time, and dates the main Late Jurassic/Early Cretaceous change in plate motion at around anomaly M16.

Description: Published

Description: 329-342

Description: 3.4. Geomagnetismo

Description: JCR Journal

Description: reserved

Description: We study the coseismic and postseismic displacements related with the 1997 Umbria-Marche earthquake sequence by means of leveling lines along a deformed aqueduct located in the epicentral area. Comparing the 1960 and 10/1997 measurements we obtain 0.49 0.10 m of coseismic displacement distributed along 3 km across the normal fault zone. Modeling of the coseismic surface dislocation is obtained from a combination of low angle (38°) faults at depth and high angle (80°) upper fault branches. The best fit model indicates that the upper branches stop at 0.4 km below the ground surface and have 60% of slip with respect to the lower faults. The postseismic displacement measured during 1998 is 0.18 m and represents 36% of the apparent coseismic deformation. Moderate earthquakes in the Apennines and related surface deformation may thus result from curved faults that reflect the brittle-elastic properties of the uppermost crustal structures.

Description: Data collection was made while both authors were at Istituto di Ricerca per la Tettonica Recente – CNR (GNDT Project), Roma, Italy. M. Copparoni (ASM, Foligno) and M. Raponi and S. Pacico (Studio Topografico s.n.c., Foligno) provided data about aqueduct and leveling lines. Analysis of data and modeling were done while RB was visiting EOST-IPG, Strasbourg, France. Preparation of the paper benefited from discussion with R. Armijo, S. Barba, P. Gomez and G. Valensise. A. Amato and an anonymous reviewer are thanked for their constructive remarks.

Description: Published

Description: 2695–2698

Description: JCR Journal

Description: open

Description: We studied the surface deformations affecting the southeastern sector of the Po Plain sedimentary basin, in particular the area of Bologna. To this aim an advanced DInSAR technique, referred to as DInSAR–SBAS (Small BAseline Subset), has been applied. This technique allows monitoring the temporal evolution of a deformation phenomenon, via the generation of mean deformation velocity maps and displacement time series from a data set of acquired SAR images. In particular, we have processed a set of SAR data acquired by the European Remote Sensing Satellite (ERS) sensors and compared the achieved results with optical levelling measurements, assumed as reference. The surface displacements detected by DInSAR SBAS from 1992 to 2000 are between 10 mm/year in the historical part of Bologna town, and up to 59 mm/year in the NE industrial and agricultural areas. Former measurements from optical levelling referred to 1897 show 2–3 mm/year vertical movements. This trend of displacement increased in the second half of the 20th century and the subsidence rate reached 60 mm/year. We compared the more recent levelling campaigns (in 1992 and late 1999) and DInSAR results from 1992 to 1999. The standard deviation of the difference between levelling data, projected onto the satellite Line Of Sight, and DInSAR results is 2 mm/year. This highlights a good agreement between the measurements provided by two different techniques. The explanation of soil movements based on interferometric results, ground data and geological observations, allowed confirming the anthropogenic cause (surface effect due to the overexploitation of the aquifers) and highlights a natural, tectonic, subsidence.

Description: Published

Description: 304-316

Description: 1.10. TTC - Telerilevamento

Description: JCR Journal

Description: partially_open

Description: An integrated sedimentological, magnetostratigraphic, and paleontological study of the Vallcebre section (south eastern Pyrenees, Spain) is carried out in order to define and portray the transition from the Cretaceous to the Tertiary in a continental setting. A robust magnetostratigraphy is correlated to the standard polarity scale in light of known biochronological constraints (charophyte, marine invertebrates, eggshells and other dinosaur remains). Our results show that this section is among the thickest stratigraphic records for the continental Maastrichtian in the Old World. Sedimentology indicates a progressive regression from marine through lagoonal to entirely continental environments. The section is dominated by mudstones deposited under low energy conditions. Exceptionally, a basin-wide regression maximum is recorded some time before the Cretaceous–Tertiary boundary (K/T). This regression maximum is marked by the input of coarse-grained (alluvial) sediments that record a dramatic change in the landscape (quiet mud plains changed to sandy floodplains deposited by high-energy currents). After a period of renewed quiescence following the regression maximum, a Cenozoic flooding took place. Such terminal Cretaceous sequence of events has been recorded in shorter sections in several other basins from southwestern Europe. This energetic sediment input suggests that some time before the K/T event, a sudden paleoenvironmental reorganization took place in the continental basins of south western Europe.

Description: Published

Description: 35-47

Description: 2.2. Laboratorio di paleomagnetismo

Description: JCR Journal

Description: reserved

Description: The active tectonics at the front of the Southern Apennines and in the Adriatic foreland is characterized by E-W striking, right-lateral seismogenic faults, interpreted as reactivated inherited discontinuities. The best studied among these is the Molise-Gondola shear zone (MGsz). The interaction of these shear zones with the Apennines chain is not yet clear. To address this open question we developed a set of scaled analogue experiments, aimed at analyzing: 1) how dextral strike-slip motion along a pre-existing zone of weakness within the foreland propagates toward the surface and affects the orogenic wedge; 2) the propagation of deformation as a function of displacement; 3) any insights on the active tectonics of Southern Italy. Our results stress the primary role played by these inherited structures when reactivated, and confirm that regional E-W dextral shear zones are a plausible way of explaining the seismotectonic setting of the external areas of the Southern Apennines.

