Early–Middle Pleistocene eastward migration of the Abruzzi Apennine (central Italy) extensional domain

摘要: Abstract The evolution of the Apennine arc is related to flexural retreat Adriatic lithosphere plate, NE migration compressive front and contemporaneous rifting Tyrrhenian basin. Evidence orogen can also be inferred from analysis intra-Apennine Quaternary extensional tectonics. Stratigraphic structural data collected along NE–SW transects in Abruzzi Apennines (central Italy), indeed, indicate that westernmost normal faults (activated during Pliocene) have considered inactive since Early Pleistocene (Turano valley fault) or beginning Middle (Salto Liri faults). In contrast, easternmost (Campo Imperatore Mt. Morrone faults) were activated are still active, as demonstrated by displacement Late Pleistocene–Holocene deposits landforms. Within innermost portion domain, Fucino upper Aterno fault systems show persistent activity Pliocene. Besides evidence a progressively NE-shifted extension, available suggest period co-existing presently newly (e.g. faults, respectively) occurred Pleistocene. This indicates for few hundred thousand years active central more numerous than present tectonic regime. may resulted reduced per (lower slip rates) an increased extension rate. generally coincide with pre-existing discontinuities such old thrust ramps syn-orogenic faults. Based on simple geometric criteria, i.e. direction, dip, length located east investigated area, assuming NE-migration it possible hypothesize Maiella Montagna dei Fiori anticlines accomodate future. NE-ward shifting domain would be, instead, locked if process lithospheric which drove Neogene-Quaternary p.p. chain has ended