Elevation of the last interglacial highstand in Sicily (Italy): A benchmark of coastal tectonics

Antonioli, Fabrizio; Kershaw, Steve; Renda, Pietro; Rust, Derek; Belluomini, G.; Cerasoli, M.; Radtke, Ulrich; Silenzi, Sergio

doi:10.1016/j.quaint.2005.07.002

Cited by 76 publications

(66 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…Given the altitude of the inner edge of the MIS 5.5 marine terrace, the average rate of post-Tyrrhenian uplift is between 0.032 (SW coast) and 0.4 m/ky (SE coast). Unlike our interpretations, Antonioli et al (2006) suppose that the Tyrrhenian terrace is drowned beneath the Sicilian Channel, suggesting a post-Tyrrhenian tectonic subsidence in southern Sicily linked to the development of the Quaternary Gela foredeep. However, as previously discussed, all our data from south to north Sicily show a geomorphological evolution characterized by prevailing vertical erosion and downward migration of the general base level of erosion, indicating a tectonic uplift trend.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 95%

“…As a result of a subsequent uplift event (during or shortly after the Sicilian stage) these blocks gradually emerged starting during the Middle Pleistocene stage, as indicated by the present-day stair-step flights of uplifted marine terraces of the MiddleUpper Pleistocene stages, which are located in the northern coastal plains up to about 100-300 m a.s.l. Based on the altitude of the inner edge of the MIS 5.5 and in agreement with the researchers who studied these coastal areas (Mauz et al 1997;Antonioli et al 1999Antonioli et al , 2006Di Maggio et al 1999;Scicchitano et al 2011;Giunta et al 2012;;Sulli et al 2013;Basilone & Di Maggio 2016) the average rate of the postTyrrhenian uplift is between about 0.032 -0.1 (NW coast) and 0.36 m/ky (NE coast). Generally, a few, large polycyclic coastal platforms overlooking the MIS 5.5 marine terrace developed where the uplift rate is less than 0.1 m/ky (e.g., Trapani and San Vito lo Capo areas); while successions of several orders of marine terraces consisting of smaller coastal platforms occurred where the uplift rate is higher than 0.1-0.15 m/ky (e.g., plain of Buonfornello; Sant'Agata di Militello area).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

“…4h, 5h, 6f,g). The first postdate the age of the terraces to marine highstand phases of the Middle-Upper Pleistocene stages, as supported by palaeontological records (Di Maggio et al 1999 and references therein; Antonioli et al 2006 and references therein) and numerous isotopic datings performed on terrace deposits by previous Researchers (Hearty et al 1986;Bada et al 1991;Mauz et al 1997;Antonioli et al 1999;Scicchitano et al 2011;Giunta et al 2012). These terraces are also characterized by few orders and large and well-preserved polycyclic wave-cut surfaces in north-western Sicily (e.g., plains of Castelluzzo and Trapani), and by several orders and narrow and dissected coastal platforms as they proceed eastward (Figs.…”

Section: Data and Resultsmentioning

confidence: 78%

“…4e,5e,6a). Along the coast of the south-western end, fossils of Strombus bubonius and assemblages of "Senegalese fauna" of the Tyrrhenian regional stage (Antonioli et al 2006 and references therein), contained in coastal deposits lying on wavecut platforms, allow us to recognize the marine terrace of the Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 5.5. On the south-eastern coast, the terrace deposits contain insignificant fossils (Strombus bubonius is missing), and the terrace of the last interglacial is inferred from altitude and "preservation" (we think that it is the better-preserved, broader, and quite continuous terrace occurring at the lower heights).…”

Section: Data and Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Geomorphological evolution of western Sicily, Italy

Maggio¹,

Madonia²,

Vattano³

et al. 2017

Geologica Carpathica

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This paper proposes a morphoevolutionary model for western Sicily. Sicily is a chain-foredeep-foreland system still being built, with tectonic activity involving uplift which tends to create new relief. To reconstruct the morphoevolutionary model, geological, and geomorphological studies were done on the basis of field survey and aerial photographic interpretation. The collected data show large areas characterized by specific geological, geomorphological, and topographical settings with rocks, landforms, and landscapes progressively older from south to north Sicily. The achieved results display: (1) gradual emersion of new areas due to uplift, its interaction with the Quaternary glacio-eustatic oscillations of the sea level, and the following production of a flight of stair-steps of uplifted marine terraces in southern Sicily, which migrates progressively upward and inwards; in response to the uplift (2) triggering of down-cutting processes that gradually dismantle the oldest terraces; (3) competition between uplift and down-cutting processes, which is responsible for the genesis of river valleys and isolated rounded hills in central Sicily; (4) continuous deepening over time that results in the exhumation of older and more resistant rocks in northern Sicily, where the higher heights of Sicily are realized and the older forms are retained; (5) extensional tectonic event in the northern end of Sicily, that produces the collapse of large blocks drowned in the Tyrrhenian Sea and sealed by coastal-marine deposits during the Calabrian stage; (6) trigger of uplift again in the previously subsiding blocks and its interaction with coastal processes and sea level fluctuations, which produce successions of marine terraces during the Middle-Upper Pleistocene stages.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 95%

