0000000001249721
AUTHOR
F. Antonioli
Investigation of marine and continental layers in a stalactite older than 1 million years (Custonaci, north-western sector of Sicily)
Questo lavoro si basa sul ritrovamento, in una grotta carsica, a 100 metri di quota a Custonaci in provincia di Trapani, di una stalattite di notevole interesse paleo climatico, ricoperta da coralli marini, la cui sezione rivela la presenza di 3 Iatus che denotano una interruzione della deposizione di carbonato continentale presumibilmente in seguito a trasgressioni marine. Il carbonato, datato attraverso la metodologia 230Th/U MC-ICPMS (NeptunePlus), ha fornito una età più antica del limite temporale massimo di applicabilità del metodo ( 600 ka). I coralli, che ricoprono il livello continentale più giovane, analizzati usando il rapporto 87Sr/86Sr, hanno fornito una età di 1.1±0.2 Myrs. Al…
Preservation of modern and mis 5.5 erosional landforms and biological structures as sea level markers: A matter of luck?
The Mediterranean Basin is characterized by a significant variability in tectonic behaviour, ranging from subsidence to uplifting. However, those coastal areas considered to be tectonically stable show coastal landforms at elevations consistent with eustatic and isostatic sea level change models. In particular, geomorphological indicators—such as tidal notches or shore platforms—are often used to define the tectonic stability of the Mediterranean coasts. We present the results of swim surveys in nine rocky coastal sectors in the central Mediterranean Sea using the Geoswim approach. The entire route was covered in 22 days for a total distance of 158.5 km. All surveyed sites are considered to…
Spatial extent of recent vertical tectonic motions misured in NE Sicily coastal area. Insights from marine geology and coastal geomorphology studies.
Vertical position of sea-level, pointed out by related deposits and morphologies, provide useful markers to estimate tectonic uplift rates. For the Holocene very high uplift rates are misured in the northeast Sicily coast (Antonioli et al., 2009). This study compare vertical tectonic movements and marine geology data in the coastal sector between Capo d’Orlando and Brolo (NE Sicily); tectonic lineaments show different trends both onland (Nigro & Sulli, 1995) and offshore (Nicolich et al.,1982) and also the morphological response follow closely this difference. The geomorphologic survey provided data on Holocene uplift rates. We studied an archaeological ancient quarry of grinding wheels for…
The land bridge between Europe and Sicily over the past 40 kyrs: Timing of emersion and implications for the migration of Homo sapiens
The submerged Sill in the Messina Strait, which is located at a depth of -81 m m.s.l., represents the only possibile connection between Calabria and Sicily during the last lowstand, when the sea level was at about -126 m m.s.l. This multidisciplinary research aim at documenting times and modes the bridge between Calabria and Sicily was emerged, during the last 40 ka BP. The analysis carried out on morphobathymetric, lithological and relative sea level change (both isostatic and tectonic) data allow to hypothesize the continental bridge emerged at least between 21.5 ka and 20 ka cal BP. Moreover, considering erosion processes due to very strong marine currents, it could be emerged for a long…
Comparing marine geology and coastal geomorphology vertical tectonic data, a case study between Acquedolci and Patti (Messina)
The study of new data on vertical movements show a complex geologic response in a restricted sector of coastal area between Acquedolci and Patti (north-eastern Sicily). Different surveys allowed to the recognition of morphological, biological and archaeological markers of paleo-sea level. The analysis of these markers and the absolute datings performed, allowed to reconstruct the history of vertical deformation of this sector but only the comparison among coastal geomorphological data and marine geological data of platform-scarp continental system associates, allowed to find the necessary keys words to explain the geologic complexity of this sector.
Geohazard assessment of the north-eastern Sicily continental margin (SW Mediterranean): coastal erosion, sea-level rise and retrogressive canyon head dynamics
Coastal dynamics are the result of several processes controlling the balance between sediment input and output over time. The beach system is not always able to maintain a neutral coastal balance due to natural and anthropogenic causes. We present an integrated marine geology, geomorphological and sea-level rise analysis in the coastal sector between Torre delle Ciavole and Capo Calavà (North-Eastern Sicily, Italy).This sector is characterized by high uplift rates and frequent seismicity (mainly generated by the very active Vulcano-Tindari Fault System), promoting the development of mass-wasting processes in the coastal and offshore sectors. A main erosive feature observed in the area is th…