Il Ponte Sfondato sul torrente Farfa (Sabina, Lazio)

Abstract

Ponte Sfondato is a hamlet of Montopoli di Sabina, Rieti; this name derives from a natural arch on the Farfa river, originating from a particular type of erosive phenomenon.This paramount landform and its formation represent an intriguing history. The Ponte Sfondato was a unique example of geomorphosite formed by the erosion of a long rocky relief originating from the over-excavation of a recessed meander. The lithology of the relief, characterized by the presence of weakly cemented gravel with arenaceous levels, has facilitated the erosive activity of the Farfa river. It has been able to "break through" the rocky promontory causing the formation of the arch, creating a water path below. The natural arc has a high degree of instability; overtime, in fact, this particular morphotype tends to thin out and collapse.The arch was use for traffic road until 1960 when it was replace by a modern bridge and it collapsed in 1961.Ponte Sfondato is a place of geological-historical memory, representing an important site of geological-landscape interest. Because of its evolution, this site is no longer visible and it remains in the collective imagination through writings, maps, publications, paintings, and also through mentions in novels, pictures and movies.

The aluminum and iron mines of the Comino Valley-Sora area (Central Apennines, Italy): sites of the geological memory

“…The crisis of the Bourbon Kingdom in the 1860, and the demise of iron extraction and processing activities at the end of the XIX century, caused the abandonment and degradation of most of the sites discussed in this paper. The disappearing of most of the mines and forges, coupled with the need to re-evaluate, preserve and disseminate this cultural and geological heritage (Cipriani et al, 2016;Pantaloni & Console, 2019), allowed to identify several "sites of geological memory" for the study area (Cipriani, in press). According with Console et al (2018) and Pantaloni & Console (2019) a "site of geological memory" or "historical geosite" is a peculiar type of geosite that represented an important place of geological-landscape interest in the past but that, due to its geomorphological/ anthropic evolution, is no longer visible today.…”

The dolines of Campoli Appennino (Frosinone, Italy): a geo-historical overview

“…The study area has recently been proposed as a "site of geological memory" (sensu Martini, 2000;Console et al, 2018;Pantaloni & Console, 2019;Cipriani, 2020aCipriani, , 2020b. In addition, the dolines "Il Tomolo" (Campoli Appennino -41° 44› 5,98›› N, 13° 40› 47,27›› E) and «Fossa Maiura" (mostly falling in the municipality of Alvito, but partly involved in the municipality of Campoli Appennino -41°…”