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

Section: Data and Resultsmentioning

confidence: 78%

Section: Data and Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Geomorphological evolution of western Sicily, Italy

Maggio¹,

Madonia²,

Vattano³

et al. 2017

Geologica Carpathica

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“…Inshore and offshore geologic data on the north-eastern margin demonstrate that while the mainland sector is uplifting, the offshore area is presently subsiding, suggesting the activity of fault systems parallel to the coastline, causing differential vertical movements (subsidence vs. uplift) (Sulli et al, 2012). On the other hand, observations from the northwestern margin suggest a present-day stability, except for local vertical movements in the Castellammare area, where uplift rates reach 0.1-0.2 mm/y (Mauz et al, 1997;Antonioli et al, 2006).…”

Section: Geological Settingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Submarine canyons of north-western Sicily (Southern Tyrrhenian Sea): Variability in morphology, sedimentary processes and evolution on a tectonically active margin

Iacono

Sulli

Agate

2014

Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography

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a b s t r a c tSwath-bathymetry, mono-channel and multi-channel seismic reflection records acquired during the last two decades on the northern Sicilian margin have unveiled a dense network of submarine canyons within the depth range of 80-2100 m. The canyons display a relevant variability in their geometry, morphology and sedimentary processes. The margin shows a young, tectonically active shelf to slope setting, linking the Sicilian-Maghrebian Thrust Belt to the Tyrrhenian oceanic realm, developed during the Neogene-Quaternary time span. The aim of this study is to highlight the main governing factors that contributed to the evolution and differentiation of the northern Sicilian canyons, mainly focusing on the Gulf of Palermo and on the Gulf of Castellammare. Tectonic control is more evident in the canyons of the Gulf of Palermo, with submarine landslides retrograding on a steep slope and mainly controlling their evolution. Otherwise, canyons, tributaries and gullies mapped in the Gulf of Castellammare developed on a less steep substrate and display sinuous to meandering paths, with a relevant role of coastal/shelf sedimentary inputs and downslope turbidity processes in their formation. Results suggest that, despite the geographically close proximity of the two study areas, the different structural settings of the Castellammare and Palermo Basins are mainly responsible for canyon variability. Data indicate likely ongoing uplift and tilting movements along the Sicilian margin, influencing the development of the studied canyons, which have probably been more active during the Quaternary glacial maxima than they are in the present day.

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Crustal uplift rates implied by synchronously investigating Late Quaternary marine terraces in the Milazzo Peninsula, Northeast Sicily, Italy

Meschis,

Romano,

Palano

et al. 2024

Earth Surf Processes Landf

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Late Quaternary crustal uplift is well recognized in northeast Sicily, southern Italy, a region also prone to damaging earthquakes such as the 1908 “Messina” earthquake (Mw 7.1), the deadliest seismic event reported within the Italian Earthquake Catalogue. Yet it is still understudied if, within the Milazzo Peninsula, crustal uplift rates are varying spatially and temporally and whether they may be either influenced by (i) local upper‐plate faulting activity or (ii) deep geodynamic processes.To investigate the long‐term crustal vertical movements in northeast Sicily, we have mapped a flight of Middle‐Late Pleistocene marine terraces within the Milazzo Peninsula and in its southern area and refined their chronology, using a synchronous correlation approach driven by published age controls. This has allowed a new calculation of the associated crustal uplift rates, along a north–south oriented coastal‐parallel transect within the investigated area. Our results show a decreasing uplift rate from south to north across the Milazzo Peninsula and beyond, and that the associated rates of uplift have been constant through the Late Quaternary. This spatially varying yet temporally constant vertical deformation helps to constrain the amount of uplift, allowing us to explore which is the driving mechanism(s), proposing a few related scenarios.We discuss our results in terms of tectonic implications and emphasize the importance of using appropriate approaches, as such applying a synchronous correlation method, to refine chronologies of undated palaeoshorelines when used for tectonic investigations.

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Elevation of the last interglacial highstand in Sicily (Italy): A benchmark of coastal tectonics

Cited by 76 publications

References 27 publications

Geomorphological evolution of western Sicily, Italy

Geomorphological evolution of western Sicily, Italy

Submarine canyons of north-western Sicily (Southern Tyrrhenian Sea): Variability in morphology, sedimentary processes and evolution on a tectonically active margin

Crustal uplift rates implied by synchronously investigating Late Quaternary marine terraces in the Milazzo Peninsula, Northeast Sicily, Italy

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