New Geomorphological and Historical Elements on Morpho-Evolutive Trends and Relative Sea-Level Changes of Naples Coast in the Last 6000 Years

Abstract

This research aims to present new data regarding the relative sea-level variations and related morpho-evolutive trends of Naples coast since the mid-Holocene, by interpreting several geomorphological and historical elements. The geomorphological analysis, which was applied to the emerged and submerged sector between Chiaia plain and Pizzofalcone promontory, took into account a dataset that is mainly composed of: measurements from direct surveys; bibliographic data from geological studies; historical sources; ancient pictures and maps; high-resolution digital terrain model (DTM) from Lidar; and, geo-acoustic and optical data from marine surveys off Castel dell’ Ovo carried out by using an USV (Unmanned Surface Vehicle). The GIS analysis of those data combined with iconographic researches allowed for reconstructing the high-resolution geomorphological map and three new palaeoenvironmental scenarios of the study area during the Holocene, deriving from the evaluation of the relative sea-level changes and vertical ground movements of volcano-tectonic origin affecting the coastal sector in the same period. In particular, three different relative sea-level stands were identified, dated around 6.5, 4.5, and 2.0 ky BP, respectively at +7, −5, and −3 m MSL, due to the precise mapping of several paleo-shore platforms that were ordered based on the altimetry and dated thanks to archaeological and geological interpretations.

Integrating Geomorphological Data, Geochronology and Archaeological Evidence for Coastal Landscape Reconstruction, the Case of Ammoudara Beach, Crete

“…Additionally, Naples coast since the Middle Holocene was reconstructed using geomorphological analysis based on historical sources, ancient pictures and maps, and high-resolution digital terrain model (DTM) combined with iconographic research. The resconstruction led researchers to propose three new paleoenvironmental scenarios of the study area during the Holocene, which were derived from the evaluation of the relative sea level changes and vertical ground movements of volcano-tectonic origin [125].…”

Integrating Geomorphological Data, Geochronology, and Archaeological Evidence for Coastal Landscape Reconstruction. The Case of Ammoudara Beach, Crete

“…Moreover, in a case study in the Itapicuru coastal plain, north coast of Bahia State, paleoenvironmental information and OSL dating were used to define the possible geomorphological evolution scenario during the Upper-Middle Holocene of marine terraces and floodplain, where it was indicated a slow and gradual regressive phase that was responsible for the highest marine terrace's formation [137]. Additionally a reconstruction of Naples coast since the mid-Holocene by using geomorphological analysis based on historical sources; ancient pictures and maps; high-resolution digital terrain model (DTM) combined with iconographic researches allowed for reconstructing geomorphological map and proposed three new paleoenvironmental scenarios of the study area during the Holocene, deriving from the evaluation of the relative sea-level changes and vertical ground movements of volcano-tectonic origin [138].…”

Geomorphometric analysis of the natural and anthropogenic seascape of Naples (Italy): A high‐resolution morpho‐bathymetric survey

“…In the case of a high coastal sector located within an active volcanic area, under conditions of general sea-level stability or slow sea-level rise, a morpho-evolutive cycle with variable duration will produce the formation of a first-order shore platform that can be abruptly interrupted by local vertical ground movements (VGMs) and volcanic activity, responsible for the end of this first geomorphological cycle and the beginning of a new one (Aucelli et al, 2019(Aucelli et al, , 2020Cinque et al, 2011). The high erosion rates characterizing rocky cliffs and the presence of numerous relict submerged platforms are an issue of considerable importance in the framework of coastal vulnerability studies of densely populated areas regarding the determination of risk and safety assessment (Mattei, Aucelli, Caporizzo, Rizzo, & Pappone, 2020;Mattei, Troisi, et al, 2019;Rizzo, Aucelli, Gracia, & Anfuso, 2018;Rizzo, Vandelli, Buhagiar, Micallef, & Soldati, 2020).…”