Description: INGV, Università degli Studi di Pavia

Description: Published

Description: 21

Description: open

Description: We integrate geologic, structural, leveling and Differential SAR Interferometry data to show that Vesuvius began to spread onto its sedimentary substratum about 3,600 years ago. Moreover, we model the detected deformation with a solution of the lubrication approximation of the Navier-Stokes equations to show that spreading may continue for about 7,200 years more. Correlation of volcanic spreading with phases of the eruptive activity suggests that Plinian eruptions, which are thought to pose the major hazard, are less likely to occur in the near future.

Description: Published

Description: 1-4

Description: partially_open

Description: Destructive earthquakes are rare in France yet pose a sizable seismic hazard, especially when critical infrastructures are concerned. Only a few destructive events have occurred within the instrumental period, the most important being the 11 June 1909, Lambesc (Provence) earthquake. With a magnitude estimated at 6.2 [Rothé, 1942], the event was recorded by 30 observatories and produced intensity IX effects in the epicentral area, ~30 km north of Marseille. We collected 30 seismograms, leveling data and earthquake intensities to assess the magnitude and possibly the focal mechanism of this event. Following this multidisciplinary approach, we propose a source model where all relevant parameters are constrained by at least two of the input datasets. Our reappraisal of the seismological data yielded Mw 5.8-6.1 (6.0 preferred) and Ms 6.0, consistent with the magnitude from intensity data (Me 5.8) and with constraints derived from modeling of coseismic elevation changes. Hence, we found the Lambesc earthquake to have been somewhat smaller than previously reported. Our datasets also constrain the geometry and kinematics of faulting, suggesting that the earthquake was generated by reverse-right lateral slip on a WNW-striking, steeply north-dipping fault beneath the western part of the Trévaresse fold. This result suggests that the fold, located in front of the Lubéron thrust, plays a significant role in the region’s recent tectonic evolution. The sense of slip obtained for the 1909 rupture also agrees with the regional stress field obtained from earthquake focal mechanisms and microtectonic data as well as recent GPS data.

Description: Published

Description: 2454

Description: partially_open

Description: The 1982-84 unrest episode at Campi Flegrei (CF) caldera, Italy, was characterized by huge deformation (more than 1.5 m uplift) concentrated inside the caldera. According to point source isotropic models in homogeneous elastic and visco-elastic half-spaces, the source depth is very shallow (about 3 km). If the source radius is about 1 km this implies that magma is at a depth of 2 km depth. However, several independent observations show that the top of the magma chamber at CF must be deeper than 4 km. This paper investigates how the inferred source depth increases when rigidity heterogeneities (obtained through seismic tomography at CF) are considered and when the long-term deformation takes place under drained conditions. Finite element models indicate that overpressure needed at the source to reproduce the 1.5 m maximum uplift is however beyond typical rock strength values. This evidence, together with the high thermal anomalies, the presence of fluids and the low cohesion of tuffs filling the caldera, suggests the use of elastoplastic constitutive laws. For elastoplastic behavior, the same deformation is obtained using a deeper source (with center at 5 km depth) and a lower overpressure (than required by elastic models). The plastic deformation concentrates both at the source boundaries and above the source, where seismic activity has been recorded. These results indicate that the rheological properties of the shallow crust of CF have important implications for hazard estimate during unrest episodes.

Description: INGV-Gruppo Nazionale per la Vulcanologia; Ministero dell'Istruzione Università e Ricerca- FIRB Project

Description: Published

Description: 14

Description: reserved

Description: Campi Flegrei caldera has a long history of large surface deformation,with isplacements of several meters in the 1970s and early 1980s. Its location within a densely populated urban area underscores the importance of understanding the relationship between large and episodic deformation events and their source mechanisms. The primary observable of the caldera’s activity is its surface deformation. Classical geodetic approaches such as leveling, have been complemented by the more advanced measurements of the Global Positioning System (GPS) and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) interferometry. In this work we focus on the Campi Flegrei caldera uplift event that occurred from early spring to late summer 2000. Our goal is to highlight the potential to integrate interferometric SAR (IFSAR),GPS, and classical leveling data for ground deformation studies and source modeling. We compare models for the deformation source constrained by inversion of the differential IFSAR data (DIFSAR) with the model’s prediction for the GPS and leveling data. Resolution of possible changes in the source mechanism for Campi Flegrei caldera are limited by differences in the temporal,spatial and deformation component strengths of each data set. In the future,overcoming these data deficiencies will be important for resolving the dynamics of volcano systems and for volcanic hazard mitigation.

Description: Published

Description: 247-260

Description: partially_open

Description: In this paper we present the first geochemical data set regarding long-term monitoring of dissolved gases in thermal waters from a seismic area. Three sites in Umbria (Central Apennines, Italy) were studied both for the chemical and for the helium isotopic composition of the dissolved gases. Data were collected during and after the seismic crisis that struck the region in 1997â 1998. The chemical composition of the dissolved gases revealed that a CO2-rich gas phase was always mixed with an atmospheric-derived component dominated by N2. A normal faulting marked the beginning of the seismic activity enhancing the release of CO2 on a regional scale. Variations in both the chemical and isotopic compositions of the dissolved gases were also observed as preseismic, synseismic, and postseismic phenomena related to the seismic shock of March 1998. Those geochemical modifications were interpreted as being the consequence of a drop in the CO2 degassing rate, in good agreement with the compressive focal mechanism of that seismic event. Furthermore, this interpretation was also consistent with the geologic and tectonic setting of the study area and induced us to postulate that changes in the local rock permeability, due to crustal deformations (i.e., coseismic deformation and postseismic release), were responsible for the geochemical modifications observed. On the basis of the foregoing, we have concluded that the geochemistry of dissolved gases in groundwaters represents a useful tool for the investigation of the relationships between circulating fluids and seismic activity.

Description: Published

Description: partially_open