A basin-scale, integrated approach, including sedimentological, geomorphological and soil data,enables the reliable reconstruction of the infilling history of the southern Apenninic foredeep, withits subsequent inclusion in the wedge-top of the foreland basin system. An example is shown fromthe Molise-Apulian Apennines (Southern Italy), between Trigno and Fortore rivers, where thePleistocene tectono-sedimentary evolution of the basin is framed into a sequence-stratigraphicscheme. Specifically, within the traditional subdivision into Quaternary marine (Qm) and Quaternarycontinental (Qc) depositional cycles, five third-order depositional sequences (Qm1, Qm2,Qc1, Qc2 and Qc3) are identified based on recognition of four major stratigraphic discontinuities.The lower sequence boundaries are represented by angular unconformities or abrupt facies shiftsand are generally associated with distinctive pedological and geomorphological features. Threepaleosols, observed at top of depositional sequences Qm2, Qc1 and Qc2, represent pedostratigraphicmarkers that can be tracked basinwide. The geomorphological response to major tectonosedimentaryevents is marked by a series of paleosurfaces with erosional, depositional and complexcharacteristics. Detailed investigation of the relationships between stratigraphic architecture anddevelopment of unconformities, paleosols and paleosurfaces suggests that the four sequenceboundaries were formed in response to four geomorphological phases/tectonic events whichaffected the basin during the Quaternary. The first three tectonic events (Lower-MiddlePleistocene), marking the lower boundaries of sequences Qm2, Qc1 and Qc2, respectively, areinterpreted to be related to the tectonic regime that characterized the last phase of thrustingrecorded in the Southern Apennines. In contrast, sequence Qc3 does not display evidence ofthrust tectonics and accumulated as a result of a phase of regional uplift starting with the MiddlePleistocene.
The Pleistocene tectono-sedimentary evolution of the Apenninic foreland basin between Trigno and Fortore rivers (Southern Italy) through a sequence-stratigraphic perspective
SCARCIGLIA, Fabio;
2012-01-01
Abstract
A basin-scale, integrated approach, including sedimentological, geomorphological and soil data,enables the reliable reconstruction of the infilling history of the southern Apenninic foredeep, withits subsequent inclusion in the wedge-top of the foreland basin system. An example is shown fromthe Molise-Apulian Apennines (Southern Italy), between Trigno and Fortore rivers, where thePleistocene tectono-sedimentary evolution of the basin is framed into a sequence-stratigraphicscheme. Specifically, within the traditional subdivision into Quaternary marine (Qm) and Quaternarycontinental (Qc) depositional cycles, five third-order depositional sequences (Qm1, Qm2,Qc1, Qc2 and Qc3) are identified based on recognition of four major stratigraphic discontinuities.The lower sequence boundaries are represented by angular unconformities or abrupt facies shiftsand are generally associated with distinctive pedological and geomorphological features. Threepaleosols, observed at top of depositional sequences Qm2, Qc1 and Qc2, represent pedostratigraphicmarkers that can be tracked basinwide. The geomorphological response to major tectonosedimentaryevents is marked by a series of paleosurfaces with erosional, depositional and complexcharacteristics. Detailed investigation of the relationships between stratigraphic architecture anddevelopment of unconformities, paleosols and paleosurfaces suggests that the four sequenceboundaries were formed in response to four geomorphological phases/tectonic events whichaffected the basin during the Quaternary. The first three tectonic events (Lower-MiddlePleistocene), marking the lower boundaries of sequences Qm2, Qc1 and Qc2, respectively, areinterpreted to be related to the tectonic regime that characterized the last phase of thrustingrecorded in the Southern Apennines. In contrast, sequence Qc3 does not display evidence ofthrust tectonics and accumulated as a result of a phase of regional uplift starting with the MiddlePleistocene.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
