Morphotectonics of the Pescara River basin (Central Italy)

Abstract

This work presents a morphotectonic map of the Pescara River basin (1:40,000 scale), located in the piedmont-hilly area of the central-eastern Apennines (Abruzzo Region, Italy), and stretching from the eastern slope of the chain (Maiella Massif, Morrone Mt. and Gran Sasso Range) to the Adriatic coast. It is the outcome of an extensive drainage basin-scale geomorphological analysis and incorporates four main sections: orography and hydrography; morphotectonics; azimuthal analysis of the morphotectonic elements; Quaternary fluvial deposits and morphotectonic profiles. The morphotectonic map provides a basis for the study of morphotectonic features at basin-scale, the reconstruction of paleo-landscapes with special regard to drainage network evolution, and the recognition of tectonic control and selective erosion on the landscape. It also contributes to an outline of the main phases of the post-orogenic landscape evolution of the piedmont-hilly area of the Apennines, resulting from the link of alternating morphotectonic and surface processes. ARTICLE HISTORY

Investigation of the Tectonic Activity of Bazargan Mountain in Iran

“…Morphotectonics is one of the branches of tectonics, which deals with the forces and their developing factors by evaluating landforms present in the earth's surface and discussed by many types of research ; Derakhshani and Eslami 2011; Fadaie ; . Since these landforms are generally related to the last movements of the earth's crust, their study can greatly help on issues related to active tectonics (Pérez-Peña, et al 2010; Summerfield 2014; Vijith, et al 2017). On the other hand, the forms and shapes of the earth's surface are not merely the product of internal factors and forces.…”

Geomorphological analysis of drainage changes in the NE Apennines piedmont area: the case of the middle Tavo River bend (Abruzzo, Central Italy)

“…The longitudinal distribution of any single terrace level was analyzed by plotting it on longitudinal profiles (Keller & Pinter, 2002;Merritts, Vincent, & Wohl, 2004). Local correlation, geochronological constraints (dating, paleosols, lithic industries; Agostini, Di Canzio, & Rossi, 2001;APAT, 2006;Carrara, 1998;ISPRA, 2010a;Marcolini et al, 2003), and correlation with the neighboring valleys (Parlagreco et al, 2011;Urbano et al, 2017) allowed us to infer the age of each fluvial terrace. The relationships between morphological field evidence of tectonics, their directions, and anomalies in the distributions of fluvial terraces (e.g.…”

“…The terraced deposits were plotted according to the height above the present valley, defined for each fill and strath terrace level. Furthermore, we outlined a possible stratigraphic correlation (see the table in the map) that partially revised previous attributions (APAT, 2006;ISPRA, 2010aISPRA, , 2010bUrbano et al, 2017). This was done by comparing the heights above the valley bottom of fluvial terraces among the Tavo-Saline basin and neighboring basins (Nora and Pescara R.) and their time constraints.…”

Tectonically Induced Deep-Seated Gravitational Slope Deformations and Large Landslides in the Central Adriatic Coastal Belt (Southern Marche-Abruzzi, Italy)

“…In the more uplifted sectors, well developed anticlines (Porto San Giorgio and Montesilvano-Spoltore anticlines) are recognizable along the "coastal ridges". The uplift has continued till recent Quaternary times as indicated by the longitudinal convergence of alluvial terraces in the SW-NE river valleys [14]. This phenomenon is part of a large-scale transverse arching that has involved the entire Italian peninsula giving rise to the present Apennine chain.…”

“…The valley network includes three to four main orders of terraces, the highest of which date to the Middle Pleistocene and the lowest to the Upper Pleistocene [14]. Their genesis is referred to the cold climatic oscillations that occurred in the area during the valley deepening and, in particular, to the marked increase in the debris supply to the fluvial waters from the bare slopes, widely affected by frost-shattering, slope wash and solifluction [20].…”