Development of Pleistocene Fluvial Terraces on the Eastern Frontal Sector of the Southern Apennines Chain, Italy

Abstract

The investigation of Pleistocene fluvial terraces in the small river valley of the Pescogrosso Stream and surrounding areas has shown a complex and positive location for the study of a fluvial catchment development. The Pescogrosso Stream is a left tributary of the Sinni River and is placed on the eastern front of the fold-and-thrust belt of the southern Apennine chain of Italy. Sedimentological and geomorphological analyses of eight fluvial terraced units revealed that their formation and evolution were strictly controlled by regional tectonic uplift of the Ionian arc, by climatic changes, and by sea-level variations. In particular, the Ionian sea-level oscillations, as a factor in controlling the short-term fluvial terrace development, was the main factor responsible for the three older terraces’ evolutions. Conversely, the evolution of the five younger terraces seems to have been controlled by the base-level variations of the Sinni River. Finally, the matching of much information derived from regional and local tectonics, the plot of longitudinal terrace profiles, and the application of a sequence-stratigraphic approach to fluvial depositional sequences allowed the recognition of three evolutionary stages of development in the Pescogrosso fluvial incised-valley system during Pleistocene times.

Recent Increase of Flood Frequency in the Ionian Belt of Basilicata Region, Southern Italy: Human or Climatic Changes?

“…The Bradanic trough is characterized by a medium-to low-relief landscape, featured by gently dipping surfaces, less than 3-5 • of slope angle [12,24], separated by scarps, representing relics of Middle Pleistocene to Holocene staircase marine terraces, composed of conglomerate and sand deposits 10-15 m thick [25,26] (Figure 1c). Recently, integrated analysis of the drainage network, statistical properties of the landscape, morphostructural analysis, and evaluation of geomorphic indices in the whole Bradano Foredeep area have provided new constraints on the late Quaternary evolution of the area [27,28]. In particular, the study area is formed by two main lithostratigraphic units-the older are named "sandy-conglomeratic deposits of the regressive coastal prisms" of the Late Pleistocene and the younger are named "Metaponto plain deposits" of the Holocene [29][30][31].…”

“…In the fluvial valleys, the meandering sinuosity of channels increases toward the Sea, reaching its maximum value about 3 km before the mouths. Finally, at the mouth of the main rivers there are delta system features [28]. A coastal progradation occurred in the last 7-8 ky, as a consequence of the high values of sedimentary yields coming from rivers [9,33].…”

GIS Application in Fluvial Geomorphology and Landscape Changes

“…Terraces on the Eastern Frontal Sector of the Southern Apennines Chain, Italy (Giannandrea et al, 2019) This paper aims to investigate the Pleistocene fluvial terraces in the small river valley of the Pescogrosso Stream, a left tributary of the Sinni River (Basilicata, southern Italy), placed on the eastern front of the fold-and-thrust belt of the southern Apennine chain. It has shown a complex and positive location for the study of a fluvial catchment development.…”

“…The Special Issue comprises six original papers divided into two main categories: Experimental [6] and field survey [7][8][9][10][11] studies. Overall, the authors focused on different topics, such as the use of digital terrain models for the definition of the sedimentary budget into reservoirs, the evaluation of river short term erosion rates, on the geomorphological mapping of river terraces, floodplains and potential flood areas, and on the geometry and variation of river channels in relation to river management and restoration.…”

Fluvial Geomorphology and River Management

“…It is well-known that the fluvial environment system is one of the principal morphological landscapes of the world, and its processes greatly influence landscape modifications. The long-term geomorphological evolution of rivers is strictly controlled by the interplay of tectonic activity and climatic changes [1] and, close to coastal zones, sealevel oscillations also contribute to modifying this natural system [2]. Another geomorphic agent which contributes to the modification of river ecosystems is represented by anthropic activity which, historically, has increased the levels of modification of natural rivers [3].…”