La deposizione di travertino nelle aree prossimali dei fiumi Esino, Potenza e Chienti durante l'Olocene antico (Appennino centrale e marchigiano)

Abstract

Since the 9th millennium B.P., phytohermal travertine deposited in correspondance of profile breaks of the rivers crossing the Umbro-Marchean Apennines Ridge. The growth of these deposits, connected with progressive concretioning of vegetal supports, caused the formation of barrages with formation of small lacustrine basins or swamps. Phytoclastic material from the degradation of uphill phytohermal bodies, clays and, more rarely, peats were deposited. This process continued up to the first half of the 4th millennium B.P. During travertine deposition, the surrounding area was covered by warm-temperate forests, which favoured slope stability. Travertine deposition ended contemporaneously in the studied valleys and in other sites of the Umbria-Marche Apennines, as well as in various areas of central-western Europe. This coincidence suggests that the end, or the great reduction of travertine formation, may be the effect of climatic changes at a regional scale, more than the effect of Man actions on slopes.