Fractured carbonate aquifers of Sibillini Mts. (Central Italy)

Abstract

The aim of the present map is to illustrate a detailed pre-earthquake hydrogeological conceptual model of the Sibillini Mts. This area was struck by a prolonged seismic sequence of up to Mw 6.5 in 2016. Geological, tectonic, and hydrogeological data were collected from the literature before 2016, subsequently standardized and re-interpretated with the aim of presenting a hydrogeological map (1:50,000 scale) of the Sibillini Mts. carbonate system (Central Italy). The map is supported by 11 hydrogeological both cross and longitudinal sections, which show the underground spatial relationship between aquifers, aquicludes, and tectonic elements. This Map provides a model of comparison for the new hydrogeological conditions emerging from the post-seismic research.

Transmissivity Estimates by Specific Capacity Data of Some Fractured Italian Carbonate Aquifers

“…Figure 1 shows a schematic lithological map of the Umbria Region with the stratigraphic column of the Umbria-Marche sequence. Formations are grouped into different hydrogeological complexes, considering the stratigraphic relationships and the relative permeability [20][21][22][23][24][25]. The main aquifers are hosted into the Basal Limestones complex (Calcare Massiccio and Corniola Formations), characterized by fractured/karstified carbonates, and Maiolica complex, which is composed of stratified and fractured pelagic carbonates.…”

A Holistic Approach to Study Groundwater-Surface Water Modifications Induced by Strong Earthquakes: The Case of Campiano Catchment (Central Italy)

“…and the Nottoria-Preci normal fault systems, each producing dislocations up to 1000 m [22][23][24][25][26], represent the main fault systems of the area with lengths > 30 km (Figure 1). The described extensional tectonic elements assumed a decisive role in the hydro-structural arrangement of the area, in the delimitation of large regional aquifers and in the identification of the main groundwater flow directions [12,21]. In Figure 1, the surface co-seismic ruptures [27][28][29] related to the main shocks of the 2016 earthquakes (Mw = 6.0 Amatrice and Mw = 6.5 Norcia), mapped along the above-mentioned normal faults, are reported.…”

“…never crops out in the study area. The compressional tectonic phase was followed by an extensional one that began in the Early Pleistocene (currently still active), and gave origin to the depressions of Norcia, Cascia and Castelluccio (Pian Grande Plain) [12,[19][20][21]. The Vettore Mt.-Bove Mt.…”

The Role of Faults in Groundwater Circulation before and after Seismic Events: Insights from Tracers, Water Isotopes and Geochemistry

“…The disarticulation of Lower Jurassic carbonate platform in different domains, due to an extensional tectonic stage, gave rise to horst and graben structures [46]. This caused different Upper Jurassic stratigraphic successions to be deposed (complete and condensed).…”

“…These formations act as upper aquiclude complex (SVC) and are followed by the Flysch della Laga aquitard, 50-2000 m thick (Miocene-Pleistocene). Figure 1, modified from [46], shows the relationships between simplified stratigraphy, hydrogeological complexes and related hydrodynamic features (not in scale). The Umbria-Marche Succession, which hosts the above-mentioned aquifers, is characterized by a complex tectonic history which led to the present-day tectonic configuration.…”